Thoughts on Wildwood/Sauganash

[ToriaT]

I'd go for it. Being from the Chicago area, I would not really look to live in Lincoln Park if I had to go back to the city but would seek a more neighborhood type of place. The Lincoln Park of thirty or forty years ago is gone. I would go for Wildwood/Sauganash and skip Old Irving Park. There have been some crime issues there lately.

[chicagocpa22]

I grew up in Wildwood/Edgebrook and attended St. Mary of the Woods. The main attraction as I saw it was that it was still within city limits (but felt more suburban) and the fact that its walking distance to the edgebrook metra station. The majority of the students from my grammar school went to Loyola, Ignatius, Regina, Notre Dame, and a few to the top chicago public schools if they got in. I think a large misconception is that many of the residents are cops/fireman. What I personally saw were mostly white collar professionals and high-up city workers. I felt the cops/fireman demographic was more true in Edison Park. Keep in mind that if you live in Sauganash, you will most likely not be walking distance to either Metra stations (Edgebrook or Forest Glen).

Overall, the neighborhood was extremely safe. In grammar school, most of the students walked to and from school each day without parental supervision and many families left their front doors unlocked/open in the summers for friends to just walk on in. The North Branch trail is right there too which makes for nice bike rides/runs in the forest.

[Muffy118]

Thanks ToriaT! Great insight and didn't know about some of the crim in Old Irving. Thabjs!

And chicagocpa22...thanks! My husband and I are attorneys (yuck, I know. But have made career changes). I didn't get the vibe the neighborhood was filled with cops, city workers or that there was a misconception so thanks for the heads up (granted I've only driven through many times and word of mouth scoop).

Everyone has been so helpful!

[ToriaT]

I am not saying that Old Irving Park is crime infested but there have been some incidents. The other neighborhoods you mention are nicer and safer.

[jrs2]

For what it's worth, living in Old Irving would give a semblance of city life. If you loved LP, sauganash might be too suburban for your taste. Old Irving would be a nice balance.

[Muffy118]

Thanks jrs2! Great advice!