K-Town, What can people tell me about it? (Chicago, Cicero: neighborhood, live in)

[surlycue]

^^Yeah, she's in North Lawndale about 5 blocks south of the park (Garfield). I'm sure she's one of the many urban pioneer yuppies that bought in a couple of years ago thinking the neighborhood would turn over quickly due to it's proximity to downtown but I was surprised that she didn't site any apprehensions about raising children in that neighborhood. I know you couldn't pay me to do it.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by surlycue

^^Yeah, she's in North Lawndale about 5 blocks south of the park (Garfield). I'm sure she's one of the many urban pioneer yuppies that bought in a couple of years ago thinking the neighborhood would turn over quickly due to it's proximity to downtown but I was surprised that she didn't site any apprehensions about raising children in that neighborhood. I know you couldn't pay me to do it.

She is taking a high risk. She would of been better off in Bronzeville if she into the urban pioneer thing.

[Venom]

I go there to train some dog training program.
It's pretty gritty.

[Humboldt1]

I have driven by those townhomes many times and the residents are basically prisoners in their own homes. They do not dare even cross the street at night. There is a reason why these developments often have high gates, to keep the neighbors and crime out.

I would not live there and pity anyone who does and I do know some folks at my church who do. Very sad area indeed. I don't see any hope for that area anytime soon.

Humboldt Park (north of grand and division) ain't great but areas like K-Town make my area look like the Hamptons.

[ChiMack]

Originally Posted by surlycue

^^Yeah, she's in North Lawndale about 5 blocks south of the park (Garfield). I'm sure she's one of the many urban pioneer yuppies that bought in a couple of years ago thinking the neighborhood would turn over quickly due to it's proximity to downtown but I was surprised that she didn't site any apprehensions about raising children in that neighborhood. I know you couldn't pay me to do it.

so she lives in Homan Square..well if they are small chidren cool, but once they join their teen years it will be tougher because in that area if they make friends and they are told to join a gang if they say no well they will have a hard time there...

does she go out at night and hang out in the area or does she just live there and she hangs somewhere else

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by ChiMack

so she lives in Homan Square..well if they are small chidren cool, but once they join their teen years it will be tougher because in that area if they make friends and they are told to join a gang if they say no well they will have a hard time there...

does she go out at night and hang out in the area or does she just live there and she hangs somewhere else

Well, they are white so I don't know how much pressure there will be on the kids to join a gang. Not sure who's there -- GDs? They hang out in the area in the day a lot, I know she walks up to the park and the conservatory a few times a week.

While I wouldn't do it I don't know if you guys aren't making too much of it. For the most part if she is polite and sociable with other home owners in the area and minds her own business I don't think anyone is going to gat a woman and children on the street in broad daylight. I would certainly be worried about B&E, car vandalism and mugging though.

[ChiMack]

it doesnt matter if they are white; if they are in the neighborhood and the local gang (GD's) is recruiting and they feel they can be useful they will put pressure on them to join...

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by surlycue

Well, they are white so I don't know how much pressure there will be on the kids to join a gang. Not sure who's there -- GDs? They hang out in the area in the day a lot, I know she walks up to the park and the conservatory a few times a week.

While I wouldn't do it I don't know if you guys aren't making too much of it. For the most part if she is polite and sociable with other home owners in the area and minds her own business I don't think anyone is going to gat a woman and children on the street in broad daylight. I would certainly be worried about B&E, car vandalism and mugging though.

Maybe its Vice Lords/4chs over there. Most Chicago gangs accept diversity, so it doesn't matter as much if the kids are white. About time the little kids grow up into teenagers, hopefully the neighborhood be somewhat nicer. Just curious, what made them move in the neighborhood?

[hank0604]

Originally Posted by ChiMack

so she lives in Homan Square..well if they are small chidren cool, but once they join their teen years it will be tougher because in that area if they make friends and they are told to join a gang if they say no well they will have a hard time there...

does she go out at night and hang out in the area or does she just live there and she hangs somewhere else

Just out of curiosity, what are you basing this statement on? I interact on a daily basis with 40-50 of the neighborhood kids, all 6th to 8th graders, and none of them seem the least bit interested in anything but school, soccer, and basketball. Many of the players have 100% school attendance for the year, an accomplishment that I never once achieved. These kids want to succeed. In fact, one of my players yesterday told me about his plans to go to Notre Dame.

So many people choose to turn the other cheek towards the poorer neighborhoods of this city, and write off the residents as destined to continue the cycle. I admit that I have always fallen into that category, but this experience has changed my way of thinking.

And to answer the original question, yes, there is a lot of new development, especially in the blocks between Kedzie and Pulaski, and the Blue Line and Roosevelt.

[latikeriii]

A lot of buppies(black yuppies) are moving to K-town and building new housing. Its definitely a risk but my cousin's house has gone up in value...It still has a Loooong way to go, K-town is rough.