I moved away from Chicago in 2012 after 5 years there, and just visited this weekend for the first time... (Naperville: new construction, school)

[Enigma606x]

I have nothing useful to add other than I am home (Chicago) for the first time in four years and rode the bus and train all yesterday. I don't find it any dirtier than before and not one homeless person approached me. Winters here have always had a gray cast on it.

I am happy to be home because I actually like the city. So, that goes along way with how I perceive it while I am visiting.

[BOBNCHI]

Originally Posted by Chicago South Sider

I have noticed that there are a ton of bums taking up space on the Blue Line in the morning. It's annoying when you're trying to find a seat.

I'll move next time!

[Master Jay]

BOBNCHI, good man!!!! I, like you, always offer my seat to anyone. You never know how tired someone might be. And a kind gesture can go a long way. It's good karma. Happy New Year, Sir!

[emathias]

If you're a) a real person, and b) your post is a legitimate impression from your recent visit then I'd say it's merely the luck of the draw.

I just rode the Blue Line from O'Hare to the Loop and then the Brown Line to the Chicago/Franklin station nearest my home and I never smelled so much as a whiff of pot. And I don't think anyone asked anyone for money in the train cars I was in. And while not exactly the kind of environment I'd want to have surgery done or dinner prepared or served, it wasn't any dirtier than usual. And I've lived in Chicago for most of the past 25 years.

You don't say where you've lived in the mean time, but if you've been living in some new suburb somewhere then, yes, any city is going to seem dirtier than what you've been experiencing the past five years.

Also, Chicago almost always seems grittier during the winter, so that probably played a role.

All that said, even allowing for variances on a day-to-day basis, to claim Chicago seems "WAY" grittier reveals a lot more about your memory than it does about Chicago. Some parts are actually "WAY" less grittier than they were in 2012 - especially the Fulton Market district, Streeterville, the South Loop and River North, all of which have enjoyed a tremendous amount of construction of high-rent apartments and (especially in Fulton) office buildings. The Loop, too, has added a little bit of nicer new buildings. Even Lincoln Park has replaced some decent but aged building stock with new high-rent or high-priced residential.

So, winter, a weirdly selective memory on your part, and just luck of the draw would explain any perceived differences. But the reality is that there's little to no difference between 2012 and today, except that downtown Chicago and Lincoln Park are all actually doing better today than they were in 2012 when the central part of the City was still trying to right itself after the harsh beatdown it took from the financial crisis.

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by BOBNCHI

I'll move next time!

You won't have a seat either, not when there are 8 homeless people taking up 18 seats.

[Master Jay]

Chicago South Sider, I guess its no surprise that especially when it's cold out, people with limited resources will be found in warm places as long as they can: libraries, McDonald's, El trains..... Perhaps you've seen me mention in some of my other posts, but I've worked in the Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties jail systems for the last 10 years. You can imagine that if all else seems to lack, people will commit low level crimes so to get arrested, where they get a warm cell and some type of meals.

[chicago0311]

My guess is its all just your perception. You probably don't remember the city that well from 7 years ago. More likely than the city changing that drastically. Chicago has always been a really gritty city.

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

Per the local news, there has been a spate of robberies in the last few weeks (mostly on Red Line trains and platforms, I think). State-inmates-in-training have been strong-arming passengers, and beat up at least one who tried to defend themselves. Where, or where, is Bernie Goetz when you need him? Isolated incidents caused by one group of kids, or a "trend" starting? Be careful out there!

[glass_of_merlot]

Whenever it's cold outside homeless people will occupy the trains trying to stay warm. It's ok. Im healthy and can stand if I have to.

[Master Jay]

glass_of_merlot, although I'm a fan of Cabernet, that was a nice comment! Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year.