I moved away from Chicago in 2012 after 5 years there, and just visited this weekend for the first time... (Lincoln: buying, live in)

[Screenwriter70]

Originally Posted by jburress

i think the op suffers from reefer madness.

lol

[ToriaT]

It seems to me Chicago is cleaner than its ever been. Of course I've always been around there and worked or went to school there for over forty years. It was dirty and gritty back in the seventies and before. Now, not so much.

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yes, I know why they are there. It doesn't make them any less annoying though.

[Master Jay]

Chicago South Sider, ironic for me!! I hadn't used the Red Line since October. I think that was the night of the Red Line thread I posted on here.... anyways, I took the Yellow to Red Line yesterday to meet our city-data.com photographer friend, jfre81, downtown. The first thing I saw was indeed 2 men laying down on a row of seats. And both trips back and forth were men asking for quarters or squares. Harmless, in my opinion. But I can appreciate why someone seeking a seat would be irritated. Happy New Year. Hope 2020 is a good one!

[japster28]

Lincoln Park and Downtown, which were both great areas in 2012, are significantly cleaner and more desirable now. I'm not sure what happened in your case, OP.

You sure you weren't living in Naperville bruh?

[Kmanshouse]

I have heard that the Blue line has gotten worse. I ride the Brown, and am relatively a new resident, and that line is just fine. But I have heard bad trends on the Blue, and I try to avoid the Red line south of about Jackson.

Overall, the homeless downtown seem about the same as before, I've worked downtown for 20 years.

Pot is up everywhere, pretty much. Not a fan of that movement.

[WestSideMillennial]

Originally Posted by frimpter928

I don't see it any more dirty or cleaner. The marijuana smell, I dunno, I haven't noticed that change and I take the train every day. Perhaps it was juts bad luck.

Now the pan handlers on the train, yes, for sure. I would say in the past 5 years you see a lot more panhandlers on the trains, and mentally unstable people. I would say that for sure has gotten worse.

How is it happening though? Drugs? I've seen many panhandlers each day, and none that I can tell are under the influence of alcohol.

[WestSideMillennial]

Originally Posted by dtcbnd03

Yeah we need to restrict all panhandling and homeless in the city. Force them into shelters or treatment centers. Eliminate all tent areas too.

Otherwise, I think the city is just as clean and tidy as it was 7 years ago. I hardly ever see trash or waste lying around and others that visit comment on the cleanliness of our city.

Umm have you been around West Garfield Park ?

[personone]

Chicago is getting grander, cleaner, and becoming more of an elite city/world-class every year. Even the CTA trains (and buses) are getting cleaner. Many trains have renovated interiors. More new restaurants, and new construction all over the city. No way that Chicago has gotten less clean in 5 years. It has become more world-class every year!!!!!!!

[wase4711]

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/news...ing-population