Albany Park - gay-friendly/unfriendly/nobody cares? (Skokie: condo, neighborhoods)

[Venom]

Originally Posted by green_babuschka

Thanks Surlycue - it's at least six blocks from the Kimball stop so I wouldn't think this would be an issue but, Venom, do you think noise might be a concern?

We had a good feeling in this neighborhood. I did an everyblock.com search on the areas and the type of crime was what you see in almost all city neighborhoods, a few car vandalisms, simple assault, drug possession. Didn't seem to be that many occurrences though. Would it be okay to walk your dogs (small ones and both more defenseless than I) in the evening? I'm not talking past 10 or anything. Opinions?

I see people walking dogs all the time so that won't be a problem.
And yes, most crime is basic city crime.
Noise won't be a concern.
There might be some parties once in a while where Mexican music is blasted at night, but no real noise producing things in those areas.

[Lookout Kid]

I know a gay couple (male) who has owned a house in Albany Park for seven years. They seem to like it.

[green_babuschka]

Lookout - thanks. Do you happen to know which part of Albany Park they reside in?

[Drover]

If you insist on wearing your gayness on your sleeve and making sure everyone knows you're gay all the time, some people might give you grief. If you just go about your business and mind yours, others will do the same.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by surlycue

I would just avoid PDA in some of the Middle-Eastern/Arab owned businesses as they seem to be more conservative then the Asian and Latino businesses.

Albany Park is a great area and the diversity and variety of cuisines and businesses can't be beat.

I second this general observation. Its important for people moving into any diverse urban neighborhood trying to look for "funkiness" to understand that has different cultures; those cultures maybe just as or more conservative (at least socially) and may not approve of outward personal expressions. Its probably best to understand those cultures just a bit, and then act accordingly when you are around them. ie: There is a BIG difference between being Turkish and Arab, although the average American might not know or understand that.

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Turkish and Arab, although the average American might not know or understand that.

I didn't mean any offense. When I said Middle-Eastern I really meant first generation Muslim-Americans. Any children born in Chicago will probably be less staunch. Jewish and Christian Turks, Albanians, Iraqis, etc are difficult to pick out of a line-up so when in a business that you aren't entirely familiar with it helps to air on the side of caution.

Can't we all just get along?

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by green_babuschka

Lookout - thanks. Do you happen to know which part of Albany Park they reside in?

Near the Kimball Brown Line Station. I don't think there are many other gay couples on their block, but they've done a nice job rehabbing their house.

[green_babuschka]

I'm strongly considering a move to Albany Park but one of my reservations is that the streets where the properties we like are located are very narrow and some are cul-de-sacs.

Does anyone know if these types of streets (cul-de-sacs or dead ends, narrow) are plowed in the winter? Are they a nightmare to try to navigate?

I live in Chicago so I'm realistic about having to dig my car out, but I want to make sure that I can actually get off the street as well.

Thanks!

[Intergalactic]

Best to ask at the ward office.

http://33rdward.org
http://www.aldermanlaurino.com

[Venom]

For the most part they do.
They might be a little late sometimes.
Last year when everything melted and refroze there was ice patches everywhere for a while.


Also, people put chairs and other stuff to save their spot after they shovel it out.
Although I heard that starting this year you will be fined.