EL Green Line (Oak Park, Union, Humboldt: rental, house, neighborhoods)

[Humboldt1]

So, next week I am moving to Oak Park and will be taking the green line downtown, mostly during business hours, but sometimes I might be riding back out later at night.

Given the recent incident where this guy (my hero) stabs 2 would-be robbers who attacked him, is it necessary for me to arm myself as well? I assumed most of the crap happened outside the train, not on the train. Am I wrong on this, specifically for the Green Line?

I know a number of my co-workers (all female) are afraid to ride the EL after 8PM at night. Is this unfounded? Please advise. Thanks.

[Avengerfire]

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...wn-austin.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...-9pm-safe.html

[Humboldt1]

Metra is a couple more blocks but maybe it is better than risk all this crap. If only law-abiding citizens like me were able to defend ourselves. Even reversing the handgun ban will only help for defending my home, not myself while outside my home.

There must be a lot of Oak Parkers who ride the green line downtown everyday for work, passing by these sh$t neighborhoods (Austin, Garfield Park).

Mostly, I will ride in around 8AM and ride out at 8PM. Will I be safe riding out at 8-9PM at night? I hope so. If not, I will take Metra and walk the couple extra blocks.

[long101]

Im not a big fan of the Green, but would ride it. Just stick to the basics you already know, and bring mase if it makes you feel more comfortable. Of course this is pending that your walk to and from your house isnt bad.

[jdiddy]

You lived in Humboldt Park. I think you can handle it.

At the very least, you should be able to ride it a few times yourself to see whether its worth saving the time walking to the Metra station.

And if you get robbed, sell your story to the NRA.

"If Only I Had My Gun!!"

[Humboldt1]

I will live a block north of red hen bread in one of the better parts of Oak Park. Walking to the train should be fine as should getting off downtown. I am worried about the ride in between thru these bad areas. Driving the worst I ever had to do was deal with people trying to clean my windshield (I have yet to pay any of those clowns).

I don't believe in mace. What I do fear is some dude with a knife or a gun. Mace won't help much in that situation unless you nail the dude. Plus, I am 6'2, 190lbs and very fit. If they take me, it will take more than 1 unarmed person.

[Humboldt1]

I do live in Humboldt Park, but I live in an area much better than a few blocks south. I would not dare walk south of division street alone, day or night. I drive by there all the time, but that is different. I would only take a bus closer to downtown or on the north or northwest side (milwaukee seems okay).

Humboldt Park is very split:

North of Grand west of the Park (Humboldt Park itself) it is mostly poor but working class, mostly hispanic, some black, very few whites or asians.

South of grand, especially south of division street, it is poor and mostly non-working class. Here it is almost entirely black, few hispanics, virtually no whites or asians. I know a few yuppies with my church who have bought places in Garfield Park and Austin and been robbed multiple times. My past even chased after a group of Austin teenagers who stole his car in his rental (and got it back).

Garfield Park and Austin are basically extensions of western and south Humboldt Park, almost entirely ghetto with few prospects. The green line runs right thru Garfield Park (East and West) and Austin. My concern with my ride on the green line is being robbed by people who got in between Austin Avenue and say California. That is why Metra is better, it does not stop in these crappy areas. Less time downtown and less thugs.

[reppin_the_847]

I'd personally take the Metra in your position if I had the choice. Much faster ride & a much nicer ride. Almost no safety issues (in terms of crime) on the Metra. Of course the convenience of Metra kind of depends on how easily you can board the Union Pacific West train at the Ogilvie Transportation Center in the West Loop. If you commute every single day, I'd go with the monthly pass. If you just commute a few times a month, I'd stick with the 10-ride. But hey, maybe the CTA still makes more sense in your position. I'm not completely sure. Maybe you should try both commutes and compare them.

Originally Posted by Humboldt1

Metra is a couple more blocks but maybe it is better than risk all this crap. If only law-abiding citizens like me were able to defend ourselves. Even reversing the handgun ban will only help for defending my home, not myself while outside my home.

There must be a lot of Oak Parkers who ride the green line downtown everyday for work, passing by these sh$t neighborhoods (Austin, Garfield Park).

Mostly, I will ride in around 8AM and ride out at 8PM. Will I be safe riding out at 8-9PM at night? I hope so. If not, I will take Metra and walk the couple extra blocks.

[JoeyPants]

If you were able to survive The Maniac Latin Disciples, Imperial Gangsters, Insane Spanish Cobras in West Humboldt Park, you should be able to handle the green line. When most people say Humboldt Park is split, they usually refer to East and West Humboldt Park (East being significantly better), and not North versus South Humboldt Park, you are the first.

Besides, didn't you say in another thread that you prefer driving to taking public transportation

[Montclare]

I took a knitting class in Oak Park several years ago and had to take the Green Line from Clark and Lake to the Oak Park station. I never had any problems, and this was at night. Of course I had my knitting needles to defend myself!