Advice about moving to Champaign-Urbana? (Lincoln, Lincolnwood: section 8, apartment complexes, rental)

[movingtocu]

Hi there!

My boyfriend and I are moving to C-U this July (I will be a graduate student attending the university here in the fall), and we're trying to find a place to live. The primary criteria are, of course, that the location be safe and relatively close to campus. We're open to renting (an apartment, house, or townhouse/condo), but also open to buying (a house or a townhouse/condo), provided that the price is below 90K. We're only interested in buying if we're absolutely certainly that the area is safe (and that it is conveniently located, of course).

I would appreciate any advice or comments that you might have for us.

In particular, I am curious about southeast Urbana (between Vine, Philo, Windsor, and Florida). Is this a safe area to live? Is there a lot of crime there?

Are there any areas you might recommend?

[04JETTA]

far as I've heard that part of SE Urbana is fine, not sure about anywhere else

[linicx]

The Universioty has housing for doctoral candidates in Urbana. Apply via form on the University website. I recently added the link in a similar post as yours.

[CPT Puffy]

The area you outlined is generally peaceful and I can recommend it. Crime is infrequent and that which occurs in this area often involves items stolen from unlocked vehicles or unsecured bicycles. I do not recommend renting East of Philo Road. The apartment complexes or rental houses in the vicinity of Lierman Dr., Austin Dr., East Washington St. or the Scottswood neighborhood (East of Prairie Elementary school) are dangerous and subject to increasing levels of crime. The once peaceful and safe Country Squires and Lincolnwood neighborhoods in East Urbana have seen crime rates increase in recent years, coinciding with the construction of the problematic Prairie Green apt complex on East Washington St.

[CPT Puffy]

Consider the apartment complexes in Savoy off of South First Street (roughly 1 mile due South of Windsor Road) or on Church St. Well maintained, very little crime and close to UIUC, perhaps 3 to 5 minutes by car and no more than 10 minutes by bicycle to most of campus. I believe these areas are also served by the CU Mass Transit District. I also recommend checking Craigslist often as the apartments and houses listed for rent thereon are typically less expensive than those listed in commercially available apartment guides.

[tabone1]

The area between Vine, Philo, Florida and Windsor for the most part is fine. There are some areas, especially around Sunnycrest that have some Section 8 apartment complexes. These in particular could be called "unsafe", but that depends on definition.

That's basically just the NE section of the area you designated. The rest of the area is perfectly fine for the most part, and is completely single family homes and duplexes.