Springfield Safety question (Fairview: neighborhoods, living, pool)

[Marcar12]

Through all my reading on this forum, I have learned that the east side of Springfield is not the best part of the city. I am wondering where this "east side" line runs.
I am considering some housing in the more "central east" part of town. It is close to Fairview Park and Memorial Pool Park. Can anyone give me any thoughts as it if this area is best to avoid?... or if it would not be far enough east to be a problem?

Thank you for your thoughts!

[Scio42]

That's not the best area, but it's not horrible and definately not the worst part of town. That area's more of a blue collar/working class neighborhood with a few bad elements. The closer you are to Sangamon Ave, the better that neighborhood gets.

The east side that most people suggest you really avoid is bounded roughly East from 9th street to the railroad tracks several blocks west of Dirksen Parkway and South a few blocks from North Grand to roughly around Bunn Park. Cook St. from Eastside Dr to 9th Street is probably the worst of the neighborhoods.

[Marcar12]

Thank you for the info! It helps a lot!

[AbqTeacher]

Yeah, there are a few decent blue-collar neighborhoods on the east side of town that tend to get avoided for no real good reason....Laketown comes to mind.

[Maintainschaos]

Those areas are pretty much blue-collar, middle class...but they should be plenty safe. In my recollection, the "bad" part of the city (a completely relative term, mind you), is an area that spans from the intersections of Cook St. & 11th to S. Grand Ave & 11th, and eastward. However, every area has it ups and downs.

[CPT Puffy]

Based on my own prior experience living and working in Springfield, I tend to agree with the boundries identified in previous posts. I would "draw the line" at 9th Street for the West boundry. Had friends who lived in Laketown and the "Cabbage Patch" areas. The residents of these neighborhoods really seemed to look out for each other, although they're often thought of as "rough". If you would consider the east central area, I would suggest looking at the Enos Park area (north central). Not perfect, but it is more desirable than the east central area.