Because I want to avoid travelling on the freeways, they are hell. I want to plan better routes using the side roads, but I don't want to be driving throught an area I shouldn't be driving in.
2006-09-05 04:11:50 · 7 answers · asked by luedvic 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Chicago
Nice--North Michigan Ave
So-so--South Michigan Ave
Ghetto--anything west of the Dan Ryan
2006-09-05 04:14:29 · answer #1 · answered by Penguin Gal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a cute white woman driving through Chicago for the first time a couple years ago, I can understand your question. BUT, having now driven through areas of Chicago for the last 4 years I can tell you that it really will not matter. If you think it is a bad area, keep your windows shut and do not look at anyone. The worse that has happened to me, is having people ask me to buy drugs while stopped at a stoplight. You just say no and drive off. Stop at busy gas stations, and it will not matter where you are. Chicago is made of bad parts and good parts right next to each other, on the same street. Stay off the roads after midnight, I notice that most of the bad things happen between midnight and 5 am. Good luck
2006-09-08 22:40:48 · answer #2 · answered by Nostril_B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, you will drive through a bad area going on "side-roads" coming from any direction. You need to come into town on an Interstate.
Nice -- Lake Forest and Highland Park (north); Geneva and St Charles (far west).
So-So -- Orland Park (southside); around O'Hare (west).
Ghetto -- south on Madison Avenue; 43rd and Martin Luther King Drive.
Scary areas -- Bachelor's Grove Cemetary (southside) -- voted Chicago's most haunted.
2006-09-06 06:31:29 · answer #3 · answered by BShakey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nicest areas are nearest to the lake. Take a drive on LSD...Lake Shore Drive
For a good idea of the rest, take a north/south tour on the longest street...Western AV. Worst part is near the Eisenhower Expy (I-290).No pblm in daylight. Just don't stare at strangers.
2006-09-05 22:48:22 · answer #4 · answered by tichur 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Uh, you do NOT want side roads. Are you going to be east? Try Lakeshore Drive. And don't worry about "the ghetto" or "scary areas..." they are NOT going to car jack you. They're going on about their business as you do the same. The diversity changes from block to block and just about every 10 blocks you have a major gentrification project going on so, you'd waste SO much gas. What parts will you BE in? EVERYBODY of every walk of life live in and around downtown. Just be aware and have no fear.
2006-09-06 20:15:15 · answer #5 · answered by Sleek 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you nuts? I don't know of any "side roads" in Chicago that are "safe". Try Cabreenie Green, that should make your day.
2006-09-05 11:18:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
in general north is nice, south is seedy and run down.
2006-09-05 13:46:18 · answer #7 · answered by Marvin 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋