Anyone live in or know of a safe neighborhood in Chicago?

Question

I'm a 22 year old girl thinking about moving to Chicago after I graduate college. I'm not at all familiar with the area, and I've only been once. I know most areas in the north are probably safe, but I don't know which areas are better than others...

The most helpful thing would be to hear from those who actually live in a certain area/street/building that they would recommend, and why.

Oh... and I have a car but I plan on using public transportation daily to get into the city.

I'm unsure about how much I can actually spend on rent at this point but I'm pretty sure it will be below $700

Answer 1

You probably want the Lincoln Park / Lakeview area, which is where most of the young post-college crowd lives. The area is big - it stretches from Fullerton on the south to Irving Park on the north, the lake on the east to Ashland on the west.

The cheaper apartments - the studios and such - are probably going to be more in Lakeview (north of Diversey) and closer to the lake. If you're near streets and intersections like Broadway and Diversey, Clark and Diversey, Clark and Belmont, Clark and Addison, Halsted and Addison, Southport and Addison, etc. you're in the right area.

Another area you might consider is Bucktown / Wicker Park, centered at the North / Damen/ Milwaukee interchange. That's a very nice neighborhood and a little less expensive than Lincoln Park and Lakeview, though further from the lake. Walk up Damen from North and you'll see what I mean.

You might try chicagoreader.com's spacefinder. They have tremendous numbers of listings, sorted by affordability, and you can check the addresses to make sure it's in the right area.

By the way, while those answering about the suburbs mean well, I'm sure, I wouldn't live in the suburbs if you're 22 and single, with one exception - Evanston. That's north of the city, but still on the L line, near Northwestern university. I doubt it'd be any cheaper than the city, but you could certainly look there - it's a terrific suburb and has easy access to Chicago.

Answer 2

The safest one are the ones in the north suburbs and south suburbs. There are so many to name so I'll list the best ones - Tinley Park, Orland Park, Richton Park, Matteson, Bolingbrook, Naperville, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Barrington, Woodridge, and downtown area (although very pricey). Stay away from Chicago Heights, Harvey, Calumet Park and anywhere in the city.

Answer 3

The Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods just north of downtown Chicago are safe but expensive - the Uptown and Rogers Park neighborhoods are cheaper, but with more crime. If you have a car, you might consider a northern suburb, like Evanston.

Answer 4

i might individually say stay interior the suburbs...o.ok.Park woodland Park Berwyn River woodland are very virtually quarter-hour from downtown chicago. Suburbs that are approximately 20-half-hour away and are even nicer... Schaumburg, l. a. Grange, Brookfield, Lombard, Lansing, Darien, Westmont...in case you % to stay in chicago south loop is close to downtown (south) and Lincoln Park (north). i won't be able to say that their secure because of fact crime happens everywhere. yet they're safer than different factors.

Answer 5

It would've been helpful if you would've included what kind of work you'll be doing, how much rent you can afford, whether you own a car or will be taking public transportation. These could all play a big factor.
But here are some areas:Clark/Diversey area
Wrigleyville
Lincoln Park area
Depaul University area

Answer 6

The suburb of Frankfort right outside of chicago. 30-45 minute drive there. 1 hour downtown or to the sox game