Is Uptown Chicago a safe place to live in? Found an apt..thats awesome .?

Question

The place is cool but have no clue about the area around me..want to know if its safe at night to walk from the EL...havent heard that much about it..anything will help. Thanks

Answer 1

It's an area in transition. It used to be a pretty run down area, basically Skid Row. There were a lot of shoddy housing, lower income families, etc. In fact there is still a big homeless shelter there on Broadway near Montrose. It used to be a big Native American population there, but now there's some of everything there: White, African American, African, Indian (both kinds), Latino, Asian... you name it. There are still a lot of low-income people living there (not that that's a bad thing), along with a lot of senior citizen residences.

I won't lie. It can be a little shady in sections. There was a kid that got stabbed to death in his apartment not too far from the area recently (but on the other hand, there was no sign of forced entry, indicating that he knew the person that did it and probably let the person inside, so it's not like it was a really random thing). There have also been incidents of people being robbed, but that happens all over the city in all kinds of neighborhoods, rich and poor. It's Chicago, it's a big city. There is going to be crime. But like any place in the city, the key is not to make yourself look like a victim. Walk like you know where you're going, don't be afraid to make eye contact (walking with you head down afraid to look at anyone is a good way to get robbed). Don't be afraid to tell someone to bug off (you don't HAVE to talk to a homeless guy just because he ask you for money). Develop a "city attitude" and you'll be fine.

But the neighborhood has been changing lately. Lots of condos and lofts have been built, particularly on Sheridan road near Lawrence. It makes for a strange picture: very expensive lofts right next to a soup kitchen. There's a new Target going up in the neighborhood, there is a Starbucks and a few boutique places on Wilson, the main street in Uptown and right by the main el station in the neighborhood (there's a shop that sells speciality TEA, for crying out loud!) . There's a huge Crunch gym on Montrose (basically the start of Uptown), a bunch of new bars, a couple of comedy/improv clubs, a huge swanky sushi bar, a Borders book store, two massive concert venues (The Uptown Theater and the Aragon), the famous Green Mill Jazz club. And it's not too far from the lake and the lakefront bikepath...

There's a political battle going on for control of the neighborhood. the current alderwoman has the lower income people as her base of support, while the newer residents, the ones buying the lofts and stuff, feel she isn't doing enough about crime. so there's a lot of accusations flying back and forth about crime and conditions, etc. And there has been an influx of new residents from the public housing developments that have been torn down across the city. A lot of them have settled into neighborhoods on the north side, like Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park, etc. And yes, some of them have brought their gang activities with them.

I suggest you take a little mini-vacation to Chicago and visit the neighborhood for yourself, during the day and night to see what it's like. I personally think it's pretty cool. I live not too far from the area, further north in Edgewater (which actually might be another good place to check out for apartments - cheap and not as crowded as Uptown). I've added some links about Uptown if you want to check it out. Good luck.

Answer 2

Uptown has nice parts and not nice parts. If the apartment is around Sunnyside, stay away. If it's over by Roscoe, it's wonderful.

My personal preference is Lincoln Square, about a mile or so from Uptown. Much safer, especially at night, and it has a real nightlife. But the best part is that it's at the beginning of the Brown line of the EL. So you don't have to watch trains go by that are already full. Besides, you get more apartment for the money.

As for those who said Rogers Park...it's the same as endorsing Uptown. Both have some pretty nasty areas (I went to Loyola and lived there for 4 years...stay away from Sheridan Road at night). West of Ridge is better than Rogers Park proper. It's an area called appropriately enough "West Rogers Park" and it's a very Jewish and yuppie neighborhood. But then if you live there, you're not close to the El and you're back to walking through bad neighborhoods at night when you get off the train. None of the Rogers Park El stops is in a "good neighborhood".

Answer 3

Living In Uptown Chicago

Answer 4

I didn't live in Uptown (had a place in Rogers Park), but I knew people who did and used to hang around at all hours -- I never had a problem, and I think if you exercise a normal amount of caution like you would anywhere, you shouldn't have much to worry about.
Take a friend with you, and go check out the area in the evening once before you move in, so you get an idea of what it's really like. That was a tip I got from a realtor once, it's a good idea.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is Uptown Chicago a safe place to live in? Found an apt..thats awesome .?
The place is cool but have no clue about the area around me..want to know if its safe at night to walk from the EL...havent heard that much about it..anything will help. Thanks

Answer 6

It's a good area, but has been bad over the years with the drug addicts and homeless people, but if you did your homework well and saw an apartment make sure it's in an area where you see heavy traffic since some parts of the city is secluded at certain times of the night and day so you want to be careful.

Note to Wusabi12....you live in one of the most expensive counties in the state of IL and I went to college up in Lake Forest so it's not all that because you're getting the slew of displaced ppl from the PJs moving up there.

Answer 7

I was born and raised in Chicago and I live in the suburbs now. I definitely would not feel safe walking in Uptown from the el ... especially at night ... but that's just me.

Here is a good link specifically about Uptown to help you decide for yourself:

http://www.uncchicago.org/crime_and_public_safety/index.html

Answer 8

To be honest, Uptown is one of the least safe areas of the northern Chicago neighborhoods. I used to visit there often and had a friend who lived there. It's extremely ethnically diverse which is nice, but crime is high. That's why rents are cheaper there than in Lincoln Park, Lakeview or Edgewater. I also wouldn't recommend Rogers Park. If you look at the crime stats, I think you'll see tons of crime concentrated in Uptown and Rogers Park, and much lower rates in Lincoln Park.

Answer 9

All neighborhoods have crime. Anytime you live in a big city it is good to be on your toes and aware of your surroundings. Make sure you are never followed either on foot or by car. Criminals tend to pray on people afeter midnight because less chance of being positively identified in a lineup. A $10 lawyer can beat those charges. Don't stare at people. I used to live over there and I loved the mix of people and the many different types of food. Just be smart and stay safe.

Answer 10

Uptown Chicago is not bad at all. Please do not listen to any of the other posts. It's a little sketchy but thats just like any neighborhood here in chicago. You do have your gangbangers (nothing like rogers park and westside) but they don't bother you at all. Uptown is upcoming with some world class nightspots, Aragon, Riviera, and a really good Jazz bar.