How Safe Is Cicero and Berwyn? (Chicago, Oak Park: apartments, to rent, crime rate)

[noxxi-a]

First time on here but i need alittle help. Me and my girlfriend have been looking for an apartment to move into because our current one is getting too high with rent and isn't worth the amount they've raised it to.

We currently live in Portage Park, down the street from the Montrose Blue Line stop. I love this neighborhood, it's quiet and mostly residential for houses with apartment high rises sprinkled in, there are stores very nearby and it's safe to walk at night with people always out walking their pets.

A co-worker at my girlfriend's job suggested to try and look at Cicero and Berwyn along with Forest Park which is the area we we're dead set on. So i did and found a nice looking 2 bedroom that is spacious in Cicero for $825, almost $40 lower than our current rent.

I did some Google searching as we know nothing about the city besides the apartment address saying it's less than half a mile from the Cicero Pink Line stop. I read some bad things about violence, gang crimes, and property crime like break-ins and Burglary. But i also read that not every neighborhood in Cicero is unsafe.

So, would anybody here know if the area the apartment is listed in is in a bad neck of the woods or not along with info about how safe Berwyn is compared to Portage Park?

Listing says the apt is on 'South 50th Ave' and another is 'West 18th St.' .

[BRU67]

You should also do some searching of this forum, as there's about 10 million threads on Berwyn, and 10 or so on Cicero. In sum, Cicero is a lower income vast-majority Hispanic suburb. Berwyn is a more upscale version of Cicero, with some DINKs and LGBTs who like old homes mixed in with the Hispanic families. Neither has a high crime rate, but there is gang activity in Cicero and some in parts of Berwyn (primarily in the areas with a lot of apartments). Check the block you intend to live on by visiting at different times.

[ToriaT]

I own a two flat in Berwyn and my son who is 30 lives there. I'd say the advice above is good. I'm often in the area, and I have had no real problem with crime but it does exist. We had a snow blower taken from our garage because the door was accidentally left unlocked. The crime rate in Berwyn is less than Oak Park. I'm not sure how it compares to some of the Chicago neighborhoods on the northwest side but I would think it would be just as safe. Keep one thing in mind. The police in Berwyn are good and come when you call. That is not always the case in the city. I'd be careful around any city neighborhood and any inner suburb, its just prudent to do so. If you can get an apartment near Cermak Rd you can hop on the Cermak bus to get to the Pink Line which is very convenient and one of the safer CTA lines I think. I'd favor Berwyn rather than Cicero. And if I were looking I'd stay away from the northeast corner of the city. Meaning I'd go closer to 22nd street and west of Ridgeland. The reason for this is the far northwest tip of Berwyn is closer to the Austin neighborhood of Chicago which has a higher crime rate. There are lots of restaurants and stores in Berwyn or surrounding areas and more moving in. It recently got its first Starbucks.

[noxxi-a]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

I own a two flat in Berwyn and my son who is 30 lives there. I'd say the advice above is good. I'm often in the area, and I have had no real problem with crime but it does exist. We had a snow blower taken from our garage because the door was accidentally left unlocked. The crime rate in Berwyn is less than Oak Park. I'm not sure how it compares to some of the Chicago neighborhoods on the northwest side but I would think it would be just as safe. Keep one thing in mind. The police in Berwyn are good and come when you call. That is not always the case in the city. I'd be careful around any city neighborhood and any inner suburb, its just prudent to do so. If you can get an apartment near Cermak Rd you can hop on the Cermak bus to get to the Pink Line which is very convenient and one of the safer CTA lines I think. I'd favor Berwyn rather than Cicero. And if I were looking I'd stay away from the northeast corner of the city. Meaning I'd go closer to 22nd street and west of Ridgeland. The reason for this is the far northwest tip of Berwyn is closer to the Austin neighborhood of Chicago which has a higher crime rate. There are lots of restaurants and stores in Berwyn or surrounding areas and more moving in. It recently got its first Starbucks.

I rode the bus by the Austin part of Oak Park and we aren't looking for anything near there, too crowded and i could see the group's of intimidating teens and adults who stand around and don't look up to much good, no offense. I grew up in Bronzeville and went to high school in the middle of Englewood so living quietly and unafraid in Portage Park is a dream. The apartment we're looking at is less than half a mile from the Pink Link if that helps you know where were going to possibly be living and whay kind of neighborhood it is compared to the rest of Cicero.

[noxxi-a]

Originally Posted by BRU67

You should also do some searching of this forum, as there's about 10 million threads on Berwyn, and 10 or so on Cicero. In sum, Cicero is a lower income vast-majority Hispanic suburb. Berwyn is a more upscale version of Cicero, with some DINKs and LGBTs who like old homes mixed in with the Hispanic families. Neither has a high crime rate, but there is gang activity in Cicero and some in parts of Berwyn (primarily in the areas with a lot of apartments). Check the block you intend to live on by visiting at different times.

You mean there's much more info about Berwyn on this site than Cicero? Is there ton of gang violence everywhere in Cicero or just certain parts like Chicago where certain neighborhoods are worse than others? It's good to hear there isn't a high crime rate in either place, though. Thanks for the advice of checking out the block, we're hopefully going to a showing of the apartment in a couple days.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by noxxi-a

You mean there's much more info about Berwyn on this site than Cicero? Is there ton of gang violence everywhere in Cicero or just certain parts like Chicago where certain neighborhoods are worse than others? It's good to hear there isn't a high crime rate in either place, though. Thanks for the advice of checking out the block, we're hopefully going to a showing of the apartment in a couple days.

Yes, Berwyn is a very controversial suburb because it's majority-minority but still on the radar of some white homebuyers (mostly former City dwellers looking for their forst house) due to its proximity to Oak Park and the cool hoising stock. So, as a result, there are a lot of threads which go back and forth between "it's great!" and "avoid!" Those threads tend to get long and drawn-out. Cicero, by contrast is not on the radar of these individuals (the primary demographic of this forum) so there are not a lot of threads on it.

As to your other question, Cicero is something of an extension of South Lawndale. It has similar issues. Unless you're in a gang, you probably don't have much to worry about, and it's not really super violent like Austin, Englewood or the other really bad Chicago neighborhoods where we're seeing the majority of the homicides.

[ToriaT]

Like I said I would not prefer Cicero but its probably not that bad compared to many city neighborhoods. I've gone there many times mostly during the day for various reasons and I've never felt unsafe. Its demographic is similar to a more inner city neighborhood. I don't think either suburb is "filled with gang violence". Berwyn has some tagging incidents. I've never seen groups of people on the street just hanging or milling around either suburb but I have when I drove through Lawndale. Where you are looking might be okay...I would not parade around the streets at night...especially if you are female. I go to Freddies Pizza all the time by myself during the day and it seems fine.

[kzav311]

Raised in Palos hills but work in Cicero
Mexican know the areas there pretty well.

If your white most likely you won't get looked at in Cicero but beware walking alone in the neighborhoods in day and night because if they don't recognize you they think your up to no good.

However it's a neighborhood thing but really it's really fine and all but try to be near or close to 22nd Cermak because the restaurants and stores and so police and people walk more along there so they can help of they think you need help.

Trust me I was nervous coming from Palos hills walking alone in the neighborhood and I'm Mexican but can't speak Spanish and the worst I had happen was asked by some guy to buy Hine a pack of cigs.

Worst thing I say is Cicero is housing is cheap and is more affordable buying a house than renting for 840 because taxes are higher but prices are so cheap.

Berwyn is step up working class majority Hispanic but very few whites remain but I seen them but they never send their kids to local schools. Berwyn has bars restaurants and more and a new home run Inn pizza. Problem is rent will be more expensive and homes cost more. Don't expect to rent a nice fixer place because most who rent do cheap cosmetic fixes and you find out later wtf.

However I will say Cicero for cheaper rents as long on 22nd Street but don't go towards 21 and below because it gets a little bad there with the apartments.

BerWyn safer and more stuff to do
Overall both are really underrated

My best advice is go walk on 22nd and see how you like bothe suburbs you will see students walking and adults and elderly with kids ando couples

It's fun and trying all the pastries mmm

[via chicago]

berwyn usually has like 1 murder a year. if it were a chicago neighborhood, it would be considered pretty damn safe. if anything, its mostly boring. just lots of single family homes and long term residents. not much to worry about really if youre used to chicago. probably similar in fell to parts of portage park honestly.