Bridgeport (Chicago, Princeton, Time: condos, crime, landlord)

[MannheimMadman]

I love how this thread is two and a half years old. I guess there is always a good, continuous flow of conversation.

Anyhow, I thought that I might be able to contribute a bit. I began my search within this neighborhood about a month ago. I've been walking the streets a lot and I've seen lots of apartments. Between the Bridgeport News and craigslist, I don't even care to remember how many ads I've called in on and checked out. However, I think one needs to really scour the neighborhood in its entirety to get a good deal. The quality of apartments in a single price range vary wildly; it's incredible.

I find it funny that people have posted on how Bridgeport is still the white, racist entity of the past. In the last week of walking around in the neighborhood and talking with all the landlords, I've found that there aren't as many whites as some people swear that there are. There are LOADS of asians living in Bridgeport. From what most of the locals and landlords say, they are spillovers from Chinatown. Apparently everyone loves their presence in the neighborhood because they are responsible for some of the gentrification.

No, I did not see as many blacks. However, there were plenty of blacks out and about in the neighborhood walking around. Nobody was chasing them with torches or hurling insults at them. It's 2009, not 1964.

I'm not Irish, and I did not feel unwelcomed at any point. If anything, some of those old school hardscrabble type of landlords were shifty at first because they wanted to know why I was in 'their neighborhood'. Maybe that can make some people feel uncomfortable, but after explaining what I loved about the neighborhood and why I chose to look there, they seemed to be okay with me. Heck, a LOT of the landlords were Chinese. I think people are concerned that they would be letting bad tenants in, so they make sure to give them the inquisition.

There were no parts I felt totally unsafe in, but the seediest place seem to be Morgan St from about 33rd to 31st. Obviously there is a blue light right on 32nd and Morgan, and the tell-tale pair of shoes hanging from the powerline on 32nd pl. The area is rife with college aged people and artists. They seem to hang out by the boatloads at coffee shop at 31st and Morgan. I stopped in there and chatted with the barista and some of the local patrons about Bridgeport on the west side of Halsted. They tell me that things between some of the local gangbangers can get heated, but a quick call to the police usually keeps things settled down. Other than that, she said that rocks tend to be thrown at cars and there are minor instances of vandalism.

After that I decided to walk back to that brand new 9th district police station off of Halsted. Heck, an opinion from the local police wouldn't hurt, right? Luckily, it seemed to be a lazy Saturday and there were about 4 guys hanging out behind the counter. I told them I was looking to move into the area, and was considering 32nd and Morgan. He very quickly shook his head, "No." Apparently the problems with gangs/drug dealings can make things a little bit hairy at night in the area.

With that in mind, I checked out a place around 31st and Canal. Obviously, I found that the blocks east of Halstead were much nicer and cleaner than east of it. I have been lucky enough to see places on every street east of Halstead except Lowe. I was very impressed overall.

In case anyone is considering renting in a typical Brigeport 3-flat, I'll say this now: the bedrooms aren't that big at all. 9x9 is pretty typical, with a 'large' room being 11x8 or so. However, a lot of these buildings were built around the 1870's or so. Pretty cool!

So, to conclude my novel of a post, I'll say this: It was the most interesting apartment hunt I've had to date. In the end, I chose the place at 31st and Canal because of the cool neighbors and landlord. Oh, I suppose the location wasn't too bad either. I'm looking forward to quick walks to the redline and Sox games in the spring.

I'll be moving in soon. If there are any Bridgeport people here, maybe I'll see you around at the coffee house or at Freddie's while I'm getting a double Sausage!

[chirack]

From a black persective feeling safe enough to walk through vs. feeling safe enough to buy a house are two different things. That is why you didn't see many blacks there. Otherwise it might be a bit more like Hydepark(more mixed). It will take awhile for the black population in the area to go up and there were incidents into the 80ies.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by ManheimMadman

I love how this thread is two and a half years old. I guess there is always a good, continuous flow of conversation...

I would say it has continued mainly because most of the people that have posted in this thread actually know how to search the forum!

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by chirack

From a black persective feeling safe enough to walk through vs. feeling safe enough to buy a house are two different things. That is why you didn't see many blacks there. Otherwise it might be a bit more like Hydepark(more mixed). It will take awhile for the black population in the area to go up and there were incidents into the 80ies.

Understandably so. I think if anyone were to invest time and money into an area, they'd have to feel safe. There are a lot of neighborhoods I'd walk through but never, ever buy or rent in.

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I would say it has continued mainly because most of the people that have posted in this thread actually know how to search the forum!

Very true. I've tried to make a habit of posting all my questions in this thread. If I had not, I'd have three of four different threads; this would anger the powers that be.

[mag48]

A student from my rural community and I are looking at Bridgeport/Armour Square area for a place that would have a reasonable commute time between IIT, and UIC/or Harold-Washington (Gen Eds) which ever I make my final decision on. One place I saw was around 31st and Princeton. Is this a decent area? If not what are some boundaries you would recommend for us to find a place? Also as far as riding the red line at night how is the 35th/sox station around 10:30? I dont know how frequently I would have to use PT at night but If my part time job got off at that time I would want to be able to walk/get home safely. I am white if that matters, and he is Vietnamese I BELIEVE, but have never asked him. I had created my own topic on this awhile back but not as detailed, and I figured this would be a better place to post. Thanks in advance.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by mag48

A student from my rural community and I are looking at Bridgeport/Armour Square area for a place that would have a reasonable commute time between IIT, and UIC/or Harold-Washington (Gen Eds) which ever I make my final decision on. One place I saw was around 31st and Princeton. Is this a decent area? If not what are some boundaries you would recommend for us to find a place? Also as far as riding the red line at night how is the 35th/sox station around 10:30? I dont know how frequently I would have to use PT at night but If my part time job got off at that time I would want to be able to walk/get home safely. I am white if that matters, and he is Vietnamese I BELIEVE, but have never asked him. I had created my own topic on this awhile back but not as detailed, and I figured this would be a better place to post. Thanks in advance.

31st and Princeton is indeed a decent area. That specific area is mostly two- and three-flats packed tightly together on small lots. Some parts of the immediate area also have something of a "warehouse district" feel. It may be a little noisy though since it's right next to a 12-lane expressway.

Being white in that area is fine, many of your prospective neighbors are too. As for being Vietnamese... there are a lot of Chinese in the vicinity (Chinatown is immediately north) and I don't know if that has any implications for ethnic tensions; Chinese and Vietnamese have not always been on friendly terms, historically speaking. I don't know how much that matters in America in 2010, if at all.

I don't think the 35th Street Red Line station itself is particularly problematic at night, but the Red Line is known to carry some characters come late evening hours. Stay aware of your surroundings.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by Drover

31st and Princeton is indeed a decent area. That specific area is mostly two- and three-flats packed tightly together on small lots. Some parts of the immediate area also have something of a "warehouse district" feel. It may be a little noisy though since it's right next to a 12-lane expressway.

Being white in that area is fine, many of your prospective neighbors are too. As for being Vietnamese... there are a lot of Chinese in the vicinity (Chinatown is immediately north) and I don't know if that has any implications for ethnic tensions; Chinese and Vietnamese have not always been on friendly terms, historically speaking. I don't know how much that matters in America in 2010, if at all.

I don't think the 35th Street Red Line station itself is particularly problematic at night, but the Red Line is known to carry some characters come late evening hours. Stay aware of your surroundings.

I'd assess as the same. Plus, at 31st and Princeton, you'd be right at Franco's Ristorante- a fantastic Italian eatery!

I go to church further up on Princeton (27th) at St. Jerome's. My landlord lives there and tells me there are still some Croatians (including herself) on the block. I think an Italian American club is on the corner of 26th and Princeton (or so) too.

I wish I lived in Armour Square if only to be about 4 streets closer to the red line. I mean, Canal is hardly a far cry from Princeton, but every little bit helps when walking in the cold, you know?

As far as the red line late at night, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays I get out of class at 10PM @ NEIU. By way of the Brown Line, I get back onto the red line. This week has been weird because a LOT of bums seem to be on the train trying to beg or act weird. Obviously, it's more of an annoyance than anything.

I also walk or bike back home from the 35th st. station with no problems. By this time, it is 10:45P or so. Going south on Wentworth and then onto 31st is pretty desolate for the most part; there aren't many people out. Even when I take 35th back to Wallace and and head down to 31st, I see no people.

But yeah, like Drover says- watch your back. I'm honestly more creeped out walking around at night from NEIU to Kimball/Lawrence where the Brown Line is at. There seem to be some weirder characters walking around there.

[mag48]

Thanks I appreciate every ones help on here. The answers are legit and helpful! I found out his ethnicity today and he is Korean. Any particular areas in Bridgeport to stay away from aside from the triangle of diagonal streets?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by mag48

Thanks I appreciate every ones help on here. The answers are legit and helpful! I found out his ethnicity today and he is Korean. Any particular areas in Bridgeport to stay away from aside from the triangle of diagonal streets?

Generally speaking east of Halsted is better than west but you shouldn't come into much trouble in any part of Bridgeport. I guess make sure there's a block or two between you and the public housing on 31st and Halsted and you should be fine.

[ChiHiRiser]

I actually really like Bridgeport. It is far enough away from downtown and the bar laden northside hoods to be quiet, yet isn't really that far at all in terms of getting to them. In fact they recently built a development of very nice homes on Bubbly Creek that I wouldn't mind owning one day...just have to save up and hope housing continues to get cheaper!