How safe is area around Kedzie and Armitage? (Normal, Bloomingdale: home, safest area)

[maestrajj]

I am looking at taking a part-time job in this area. I would be walking out to my car past 9pm. From driving around, I got the sense that it might not be the safest area. I'm a white 37 year old female, for whatever that's worth... I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

[booradley33]

I actually lived on Kedzie/Armitage for almost 2 years. At the time I was a 19-21 year old white male. I NEVER had a single problem. I would usually come home from work between 1-4AM. Humboldt Park is certainly not the safest area but the north side of the park is the safest area IMO. I did hear of a neighbor being mugged in the area (but it was about a 1/2 mile north on Kedzie/Fullerton). But that was the only story in 2 years. This could have happened in any neighborhood. Generally, if you are not a gang member (which i am assuming you are not ) you are not in much danger.

I would worry more about your car than your own personal safety. Again, I had no issues with this either. And, in fact, the area has become much more gentrified since I lived there (1999-2001). But my roommate did have his muffler stolen 3 times! Why? No idea.

If the money is good enough to warrant taking the job, I, personally, would certainly take it. Hope this helps, maybe others have different opinions. But speaking from personal experience, it's not an area you should be COMPLETELY paranoid about.

Just my $.02. Good luck!

[Chicago60614]

I lived at Fullerton and Kedzie for 3 years, although that was back in the early 2000's. I loved the area and had no problems at all. Normally things didn't get a bit shady until you get south of Bloomingdale, or over around Central Park Ave. Even then, it wasn't crazy ghetto or randoms getting attacked on the street - it was just a bit more suspicious.

[quigboto]

Kedzie and Armitage is pretty decent, and there is always activity in the area at that time of night, people walking around, walking dogs,going to the neighborhood bar/restaurants etc...I frequently walk home from Streetside Cafe on that corner at 9-10 at night and have had no problems.

[Trollblaster]

Make sure you carry mace.

[surlycue]

I live a block from there and have never had any problems. If you had to walk to the California train stop that might be a reason to carry pepper spray, not that the stop is unsafe but you'd be covering more distance than simply walking to your car. I wouldn't have any hesitation about taking the job.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by quigboto

Swing a dead cat and you're as likely to hit a hipster as anything else. Carry mace if it makes you feel better, but the area is fine.

That pretty well sums it up. I live a bit East of there and walk around that area at least once a month (mostly between 10PM-3AM). I haven't had a problem in 7 years, and friends who live within a few blocks of that intersection have never had any problems beyond getting a car radio stolen.

[James_Carmona]

I had a sister who was shot and killed waiting for a bus on North Ave. I don't know if its just me, but I would avoid Humboldt Park... try West Town or Logan Square, Ukrainian Village...

[Savoir Faire]

I would frequent Streetside Cafe back in 2005. It was a hangout for hipsters. Went back in 2008 and noticed a more professional and conventional clientele. I guess that means the area is yuppifying. The immediate area seems ok, it does get shadier as you go west of Kimball, east and north on Kedzie is hipsterville.

[Chi-town Native]

I've been familiar with this intersection since first discovering Rosa's in the late 80s. On its worst day it's not even remotely as crazy as it was back then (cars getting jacked up and having tires stolen on Armitage was not an uncommon occurence).

And most of the time it's totally fine - but take a spin around there 11 pm-ish on a Fri or Sat in a warmer month, that's when you might have some over-served types out on the streets either just making noise or up to no good. If you aren't in a gang 90% of the crap that still goes on won't affect you, but you don't really want any part of that remaining 10% either.