Moving to Chicago/Studying at UIC (Washington, Paris: rent, crime rates, safe area)

[mardukism]

I currently live in Tyson's Corner, VA about 10 miles outside of Washington DC. It's one of the SAFEST places I've ever been to, all the problems that I've had living here were probably caused by my own actions, not that I seek trouble but just to show you how safe it is. However, it's almost impossible to live here without parental support, it's so EXPENSIVE. I have an aunt that lives in Chicago and she offered to host me for a month or two while I get my life in Chicago started. But as a foreigner I didn't know that major American Cities are plagued with high crime rates. I googled Chicago and I was like WTF?!?!?!?!?! It sounds more dangerous than Iraq.

Anyway, I was wondering if you can provide me with safety tips including what areas to avoid, what times to stay in and so on. Also, I was wondering if there are any cheap rent in a safe area, let's say around 500 or 600 dollars a month.

Also, Any tips on how to spot muggers without the racist stereotypes, any effective self defense weapons commonly used by people? I sound like I'm panicking, but I'm not.... I'm just clueless.


Thanks!
~ Milos

[RingWalk]

Geeze. Relax. Chicago is not that dangerous. 90 percent of remaining safe in Chicago is just avoiding bad neighborhoods. Nearly all of the violent crime takes place on the far south and west sides. (Practically speaking.) When you get here you will quickly learn what neighborhoods are totally safe, which you feel safe during the day and which you want to avoid altogether. Where does your aunt live? She will be able to tell you what's what.

[Vlajos]

sounds like a nice troll to me.

[mardukism]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

sounds like a nice troll to me.

thanks for helping, seriously! Much appreciated.

[Vlajos]

My pleasure!

[mardukism]

Originally Posted by RingWalk

Geeze. Relax. Chicago is not that dangerous. 90 percent of remaining safe in Chicago is just avoiding bad neighborhoods. Nearly all of the violent crime takes place on the far south and west sides. (Practically speaking.) When you get here you will quickly learn what neighborhoods are totally safe, which you feel safe during the day and which you want to avoid altogether. Where does your aunt live? She will be able to tell you what's what.

She lives in Wicker Park. I'm not so sure she can give me any practical advice since shes rather old 'in her 70s'. How about at night? Say weekends after mid-night?

[Vlajos]

Wicker Park is super dangerous. I wouldn't set foot in it.

[RingWalk]

Nothing to worry about in Wicker Park. Or around UIC.

If you are that worried at first just stay in the areas bounded by Western, Roosevelt, the lake. The north side is all pretty safe.

Walking by yourself really late at night in any neighborhood, except for nightlife hubs packed with people, can be dangerous--anywhere--so I would advise against taking long walks at odd hours, though it sounds like that's not something you're planning on doing anyway.

Really it is just common sense. If you are in a neighborhood that is kept up nicely, you'll be fine. If you notice you've walked into a neighborhood where places are falling apart and guys with tatoos and no shirts are hanging out on the corner, you would do well to get out of there. Avoid groups of screaming teenagers who look like they are looking for trouble. Avoid people who look like they are in gangs.

That's all I got.

[emathias]

You're over-reacting.

I've lived in Chicago for most of 16 years and I've only known two people who've been mugged.

There are occasional random crimes, but honestly I don't think there are any more here than anywhere else. I saw more fist-fights in the 10 days I spent in Paris than I've seen in my 16 years in Chicago. And what's with the car-burning in European cities? You rarely see mob-related car fires in any American cities, and I don't recall seeing it in Chicago. Certainly nowhere near as often as we see it happening in Paris and London on the news.

Anyway, there are really two rules of thumb to avoid the vast majority of problems in Chicago:

1) Don't engage in the illegal drug trade. Not as a dealer. Not as a customer. If you have a heroin problem, don't come to Chicago.

2) Don't walk through dark alleys.

The worst neighborhoods you're very unlikely to go to anyway, as there isn't much there to induce visits by people who don't already live there, but once you arrive in Chicago you can ask around to find out more specifically which areas to avoid. RingWalk's street guides are silly - don't adhere to them or you'll miss out on big swaths of the city with a lot to offer (like Chinatown, Hyde Park, and a bunch of other stuff). There are are few very dangerous areas on the South Side and West Side but most of the South Side is fine, and the worst parts of the West Side are fairly contained.

[aragx6]

$500-600 is really too low. you'll need a roommate to make that work.

Chicago is no where near as dangerous as Iraq. The fact that you suggested it is exactly what's making people think you're a troll. Where did you even read such nonsense?