Walking in Bucktown/Wicker Park at night (apartment, neighborhood)

[Runuova]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Yep, I've never been mugged in the 20 years I've lived here. Don't know anyone who has been either.

I've never been mugged or shot in my West Englewood neighborhood either, but you still keep your street smarts handy.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Runuova

I've never been mugged or shot in my West Englewood neighborhood either, but you still keep your street smarts handy.

I agree, that is true for most large urban areas.

[Chi-town Native]

Specific to the bag, not sure what you can really do if you need to have a laptop. I'd suggest a fairly grunge-ish quality bag that doesn't scream for attention/imply you're wealthy.

[sydbarrett]

Originally Posted by bryemye

I can't tell if I'm being cautious or paranoid so I thought I'd ask for some opinions.

Are you male or female?

[bryemye]

Fwiw I'm an average sized male.

I understand simple battery and pickpocketing happens everywhere but armed robbery seems a bit heavy to me for a yuppie area. The narrative I've seen through further research is people from humboldt etc coming in for easy, wealthy prey.

If i'd seen this stuff a few days ago I might not have signed a lease. Oh well. As people here have said, if you're street smart chances are very much nothing happens. I'll just have to be cautious while I get comfortable with the area.

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by bryemye

Fwiw I'm an average sized male.

I understand simple battery and pickpocketing happens everywhere but armed robbery seems a bit heavy to me for a yuppie area. The narrative I've seen through further research is people from humboldt etc coming in for easy, wealthy prey.

If i'd seen this stuff a few days ago I might not have signed a lease. Oh well. As people here have said, if you're street smart chances are very much nothing happens. I'll just have to be cautious while I get comfortable with the area.

You are going to fine unless wandering around drunk at 3 am talking on an iphone is a nightly ritual.

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by bryemye

Fwiw I'm an average sized male.

I understand simple battery and pickpocketing happens everywhere but armed robbery seems a bit heavy to me for a yuppie area. The narrative I've seen through further research is people from humboldt etc coming in for easy, wealthy prey.

If i'd seen this stuff a few days ago I might not have signed a lease. Oh well. As people here have said, if you're street smart chances are very much nothing happens. I'll just have to be cautious while I get comfortable with the area.

Does it say where the armed robbery was? I live in Lincoln Park and was surprised to see some armed robberies nearby, but at close look they were convenient stores etc. It's not like some guy got held up at gunpoint and robbed walking home.

[bryemye]

Originally Posted by Jandur

Does it say where the armed robbery was? I live in Lincoln Park and was surprised to see some armed robberies nearby, but at close look they were convenient stores etc. It's not like some guy got held up at gunpoint and robbed walking home.

I'm not sure. I know some of them happen in alleys, etc. which is an obvious no-no.

1800-1811 N. Hermitage Ave. crimes | EveryBlock Chicago

That's what I was looking at. The one that really concerned me was the armed robbery on N. Honore at 11PM. That seems off to me. Perhaps it's just one of those freakish things.

My gut reaction when I went was that it's a perfectly fine neighborhood unless you're out well past midnight and it seems that's the consensus here. I'll just be taking a few too many cabs at night when I first get on the ground until I get a solid feel for the place.

I really do appreciate everyone's opinions.

[RingWalk]

I really wouldn't worry. Given the amount of foot traffic in the area you have about 1,000 times more chance of being run over.

[jwaiter]

Coming home late at night, it's always preferable to be in a cab. I live near there, but my area is a bit sketchier, and I rarely walk home if it's past midnight, I take a cab.