The HP gets a bad rap (Spaulding, Humboldt: credit, neighborhood, living in)

[rparz]

Everyone always says unilaterally to stay out of Humboldt Park, which there are some exceptions

It can be block by block, similar to living in Logan.

I knew a girl(!) who lived just west of the park and called Spaulding the Dividing line between sketch and non-sketch.
East of the park, had some really nice looking rehabs and what not.
And, I've had more than a few associates smattered within a stones throw (all east of Spaulding, mind you) of North and never really had any issues.

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by rparz

Everyone always says unilaterally to stay out of Humboldt Park, which there are some exceptions

It can be block by block, similar to living in Logan.

I knew a girl(!) who lived just west of the park and called Spaulding the Dividing line between sketch and non-sketch.
East of the park, had some really nice looking rehabs and what not.
And, I've had more than a few associates smattered within a stones throw (all east of Spaulding, mind you) of North and never really had any issues.

This can be said about every area of the city, but you're not going to find most people moving to Englewood because one block seems relatively quiet. The truth is, HP is gang infested and if that doesn't bother you, go ahead and move there.

[Aleking]

I think HP's reputation matches reality pretty nicely...similar to my neighborhood, it's a large area, has nice areas and areas of intense gang activity, it's relatively convenient to other nice areas and most importantly it's priced accordingly.

[sarahdeanne]

Originally Posted by Aleking

I think HP's reputation matches reality pretty nicely...similar to my neighborhood, it's a large area, has nice area and areas of intense gang activity, it's relatively convenient to other nice areas and most importantly it's priced accordingly.

I agree with this. As we've seen over and over on here gang activity is everywhere in the city there is no "safe" spot. I really like Humboldt park but it make sense for it to have the reputation and prices that it does. It's never going to get closer to the "el" so it will always be second rate convenience (and west HP will always be behind east HP). The gang presence is not going away but it is a huge area with a lot of families and other concerned inhabitants that make for great neighbors. Granted I don't watch much news so I am not sure if the media over sensationalizes the negative events in HP beyond what it is.

[BurbstotheCity]

The one stretch of Humboldt Park that seems pretty decent is the area on North between Western and Rockwell...a handful of new shops and restaurants popping up along there...but outside of that, I haven't really seen anything that catches my eye (in a good way!) in Humboldt.

[Chi-town Native]

Anyone who thinks HP is "sketch" now would die of fright if they could go back in time to the early 90s and walk around there on a Sat night. It has come so much further than most people give it credit for.

[williepotatoes]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Anyone who thinks HP is "sketch" now would die of fright if they could go back in time to the early 90s and walk around there on a Sat night. It has come so much further than most people give it credit for.

Thankfully, Humboldt is a world away from what it once was. Beginning in the early 70's, it morphed into a mortal combat zone between several of the cities largest and most vicious gangs. It continued that way for near thirty more years. Only Englewood could rival the bodycount during that spell.

Most folks today could never imagine the kind of terror that was so common then. I frequented HP often in those days and was never comfortable in my own shoes there, no matter how hospitable my hosts were. It was the wild, wild west.

Today I'll park on Division street and nonchalantly visit one of my favorite PR restaurants with little or no apprehension. Yes, HP is a lot better than it was.

[quigboto]

I live in HP, and am lucky enough to live on a decent block w mostly good neighbors. HP as a whole has a ways to go, but things are getting better. Some parts of HP are very resistant to change though, and may never progress unfortunately, mostly south of grand and west of kimball.