Personal worst things about Chicago (Lincoln, Woodlawn: crime, neighborhoods, living)

[rca215]

A countdown:

(6) Traffic
(5) Humidity
(4) People who honk in alleys
(3) People who defend honking in alleys despite the fact that it is safer and less annoying to drive at a slow enough pace that you will definitely be able to stop in time for any pedestrians or cars
(2) Empty lots and random no-mans-land industrial areas even around nice neighborhoods
(1) Televisions in basically every bar

What's yours?

[marothisu]

- Loud police/fire truck sirens where i live
- Not enough chill, dark lounges (real lounges) with comfortable couches and chill music playing.
- Your (2) Although I don't see it a lot, but in some of the poorer neighborhoods it depresses me and makes me think about what was once there.

[rca215]

Originally Posted by marothisu

- Loud police/fire truck sirens where i live
- Not enough chill, dark lounges (real lounges) with comfortable couches and chill music playing.
- Your (2) Although I don't see it a lot, but in some of the poorer neighborhoods it depresses me and makes me think about what was once there.

I've never had a siren issue in Chicago. New York was a different story.

I wonder whether the million extra people who used to live in Chicago filled up a lot of the empty space or whether the developed plots were just denser. Probably a mix of both, but it would be interesting to understand what used to be in all the empty space.

[TBideon]

-Dating is harder than I would have ever thought.

[Chicago South Sider]

Well, let's see:

1. Ghetto black culture and crime on the south and west sides.
2. Disappointing dating scene for black professionals, almost ridiculously so.
3. Extreme segregation/racism.
4. Winter.
5. Urban fabric could use some work in many parts of the city.
6. Politicians.
7. Midwestern, provincial populace.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by rca215

I've never had a siren issue in Chicago. New York was a different story.

Depends on where you live. I live in Near North Side so I hear it all the time. It doesn't bother me necessarily, but the fire trucks sometimes are really annoying. The guys are heavy on the horn big time.

I wonder whether the million extra people who used to live in Chicago filled up a lot of the empty space or whether the developed plots were just denser. Probably a mix of both, but it would be interesting to understand what used to be in all the empty space.

Yeah both. Most of that empty space were buildings. I know in Lawndale, after MLK Jr was assassinated there was some stuff burned down (i think?) but yeah some areas had a lot more people. Check it out:

West Town - 1930= ~188,000 people. Today = 81,000
Near West Side - 1930 = 152,000 people. Today = ~55,000
North Lawndale - 1960 = ~125,000 people. Today = ~36,000
Lakeview - 1960 = ~125,000 people. Today = ~95,000
Logan Square - 1930 = 114,000 people. Today = 73,000
Grand Boulevard - 1950 = 114,000 people. Today = 22,000 (Density in 1950 was over 65,000/sq mi)
Lincoln Park - 1950 = 102,000. Today = 64,000
Englewood - 1960 = 97,000 people. Today = 30,000
Woodlawn - 1960 = 81,000 people. Today = ~26,000
Lower West Side - 1930 = 66,000 people. Today = ~36,000

And more

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by Chicago South Sider

Well, let's see:

1. Ghetto black culture and crime on the south and west sides.
2. Disappointing dating scene for black professionals, almost ridiculously so.
3. Extreme segregation/racism.
4. Winter.
5. Urban fabric could use some work in many parts of the city.
6. Politicians.
7. Midwestern, provincial populace.

You seriously took my list except #2. My social life has been great! I would add that I hate the way allot of people don't think the segregation is an issue.

[Vlajos]

Winter for me, though I don't hate it. It's the worst part of living here.

[rca215]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

You seriously took my list except #2. My social life has been great! I would add that I hate the way allot of people don't think the segregation is an issue.

Are you saying segregation is a more serious issue than TVs in bars???!?

(I figured some of Chicago's issues were basically assumed .)

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Winter for me, though I don't hate it. It's the worst part of living here.

I like winter. A warmer, sunnier Spring would be nice though. And agree w marithusiu about the ambulence/firetruck sirens. Its unnecessary about 90% of the time, especially as police have learned a quick warning beep with lights on is enough to get drivers attention.