Lakeview to Buena Park (Chicago, Byron: apartments, lease, hotel)

[Aria07]

Hi, I recently moved to Chicago & signed a 6-month lease for an apt. in Lakeview, on Elaine Place. So, I'm now looking to move out of that apt... (RATS!) & am close to signing for an apt. in Buena Park. This new place is located on Bittersweet Rd., off inner LSD. But I still don't feel like I know the neighborhoods that well & don't get a good vibe about that general area. I've heard in general that Lakeview=nice, & Uptown=sketchy, but Buena Park seems to inspire conflicting views. The area north of there (Wilson L stop), & even south (Grace to Irving Park) seem slightly sketchy & there's a lot less people walking around than my area of Lakeview. Would I be giving up a degree of safety there? I'd really appreciate and comment or advice from residents who know the area. Thanks so much!

[marothisu]

In general I would say the area you're moving into is fine. There's actually a few private schools (like the French International School) right near you. I have a few friends who live just south of there who are pretty "afraid" people, so I'd have to say based off that and based off my own personal experience, the area is fine. That's not to say there's nobody sketchy ever, but Buena Park IMO is usually fine.

You are correct about some of the other areas and them being sketchy, which I would say somewhat begins at Montrose & LSD and by the time you're at Wilson and then Lawrence it's a bit sketchier for sure.

One bar (slash restaurant) I like in that area is Holiday Club on Irving Park & Sheffield (just off the Sheridan Red Line stop) BTW.

[Larry Siegel]

Buena Park is fine but hemmed in by sketchy areas just to the north and west (Uptown) and a small and slightly sketchy part of North Lakeview that you described, between Grace and Irving Park. This last area is gentrifying quickly and when the huge project on Halsted and Grace is finished in about a year, it will have a much less isolated feel. See North Halsted Mega Development Under Construction in Lake View - Lake View, IL Patch. When the disgusting Hotel Chateau is either torn down or gutted - the city is requiring one or the other - the area will be much better. You'll be fine.

[Lookout Kid]

I lived in Buena Park for eight years. It's pretty much totally fine, with the exception of a few problem buildings on the 800 block of Cuyler and the gauntlet of bums on Broadway by the Uhaul. I actually like it better than the portion of East Lake View just south of Irving Park Road.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

Buena Park is fine but hemmed in by sketchy areas just to the north and west (Uptown) ...

The western border of Buena Park is Graceland Cemetery, so nothing to worry about there. And the area just west of the cemetery is really, really nice--and actually a part of Lake View that juts out north of Irving Park Road. Many nice single-family homes with well-off owners. One of the most family-oriented areas of the North Side, actually.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

The western border of Buena Park is Graceland Cemetery, so nothing to worry about there. And the area just west of the cemetery is really, really nice--and actually a part of Lake View that juts out north of Irving Park Road. Many nice single-family homes with well-off owners. One of the most family-oriented areas of the North Side, actually.

I was referring very narrowly to Buena Park as the lakefront area east of Clarendon, along Clarendon, and in the first block west of Clarendon where the streets end at Hazel. So I meant that Broadway and Sheridan to the west are a little sketchy. This may not be the "official" definition of Buena Park and I'm sure I'll be corrected.

The area west of the cemetery, officially part of Lakeview and containing Lakeview High School, is beautiful although I think of it more as part of East Ravenswood than Lakeview - it is almost entirely single family homes and doesn't have the Lakeview singles/gays vibe.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

The area west of the cemetery, officially part of Lakeview and containing Lakeview High School, is beautiful although I think of it more as part of East Ravenswood than Lakeview - it is almost entirely single family homes and doesn't have the Lakeview singles/gays vibe.

That area is really nice, but I disagree that it's mostly SFH's. I spent a lot of time there this summer helping my girlfriend scope out new apartments. We toured a lot in that area and while there aren't any mega buildings there, there are a decent number of medium sized apartment buildings. Just go to Cuyler and Southport for example. They are even intermixed in areas like Greenview & Byron...or say Belle Plaine and Southport area.

I do agree though. The area is great, and some of the single family homes there are really really great.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

I was referring very narrowly to Buena Park as the lakefront area east of Clarendon, along Clarendon, and in the first block west of Clarendon where the streets end at Hazel. So I meant that Broadway and Sheridan to the west are a little sketchy. This may not be the "official" definition of Buena Park and I'm sure I'll be corrected

Yes, that is a very narrow definition of Buena Park, as the actual neighborhood is pretty small already, and Hazel only runs through the northern part of the neighborhood. The western border is the cemetery. Period.

There is nothing sketchy about western Buena Park along the cemetery. And Broadway is only a problem because of the liquor stores and foot traffic, not really anything having to do with actual residents or buildings. The 800 block of Cuyler has a few buildings owned by a notorious slumlord, and is a foothold for the Spanish Gangsta Disciples (hallowed ground for them, as it has historic significance to the formation of their gang).

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

The area west of the cemetery, officially part of Lakeview and containing Lakeview High School, is beautiful although I think of it more as part of East Ravenswood than Lakeview - it is almost entirely single family homes and doesn't have the Lakeview singles/gays vibe.

IIRC, that section of Lakeview north of Irving and west of Clark is known as "Graceland West".

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by marothisu

That area is really nice, but I disagree that it's mostly SFH's.

You're right, I was really just thinking about the mansions on Greenview.