thinking about moving to chicago (Fisher, Erie: 2014, rentals, high crime)

[zoobadger]

Originally Posted by marothisu

60614 is the area of Lincoln Park which is one of the safest parts of town. Hyde Park is a good part of town, but you aren't going to want to live there if you're working in Lincoln Park because of the commute. Hyde Park isn't very exciting either.


I'd recommend Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Old Town, Gold Coast, River North, or Streeterville. All of these will be a pretty easy commute to work, all are safe, and all have a lot of things to do. They're all walkable areas where you don't need a car, but if you need one you can always catch a cab, the train, walk, or use a bike via bike share (or your own). Where you will be working is just north of the downtown area which is mostly full of tall buildings (but not all are tall buildings). There are also some tall buildings along the lake where you will be working, but not nearly as many. Most of the buildings are 5 stories or lower.

Actually, if you're driving, the commute from Hyde Park to Lincoln Park is pretty easy. I've been doing it every day for ten years.

BUT, Hyde Park would be a boring place for a single 22 year old. I live there because it's a good family neighborhood and I'm middle aged, so less interested in night life.

The recommendations in this post are all good. Visit Hyde Park for the lakefront, the University of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry, but don't move there..

[zoobadger]

Originally Posted by nana053

I went looking and there is a significant difference between condos and coops

A condominium owner actually owns the apartment in fee simple, like any other homeowner, and owns an undivided interest in the common areas like parking lots, recreations areas, lobbies and hallways.

In a cooperative apartment complex you don't actually own any real estate. Rather, you own shares in a not-for-profit corporation. As a shareholder you get the right to lease space in the building. The corporation owns the common areas.

As a practical matter, a co-op is pretty similar to a condo. When you need to move, you hire a realtor, show it, and somebody buys you out based on the market value of where you live.

One potential advantage of a co-op is that if it's well managed and financially solvent, the co-op will be responsible for more of the day to day maintenance expenses of the property.

One big drawback is that banks are leery of lending money to buy into a co-op, and far less likely to offer home equity loans or re-fi with cash out if you're a co-op resident.

[emma hamid]

Originally Posted by zoobadger

Actually, if you're driving, the commute from Hyde Park to Lincoln Park is pretty easy. I've been doing it every day for ten years.

BUT, Hyde Park would be a boring place for a single 22 year old. I live there because it's a good family neighborhood and I'm middle aged, so less interested in night life.

The recommendations in this post are all good. Visit Hyde Park for the lakefront, the University of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry, but don't move there..

Is hyde park safe?

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by zoobadger

Actually, if you're driving, the commute from Hyde Park to Lincoln Park is pretty easy. I've been doing it every day for ten years.

BUT, Hyde Park would be a boring place for a single 22 year old. I live there because it's a good family neighborhood and I'm middle aged, so less interested in night life.

The recommendations in this post are all good. Visit Hyde Park for the lakefront, the University of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry, but don't move there..

I agree that the commute would be easier if you were driving - but yeah for someone looking for exciting city life, Hyde Park is not the place to be. Good place to visit for some stuff and it's a good neighborhood but not exciting.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by emma hamid

Is hyde park safe?

Yes it's safe, but perhaps you should read what I said about it before and even the poster you're responding to. You want exciting city life - Hyde Park is not that type of place. Even the guy you're responding to said it wouldn't be a good fit for you.

[emma hamid]

Thank you Marothisu. You Have been most helpful with all your comments.

[Lisah168]

Originally Posted by Standard111

Buying a home for a newcomer, is NOT cheaper than paying rent. That makes no sense. Closing costs alone will be six months rent.

Buying only makes sense if you're confident you will be in an area for a while. If you're young and transient, it's almost guaranteed to not make financial sense.

He did the math and we verified it. How do you know? And yes he plans to stay for at least 3-4 years as the company is also paying the tuition for him to get an advanced degree.

[halfantiochhalfbucktown]

Hyde Park is safe because of the patrol because of Chicago University. But "city life" is something like Bucktown or Lincoln Park at North Ave.And it is both safe.

Are you okay for $1200 a month for apartment? Then, you'll be fine.

Also, want to know unsafe Chicago areas?
Englewood.
Garfield Park
Belmont Cragin
Austin
Cabrini Green
City border at Howard
A lot of the South side( Don't count Hyde Park, it's safe)
Portage Park I heard is getting worse.
West side of western Ave is Okay but not the safest.
East side of Western is safe.
As long as you avoid tthose areas, you are fine

[emma hamid]

Lisah168 i went onto the forum your partner started as i was looking at who else from the UK has moved to chicago. How long have u been there? was it a good move? I'm very 50/50 as to whether i should or not.
Thanks and also thank you halfantio

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by halfantiochhalfbucktown

Hyde Park is safe because of the patrol because of Chicago University. But "city life" is something like Bucktown or Lincoln Park at North Ave.And it is both safe.

Are you okay for $1200 a month for apartment? Then, you'll be fine.

Also, want to know unsafe Chicago areas?
Englewood.
Garfield Park
Belmont Cragin
Austin
Cabrini Green
City border at Howard
A lot of the South side( Don't count Hyde Park, it's safe)
Portage Park I heard is getting worse.
West side of western Ave is Okay but not the safest.
East side of Western is safe.
As long as you avoid tthose areas, you are fine

As Cabrini Green is essentially GONE and the surrounding area is pretty close to 100% redeveloped it is silly to have that on a list of "unsafe" areas.

Fact is lots of violence outbreaks in Chicago are predictably found in places like Englewood, which is totally avoid of employment and not anyplace that an outsider ever has reason to go, while there are still odd little pockets of even mostly gentrified areas of Uptown that still harbor a collection of bums and thugs that mean folks need to consider some areas block-by-block...