Logan Square, west bucktown input (Chicago, Glenview: transplants, real estate, rent)

[Travelerkw]

Hello all,

I'm thinking of purchasing a property in this area, on Armitage, between Western and California. Does anyone have thoughts on the safety and the future of this neighborhood? Is it considered a safe area. As I'm new to Chicago, I'd love input from those more familiar.

[MannheimMadman]

This particular neighborhood is known as Palmer Square, and is on the rise. There's a lot of great stuff popping up on Milwaukee ave, and you'd be close to Revolution Brewery (yum.)

There is still some crime in the area, but it will probably decline as the neighborhood continues to gentrify.

For reference, my wife and I looked at a handful of condos in the area which were garbage, but still had higher asking prices. The fact that they sold for asking price either indicated that people were speculating on the neighborhood heating up or that they really wanted to live there despite the 'meh' quality of housing. I suspect both.

[Travelerkw]

Thank you mannheimMadmen,

I'm wondering if this is a better area, or on campbell, slightly north of north? Where did you guys end up living? do you buy or rent

[MannheimMadman]

I think either location is a good choice. Campbell and North is also a great choice; you're a short 4 block walk from the Wicker Park six-corners corridor, which is teeming with commerce, food, live music, etc. Wicker Park is already completely gentrified and super, super nice.

Truthfully, you don't start seeing really noticeable crime until you go west of Kimball or so. As always, the classic maxim of 'don't wander around by yourself late at night' or 'don't wander in alleys by yourself' applies. I'm sure you know that crime happens everywhere, even in Chicago's very best and most expensive neighborhoods.

As for us, we ended up buying a place in Jefferson Park, which is about 4 or so blue line stops north of where you're looking. Since I work in Glenview and commute to work by Metra train, I had our real estate agent pull all properties that were within walking distance of the Milwaukee District North line (which encompasses 4 or 5 different neighborhoods.)

Best of luck in your search.

[jonnynonos]

I'm not overly familiar with Logan Square, but in general I think when you pass Western you are stepping over what a lot of people think of as a potential border for the capacity of gentrification to spread. Of course it varies neighborhood to neighborhood; one subject you will often see debated on this forum is just how many transplants are going to keep coming and spreading west in search of cheaper rents.

But offhand I would say the original location's proximity to Milwaukee would speak well for it.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

I'm not overly familiar with Logan Square, but in general I think when you pass Western you are stepping over what a lot of people think of as a potential border for the capacity of gentrification to spread. Of course it varies neighborhood to neighborhood; one subject you will often see debated on this forum is just how many transplants are going to keep coming and spreading west in search of cheaper rents.

But offhand I would say the original location's proximity to Milwaukee would speak well for it.

Excellent advice in 2002.

[MannheimMadman]

Indeed. Even though I lived in squeaky-clean Andersonville for close to 5 years, I'd have no aversions to living closer to Central Park Ave.

[quigboto]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

This particular neighborhood is known as Palmer Square, and is on the rise. There's a lot of great stuff popping up on Milwaukee ave, and you'd be close to Revolution Brewery (yum.)

There is still some crime in the area, but it will probably decline as the neighborhood continues to gentrify.

For reference, my wife and I looked at a handful of condos in the area which were garbage, but still had higher asking prices. The fact that they sold for asking price either indicated that people were speculating on the neighborhood heating up or that they really wanted to live there despite the 'meh' quality of housing. I suspect both.

Not to nitpick, but that area isn't known as Palmer Square. It's Logan Square. Palmer Square is a very small area to the north and west.
The area the OP is asking about is definitely appealing due to the gentrification along/around Milwaukee and will further benefit from the opening of the 606 (aka Bloomingdale Trail)
I still find some of the surrounding neighborhood (mostly south of Armitage) to be a bit sketchy, even so, it continues to improve. I think the most dangerous thing about neighborhood however, would be being so close to Parsons Chicken and Dante's Pizza. My cardiologist would kill me.

[jonnynonos]

I'm not really sure what the glib comments are meant to imply, but I was talking about appreciation in real estate more than anything.

But I hate to contest, you know, any absolute authority on the subject.

[Windy5555]

I really like that stretch of Armitage just west of Western, and strongly prefer it to that closer to North Ave.