Why are there so many threads trashing South Side and West Side neighborhoods? (Chicago: house, places to live)

[deechee]

Originally Posted by Ralph Furley

Great, you sound very intelligent with all of your "sweeping generalization" talk and "misguided energy this, peace that".....but the fact remains that the west side is a ****hole and the southside minus certain Hyde Park blocks isnt very far behind. Sorry. I dont care how many stats you pull and big words you use to present the stats.....those area suck ass and should be burned and rebuilt.

I know I may be reprimanded for this, but I really hope you learn you will get nowhere in life thinking that way.

I'm very glad I don't know you, and happy that I have spent most of my life on the south side of Chicago. Yes, I've even been to the west side numerous times, and was very pleased and guess what!!!! I didn't get robbed, shot, harassed, or anything else. Like I've mentioned before I am the owner of a nice late model car, and never has it been broken into, stolen or vandalized.

I have had a very happy childhood living in Chicagoland. Beverly, Morgan Park, Washington Heights, etc. are all great places to live south of Hyde Park. How can we forget Mount Greenwood, Chatham, and parts of West Chesterfield.

I hope you can find that happiness sometime in your life. You are spouting nothing but hate, and that kind of talk is not welcomed on C-D, at least as far as I am concerned.

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by bry456

There's this page on youtube called YoChicago, a real estate company?:

Joe's site is pretty great for getting a feel for new developments, business openings and community projects in areas I would never personally step foot in. YoChicago — New homes, apartments and condos for sale and rent in Chicago

Lots of condo conversion Northside posts to weed through but the interviews are typically excellent and worth the time.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by deechee

I hope you can find that happiness sometime in your life. You are spouting nothing but hate, and that kind of talk is not welcomed on C-D, at least as far as I am concerned.

Yeah, I have to admit I'm wondering why the moderators let these posts through.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Yeah, I have to admit I'm wondering why the moderators let these posts through.

Agreed. I can't believe he isn't blocked...

[tb4000]

Pretty much any areas in the Chicagoland area that are, for lack of a better term, mostly black get bashed or immediately mentioned to newbies as places never to go or even consider moving to. I'm from Gary, and the NW Indiana forum is the exact same way.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by tb4000

Pretty much any areas in the Chicagoland area that are, for lack of a better term, mostly black get bashed or immediately mentioned to newbies as places never to go or even consider moving to. I'm from Gary, and the NW Indiana forum is the exact same way.

Dude even blacks bash Gary.

[ncc]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I loved the West Side. 45 years ago.

Hmm, I wonder why?? What happened to the west side after the Jews and Italians left?? And why did they leave, when they had 2 beautiful parks (Douglas and Garfield, where my dad used to play)?
Take Washington BLVD to the city and appreciate all the beautiful old homes.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by ncc

Hmm, I wonder why?? What happened to the west side after the Jews and Italians left?? And why did they leave, when they had 2 beautiful parks (Douglas and Garfield, where my dad used to play)?
Take Washington BLVD to the city and appreciate all the beautiful old homes.

OK-this may be "touchy", but I am curious. Humboldt Park for example: My parents/aunts & uncles say it was very well kept and safe until the early 60's. Is it uncaring landlords or a different personal/cultural approach to property maintenence that led to burnt out/abandoned buildings and less consistently maintained yards and properties? What causes buildings and sometimes entire blocks to change from well kept to trashy? Truly am not attempting to troll or flame here, just seeking information/knowledge/better understanding.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by ncc

Hmm, I wonder why?? What happened to the west side after the Jews and Italians left?? And why did they leave, when they had 2 beautiful parks (Douglas and Garfield, where my dad used to play)?
Take Washington BLVD to the city and appreciate all the beautiful old homes.

I was at Douglas Park recently. Nice large park, but I felt nervous leaving the area around 9pm.

The park seems to be fine, but (maybe it's just me) the neighborhood is a little uncomfortable for me.

[Banx]

Originally Posted by Drover

I think what you're seeing is spillover from Bronzeville to the east where the business district isn't nearly as vital. For all but the most basic services, Bridgeport essentially is Bronzeville's business district. My sense is that Bridgeport's resident AA population is still rather low.

Bridgeport is an Irish ethnic encalve. It's population has always been predominately Irish. I used to grow up there on Morgan and 35th, back in the days of when rednecks and hillbillies were living in the area (yes in the city). Didn't notice anything too business like about the area, especially concerning black folks coming in from Bronzeville. Black folks conducting any business there was about as likely as someone from Lincoln Park conducting business in Garfield. I guess things have changed though. You'll know you're in the heart of Bridgeport when you're in the quiet more residential streets with green grass and it's dotted with little old Irish churches and cathedrals. You'll hardly believe you're on the south side, I can't remember the street cordinants though. No black folks there though I can assure you. But obviously it's alot better now than it was back then. I remember when my parents finally saved up enough money to move from the south side to the "ritzy and affluent" north side... right around the corner from Cabrini in Old Town back in '97. Yeah, yikes, even then that area was like "ooo and aaa" compared to Bridgeport back in 90's. Interesting memories in Bridgeport though.