Ukrainian Village Location Safety Question (Downers Grove, Wilmette: co-op, safe area, income)

[krwshl]

I have found a place that is a few blocks south of division and in between ashland and damen. I am pretty sure I know the answer to this ... but is this a safe area?

The only reason I ask is because I have been told to stay east of western and north of chicago. Just wanted to be safe rather than sorry later ...

[Lookout Kid]

It's pretty safe now. It's basically a southern extension of Wicker Park. Of course, the city disclaimer applies, in that you always have to be careful and vigilant. Don't expect it to be Wilmette. Or even Lincoln Park, for that matter.

[Lookout Kid]

One thing I'd add... Ukranian Village is probably nicer closer to Damen, and the northeastern part is a little bit worse because of it's proximity to Noble Square. So staying closer to Damen than Ashland is preferable.

[krwshl]

It is on Honore, so it is 3 blocks from Damen and 4 Blocks from Ashland ... so it sounds like I am in good shape.

My main reason for this area was its proximity to 290, since I will be working in Downers Grove and it is still close to some cool shops.

[wickedripeplum]

Yes the area is safe. For that matter so is the majority of Noble Square. Also, technically the area between Ashland and Damen is the East Village.

[Lookout Kid]

Noble Square has a large grouping of low-income HUD housing on Milwaukee Avenue, but most people don't let it crimp their style. There's also a tower near Milwaukee/Ashland/Division that's a bit more of a problem building, but it was kind of rehabbed a few years ago. I don't think it's horrible, but it's definitely a bit more desirable to be closer to Damen. It's right in the heart of the action now with all of the new shops and restaurants on Division. That stretch was full of prostitutes and junkies when I moved to the city.

[rgb123]

I used to live in East Village on West Ohio Street. That was about 7 years ago. It was already pretty much okay then, it seems to have only gotten trendier. I didn't like walking around at night, thought it was oddly placed for taking the el unless you liked taking the bus (I was just off Damen, about a mile from the North Ave. Stop and almost equally far from the Division one). and I was also pretty darn close to the projects.

I never had any problems during the day, though walking around at night I almost always got honked at or gestured to. my bike was stolen the only night I left it out. I had a jeep and all the change and stuff was stolen out of it.

Generally though, okay. Only an issue in the dark, and alone. I felt fine for the most part if I was walking with a friend or a guy.

I've driven by a couple of times latley and it seems to be better, but not wildly different.

I would probably not live right there again because of the transit issues. If you are closer to an el stop there its a better idea. I also hated riding my bike around there...but then I went to UIC and it was just a major major hassle.

[Avengerfire]

Ashland is a bit rough south of Divison. I would avoid that at night if on foot.

Dont have a false sense of security for the general area. It is much improved from even 3-4 years ago, but it has a bit to go still.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Noble Square has a large grouping of low-income HUD housing on Milwaukee Avenue, but most people don't let it crimp their style. There's also a tower near Milwaukee/Ashland/Division that's a bit more of a problem building, but it was kind of rehabbed a few years ago. I don't think it's horrible, but it's definitely a bit more desirable to be closer to Damen. It's right in the heart of the action now with all of the new shops and restaurants on Division. That stretch was full of prostitutes and junkies when I moved to the city.

That tower is a "co-op "now. It is a former CHA buidling. Btw it contains basically the same residents that it had as a CHA property. So all in all you basically have a housing project high rise at that corner and low rise (a co-op also) housing project south of it on Milwaukee. I would avoid going near those for sure. When I lived over there it could get quite hairy after dark in Noble Square and East Village for that matter.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

One thing I'd add... Ukranian Village is probably nicer closer to Damen, and the northeastern part is a little bit worse because of it's proximity to Noble Square. So staying closer to Damen than Ashland is preferable.

I could not agree more.