Logan Square and Avondale crime issues!? (Chicago, Cicero: lofts, buying, living in)

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by ryman3500

I am thinking about moving to Avondale, around Central Park and Milwaukee, I was wondering if anyone could tell me about this area of Avondale. It looks safe to me but I really wouldn't know... all I know is what I have read on the thread.

Totally depends on the street. I live just north of Diversey & Milwaukee, and haven't had a problem (nor has my wife) in the 8 years we've been there. I walk by there regularly, actually.

But Milwaukee and those NE-SW running diagonal streets can create some very isolated pockets - my guess is if you are fairly close to St Hyancinth's it's OK, and it you'll be on Central Park or Milwaukee that's OK as well. But I'd be wary of one of those little streets that dead ends and thus gets little through traffic.

It's absolutely worth the time investment to go and walk around (or drive if you have to) later on a Fri or Sat night, if that doesn't seem too bad, it's probably OK. But too many people see apartments Sat late mornings or early afternoons, which is a very poor indicator for what the late night can bring...

[Chi-town Native]

by the way, run, the artists are coming!

Logan Square's Morris B. Sachs Flatiron Building Gets a Face Lift - Chicagoist

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

by the way, run, the artists are coming!

Logan Square's Morris B. Sachs Flatiron Building Gets a Face Lift - Chicagoist

Oh jeez, and just as I'm moving back to the 'hood.

[ryman3500]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Totally depends on the street. I live just north of Diversey & Milwaukee, and haven't had a problem (nor has my wife) in the 8 years we've been there. I walk by there regularly, actually.

But Milwaukee and those NE-SW running diagonal streets can create some very isolated pockets - my guess is if you are fairly close to St Hyancinth's it's OK, and it you'll be on Central Park or Milwaukee that's OK as well. But I'd be wary of one of those little streets that dead ends and thus gets little through traffic.

It's absolutely worth the time investment to go and walk around (or drive if you have to) later on a Fri or Sat night, if that doesn't seem too bad, it's probably OK. But too many people see apartments Sat late mornings or early afternoons, which is a very poor indicator for what the late night can bring...

hmm... that sounds good. Me and my roommate are going to check out the place Thursday afternoon. on another relatednote, I read that it is not that safe around the Belmont blue line stop. Is that still true?

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Totally depends on the street. I live just north of Diversey & Milwaukee, and haven't had a problem (nor has my wife) in the 8 years we've been there. I walk by there regularly, actually.

But Milwaukee and those NE-SW running diagonal streets can create some very isolated pockets - my guess is if you are fairly close to St Hyancinth's it's OK, and it you'll be on Central Park or Milwaukee that's OK as well. But I'd be wary of one of those little streets that dead ends and thus gets little through traffic.

Agreed. We took our daughter to a home daycare just a little south of there for a few years and the area seemed fine. The daycare provider had lived there for 25 years and raised 4 kids, she really liked the area.

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

It's absolutely worth the time investment to go and walk around (or drive if you have to) later on a Fri or Sat night, if that doesn't seem too bad, it's probably OK. But too many people see apartments Sat late mornings or early afternoons, which is a very poor indicator for what the late night can bring...

This is a really good idea. Unfortunately right now is not the best time of year to check out a neighborhood. An area that may seem fine on a Saturday night in January may be very different in the summer. I'd also try to check out the area on the warmest possible night you can. That said, if it is in area that gets a lot of traffic it should be fine.

[mattwisconsin]

I am looking at Logan Square because it seems like a place where one can buy a reasonably priced house in Chicago. What is the deal with Diversey? Is it the border between good and bad neighborhoods. Is it decent between certain streets? I don't want to insult people living there now, but any help would be appreciated. I have been living in Lakeview East and renting for the last few years and now looking at buying a house, which means no more Lakeview.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by mattwisconsin

I am looking at Logan Square because it seems like a place where one can buy a reasonably priced house in Chicago. What is the deal with Diversey? Is it the border between good and bad neighborhoods. Is it decent between certain streets? I don't want to insult people living there now, but any help would be appreciated. I have been living in Lakeview East and renting for the last few years and now looking at buying a house, which means no more Lakeview.

Diversey isn't really a meaningful border, the east-west street might be. Depending who you talk to, it's either Kimball or Central Park where Logan/Avondale get dicey.

Me, I'm cool all the way to Pulaski!

You might want to try Avondale, from Diversey to Addison and between California and Kimball if you're in Lakeview East. A lot of people (like myself) have done exactly what you're thinking of, going west for more bang for your buck.

[mattwisconsin]

Thanks for the response. Does E or W of 90/94 make a difference? Or is it better in the north or south of Avondale?<br>

[Drover]

Originally Posted by mattwisconsin

Thanks for the response. Does E or W of 90/94 make a difference? Or is it better in the north or south of Avondale?<br>

Where Avondale is concerned, northeast of the expressway tends to be nicer than southwest of it. For Logan Square, northeast of Milwaukee Avenue tends to be nicer than southwest.

[mattwisconsin]

Thanks again.<br><br>