Noble Square (Chicago, Columbia, Ashland: for rent, how much, school)

[PAKennedy]

The area seems nice enough. I personally like the looks of the houses closer to chicago ave., but thats me. Also there's a school/special education center there (open?), that usually makes for plenty of watchful eyes.

[Libertine]

I live in Noble Square (Crystal and Noble) and it's a nice, quiet residential neighborhood with all the amenities (bars, restaurants, nice parks, bus routes, the el) nearby. There are some issues with safety (some shootings-usual gang related and burglary). Overall it's a good neighborhood and a nearly perfect location relative to some of the most popular neighborhoods on the north side (wicker park, east village, river west, river north, etc). In other words, there's a lot nearby, but you might have to be more cautious than if you lived in wicker park or lincoln park, but definitely worth it for the money.

[Lookout Kid]

I used to live in Wicker Park, and always wondered about Noble Square... Are those low-rise housing project-looking buildings along Milwaukee Ave. part of it? What's the deal with those? Are they CHA? They look very institutional.

[Avengerfire]

I lived over there for a year by Augusta and Milwaukee. It is not bad, it is getting better. However you have to keep your eyes open ALL OF THE TIME. At night is when you need to be on guard. The buildings on Milwaukee are full of CHA Section 8's and various other people on programs. No offense, but around those buildings is where most of the crime happens in that area.

[Drover]

Additional commentary in this thread.

[APPLEI]

i think there are two gangs in that area
Latin Jivers
Almighty Harrison Gents
i don't know how dangerous they are

[Attrill]

I visit friends in that area frequently and it's not a bad area. The main things to be careful of are random muggings and break ins, there was a rash of both last year but it seems to be much better now. My wife and I considered buy a condo around there about 5 years ago and would have felt comfortable living in that neighborhood.

[Drover]

Thread's a year and a half old, guys.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by Drover

Thread's a year and a half old, guys.

Saw just after I posted - but I think keeping comments about an area in one thread can be a good thing. There are two ways to look at the thread:
1 - it is just there to answer that one person's question
2 - it is there as a resource for anyone who searches for "Noble Square"

I think using it as the second can keep a lot of advice organized in a more accessible way - i.e. not having a new "Noble Square" thread with the same info every three months.

[Drover]

Just sayin'