Oak Lawn vs. Evergreen Park IL??? (Chicago, Washington: condos, crime, townhomes)

[mdash]

I was wondering about opinions about Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park. Safety is most important to me, and also costs as far as taxes too. How about shopping and access and time to downtown Chicago? Are there pockets of these areas that are better to live in than others? I realize housing prices have come down quite a bit and I could probably get a nice small home for a good deal. I am not interested in condos or townhomes, but just single family homes. I like the Beverly area also, but I have heard that crime there has gotten worse in the past couple of years, and also I think it may be quite a bit pricier than Oak Lawn or Evergreen Park. I am looking for a quiet street with lots of trees and close access to the city and shopping. Thanks!

[rmce]

Oak Lawn is safer than Evergreen Park and Beverly areas. There are more bars and late night activity in Beverly than most areas. Both are not very far from Chicago (about 30 minutes)

[Drover]

Originally Posted by rmce

Oak Lawn is safer than Evergreen Park and Beverly areas. There are more bars and late night activity in Beverly than most areas. Both are not very far from Chicago (about 30 minutes)

Both border Chicago.

Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park... six of one, half-dozen of the other. Crime is not a significant issue in either nor in Beverly, though things do deteriorate pretty rapidly once you cross the eastern border of Beverly.

[J3_Dog]

I think my Grandparents are buried in Oak Lawn, Oak View. Something like that. I do know they lived in Hegewish. I wish someone could fine the tombstone for me, and take a pic, as I am in Ky and hav e been for over 50 yrs now

[Halsted]

Beverly does not have bad crime. Who told you this? It's Morgan Park to the south and Washington Heights to the immediate east that have a crime element. Evergreen and Oak Lawn are fine too, although I don't know if I'd consider them having good "access and time to downtown Chicago". If you're looking for walking distance to downtown, you're looking in the wrong area. If you're fine with 30-45 minute drive to the Loop, then you're ok.

Also, there isn't much public transit that extends out that far just in case you were interested. Closest L stops are Midway and Pulaski on the Orange Line, which are on like 55th street, so I doubt you'd be making much use of those. There are Metra stations in Oak Lawn and Ashburn that can get you to Union Station downtown.