Quote:
Originally Posted by zoltan
Become developed, become safe to walk to the El stops, not be utterly terrifying to live... You know, that sorta thing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoltan
Nah, wasn't considering it, but it had (has?) been for some time one of those neighborhoods that might be just on the cusp of getting revitalized but it can never quite get momentum going. I think every city has one of these sorts of neighborhoods.
Rogers Park is far from terrifying in some spots, shady in others. There used to be a shelter pickup-dropoff up here that would infect the beach with crackheads after 9pm; that stopped in around 2010.
I just bought up here because I wanted a 3rd bedroom, outdoor space, non-touristy beach access, and a garage. The Metra and Red Line are maybe an 8-minute walk apart, grocery shopping is abundant, and bars are neighborhood instead of touristy.
It's my 3rd time living up here. 1st time was in college in a sketchy part, 2nd time was a condo on Sheridan from 2005-09 that I loved. Now, being slightly west of the Metra here is exactly what I want. Everyone has outdoor space, half the block leaves their grills and patio furniture out without problems, the Metra is less than a 5-minute walk, Red Line less than 15, I'm between the Clark and Western buses. One of my favorite pizza places is up here, one of my favorite BBQ joints, walking distance from a relatively decent golf course, I love Indian food, and I don't wanna trap my 4-burner grill on a fire escape to have my guests eat indoors on a nice day but still have the space indoors for 4-season entertaining.
I love the slightly south-of South Loop and can understand why you do. The town homes there probably would have been something to chase if my wife didn't need North Shore Metra access. In Rogers Park, on Sheridan or east of it is nice, as well as west of Clark and south of Touhy. The in-between isn't so much unsafe, IMO, as I'd say still a mixture of rehabbed and unkept.
Saying that south of Addison is pretty much Chicago is pretty closed-off thinking, but can't complain too much because that mindset keeps neighborhoods I like from turning into the touristy Lincoln Park/Lakeview/Bucktown I generally abhor. Lincoln Square, Andersonville, North Center, Ravenswood, and Rogers Park are great, IMO. I don't wanna be an earshot of Moe's Cantina and the like.