i just always tell charity guys i'm in a rush or have a train to catch, and feel good about it. with homeless people i never know whether to ignore them, make eye contact, or say 'sorry, man', and generally feel bad whichever i do.

drunk when I posted this

the homeless people are starting to get to me. I live right near the 90/94 Armitage exit and they're everywhere ... just sleeping in the shade during the day or asking for money, taking shifts doing it.

Easily that option. Most of them just move onto the next person

So tonight I'm walking from Ogilvie to my apartment in the Loop when a homeless guy approaches me and follows for 3 blocks. Says some incoherent stuff than says he was caught with kilos of cocaine 10 years ago and is trying to reform himself after getting out of jail. I basically say I can't give to him because of the drug history (of course it was a mistake to even respond to him in the first place but he was walking right beside me and wouldn't go away). Guy gets angry at me, questions my reasoning, and says "I used to have an violent past and I need to get away from you because you are making me very angry right now."

While my dealing with him could have been WAY better, this is the worst I've ever had it after living in the city for 3 years now. Actually scared me a bit thinking what would have happened if the guy legit did something to me. I'm going to start acting differently to not put myself in these situations, but this has gotten out of control. I feel like the city has got to do something.

The city should do something about what? Some guy talking to you? Walking the same way as you for a few blocks? I don't think Chicago is for you.

It's pretty easy: either say nothing or be politely dismissive. Generally speaking I would condescending to people when you want to de-escalate the situation, but you seem to realize that already.

Normally I just try not to respond or will say "no sorry", but if being followed and genuinely felt threatened I'd probably try to give up $1 or some change just to get him away.

One guy got me good when I was looking up at some buildings I think on Walton between Mich and State a couple years ago and he started a convo "Isn't that some great architecture" or some bs to which I auto responded. Then he kept uncomfortably following/pestering me cause he needed $1.05 for soup or something so I just gave him some change to get him away. I think that initial response/giving them legit conversation is very -EV.

Is Chicago getting worse? I've read about some problems on N Ave? beach and some anecdotes about car/apt breakins in some less premium neighborhoods (generally West of Ashland) and even of a holdup in River North, but have never really felt unsafe or seen anything too bad personally. (I also haven't been living there for over a year so would be a pretty terrible judge of recent trends.)

chicago is most certainly not getting worse. There's been a lot of gentrification in the past 20 years and lots of areas from 18th through the rest of the north are a ****ton safer than they were (don't spend anytime on the southside, so I don't know much about it). Hell, there is no cabrini green anymore and I have never felt safer making a walk down halstead at late night (if I so choose). It wasn't even 12 years ago when it didn't feel all that safe to do that. Even some of the sketchier parts of logan sq aren't all that dangerous if you are just minding your own at night.


Biesterfield, if I'm reading this right, this happened in the loop. Do you honestly not feel safe in the loop? If you don't, then there's pretty much no area in the city that you would feel safe IMO. The best move would've been to just keep walking on and doing your own thing

Of course I feel safe in the Loop, I wouldn't have walked there if I didn't. I didn't feel safe in that specific situation, which as I said was partly my doing.

I'm pretty ignorant, but what are the laws (if there are any) against panhandling?

I was hassled by this same guy! I don't think he's actually dangerous, but when he started talking about all the violent acts he had previously committed, I really didn't want to walk away from him with my back turned.

It's a major city of the world man. Even if there technically are statutes against it the police don't have one second of their day to devote to this ****. It simply comes with the turf when you want to live in a place like Chicago.

Saw a Tribune study a few days ago about the rising crime on the CTA. Their conclusion was (I'm paraphrasing):

There seems to be correlation between people who jump the turnstiles at train stations, and those who commit criminal acts on the train. How insightful.

With that said, I feel like the majority of the muggings, theft, and crimes are the product of people being careless with concealing valuables (or gang-related).

Some people are so oblivious to their surroundings when commuting that they're just prime targets.

Hey guys,

I've been offered a promotion/relocation to Chicago and am beginning to explore different neighboorhoods to live in. I visited for the first time a few weeks ago but barely got to spend any time in the city itself, so I'm basically going in blind (I've lived about 45 mins south of Boston my whole life). I've heard outstanding things though and am very excited to call the city home in the near future.

I just turned 25 last week and I work in sales technically, but it's more of a consulting gig in the pharma/medical device/food etc industries. I will have a home office, so no need to commute to a physical office downtown, etc. Will be on the road selling when not at home.

I've done a handful of hours of research, mostly on chicagoapartmentfinders.com and a bit on craigslist. It's somewhat helpful and I feel like I have a general idea of where I want to live, but I'm hoping for some advice from people that actually live there. Not to mention, I'm starting to feel very overwhelmed with the amount of living options in the greater Chicago area.

So, I'm looking to be as close to downtown as possible, without the traffic/parking/safety issues if at all possible. Within 20-25 minutes (?) would be great, ideally without spending a ton on rent...

The plan as of right now is to start moving the last week of August and begin work first week of September, so needless to say its time to start narrowing down the search. I am currently planning another trip to do some preliminary searching in July before making any decisions.

I haven't really figured out a budget yet (probably a wise first step), but I am on pace to earn in the high five figures this year. Any advice would be appreciated, and if I left anything out please feel free to ask (I just flew back from Toronto and am exhausted!)

Thanks in advance!

the better question is, what all are you into? what kind of things interest you?

You can get into downtown easily via the red, brown, and blue lines and that covers pretty much any area of the city you'd want to live in.

The main answers for areas to live in will be lakeview, lincoln park, and wicker park with bucktown thrown in as well.

But, those are a bit of stock answers. Knowing what your budget will be will also help a lot too.

How much time do you have before relocating? If it's a few months away, you really should come here for a week preferably, but even 4 days could do a lot.

Yeah in re-reading I def should have included that lol...

I've looked into those places and they are definitely toward the top of my list. IIRC Lakeview/Lincoln Park was a bit pricey but not out of the question, and I believe Wicker Park/buck town was more reasonable.

Looking at a 1 year lease to start. I tend to spend pretty conservatively on other items so maybe 800-1200 for a rent range? Then again if I find something I really like in a great area, I can probably convince myself to push it...

I pretty much spend my weekends at bars/sporting events/concerts etc. Generally too busy or tired during the week.

As I mentioned, I'm starting work first week of Sept. I am also definitely spending more time there in July, just not sure what dates yet.

you'll get more for your money in wicker park and bucktown. But, be aware that there is no east-west train line, so it's cabs if you want to hang out in lincoln park and lakeview.

If you are into going to shows, then the bigger and medium acts will usually play at venues that are east of the highway. Metro and the Vic are in lakeview, lincoln hall in lincoln park, with the riviera and the aragon in uptown. A lot more local and smaller acts play west of the highway in ukie village, logan square, and wicker park.

as far as bars go, it will completely come down to your own personality. Best thing to do is check out various bars on both sides of town.

I'd also recommend searching through the past two years of the thread. There's a lot of stuff in here and I know that others will help you out as well

Much appreciated kdawg. That gives me some more to consider for sure. Thanks. Will keep tabs on this thread and post an update or two as the fall draws closer if you guys have any interest.

well, I should say a direct east-west train line. You can get from wicker park and bucktown by the L, but it would take you going into the loop and then transferring to either the red or brown lines. So, basically, a PITA

Depending on where you live you can get to Bucktown/Wicker Park by bus. Obv easier if you live further west in Lincoln Park or Lakeview.

this is very true. It's a good thing to be familiar with all of the buses tbh.

I should note, it's a sacrifice that I'm personally willing to make as the places that I'm currently looking at are in bucktown/wicker park/logan square. I just prefer the general scene and vibe. I will say that the blue line is amazing at getting you within basically 2 blocks of any bar you want to go in Wicker Pk/Bucktown/Logan Sq/Ukie Village. It also runs 24/7 like the red line, but curls in some more. There are plusses and minuses to everything

I moved to Chicago in Feb 2010 on my own with little knowledge about the surrounding areas as well. Security and convenience were the two most important things for me when deciding on where to live.

I settled into Lakeview and haven't regretted it.

I haven't spent much time in Wicker / Logan so I can't really comment on them but I always advise people to move in the Lincoln Park / Lakeview area when considering moving to Chicago. They are a little more expensive to live in but the demographic is great and there are tons of bars, shows, restaurants to try.

Yep, definitely leaning towards Lakeview or Lincoln Park right now. Will be going there the week of July 19th to look at some places through a realtor. Even if it is expensive, it's only for one year to start and it will give me the experience of living in the city. Can always move a bit further away down the line.

Thanks for the insight guys!

honest question, if you haven't spent that much time in wicker park/bucktown/logan square you can you definitely say what area is best for someone?

there's also tons of bars, shows, restaurants to try in logan square/bucktown/wicker park.

I'm just playing devil's advocate a bit here

From a personal standpoint, I see most of my shows in lakeview and lincoln park, but I do most of my drinking and dining west of the highway (if we are limiting it just to the 5 main areas that have been mentioned. Include the more northern areas and it's probably even irt dining.)

i am moving from old town to wrigleyville/lakeview area to save money

someone told me there were a lot of gays in lakeview, confirm/deny

depends where in lakeview. but, yes