Chicago - Hyde Park Neighborhood

[Paddington]

One of my relatives just got a job at U-Chicago Medical Center, which I believe is in the Hyde Park area. He'll be making around $50,000.

What kind of neighborhood is this? Is it easy to afford a pretty decent 1 bedroom with parking in this area? Or would you recommend living in the outer parts of Chicago/suburbs and commuting in?

 

[ElFenix]

i wonder how many towns have a neighborhood named 'hyde park?'

 

[Paddington]

Probably a lot since Hyde Park is a place in London. When you go to London, every street/neighborhood name there is familiar, because it's been copied many times over in America.

But let's get back on topic.

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: Paddington
One of my relatives just got a job at U-Chicago Medical Center, which I believe is in the Hyde Park area. He'll be making around $50,000.

What kind of neighborhood is this? Is it easy to afford a pretty decent 1 bedroom with parking in this area? Or would you recommend living in the outer parts of Chicago/suburbs and commuting in?

I'm about to move to Hyde Park come March. There is crime, but it's not bad. It's a very mixed neighborhood both racially and economically, which is why I like it. There are a lot of police in the area and a lot of U of Chicago police also, so if you stay towards the central area of Hyde Park you should feel pretty safe. Keep in mind that i'm black and I grew up in a section of Chicago with very high crime. A white person coming from a very low crime neighborhood might see things differently. Just trying to be honest with you.

I make around that same amount and there are many places that I can afford in the neighborhood. I could afford to pay for parking also, but I see that as a waste of money. Then again, I don't mind walking 1-2 blocks to my car if necessary. I could certainly afford to pay if I had to.

How safe the place seems also depends a lot on which block and which building you live in. You could buy a 500 studio in some rundown building and feel like you need chains on your doors. You could also spend 1300 on a 1br that's literally 3 blocks away and feel like you're royalty. The people with money make sure their buildings and the surrounding area is secure.

Commuting is certainly an option. There are certainly some slightly safer suburbs if you're that worried about it. You also get more for your money in the suburbs. However the commute is terrible even on the best days. The expressway you'd have to use is undergoing major construction right now, so it's not one of the best days.