Chicago Travel Forum

I have to live in Chicago for a while and I've found an accomodation at Albany Park. Is it a safe enough neighborhood?

Thank you very much!

In my opinion, Albany Park is just as safe as any suburb on the north and northwest side of Chicago. I have friends who live there and have never had any negative experiences.

Albany Park is a mish-mash of ethnic groups, one of the most mixed communities in the U.S. There's an especially strong representation of Koreans, most of whom own small businesses. Hispanics, other Asians, Middle Easterners, and Eastern European expatriates comprise the majority of the other expatriate enclaves. The area is the home turf of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (who may be leaving the Governor's Mansion for a prison cell if current investigations into his shenanigans go all the way).

"Safe" could be considered relative. Gnereally, the far north and northwest of Chicago are "safer" than the South Side or West side, but still, that's broad-brush. Try this site for detailed info, pro and con, on the neighborhood you're considering:

http://www.everyblock.com/

having lived in communities around albany park, i will consider it safe. northeastern illinois university is immediately to the north. many of its students live in albany park.

as suggested above by a poster, it is most ethnically mixed neighborhood of chicago.