Wouldn't even blink an eye at recommending the blue line at all hours. Use common sense, as it is a city, but I'm a girl who has lived in Chicago for a decade now and taken the blue line a million times without incident. I don't know anyone who has ever had a problem on the subway in Chicago. Like the previous poster said, if there was ANY reason to be wary it would be if you were to get off the blue line at a dodgy spot, but offhand I can't really think of any blue line stops that are particularly horrible. There are better ones and worse ones, but no stop that I can even give a full throttle thumbs down to. Oh wait... just reread your post. You are going to downtown chicago -- you'll be fine. This is a no brainer. And it is so convenient. You don't even have to leave O'Hare to board and there are trains leaving all the time.
I won't try to defend Logan Square, other than I don't think its THAT bad, and as far as the EL (which is actually a subway there) it is perfectly safe.
I'm not sure if you know Chicago well or haven't been there in awhile #10, BUT WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Bucktown, and Wicker Park are not exactly happy go lucky places<hr></blockquote>
For January of 2007, the average home and condo price in Bucktown was $634,000.
During that same time, the average price in Wicker Park was $622,000.
The average price for a home in Lakeview was $538,000.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE FEB 16TH
STRING OF ROBBERIES TROUBLES WICKER PARK AND BUCKTOWN TOURISTS
-Armed with bad breath and unquenchable thirsts for Birkin Handbags, Burberry Scarves, and Lacoste clothing, a string of rich young white people have been robbing tourists coming off the Blue Line. While coming out of Spring restaurant, these thugs, usually hopped up on Silver Oak, Caymus, and a $700 dinner tab, rob unsuspecting tourists who think they are just waiting for the valet to return their A8.
"My wife and I walked by two YUPPIES who were talking about the Foie Gras ban and whether to get navigation on the Porsche Cayanne he had just ordered when, BAMMMM, they had gone through my wife's purse. They took the Starbucks gift cards, her Coach wallet, IPOD, but threw the purse in an alley with a note saying it was a poor Gucci knockoff and they were embarrassed for us. They actually left $1,400 and the address of an authorized dealer where we could pick up a real one in the morning."
"It was humiliating!"
Chicago Police recommend all tourists in the area during the "danger" times, Brunch, Happy Hour, and Spring's first seating, take extra precautions by wearing clothing and accessories that are obviously "SO LAST YEAR". Also, do not be lured in by strangers wanting to discuss why Heidi is still dating Spencer from The Hills.
I just don't think it's wholly gentrified yet. I have friends who live there--I live further east--and occassionally they have stories. For example, one of them, who lived in one of those luxury town houses, had drug dealers out in front of her house a year or two back. One of her neighbors--over some kind of dispute--was sent to the hospital by a few of them and there were gunshots through the windows of the nearby school. This sort of thing doesn't happen in Lincoln Park. I think it's safe to go to those places, particularly wicker--oh, is your restaurant in Wicker Park/Bucktown?
The police were finally able to clear up that situation; I think they finally used the Patriot Act somehow, but it was still just a year or two.
I'm probably a little behind the times. Alright, how about the name of the bar/restaurant? I don't care if it's Wicker Park, I won't blame you for that. I just want to know; maybe I'll go there, and I know you can't talk about it yourself or else that would be self-premotion, so I'm just asking.
>>I've taken the Blue Line at night without incident, and would do it again. However, I once did have a gang argument erupt within a few feet of me on the train (threats to "cap yo' ass," etc. were liberally exchanged among the participants), and I do know someone who was assaulted and robbed on it, so all is not hope and glory.<<
I ride METRA and the the various CTA trains through out the city day and night. The only time I have seen anything weird going on were two drunks going at it at ... the Crystal Lake METRA station way out in McHenry Co. I stepped back, called 911 and watched the four 5'6' police officers toss the idiots in the cruiser. I believe that the idiots disturbed their lunch break so they were pretty pissed off.
Personally, if you had to head down the the end of the Blue Line on the south side, it might be more of a concern as the trains are pretty empty but there will be others with you the whole way.
No my bar is in Lincoln Park by the DePaul campus.
I wish it was over by the Blue Line at North and Damen, but unfortunately it isn't.
No, I don't mention the name of the place because of several reasons.
-People get pretty fired up here sometimes and I get some pretty creepy IM's and responses
-I would no sooner give out its name than you would post your phone number or address
-I try to keep my worlds separate
-I'd call someone out for promoting their business on here
trusted partner
