Thoughts on moving to Pilsen?

August 2, 2007 8:56 AM

Chicago-Neighborhood-Filter: Pros and cons of living in Pilsen?

I've lived in Lincoln Park for a few years now, and I'm ready to branch out to a more diverse/ethnic neighborhood. I'm leaning toward Pilsen because of its proximity to UIC (where I'm in a four year graduate program) and its affordability.

So I'm wondering about general livability issues in the neighborhood. Crime and such. Are there any particular areas I should avoid? Am I going to be viewed as an agent of gentrification? I'm a white male if that matters...

My apartment hunt begins in September and is currently focused near the Damen Pink/Blue Line stop. (Living near an L stop is a priority.)

Thanks for any and all advice!

posted by wfrgms to home & garden (11 comments total)

Well, you would BE an agent of gentrification, and there will be some who call it like it is. But the area has pretty much been "turned" for quite some time. I'm not a fan of Pilsen mostly due to location, but crime and such (on some level, like simple street hassles) are probably worse in areas of Lincoln Park, where it's expected people are worth robbing. It's a silly thing to worry much about in Pilsen, short of the normal big city precautions. Go for it!
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 9:00 AM on August 2, 2007

I have never ever been hassled in Lincoln park, but I have been in Pilsen. Not the least of it was being chased by a wild dog (a fighting dog set free). There rents are low there for a reason. I think if you're used to life in Lincoln Park, which is pretty damned ritzy, youre going to find Pilsen very, very difficult to live in. You might be happier in areas with comparable rents but safer streets like Roger's Park or even Logan's Sq. Don't overlook the bucktown/wickerpark area for lower rents.
posted by damn dirty ape at 9:14 AM on August 2, 2007

I live in Logan Square, which I would say in some ways is "Pilsenesque"...

I disagree with the notion that if you live in LP you're going to hate living in Pilsen. You've said you want to live in a more ethnic / diverse neighborhood, so it seems to me you're likely not the "Lincoln Park Stereotype" who will die if there's not a crate and barrel within walking distance of the salon.

All that being said, I've heard mostly good things about Pilsen. You might look at chicagocrime.org to get an idea on crime there. You might also check out walkscore.com to see how "walkable" Pilsen is. Both are damn nifty tools.

Yes, like Logan Square, Pilsen is "transitioning." There's still graffiti and some gang problems, but I can say that for the most part, my experience here in Logan Square has been great.
posted by twiggy at 11:02 AM on August 2, 2007

I like Pilsen. I have looked at apartments there for a possible summer in the future. I'm a white female and don't feel like I'd have a problem living there.

I also very nearly lived in Logan Square this summer, so I like it there--it's just far away.

Grain of salt: I'm in Hyde Park. Frame of reference significantly different than Lincoln Park.
posted by rhoticity at 11:12 AM on August 2, 2007

twiggy, I'm moving up to Logan Sq. this weekend. (Finally, after 15 years of yearning, I'm moving to Chicago!)

Any tips/hints/suggestions for places to go in the area?
posted by sachinag at 11:26 AM on August 2, 2007

Thanks for all the comments up until now...

Just a clarification: it's a complete accident that I wound up in LP when I moved here. I found an apartment that I liked and settled in for a while, but I need save money and get more space, plus I'd like to be closer to school. I am by no means a good fit for this neighborhood. The aging LPers with their Bugaboo strollers and designer rat-dogs really bum me out... but then so do hipsters, so...

Please continue with any other Pilsen stories, advice, or recommendations and thanks!

Way to hijack my thread, sachinaq - get your own askme! j/k
posted by wfrgms at 12:52 PM on August 2, 2007

As long as you maintain an open mind and your wits about you, Pilsen will be fine. Anecdotally, Logan Square seems much safer, perhaps it's the protection of the mighty trees that line the boulevard. I think you'll feel a slight degree of culture shock, but that is to be expected. I second the recommendation for cheap(er) housing in Wicker Park; Doesn't seem to be a convenient L stop in Bucktown. I moved to Roscoe Village this past spring and is surprisingly affordable (renting natch) though completely unrelated to UIC;
posted by AllesKlar at 1:07 PM on August 2, 2007

wfrgms, I'll buy you a drink at the next meetup. It was bad of me. I just got excited!
posted by sachinag at 1:16 PM on August 2, 2007

The original Bombon Bakery is in Pilsen. Best tres leches cakes I've ever had. I mean... if you're the type of person to move for food or you just need something to tip the scales.
posted by spec80 at 1:46 PM on August 2, 2007

sachinag - you'll have to wait, but Lula's is my favorite brunch destination.
posted by AllesKlar at 1:56 PM on August 2, 2007

Lots of art down in East Pilsen, which is a little closer to UIC than Pilsen proper (although further from the train; there's always the Halsted bus, though).
posted by me3dia at 12:03 PM on August 3, 2007