[MetalGravy]

I'm going to the UIC Pavillion for a concert (American Carnage tour) on Friday. I've heard that UIC is in the "bad part of town". I've only been there once...during the daytime...about 10 years ago. According to Google Maps and MapQuest it's only about a mile-and-a-half southwest from Union Station. Is there any reason I shouldn't just hoof it? Is there anything that I should be wary of? The only person that I know that's familiar enough with Chicago to ask is my dad, and the way he talks you'd think that the entire city is out to get you. Also, is anyone else from here going?

[KirbyFanOne]

I remember I walked all the way from my apartment right inside the Loop to the United Center one day. Probably took me an hour or so, weren't that many bad neighborhoods. The Blue Line goes right next to the United Center and also stops near UIC. It didn't look like a bad place to be at all.

Of course I haven't been there in... what 3 years?

[MetalGravy]

Yeah, I took another look at GoogleMaps (directions from Union Station) and it seems to be on the northern edge of the campus, so that might not be too bad. Still, welcome any opinions/info.

[redx1]

That's not a bad part of town, that's a quite a long walk though.

UIC is a pretty good part of town actually. I don't really get nervous in that area until I go west of Ashland.

Like all parts of the city though, be careful at night. Carry your cash and anything important to you outside of your wallet.

If it were me, I'd walk it... I wouldn't walk to United Center though That's a pretty brave walk KFO lol

[KirbyFanOne]

redx1, on 16 August 2010 - 04:59 PM, said:

If it were me, I'd walk it... I wouldn't walk to United Center though That's a pretty brave walk KFO lol

To be honest it was late afternoon, early evening. I got mad tight buns though.

[redx1]

lol!

Looking at the map, I'd walk down Van Buren rather than Adams. It's mostly school grounds over there and should be a more comfortable walk.

Still, bad things happen everywhere. I'd carry money and credit cards outside of your wallet.

Getting robbed sucks.

[MetalGravy]

redx1, on 16 August 2010 - 05:09 PM, said:

lol!

Looking at the map, I'd walk down Van Buren rather than Adams. It's mostly school grounds over there and should be a more comfortable walk.

Still, bad things happen everywhere. I'd carry money and credit cards outside of your wallet.

Getting robbed sucks.

Aw, and I was hoping see Greek town on the way . In all seriousness, thanks for the advice. I was planning to walk during the day (should be around 5:30-6), then take a cab back to the station after the show.

[redx1]

Smart move. You should be ok to walk around greektown and on adams at that time

[YokaiShinigami]

As a student at UIC, and having been to the station, and having had to travel to some of the actual worse parts of chicago.. at night.. I would suggest the following route.. take van buren, then when you hit halsted, take that, followed by harrison, which I believe should lead you to the pavilion. And I would say that is one of the safest routes.. also keep a Spartan Laser on you, you never know when those aliens will try to abduct you or something.

Also UIC is as has been said, a good part. though, follow common sense, and keep a sharp eye, and a sharper wit.

[june.h]

If you want, you can take the Blue Line CTA from Union Station (walk about a block south on Clinton, find the CTA subway at the underpass), take the train towards Forest Park (or generally away from O'Hare) to Racine (right after UIC-Halsted). It'll drop you off right next to the Pavilion. You can also take the CTA Blue Line back to Clinton (going towards O'Hare) to get back to Union Station.


Any part of most cities can be "the bad part of town" if either you're in the wrong place at the wrong time or you're just not smart about it. I went to UIC for 5 years (don't ask), was walking around that side of campus plenty all hours of the night and this was before they did the pretty renovations with the Taylor St. projects still there (walks between East to West campuses on Taylor St. between 12-3AM were unforgettable). East side of campus near the Pavilion is plenty safe.

Just be smart when you're walking around the city late. Don't carry anything valuable or wear anything (much less act) that'll make you stand out. Be aware of your surroundings and don't carry too much cash. If (God forbid) you get held up, try to get a quick but detailed description of the guy/girl, give them what they want without asking questions, get to a safe area and call the police.

Redx1: Ashland is fine, when you go a few blocks west of Damen, then you should be worried. Unless things have changed, most people knew to avoid getting lost there.

This post has been edited by BakaOrochi: 17 August 2010 - 10:06 AM

[Roark]

General wisdom is actually "don't go west of Western."

[jsieczkar]

Roark, on 17 August 2010 - 10:41 AM, said:

General wisdom is actually "don't go west of Western."

I haven't lived in Chicago for some time but that is what I was basically told. I usually didn't go past Ogden, in between Ogden, Ashland, the 290 and the rail yard was leveled and it is basically all government land now with no one living there. That said I lived in Jefferson Park and didn't spend much time in the west side.

[chainedbyroses]

I went to high school at Ignatius, like... 4 odd blocks from there. Basically, don't wander south of Roosevelt, and don't wander west of the Pavillion, and you should be fine. Four-six years ago the area was a little rougher, but with all the mass neighborhood gentrification, the troubles are a little less prevalent* than when I was a wee little freshie in 2004, when you were really only "mostly safe" on Taylor Street, and even then only a block to the east and half block to the west of the high school. Back then, they gave a lecture on the first day of freshiedom as to where around the school was safe & where not to go; I hear that nowadays they don't call an assembly for it, so that's saying something, right? (*not to say troubles/crimes don't exist;they do, just use common sense & you'll be fine though). Plus, all the parking is metered now, so less cars standing around everywhere (yeaaaaah parking places FOR ONCE!).

Also, since almost that whole area is the UIC university campus, there are Blue Light police boxes like.. EVERYWHERE. If you're uncomfortable alone at night, you can push it and ask for someone to walk with you (security guard iirc?). I'm not sure if they still have the escorting, but at least the box is there for emergency help, da?

[MetalGravy]

First off: HUGE thank you to everyone that offered their advice. I really appreciate it.

Second: Show. Was. AWESOME. \m/

Third: Yokai, I took your route to the show. It seemed like an ok area during the day--though not sure I'd want to be there at night (far too quiet). Don't know if I'd take that exact route in. Well, after turning onto Halsted was fine. Before that point was 50/50, and only then because I was expecting more ppl on the street. Ended up walking back to Union Station, but took Harrison to Canal, then Canal the rest of the way. Harrison was good, Canal not so much--at least not until the Greyhound station.

This post has been edited by MetalGravy: 21 August 2010 - 11:24 AM

[Kaay-chan]

Is it possible you got UCI confused with University of Chicago? I know the area around there can be pretty bad....