Neighborhoods: Chicago Case Study

Neighborhoods on the west side are similar to any other in Chicago. The area always seem gloomy to me, but the sun always seems to shine brightest on Sundays. Playing in the backyard of my grandmother’s house while waiting for dinner was something to look forward to. Sunday dinner were always packed with people I barely knew from the neighborhood. There were days during the week that strangers would come to my grandmother’s house to eat and hangout. The block that I grew up on was very welcoming. Everyone knew each other and the block club parties each year before school started back after summer break were always exciting. However, there were two houses on the block everyone knew was off-limits, even during to trick-or-treat on Halloween.
L-town and M-town are both with the Austin area of Chicago. K-town is located within the North Lawndale and West Garfield Park area. Over the years there has been many changes to the west side of Chicago. The communities have experienced both positive and negative changes. Many schools were closed down and many building structures demolished. On the brighter side of things some schools were modernized and new building are being built in profitable communities. These new changes doesn’t really benefit residences within these communities, but there is hope that the new appeal of the neighborhood would decrease the crime rate. I’ve spoken with people that suggest the new developed areas are simply spreading only to move away current residences to make way for higher working class citizens who can afford the increasing cost of living. It does seem that way, but it has filtered away unwanted people who has accepted a life of crime. From 1987-2002 the west side of Chicago was my home. Unfortunately, during this time the crime rate was also increasing. Gang activity seemed to be the new normal and drug distribution wasn’t surprising to minors. While attending elementary there were students who sold drugs and were involved in gangs. Many people thought I was cool and for a short while I did as well. Activities my classmates and I thought was cool and normal began to risk or safety and end the
Born and raised on the west side of Chicago from the late 1980’s to the early 2000’s the neighborhoods changed drastically. The crime rate increased over the years causing unbelievable amount of murders and drug distribution flooding the neighborhood had a great impact. There are people who still believe in the potential that the neighborhood has and are willing to fight for change. There are years of damage that will take more than just a few rallies to reverse. In comparison to the suburbs it’s not a safe and quality living choice. In recent years there has been new establishments designed to bring product programs and needed services to the area. Changing is not an easy thing to accept, good or bad. Eventually, if good people continue to strive for better neighborhoods “L-town” will no longer be concerned the deadliest neighborhood in