Garfield Park

Garfield park has been emptying out for years as a result of the high crime. This coupled with increased taxes from the county/city has created a perfect opportunity for those interested in an area that is well underway in redevelopment.

There are of course still areas where gangs run the streets, but as residents move in the criminal elements are constantly on the move. In most cases, it's just a matter of getting the critical mass of residents on a block to push for change. Probably the biggest barrier to continued improvement is the lack of political will by the incumbents, who most likely won't be re-elected if their constituency changes too much. As a result, you'll get very little support from political leaders in helping to improve your living situation.

This is a similar thing that happened in DC and many other cities around the country. It's unfortunate that neighborhoods have to hit bottom before they come back up, but in the case of Garfield park it's about 5 years from it's current bottom with double digit percentage increases in property values every year.

These historical ROI's have brought much needed redevelopment to the area, demand driven in part by the influx of corporate offices from McDonald's, Google, and Caterpillar just a few train stops away on the Green line.

The neighborhood still has a long way to go before it stabilizes, but if you are someone looking for an area to live/invest, this is probably one of the only places in the city where it still makes sense.

Garfield Park is, unfortunately, one of the worst neighborhoods in the city. I can honestly say that I would avoid even driving through the neighborhood with a police escort.

The park is the only gem in this terribly dangerous neighborhood, drug deals, prostitution, gang activity is sporadic in and surrounding this neighborhood,
there is an East Garfield Park and a West Garfield Park between the main gem and neither one of those neighborhoods are safe, the worst section in the neighborhood today is West Garfield Park.

Living here would be terribly dangerous. I realize the cost of living is pretty low, but it's like choosing to buy milk that's expired. Sure, it might still be good, but more than likely you'll be sorry.

There are no other landmarks worth visiting than the park itself. I can't see a tourist stopping by, unless they want to be mugged or shot in Chicago. Sorry, nothing good to say about Garfield Park. I've seen enough. I don't see improvements happening anytime soon. Steer clear.

I have only a little experience with Garfield Park, but what I have experienced makes it one of my favorite neighborhoods. It's interesting, as I can see some of the negatives, with the lower economic classes in the area and what I think is above average crime (not too dangerous though) but at the same time when I think of Garfield Park, I think of beauty.

Of course, the main attraction is Garfield Park itself. It's a rather large park/conservatory, with a great deal to see every year, with new attractions put in place to keep people coming back. I can't claim to know a great deal about flora or fauna, and while I've done some minor landscaping for my parents, it's nothing that would help make me an expert. Still, there is splendor to behold in Garfield Park. The plant life is of course first on the list, but the overall style and structure of the park dazzles most who come here. I've been to France, seen Versailles (and no, this doesn't compare) but it is still so beautiful. It took me back to some of the beauty I've experienced in my life. It opens you up to something new. There are few places in Chicago quite like it.

I realize that the park contrasts somewhat severely with the rest of the neighborhood, as it does not share the beauty of the park, but the park elevates the area so well that I rank it above average, even if there isn't much else worth noting about Garfield Park.

If any neighborhood in Chicago deserves a mixed review, it’s Garfield Park. It’s actually divided into east and west sections on the community board, and one side of the divide differs slightly from the other. Whereas the West Garfield Park area is clearly being gentrified as the area around the Loop becomes more expensive and drives more residents further from the lake, East Garfield Park hasn’t yet seen this action.

So the western half of Garfield Park as earned a reputation as a hipster magnet and an “up-and-coming” spot, but it has yet to completely overcome its working class roots.

The local conservatory is, in a word, inspiring. If you go to Garfield Park for any reason, make sure you stop by this, one of my favorite Chicago attractions. (Currently the conservatory is hosting a tropical flower show and honey bee presentations.)

Even if there are hipsters moving in, Garfield Park remains a pretty rough neighborhood, so I wouldn’t recommend that anyone unfamiliar with the area go alone. I always recommend to city visitors that they keep to more established neighborhoods, as the “up-and-coming” ones aren’t always what you would imagine.