Living in Avondale/East Forest Park (Homewood: apartment, house, neighborhood)

[1234mmh]

My husband and I are looking to move to a house in Avondale/East Forest Park from Homewood for financial reasons. We love living in Homewood and are sad to leave because of its feeling of safety, community, and walkability. So, I am wondering a few things about Avondale. I've heard great things, but I want to hear what everyone here has to say. Is it safe? Is it community-friendly? Is it walkable? even at night? What are the people like in the surrounding communities? We don't have any children yet, just a big dog but perhaps considering adding to our family in the next year, so schools are not an issue at this point. I guess I'm asking, is there a general sense of safety and community or will I be afraid/hesitant to walk outside to my car at night alone or to stay home alone? I had a friend who was robbed at gun point at his old apartment in Highland Park two years ago, and I just can't get it out of my mind. I need some comfort (or the truth!).

Thank you for all your insight!

[aturner339]

There will be others who are better equipped than me to answer on Forest Park in particular but with a few years of Highland Park under my belt I can pretty much say that the area is about as safe as any central, walkable neighborhood of a mid sized city has a right to be. I walk at night (during reasonable hours) all the time.

Of course bad things can happen anywhere and of course I've heard stories but in general Forest Park is quite safe.

[cpg35223]

We lived in Avondale on Sixth Avenue, one block from Avondale Park, for fourteen years and loved every minute of it. the only reason we hurdled the mountain for the suburbs was because we didn't want to pony up for private schools. Now that it's becoming an even more attractive neighborhood, I cannot imagine not wanting to move back down when our last child clutches his diploma.