Chicago is one of the most notable cities in the United States. The Windy City boasts the Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Magnificent Mile, just to name a few attractions. Unfortunately, some of the Chicago crime rates are notable as well.
Over 26,000 violent crimes and 70,000 property crimes get reported annually in Chicago. Looking at these crime rate reports can be discouraging, but take heart. There are areas of Chicago where many families live and enjoy all this historic city has to offer. Discover some of the safest, most appealing neighborhoods in Chicago.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chicago?
Chicago is a big place, and there are many neighborhoods and suburbs to consider when looking to move there. Let's take a look at some of the safest neighborhoods where you could live in Chicago, Illinois.
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Edison Park
Edison Park is a familiar sight on any list of safest neighborhoods in Chicago, as the crime rate here is 77% lower than the city’s overall rate. Located on the Far North Side, this serene neighborhood is full of quiet, tree-lined streets, quaint shops, and eateries. This semi-suburban environment also happens to be home to many Chicago police officers.
Forest Glen
Nestled on the city’s northwest border, Forest Glen is one of the safest Chicago suburbs. Its low crime rate, along with its easy access to parks, restaurants, and shops, makes this suburb especially attractive. The relaxed pace of this area is appealing to retirees, families with young children, and everyone in between.
Norwood Park
Norwood Park covers a huge area of spacious estates and vintage single-family homes on Chicago’s northwest side near O’Hare International Airport. A large park, golf course, and community pool are just a few of the outstanding features that make this community so popular. This safe neighborhood in Chicago is also home to the city’s oldest surviving building, the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, originally built in 1833.
Lincoln Park
Also among the safest neighborhoods in Chicago, Lincoln Park has been called a nature lover’s dream with its picturesque parks, lakefront green spaces, and historic botanical garden. One of the oldest free zoos in the nation is located here, along with some of the best restaurants in the nation, a vibrant local live music scene, and numerous chic boutiques. This affluent community is nestled just north of the Near North Side along Lake Michigan.
With its convenient walkability and laid-back atmosphere, the Lake View neighborhood is well-known as one of the safest neighborhoods in Chicago. Entertainment abounds in this North Side community, with a lively theater district and bustling restaurants making the area a favorite place for locals. Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is also located in Lake View.
Mount Greenwood
While the North Side is generally considered the safer side of Chicago, there are also many safe neighborhoods in the city’s southern end. One notable example is Mount Greenwood, a family-friendly suburb that’s the site of Saint Xavier University. This community is a popular place for Chicago police officers and union workers to live.
Chicago Loop
You don’t have to move to the suburbs to live in a safe Chicago neighborhood. The Loop, the central business district in the city’s downtown, is home to more than 40,000 residents within 1.56 square miles. Much of Chicago’s famous skyline is located within this affluent commercial district, along with many notable museums and shopping areas.
Installing a security system in your home
No matter where you live in Chicago, a security system will help keep your home and family safe. Here are some benefits of having a professionally installed home security system in Chicago.
24/7 monitoring: With a security camera system watching over all parts of your property, you can pull up live or recorded footage from anywhere at any time. If any incidents occur, day or night, you will have video evidence to back up your claims. Set customizable detection zones for your outdoor cameras and receive notifications when something suspicious is detected.
Contribute to the safety of your neighborhood: In addition to securing your home, a security system can contribute to the overall safety of your Chicago neighborhood. Even just the presence of this security sign can deter burglars from trespassing on your property or the property of your neighbors. If anything untoward does happen, your neighbors will thank you for having a video of the incident.
Secure, convenient door locks: With smart lock technology, you don’t have to worry about your house keys getting into the wrong hands. Furthermore, your household members can easily unlock and lock your doors with a code. If one of them happens to forget their code, you can unlock the door for them from wherever you happen to be. Also, smart locks allow you to keep track of who enters your home and when.
Monitor your home from anywhere:Smart home automation helps keep your home comfortable as well as secure. Use this technology to keep watch over your home while you’re at work or away on vacation. Receive notifications if anything unusual is detected and view your video feed live whenever you want. Go away with the peace of mind that your property and possessions will be safe until your return.
Control your home’s features: There are many other benefits to having a smart home system, like being able to control various features in your home. For example, you can adjust the temperature in your home via your phone, so the rooms will be as warm or as cool as you like by the time you walk in the door. Smart lighting allows you to turn lights on and off remotely. This is an easy way to fool burglars into thinking someone is at home.
The type of security system you choose depends on your household's needs and preferences. It’s helpful to ask yourself a few questions.
What type of security cameras do you need?
Maybe you run a business from home and receive daily deliveries of packages. In that case, a Doorbell Camera Pro that monitors your porch at all times would be a helpful tool. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing your items are safe.
If you are more worried about shadowy areas of your yard or the entry and exit points of your home, a spotlight camera can be used to illuminate the areas of concern. Outdoor and indoor cameras capture wide fields of vision, so you can see everything that is going on in and around your property.
Is a smart home system right for you?
If you like the idea of controlling your door locks, thermostat, and even your garage door from anywhere, then a smart home system may be the right option for you.
Think about the members of your household. If you have several schoolchildren who arrive home at different times, smart locks can be a great idea. Each child has a code, so no one is stuck outside due to a lost door key. Plus, you're able to monitor when the kids arrive home from school or other activities.
If you travel out of town on a regular basis, you’d likely appreciate the ability to monitor your home and make adjustments while you’re away. Having a smart home system means you don’t have to wonder whether you turned the lights off in the kitchen.
How many security sensors do I need?
Security sensors should be used for all of the entry points to your home on the base level, including all windows and doors. These sensors sound an alarm when an intruder is trying to open or break through one of these entry points, which alerts you, alerts the neighbors, alerts the monitoring team, and potentially scares off the intruder. This type of security can be especially valuable if you live in a historic Chicago home with older windows and doors.
Enjoy a sense of security
Contact Vivint to customize a security system that meets the needs of your family. Let us know what you envision for your property, and we can make it happen. Our team of Smart Home Pros can help make your home in Illinois safer and more secure.
Call us at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation today.
Get a free quote today.
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Qualifying system purchase requires minimum $599.99 expenditure on equipment after all discounts have been applied, professional installation, and execution of Vivint monitoring services agreement. Click here for monthly service plan prices. DIY system purchases and reactivations of previously-installed systems not eligible for offer. Offer not available in all states or provinces. Equipment purchase may be financed separately subject to an agreement with one of Vivint's third-party financing partners. Monthly $1.48 cellular network maintenance fee applies. Taxes and local permit fees may apply.
Third-Party Financing Options Available
Financing eligibility and terms subject to credit approval by one of Vivint's third-party financing partners. Qualified customers may finance equipment purchase at 0% APR for up to 60 months. Month-to-month service agreement available when equipment is purchased upfront.
Vivint Systems & Services
System supports up to six cameras subject to sufficient WiFi speeds. Without a Vivint services plan, product and system functionality is limited (including loss of remote connectivity). Speak to a Vivint representative at the phone number in this offer for complete equipment, services, and package details, including pricing and financing details. Products and services in Louisiana provided by Vivint Louisiana Commercial Certificate #58280. See Vivint license numbers here.
