pete

i am a documentary filmaker traveling to chicago to shoot video on the leopold and loeb site. the area is around university of chicago -- about 50th street and drexel. anyway, there is quite the talk in the office that this neighborhood has become a slum. just want to know what i am getting myself into.

Mom

The area is around the University of Chicago - and you DO have to be careful there.

Beth

I am by no means an expert and even though I live in Chicago I rarely frequent the southside as I live a great distance from there. From my limited personal experience as well as that of my husband who is in law enforcement, the area right around the University of Chicago is nice. Think older well-established townhouses near Museum of Science and Industry. The neighborhood known as Hyde Park is nice and recently there has been an influx of people moving back into that area, BUT be advised that while this pocket is nice, you are surrounded on ALL sides by less than desirable areas. If you are taking public transit, you will be traveling through some yucky spots and I would not do this at night. During the day, stick to the better area and you will be fine. I would have no problem as a 29 yo lady being there by myself during the day. You've got to realize it must be relatively safe by the University, young college students are all over the place. Just don't stray too far from the campus and neighboring area. I'm not sure how far east Drexel is, but the closer you get to the Lake the better.

pete

thanks for the responses. i most certainly will be filming during daylight hours and will be taking our van full of equipment. we are based in LA with some chicago transplants, who, from what i hear, were from the white-bread suburbs. the more i listened to them, the more i thought this place was the ghetto!!

Lisa

I lived in Hyde Park many years as my family was attached to the U of Chicago, and still visit my Mom there each year. In fact, I went to the U of C High school, which was also attended by one of your infamous duo, and also Bobby Franks, their victim, if I recall. It's a great neighborhood with lots of fun places to go and things to do. The area in question, adjacent to Hyde Park, and still the university area, is called Kenwood, and is full of beautiful old mansions. You will be very pleasantly surprised. There are even nice B & B's in Kenwood, and I wouldn't hesitate to stay in the neighborhood. I'd watch leaving a van full of equipment unattended and would be careful at night, but isn't that true in many urban locations?

Erika

Don't know if you have already traveled here for your documentary, but if you haven't, you will also want to check out the actual courthouse where the trial was held. I worked for the law firm that now occupies the space; we used the courtroom for mock trials and it is in excellent condition; you can just feel the history there. Anyway, if you're interested, send me a message and I'll tell you more about it.