Areas to avoid in Chicago?

Just steer clear of the south side and you should be just fine.

We stayed at the Hotel Indigo 2 weeks ago. We liked the location because it was in a high end residential area and not the busy Magnificent Mile area.

We also got a great rate but the parking next door is a whopping $48 a night. We really should have looked for a cheaper option.

Also, we thought we were going to die on the El returning from a White Sox game. A very agitated man sat next to my husband and a man next to me convinced the other that my husband was a cop. The agitated man kept screaming and digging in his backpack and we were sure he was going for a weapon. When we got to our stop the man tried to trip my husband.

However, a few nights before this we took the El to the Cubs game and had no problems.

So stay away from the south side!

There could be deals to be had on the Mag Mile just because of inventory, but as far as hotels go the overwhelming majority are in good areas.

Airbnb is a totally different ballgame though.

I'd stay in the West Garfield Park area and at all costs avoid the Wrigleyvill area. As far as the Southside is concerned,if you aren't a fan of history, then yes, avoid the Southside. But if the first Heisman or a museum of science and industry or the midway or the Pullman district or University of Chicago(Big Bertha, A-Bomb, Einstein) fancy your interest. By all means enjoy the Southside.

Not many people are aware that some neighborhoods west of downtown (i.e. Austin, East and West Garfield Park, and extending south into North Lawndale) are pretty dangerous.

Other than that, you'll be fine if you stay west of 90/94 and don't hover south of Hyde Park.

There is also a pocket in North Rogers Park that can get pretty sketchy at times, too. It is very far north.