Chicago has become a Fox News punching bag but it's relatively baseless. There is crime, everyone knows that. It's actually falling right now, but is still fairly high. But it's a huge city and has always had crime, so... I don't think its noticeably worse or better than it would have been 15 years ago.

I've lived here 8 years and have never even heard gunshots, and I live on the south side. I don't do anything particularly risky since I work from home and have young kids who keep me at home at night, but I have never felt at risk.

As for trash/etc... I've never noticed a problem on that front. I think DC is worse. There are a lot of rats, though.

No, it's not really that bad. I've come to accept that crime happens, doesn't really matter where you are. but am I out after 11pm, nope, i'm on my couch. Last fall, we stayed downtown while we had renovations done on our house and were near the Merchandise Mart. We routinely walked around the area after dark, plenty of tourists, great restaurants on Clark St. and I felt safe. Even though we walked by LaSalle blocked off one night, car sitting there with the door open. Someone had gotten shot/killed. We were just like "meh" okay and kept walking. I have heard the Red Line is much more sketchy, though. I think some of what made the news in the recent past has calmed down. I don't remember hearing about large groups of kids on Michigan Ave or the beaches over the summer. Now that school is back in session maybe kids have more to keep themselves busy. Just use good judgement when you are out and about. I haven't noticed that it's less green/clean than around 2010. I wouldn't listen to people who live in the 'burbs...

Hearing a lot about it as I am considering a visit home after being out of the city for the past 8 years. Is it really that bad??

I lived in Old Town and left before 2010 and relo to DVM. Eventually settled here in NOVA. My friends in the city have all moved to Chicago burbs. I was just thinking about a visit on my own for a bit but having a lot of people now telling me how scary after dark it gets in many parts of the city. I would be looking at River North/Old Town/Rush St areas and wondering what D'town is like after dark on weekdays out of curiosity?

Chicago I recall was always beautiful in that it was so clean. Is this still the case? It was very progressive also in trees and green everywhere. I have not been back in a long time - how does the city look nowadays?