I am currently a riverside resident, but the girlfriend and I have been discussing the possibility of moving to the Springfield area. I don't want this to turn into a giant debate, but was wondering if you guys can point out the safest areas in Springfield. We have two children, a 7 year old girl and an 11 year old boy. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!
Laura Street seems pretty safe, and I know there are quite a few families with young children along that corridor....
I dare say that no one particular area is more or less "safe" than another. With children though, I would look to areas that the blocks are filled in rather than having several empty lots or abandoned foundations. I only say that as the empty spaces tends to mean less normal activity and that normal activity is what makes an area seem used and therefore "safer". Look at Laura, Silver, Pearl, Perry, Hubbard, Market, Walnut and even Ionia....did I miss a street? ... all of them and the numbered cross streets have great areas of "normal activity".
the 400 block of East 3rd st is pretty good! seriously.
Thanks for the replys guys. Are there any general guidelines, such as "Stay south of 10th street" or "Stay east of main street" or anything like that?
You can go to coj.net and put in an address and see a 'crime overlay' and even break it down into what type of crime. We did that before we moved here but there was no part of Springfield that really scared us off. I agree with the other comments, and as always, the best way to find out about an area is to hang out at different times of day and chat with the neighbors.
By the way, since we've been here the only problem we had was one night when I left my car unlocked and it was "investigated" by persons unknown. But since I have lousy taste in music, they went through all my CDs and didn't take anything. Even decided my umbrella was too ugly to steal.
I think 8th street is a pretty good border to stay south of personally. East and west.... maybe between pearl and ionia. I looked in Springfield and would probably have bought there if it weren't for the little lady. Those were pretty much my boundaries. I'm still interested in the area, maybe in a few years...
(I also think that drawing a 5 block radius circle around the intesection of 3rd and main is a pretty good bet for a "safer" area)
all ov springfield is fine, don't listen to the detractors--the only thing you have to worry about is obnoxious people goïng through midlife crises and, should you happen to be black, an overzealous and racist police force.
In 11 years on Silver Street I have only had one crime commited against me. Was robbed and carjacked at gunpoint in front of my house in the early hours after work about 3 years ago. Other than that all has been good.
I don't live there but a friend of mine had his camera jacked from his car. So, I'd advise keeping them locked and have an alarm.
...Or, don't leave cameras and ish in your car. :D
Quote from: danno on June 25, 2010, 02:13:58 PM
In 11 years on Silver Street I have only had one crime commited against me. Was robbed and carjacked at gunpoint in front of my house in the early hours after work about 3 years ago. Other than that all has been good.
That's all?
I think that would be enough for me to move!!!!
I live on east 7th and haven't had any problems except for stuff being stolen off my porch or backyard, I keep the big dogs outside now to prevent this. But I would say that most of historic springfield is nice from 2nd st on up to 11th and from pearl st to walnut st. I would try to stay more centrally though as the outer boundaries do get a little rough
yeah, it does get pretty rough at the edges--i live on walnut, and the other day this dude totally tried to sell me a pair ov rollerblades. it was traumatic.
[/sarcasm]
Well Hanjin, I'm on Walnut below 2nd and it's always been pretty quiet here. Thankfully, we've never even had stuff stolen off the porch.
When I say it's quiet here, I mean quiet. I chose SPR because I thought its location near downtown would make it vibrant. It's not. Knowing JAX better, I think we would choose Riverside if we could do it all over again. The houses and neighbors are lovely, but it is a bit dull over here and I'm far more tied to a car than I would have been in Riverside. That said, it was the house that sold on SPR and we're still pretty fond of Our Lady of Perpetual Maintenance.
You'll get 100 different opinions on SPR block-by-block. Ask the immediate neighbors and then go with your gut.
I moved here from R-side, and honestly, I prefer it here.
The issues (theft and bums) I have found to be pretty much the same.
The difference has been in the neighbors. Not to knock R-side; but people have been far more warm and welcoming here, and your neighbors will watch out for you.
It would be wonderful to have more kids in the neighborhood.
I am partial to the East side of Main, but I live here. :)
I recently moved to N. Pearl St., in Springfield's SW quadrant. So far, so good. Most of our neighbors (aside from one immediately next door, who insisted that she has the sole right to park directly in front of her house) have been very welcoming.
I've been in Springfield for over 10 years, and although like anywhere, there's been items that went missing from my yard...but as a whole, I find this neighborhood to be one of the safest. I also agree with the poster that mentioned how warm and inviting the neighbors are, which is quite true. The only area of real concern is what's referred to as Hampsterdam...there's still hookers and drug activity. That section: 5th to 8th, Blvd to Pearl. There are many families with young children, and overall, the neighborhood is quiet, friendly and safe.
Actually even Hamsterdam has been quiet lately. Creepy quiet as one resident put it.
Even though I live in Hamsterdam (on Perry St), safety is not my prime concern. It has been very quiet. My biggest issue is trash everywhere which seems to know no boundaries and exists even outside of Springfield. Still contemplating what can be done about it.
Quote from: Burn to Shine on June 25, 2010, 03:56:12 PM
Quote from: danno on June 25, 2010, 02:13:58 PM
In 11 years on Silver Street I have only had one crime commited against me. Was robbed and carjacked at gunpoint in front of my house in the early hours after work about 3 years ago. Other than that all has been good.
That's all?
I think that would be enough for me to move!!!!
i was robbed at gunpoint on riverside and goodwin on 12/25/08. it could happen anywhere. In my 4ish years in Springfield, i haven't had a single incident. Laura st south of 8th is pretty amazing.
The quads above 8th are also pretty amazing as well and just as safe.
Quote from: JaxByDefault on June 25, 2010, 06:53:33 PM
Well Hanjin, I'm on Walnut below 2nd and it's always been pretty quiet here. Thankfully, we've never even had stuff stolen off the porch.
When I say it's quiet here, I mean quiet. I chose SPR because I thought its location near downtown would make it vibrant. It's not. Knowing JAX better, I think we would choose Riverside if we could do it all over again. The houses and neighbors are lovely, but it is a bit dull over here and I'm far more tied to a car than I would have been in Riverside. That said, it was the house that sold on SPR and we're still pretty fond of Our Lady of Perpetual Maintenance.
You'll get 100 different opinions on SPR block-by-block. Ask the immediate neighbors and then go with your gut.
Just wanted to say that when i said rough around the outer boundaries, I meant to say past the borders I mentioned. I know Ionia isn't all that bad but there are some areas closer to 1st street that are a little iffy. I'm asian and have ridden my bike through there and have gotten a fair amount of name calling that one time. I haven't been through there since. This is not to say that it's like that everywhere, but there are still some pockets that are. I just know the more central you stay in Springfield the better it gets.
For "numbers" see:
Where crimes are committed: http://www.sprwatch.org/crimes.html . This data is from the COJ crime data, but higher resolution. Updated whenever the COJ database is updated. Enter "180" in the text box to get the last 180 day worth of data
Where criminals live: http://www.sprwatch.org/map.html . Based on JSO jail population data. Updated daily. Lists the addresses that are published by JSO . Note they are not always accurate (e.g. sometimes they are abandoned lots)
Anyone have an opinion on the Lofts on Market? The 1951 Market Lofts that is. How's that area?
Quote from: danno on June 25, 2010, 02:13:58 PM
In 11 years on Silver Street I have only had one crime commited against me. Was robbed and carjacked at gunpoint in front of my house in the early hours after work about 3 years ago. Other than that all has been good.
Oh, thats all? LOL.
Quote from: jacksonvilleconfidential on July 07, 2010, 10:04:45 AM
Quote from: danno on June 25, 2010, 02:13:58 PM
In 11 years on Silver Street I have only had one crime commited against me. Was robbed and carjacked at gunpoint in front of my house in the early hours after work about 3 years ago. Other than that all has been good.
Oh, thats all? LOL.
As Konstantconsumer said:
Quotei was robbed at gunpoint on riverside and goodwin on 12/25/08. it could happen anywhere. In my 4ish years in Springfield, i haven't had a single incident. Laura st south of 8th is pretty amazing.
Hell, a bicyclist was hit with a brick and brutally raped in the heart of 5 points not too long ago. Multiple rapes in the beaches area. Home invasions in Deerwood. Violent crime is all over this city. People who think they are immune are naive...or well-armed...or cops. ;)
I wish someone would define the word safe.
Im well armed.
Quote from: comncense on July 06, 2010, 09:23:01 PM
Anyone have an opinion on the Lofts on Market? The 1951 Market Lofts that is. How's that area?
Good area. Great neighbors there, very active in the community, several artists of varying kinds.
isn't that the place where you can have part ov an abandoned school for the low low price ov more than any sensible person would pay for the small amount ov space you get?