Almost all the murders occur in three or four neighborhoods. My old neighborhood on the NW side was as safe as a small town. Our sons were raised there without incident.
However, anyone visiting would do well to avoid areas such as Austin and that includes any black visitors.
Other than that the city is a treasure with something everyone can enjoy. The music here is the tops, none better anywhere. How many can enjoy something as fabulous as the Monteverdi “Orfio” I had the good fortune to see last night?
The food is spectacular includes Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Thai and any other cuisine you would want. After the opera it was to Greektown for a feast.
In all things cultural and culinary you cannot possibly be placing Chicago before NYC...are you?
You may enjoy the culture but pay tax upon tax to finance the pleasure of living in a democrat controlled paradise.
The last five years I am out of touch, but prior to that, I would agree that Chicago was a big city that was a livable urban experience when I was there part time ‘04-’12. I have a buddy whose family still lives there and he summarizes it like this: The Chicago Cops got tired of being beat up politically so they took neighborhoods they were not appreciated in and abandoned them. You stay out of those neighborhoods and its a pretty good town.