Like every big city, there are good areas and there are not-so-good areas (except for Detroit). In terms of where to live, it depends upon what you want. If you want a tree-lined family neighborhood, check out the NW-Side. If you want lots of hip bars and restaurants, check out Lincoln Park. If you want to be near the beach and lots of parks, check out the lakefront places in Lincoln Park. If you want higher security places, check out downtown (which is also more of a tourist area). I've lived in all of these places and all have their ups and downs. But remember, people who do not live in these areas go there to commit crime because that is where the money is. In other words, no area is completely safe. If absolute safety is what you want, buy a farm, fence it in, and get some big dogs to protect you.