<p>Does anyone know about the safety situation for students staying at UofC over the summer? Is it better to stay as close to campus as possible? Son is looking at subletting an apartment in graduate housing at Blackstone and 51st which is fairly far away but the 171 or 172 (I can't remember which) has a bus stop right at the corner. I know the bus routes do not run as often during summer months but is riding the bus really the only safe way to get to campus from that far away during summer months? If someone has some experience staying during the summer in Hyde Park, I would love to hear some advice.</p>
<p>Blackstone and 51st might be far from campus, but it’s nestled in with a lot of student, grad student, and staff housing. It’s also right by the night shuttle routes.</p>
<p><a href=“http://facilities.uchicago.edu/transpparking/transportation/pdfs/map-ab-evening-2008.pdf[/url]”>http://facilities.uchicago.edu/transpparking/transportation/pdfs/map-ab-evening-2008.pdf</a></p>
<p>I felt that campus was safe over the summer-- the services that are offered during the school year, like SafeRide and the UCPD-- are around over the summer as well.</p>
<p>Thanks unalove I was really hoping you would answer. I always feel like I can trust the information that you give. I am really not that worried about the safety on the campus itself but the walking that I know my son will do to get to campus even though I recommend taking the bus. Is there a walking route that would be best to go from that area to campus or certain streets to avoid? He is not worried about safety at all but we come from a rural area and since he has been living in BJ I’m not sure if he really understands the need for being street smart when he is getting around Hyde Park off campus especially during the summer when most students will be gone. I suppose it is fairly quiet around campus.</p>
<p>S1 has stayed two summers in a Hyde Park apartment and his brother attended a summer program at the University the summer before his junior year in HS. Both love(d) Hyde Park, and Chicago in the summer and both felt safe. Common sense about city living, as has been mentioned many times, is always necessary.</p>
<p>Things are pretty dead. People come to campus for there one class or whatever and that is it. But its not more or less safe than the regular term times.</p>
<p>Again, where he lives is prime real estate for the shuttles, so it will probably be more convenient for him to take a shuttle than walk most places.</p>
<p>And the extra suggestions I have have a lot to do with “common sense”-- don’t display valuables, don’t walk with headphones in, don’t carry important things with you (you’d be surprised how many people keep their social security card in their wallets!) In other words, don’t go out of your way to make yourself a target. I like to walk on streets that are well-lit and where I can see other people out. HP is pretty well-lit overall, but there are a few parks and playgrounds I wouldn’t cut through at night. I also don’t think it’s smart to walk home under the influence, ever.</p>
<p>I usually count “safety” by how many people are out, so I think your S will be okay walking most places most of the time, as 51st is a pretty busy street.</p>