Chicago West Side (Austin Neighborhood Chicago Documentary)

Join us as we take a deep dive into the vibrant community of Austin in Chicago. Through candid street interviews, we uncover the history, challenges, and triumphs of this unique neighborhood.
Discover:
Personal stories: Residents share their experiences of living in Austin.
Crime and Safety: Insights into the local crime rates and safety concerns.
Rental Market: What do people pay for rent and how does it affect their lifestyle?
Community Sentiment: The love, loyalty, and critiques from those who call the Austin neighborhood home.
Get an authentic glimpse into the heart of Austin and understand the complexities that shape this neighborhood.
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This documentary explores the Austin neighborhood on the west side of Chicago, providing a look into its history, current state, and the experiences of its residents.

Key themes and discussions in the video include:

Neighborhood Impression & Safety:
Many people initially warned the videographer not to walk down the streets (0:17).
One resident describes the neighborhood as "troublesome" with a lot of drug activity (1:28) and "a lot of violence and guns shooting" (3:47). He also mentions that people are staying inside more due to trouble (2:52).
Another resident who has lived in Austin since 1989 (16:08) states that Columbus Park is "not really safe at night time" (16:21), though it's okay during the day (16:57).
A younger resident who grew up in Austin recounts how the neighborhood went from safe to unsafe and is now "getting safe" again (18:35-18:53), but he remains on "high alert" due to gangs and police brutality (18:55-19:03). He emphasizes that different blocks have different affiliations (19:08).
A later interviewee from Humble Park who moved to Austin states that the streets are generally friendly (37:37) and safe where he is (36:55). He also notes that the mayor's presence brings more police to the area, implying increased safety (39:00-39:17).
One perspective suggests that a non-black person might be safer walking through a black neighborhood than a black person due to fear of repercussions (41:27-42:12).

History and Development:
Austin was originally a suburb founded in the 1860s and was annexed to Chicago in 1899 (5:52-6:09).
The King Riots in 1968 or 1969 caused significant destruction and looting, and the neighborhood has not fully recovered since (3:15-3:32, 22:43-22:55).
The Columbus Park Refectory, built in the 1920s by Jens Jensen, was once a public space for dining and recreation (7:22-7:50), but became a banquet-only venue in the 1950s (7:50-7:56). The lagoon in the park was also used for boating (10:02-10:06, 12:15-12:23).
The Seth Warner house, built in 1869, is one of the oldest surviving structures, a testament to the area's past as farmland (24:47-25:05).
There's a discussion about Austin becoming built up with new houses and infrastructure, possibly due to the mayor living in the area (29:58-30:09, 27:51-28:07).

Community and Lifestyle:
Some residents note a lack of family structure, with many single mothers, as a significant problem (15:40-15:56).
People are less active outside compared to the 1980s (2:52-2:54).
The cost of living, including rent and taxes, has "skyrocketed" (20:21-20:29).
Rent for a house can range from $1,500 to $2,000 per month (20:05-20:12), and a three-bedroom apartment can be around $1,500 (31:11-31:17).
Old buildings offer larger, more roomy apartments with high ceilings, while new constructions provide half the space for a similar price (32:41-33:13).
Restaurants like Uncle Remus (20:54, 29:25) and Wingstop (20:36) are mentioned, though some areas are considered dangerous even near police stations (20:39-21:03).
Many residents go to other neighborhoods or suburbs to eat out to feel safe (23:16-23:21).
The neighborhood is described as having "a lot of stuff to do, lot of things to see" (27:19-27:21).
The older generation discusses how fights in the past were often resolved through boxing, whereas now "they just shoot each other" (45:09-45:19).