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France issues travel warning to Parts of Chicago.

Higgins86

Higgins86

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Higgins86 said:
France Warns Tourists Visiting Chicago To Avoid City's South And West Sides (PHOTOS)

What does everyone make of this? Having visited the city on a number of occasions i'm sad because it really is a great city to visit. Given the high number of murders, shootings etc is the warning warranted or is it an overrecation? Interested to hear from everyone but especially from posters who live or grew up in the Chicago.
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Well, I took a wrong turn onto a bridge in San Francisco a couple of years ago and had to drive down into the community to find a way back. When I stopped for directions from a pedestrian the friendly black lady looked at me in shock and said: "You know, Sir, you shouldn't be here?"
 
Seems prudent enough.

While we are at it, should we also consider the 750 Zones Urbaines Sensibles in France?
 
Higgins86 said:
France Warns Tourists Visiting Chicago To Avoid City's South And West Sides (PHOTOS)

What does everyone make of this? Having visited the city on a number of occasions i'm sad because it really is a great city to visit. Given the high number of murders, shootings etc is the warning warranted or is it an overrecation? Interested to hear from everyone but especially from posters who live or grew up in the Chicago.
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I think its more of a local problem, however, they are free to issue whatever warning they want. I've been to Chicago about 5 times with the wife (her home city) and have yet to encounter anything or feel that my life was in danger there.

That doesn't mean I go into dark alleys at 2:30am, but I still think it is a great city to visit and will continue to do so. We are planning right now to go back there in February for a family wedding that is happening there.
 
Higgins86 said:
France Warns Tourists Visiting Chicago To Avoid City's South And West Sides (PHOTOS)

What does everyone make of this? Having visited the city on a number of occasions i'm sad because it really is a great city to visit. Given the high number of murders, shootings etc is the warning warranted or is it an overrecation? Interested to hear from everyone but especially from posters who live or grew up in the Chicago.
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I would not make too much of it.
There are unsafe parts of almost every major city in the world.
Pointing them out to it's Citizens who travel, is part of the responsibility of the Government.
One does not have to look far to find tourist warnings for sections of Paris or London,
This does not mean don't go there, just to be cautious about some sections.
 
longview said:
I would not make too much of it.
There are unsafe parts of almost every major city in the world.
Pointing them out to it's Citizens who travel, is part of the responsibility of the Government.
One does not have to look far to find tourist warnings for sections of Paris or London,
This does not mean don't go there, just to be cautious about some sections.
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Yes I agree I think anyone has to be careful no matter what city you visit, little common sense has to come into play.
 
According to France they are just doing what we do. Although Emanuel said this morning he wasn't to happy with the French. But he watched his remarks and returned to the issue he was dealing with.

Well they do have it mentioned to not go 2 blocks past the U of I for the South side.

During the daytime they would be fine. But then I think they would notice they aren't around any Star Attractions we have, and might want to head back into the city.

And yes.....there are neighborhoods they wouldn't want to get caught in.
 
Higgins86 said:
France Warns Tourists Visiting Chicago To Avoid City's South And West Sides (PHOTOS)

What does everyone make of this? Having visited the city on a number of occasions i'm sad because it really is a great city to visit. Given the high number of murders, shootings etc is the warning warranted or is it an overrecation? Interested to hear from everyone but especially from posters who live or grew up in the Chicago.
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People are warned when they go to Mexico. And when I went to Ireland I was warned about the "tinkers" aka gypsies which are found mainly in Dublin. Cautions should be taken when you visit anywhere in the world imo.
 
Higgins86 said:
France Warns Tourists Visiting Chicago To Avoid City's South And West Sides (PHOTOS)

What does everyone make of this? Having visited the city on a number of occasions i'm sad because it really is a great city to visit. Given the high number of murders, shootings etc is the warning warranted or is it an overrecation? Interested to hear from everyone but especially from posters who live or grew up in the Chicago.
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I haven't been to Chicago in decades. But I live around 30 miles or so from Atlanta and when relatives come a visiting, there are sections of that city I advise them to stay away from. High crime is the primary reason. I suppose one could issue their own travel advisories for almost any good size city in the states. I don't blame France one bit.
 
Now for all you good ole country boys.....should you get caught in one of these neighborhoods. Whatever you do.....don't try to play Dead like ya do with a bear. Nor, don't try to play possum either. :lol:

Speak slow and clearly.....keep your hands in front of you. Don't smile and don't look any of them in the face. Just keep on walking until you get out of there. Don't run.....walk.
walk.gif
 
Higgins86 said:
France Warns Tourists Visiting Chicago To Avoid City's South And West Sides (PHOTOS)

What does everyone make of this? Having visited the city on a number of occasions i'm sad because it really is a great city to visit. Given the high number of murders, shootings etc is the warning warranted or is it an overrecation? Interested to hear from everyone but especially from posters who live or grew up in the Chicago.
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Every city has it's hot zones, where life is cheap. Chi-Town's murder rate is proof that it's no different.

I don't blame France one bit about issueing warnings like this.
 
There are a lot more American cities besides Chicago that foreign governments warn their people not to visit. Interestingly, they're are all under Liberal rule. Places such as Detroit, parts of Miami, Los Angeles, etc., etc. Just because the ghetto danger in America is kept secret by the media doesn't mean the rest of the world doesn't know about it.
 
Higgins86 said:
France Warns Tourists Visiting Chicago To Avoid City's South And West Sides (PHOTOS)

What does everyone make of this? Having visited the city on a number of occasions i'm sad because it really is a great city to visit. Given the high number of murders, shootings etc is the warning warranted or is it an overrecation? Interested to hear from everyone but especially from posters who live or grew up in the Chicago.
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Having experienced the French enough for one lifetime, this may actually be a boon for Chicago tourism - if people know they're unlikely to run into French tourists in Chicago, it moves well up the list of places to visit.
 
I urge the French to visit Chicago - particularly the south side. In NYC, streets in the 140 type numbered streets and up are also excellent. Detroit holds promise - especially at this time of year. East St. Louis is an attraction any time of year.
 
Perhaps Chicago wanted this and paid the French government the necessary graft to get er done. French tourists, not high on the list of a city's needs.
 
clownboy said:
Perhaps Chicago wanted this and paid the French government the necessary graft to get er done. French tourists, not high on the list of a city's needs.
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mmm I think any tourists are welcomes by all cities especially from a country with a decent population size who frequently travel to North America.
 
MMC said:
Now for all you good ole country boys.....should you get caught in one of these neighborhoods. Whatever you do.....don't try to play Dead like ya do with a bear. Nor, don't try to play possum either. :lol:

Speak slow and clearly.....keep your hands in front of you. Don't smile and don't look any of them in the face. Just keep on walking until you get out of there. Don't run.....walk.
walk.gif
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Bears don't like it if you smile!?
 
I was born and raised in Chicago and live here now. There are neighborhoods I'd never visit, however there are areas of every city I'd avoid. My advice for anyone visiting Chi-Town these days is do whatever you can to avoid taking the Red Line :shock:
 
Higgins86 said:
France Warns Tourists Visiting Chicago To Avoid City's South And West Sides (PHOTOS)

What does everyone make of this? Having visited the city on a number of occasions i'm sad because it really is a great city to visit. Given the high number of murders, shootings etc is the warning warranted or is it an overrecation? Interested to hear from everyone but especially from posters who live or grew up in the Chicago.
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I grew up in Chicago, I love the city, but the south side is a **** hole. It's pretty dangerous and there's no desire by Chicago government to fix it. But if you stick to the north side, you'll be OK.
 
Ikari said:
I grew up in Chicago, I love the city, but the south side is a **** hole. It's pretty dangerous and there's no desire by Chicago government to fix it. But if you stick to the north side, you'll be OK.
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The South Side is a huge place. There are areas of the South side that are just as nice as Lincoln Park or Lakeview . Beverly being just one.
 
HenryChinaski said:
The South Side is a huge place. There are areas of the South side that are just as nice as Lincoln Park or Lakeview . Beverly being just one.
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....yeah, but you're better off not trucking through the parts necessary to get there. Stick to the north side. Sox suck anyway.
 
Higgins86 said:
mmm I think any tourists are welcomes by all cities especially from a country with a decent population size who frequently travel to North America.
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Never met any French tourists have you? And they say Americans are rude. :mrgreen:
 
Don't people who travel usually stick to the "nice" side of the cities they visit anyways? I've been in Mexico for over a year and have yet to accidentally get caught in a slum. Then again, I've bought maps to make sure I don't end up in ****ty parts of cities I visit. In about 4 weeks, I'm headed to Zacatecas/San Luis Potosi and Leon. I've already mapped out my trip from the Western highway entries to the cities to hotels in the centres. Maybe I'm different though - I just don't see a reason why France would issue such a warning in the first place.
 
clownboy said:
Never met any French tourists have you? And they say Americans are rude. :mrgreen:
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I live in London which is a short train ride from France never had any problems with them.
 
I actually want all the French people possible to visit the south side of Chicago.
 
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