This guide covers growing up in the inter-city of Chicago as a homeowner: The Story of John Strange. Escaping and growing up In the inter-City. I grew up in the intercity of the West Side of Chicago, a place where most people would consider the ghetto. We lived in a section called K-town, so named because most of the street names for the next ten blocks started with a K and today known as the Austin area growing up in the inter-city of Chicago is what made me stronger, and my everyday goal was to escape growing up in the inter-city of Chicago and move to the suburbs and eventually own a home. In this article, we will discuss and cover growing up in the inter-city of Chicago as a homeowner.
Growing Up In The Inter-City of Chicago: My Background
My parents bought their first home in the ghetto when they moved up to Chicago from Mississippi, and my mother stayed in that home for the next fifty-seven years. My brothers and I tried to get her to move after my father died, but more on that later. We didn’t think we were poor because, after all, even though my parents never earned over $11.00 per hour their whole lives, they would come to own the home we lived in and each of the homes on each side of it. But we were poor; I would learn later in life that all three homes cost my parents a total of a little over $20,000.
Growing Up In The Inter-City of Chicago: The Dangers And Fears
Living on the west side and growing up in the inter-city of Chicago was pretty rough I remember before we got a car, we would walk to church with my mom. One night on our way home from church, my father didn’t go with us, and some guys started to hassle my mom. At this point, I wasn’t yet ten years old, and my middle brother was maybe 5 and my younger brother was still an arm baby. Thank God for some reason they let us go. The next day, my parents went out and bought a car. Dale Elenteny, a senior loan officer at Gustan Cho Associates and good friend of John Strange, says the following about John Strange growing up in the inter-city of Chicago as a homeowner.
Another memory of how tough it was growing up in the inter-city on the west side was in 1968, when Martin Luther King was killed. I was ten years old, I remember sometime during the day my teacher told us we had to leave early from school
She said to go straight home and do not stop for anything. Once I got home, we spent the next week in the house, not leaving once, while the west side of Chicago burned. One scene that’s burned into my memory is when my father let us go out on the porch, and as we looked over the trees ahead of us into the next block, we saw the whole block of Pulaski from 15th Street to 14th Street in flames, and some 45 years later most of the block has not been built back. But that was our norm growing up. I had to walk about 6 blocks to school; it was nothing to see either drunks lying down on the street or dead bodies on the street. You just got used to it.
FAQ’s on Growing Up in the Inter-City of Chicago
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding owning a house in Chicago’s inner city, focusing on the issues faced, possibilities, and distinct viewpoints:
What are the challenges of growing up in the inter-city of Chicago as a homeowner?
Answer:
Challenges include high property taxes in some locations, crime rates, and the age or condition of the homes, which could mean extensive maintenance or upgrades are necessary. In addition, due to economic deprivation, the range of available public facilities, such as schools, grocery stores, and even welfare offices, is greatly reduced.
What are the benefits of growing up in the inter-city of Chicago as a homeowner?
Answer:
Homeownership brings good economic prospects, security, a reasonable chance of increasing property value, and the capability of creating equity. The inner city of Chicago has some of the richest cultural heritage features, marvelous old buildings, and easily reachable public transportation, workplaces, and entertainment venues.
How does growing up in the inter-city affect raising a family?
Answer:
This can depend largely on the neighborhood, as some have good schools, well-maintained parks, and an active community. In contrast, others have limited schooling options and safety issues. Many families take pride in their neighborhoods and work towards enhancing them.
What services and tools can help first-time home buyers in Chicago?
Answer:
Initiatives like the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) assist first-time purchases with down payment support and tax breaks. The City of Chicago Department of Housing has supportive programs for renovation, energy efficiency improvement, and even financial therapy.
What is the impact of growing up in the inter-city crime on homeowners?
Answer:
Violent crime in the area can affect property value and insurance costs. Many homeowners find that local activities like block clubs and neighborhood watches help improve the situation. Cities like Chicago are also spending money on crime prevention and neighborhood rehabilitation.
Is investing in real estate within the city center worth it?
Answer:
If you were to venture into investments, inner-city properties stand out as some of the most attractive, especially in the regions that are being regenerated. Many investors find the low price and great potential for equity appreciation very tempting. However, it is important to consider the prospect development and the local market in the area.
How does the property tax of Chicago affect homeowners in the inter-city?
Answer:
Homeowners in Chicago usually face higher property tax rates. However, tax breaks (the Homeowner Exemption, Senior Exemption, and Senior Freeze Exemption) can help lower certain expenses. A vital rule for homeowners is to keep track of their property tax assessments.
What is the impact of gentrification in Chicago’s Inter-City?
Answer:
Gentrification may increase the value of a property and bring in new businesses that improve the infrastructure; however, it can also result in the displacement of long-term residents because of the increase in housing costs. While some homeowners might relish the equity increase, many are concerned about the negative implications for the neighborhood’s cultural identity.
How can homeowners improve the inter- city of Chicago?
Answer:
Encouraging residents’ participation in local charitable organizations, advocating for the development of nonprofit schools, and fostering small businesses are great mechanisms for community development. Certain organizations also offer grants for property improvement and locally based Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund projects.
What is your overall strategy for purchasing a home in Chicago’s inter-city?
Answer:
It’s best to check the school systems, safety, transportation, neighborhood amenities, and market conditions. It helps to work with a local competent real estate agent and search for loans that make homeownership more worthwhile.
How does Chicago’s multicultural population impact of growing up in the inter-city?
Answer:
Chicago’s inner city is home to an eclectic variety of cultures, which strengthens the sense of community and gives people the chance to learn and appreciate different traditions, cuisines, and celebrations.
Do any housing programs target people growing in the inter-city of Chicago?
Answer:
Indeed, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) offers several different types of funding, such as loans and grants, and also organizes workshops geared toward helping homeowners maintain their properties and enhance their neighborhoods.
Growing Up in the Inter-City of Chicago: Leaving Home
As I got older, we didn’t know anything about going to college; the only people I knew that went to college were athletes. We were taught you finished high school, got a job, and got married, so that’s what I did. I got married four days after I turned nineteen. Our first apartment was so bad at night we could hear mice running across the floor playing while we tried to sleep. If we got up to go to the bathroom, we could see them scatter. We could only take it for about six months and then we found a better place
About two years later, my parents bought the two-flat buildings on either side of them, and my wife and I moved into one building and my brother and his wife moved into the other. By this time both of my children were starting to get older, and we decided to move to our first home.
The American Dream Of Home Ownership I soon realized that it was not owning a home, but the community and location where the home was located. This was what drove me to work harder, and my ultimate goal was to escape the ghettos of Chicago and not have my children go through what I have gone through, living in fear and constantly watching your back. Next up, our first home.
Alex Carlucci is a senior loan officer and author of growing up in the inter-city of Chicago. Alex is a contributing writer for Gustan Cho Associates Mortgage News.
