It's no surprise that crime has been on the rise in Chicago (I've heard stories from several friends/colleagues who live in the city), but I heard on WBBM last week that police we're investigating a series of robberies in the near-north neighborhoods, Lincoln Park being one of them. Cars stop pedestrians on sidewalks at gunpoint and demand their money. Scary stuff, as I also have two nieces in the city. This won't be the case forever, and it sounds like your decision is a long-term one, but positive steps need to be taken.