It's already become desirable. East Woodlawn is in the process of being gentrified as we speak. Most stuff over there is no longer in my budget (2+ flat for <350k). Up until the pandemic, west Woodlawn prices were higher but I've seen them coming down, thought I expect them to go right back up.
It's crazy because they try and sell these remodeled/renovated properties right next to an abandoned building with trash in the lot for exorbitant prices. Every now and then I'll see something in Washington park in that price range but it doesn't stay on the market long. Only thing keeping most of that property lower is those gardens. Even my dad is like nah, find somewhere else lol (idc though, I see the writing on the wall). They could clean that up any time if they really wanted too, there's a police station right on south Chicago and cottage. They could make their presence more known. I stay nearby there in Bronzeville, and I go drive by at night sometimes just to check out how things look in the darkness. The other night there were no street lights, the neighborhood was just illuminated with cop lights. There are some really decent buildings right by the parkways.
I'm hoping the prices stay low so I can get in before the colonizers.
My church is the largest property owner in Washington Park. Colonizers aren't coming in because we own most of the buildings and keeping it that way. I'm on the board of the redevelopment corporation that holds those properties.
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