The area that UIC/Rush is at is really only nice/safe within the few blocks it takes up. Once you venture south and west, you have to know what you are doing. During the day time you'll be fine, but night time, you definitely don't want to be hanging around.
Basically want to stay north of 290. You could live in the south loop, it's an up and coming neighborhood. Lots of new condo's, basically right across from the museums and soldier field. If you want to live in a better part of town and be downtown, then anything north of Milluneum park, which is basically the gold cost, magnificnt mile, northwestern hospital, ect. Obviously, it's more expensive then the south or west loop, but the neighborhoods are just that much safer.
Another option would to be live far west out by Oak Brook/Oak Park area, however, the commute to Rush/UIC would suck since 290 is the worst traffic jam ever and it's also being "re-paved" (ie. 2 lanes for 2 years). This can be avoided depending on what tim eoyu have to be at the hospital. 6 AM for rounds, well you'll have no problem.
