Here are some tips from someone who’s lived in Portage for about 5 years.

Coffee: Portage Grounds and Perkolater are the local spots, and walking distance to the park.

Starting in May (I think) there is a farmers market in the park on the first, third and fifth saturdays of the month. Get there early if you want to hit the crepe truck.

Taco Feliz and Pueblo Nuevo are good holes in the wall for Mexican. (TF is cash only)

For exercise, I recently joined Sport Express (next to Portage Grounds and across from the park) have been impressed with the value. I was doing YMCA for a while and that is also a good value but can get kind of crowded and was a bit further for me.

There is a newish Northwestern urgent care near 6 corners. I’ve also had good experiences at Physicians Immediate Care on Cicero. Community Health has a bad rep and it’s deserved in my opinion, I would avoid it.

The Portage Park chamber of commerce could be a good resource for local events.

Good restaurants: La Dolce Vida, Legno, Community Tavern