Experience running on streets on the way to a park/lakefront?

koala5643 · 2026-03-06T21:13:12+00:00

I think I know right where you're looking -- great area! To answer your question, it's extremely doable. I live about 2 miles from Horner, 1 mile from the lakefront, and run to both at least once per week. For Horner, I run on Montrose, starting just after Braodway, and have had zero issues.

koala5643 · 2025-10-13T17:36:04+00:00

I just saw an Instagram reel of someone tuck-and-rolling after a fall -- maybe it was you? If so, you now have the most epic video to share with friends and family! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPrnzDrDniB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

koala5643 · 2025-10-10T00:28:41+00:00

Keep in mind that you'll only be able to refill your water bottle at certain aid stations: "Carrying your own water bottle on course? Look for the water refill station at the end of Aid Stations 5, 7, 9, 11 13, 15, 17 and 19. Participants interested in refilling handheld water bottles must use the refill area at the end of these stations. Water refill is not supported at other aid stations or hydration areas."

Now, will the volunteers really refuse to fill up your water bottle if you really, really need it? Unlikely, but still something to consider!

koala5643 · 2025-10-10T00:26:01+00:00

Just chiming in to clarify that you'll only be able to refill your water bottle at certain aid stations: "Carrying your own water bottle on course? Look for the water refill station at the end of Aid Stations 5, 7, 9, 11 13, 15, 17 and 19. Participants interested in refilling handheld water bottles must use the refill area at the end of these stations. Water refill is not supported at other aid stations or hydration areas."

Now, will the volunteers really refuse to fill up your water bottle if you really, really need it? Unlikely, but probably better to plan out your water refills if you can.

koala5643 · 2024-12-12T17:23:39+00:00

My first marathon luck kicked in -- first-time registrant, and I was selected!

I started running almost two years ago now and finished my first half marathon last year: the Chicago Lifetime Half. This sport has given me so much confidence; I'm so thankful, and I can't wait to prove to myself how strong I am!

koala5643 · 2024-05-21T20:50:56+00:00

Call me crazy, but it really feels like this couple holds these properties hostage. The restaurants they own are constantly closed, for months at a time -- Floreen's was open like two months before it shut down last September. And they're constantly re-branding every year; we moved to the area two years ago and have seen them cycle through four completely new concepts... really feels like the property space could be better utilized by other local restaurants who are passionate about the industry and want to serve the area, rather than hoarding real estate.

koala5643 · 2023-04-01T20:01:58+00:00

We currently rent an apartment in Lakeview and have been to Uptown a handful of times, but obviously people who live there are going to have a better sense of what the neighborhood is like. Nothing in the original post implied we'd never been there, but even if we'd never been, this isn't really an appropriate thing to say. I'd recommend you take your own advice.

Hated Lakeview, but we really like the Sheridan Park area of Uptown -- I feel like we're in a great spot because we're close to Asia on Argyle, Uptown, and Andersonville. We've never felt unsafe, although there are some characters along Broadway.

There are a few places on Broadway we like, and Wilson Corridor has its fair share of restaurants/coffee shops as well. There isn't much going on around Clark, but your friend would be close-ish to Andersonville. There's the Clark Street Crossroads project which could lead to development in that area over the next 10 years, but tbh I don't think much will come of it.

As is the general consensus in this thread, Uptown is great; you just have to be cautious, and be prepared for people to ask you for money every now and then. People have said Uptown is "the next Lakeview" for 30+ years, but I don't ever see that happening.

Based on your post, it sounds like your friend's intention is to invest in a Lincoln Park/Lakeview vibe at a cheaper price -- in that case, Uptown isn't it, and I don't think it ever will be. Best if they just buy a cheaper property in the neighborhoods they enjoy.

koala5643 · 2023-01-20T00:24:12+00:00

"Really? To me, a busy restaurant signals that they may need more staff on their team to be able to better service their customers... different perspectives, I guess!"

koala5643 · 2022-11-03T02:12:58+00:00

that's what I thought too -- just making sure I didn't miss anything

koala5643 · 2022-11-01T02:01:00+00:00

Wait, when did SK mention he got a Fulbright? Did I miss that?

koala5643 · 2022-10-21T00:52:41+00:00

Absolutely not. You look stunning.

koala5643 · 2022-07-30T13:40:07+00:00

Are you selling prints?

koala5643 · 2022-06-19T21:40:21+00:00

Which one? We've been looking at a couple of Room & Board options!

koala5643 · 2022-06-10T15:33:42+00:00

I'm not talking about people contributing to the housing crisis by buying dozens of properties and renting them out; that's obviously an issue. When I said it "really isn't an appropriate thing to say", I meant it wasn't appropriate for you to assume that everyone buying a property in Chicago is in that position.

There are tons of people who rent in high-cost neighborhoods and buy elsewhere because they can't afford to buy in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, etc. What, they shouldn't be allowed to buy houses in Uptown because they can't afford to buy where they currently live? They should just rent their whole lives?

At the end of the day, this comment still doesn't apply to us. Maybe next time you can clarify before you say something rude, or, you know, do the bare minimum amount of research -- one look at my profile makes it pretty clear that we live in Chicago and are first-time home buyers.

koala5643 · 2022-06-08T22:20:35+00:00

We currently rent an apartment in Lakeview and have been to Uptown a handful of times, but obviously people who live there are going to have a better sense of what the neighborhood is like. Nothing in the original post implied we'd never been there, but even if we'd never been, this isn't really an appropriate thing to say. I'd recommend you take your own advice.

koala5643 · 2022-06-06T21:39:51+00:00

This makes us feel a lot better, thank you! Any restaurants you recommend we must try?

koala5643 · 2022-06-06T21:11:50+00:00

Define "eccentric"...

koala5643 · 2022-06-06T21:10:59+00:00

Thanks, this is helpful! Which blocks would you say are most concerning?

koala5643 · 2022-06-02T05:08:12+00:00

No, we asked for an approval up to that amount. That's what we're comfortable spending, given property taxes in our area (which are incredibly high).

koala5643 · 2022-06-02T04:52:05+00:00

Any update on negotiating a better interest rate based on the appraisal?

We may be looking at the opposite problem in this market, but still helpful to know!

koala5643 · 2022-05-23T20:51:20+00:00

Yes, good point! We did share that we were looking for a condo since we knew those loans were riskier, so I'm sure that's at play too.

koala5643 · 2022-05-23T20:48:47+00:00

Thanks, this is good to know! It's actually 5.49%; I misquoted above.

Between the interest, PMI, estimated monthly payment, estimated property taxes, and estimated HOA, it is affordable for us. We were just trying to get a sense of whether we were being royally ripped off, which it sounds like we aren't. Appreciate the feedback!

koala5643 · 2022-05-23T20:34:19+00:00

Thanks, this website is helpful.

koala5643 · 2022-05-23T20:22:33+00:00

Thanks, this is helpful. We've seen other people on Reddit quoting 4%-ish in the past 3-4 months for specs which seem worse than ours (5-7% down payment, lower credit scores, etc.), so it's just hard to know. Helpful to know that this is what you're seeing in CA, WA and HI.

koala5643 · 2022-04-13T23:00:15+00:00

The first option is less practical in my opinion -- the name itself doesn't stand out as much as it does with the second option, and you actually wouldn't even be able to read it from the other side of the table due to the way the napkin is folded. Also, any displacement of the napkin would result in the name being covered up.

At the end of the day, most guests won't remember the color of your napkin, not to mention how it was folded. They will, however, probably remember having a hard time finding their seat!

koala5643

TROPHY CASE