r/AskChicago

Hi. So I'm trying to get a place to rent. However, one place I toured in Cicero (if they even respond back now.), the tour guy said it's fine to have family over whos not on the lease, as long as we're quiet about it, respectful, follow all rules, etc. This was a 1 bedroom apartment with plenty of room for 2 people.

I need to get my family member staying with me, off the lease due to complications, just so they can get a job and get their life together and not die on the streets. They would be quiet and respectful and all ofc.

I am curious whether they said it's fine at that one place to have extra family, because it's Cicero / lower end neighborhood? Or because there's no other housemates to complain? Or maybe because, and i'm not sure but, i think the guy giving the tour wasnt the landlord? So in that case would it apply to anywhere?

Edit: im not trying to go over the people per room limit

I'm 34, originally from another country, and I've been living in Chicago for about seven years.

This is something I've been embarrassed to admit, but in all that time I haven't gone on a single date.

I did date before moving here, so it's not that I've never talked to women. It just feels like once I moved here, everything stopped.

I've tried Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge multiple times over the years. I used real photos, put effort into my profile, but I almost never got any matches. Eventually I'd delete the apps, wait a while, and try again with the same outcome.

I also pushed myself to approach women at bars a few times. Every time I got rejected. I know that's part of dating and I don't blame anyone for it, but after a while it became harder and harder to put myself out there. Eventually I just stopped trying.

I'm 6'0" (184 cm), around 185 lbs (84 kg). I'm not super fit, I have a bit of a belly and my hair is thinning. I don't think I'm exceptionally attractive, but I also don't think I'm unattractive enough to never have a chance.

I work from home, so I don't naturally meet many people. I only have a couple of close friends, and I'm not very outgoing. My English is good enough for everyday conversations, but I do have a noticeable accent. Sometimes I wonder if that matters more than I think.

The hardest part is that everything seems connected. I don't meet women, so I don't build confidence. Because my confidence is low, approaching someone feels much harder. After enough rejection and almost no positive experiences, it becomes tempting to stop trying altogether.

One thing that makes this more confusing is that I'm a musician. I have hobbies, I enjoy going out sometimes, and I'm not isolated 24/7. Yet somehow I still feel stuck.

Lately I've started worrying that the longer this goes on, the harder it will become to break the cycle. Being 34 and realizing you haven't been on a single date in seven years isn't a great feeling.

Has anyone been in a similar situation and managed to turn things around? I'd appreciate honest advice, even if it's something I might not want to hear.

I (34 M) have an amazing network of friends in my life, but none of them smoke. I enjoy it once or twice a week but it’s getting a bit lonely and it’d be nice to have some people to share it with every now and then, and explore the city more along the way. I try to stay out of the way as much as possible and keep it low footprint so think more like Martha Stewart not Cheech & Chong.

Other hobbies are running, biking, rollerblading, reality tv, cooking, baking, cocktails, travel, hiking, current events, board games, reading, dinner parties. Great if you share a few interests but the primary goal is to get high, and maybe grab a bite or a drink. I love that Chicago is so social and how it’s possible for people of all different backgrounds to bond together, so I’m hoping to find some of that here.

I am in Lakeview but not tied to it. Anyone else in a similar mindset?

I’m planning a trip to Chicago in September and was curious what I should be wary of as a solo female traveler and what would be the best areas to book a stay there. I’m also curious about what places are worth checking out as someone who will be walking and not renting a car. The concert will be at Soldier Field Stadium. 🏟️
Ideally I would like to be close by. I appreciate all advice in advance 🫱🏽‍🫲🏻

Hi there I’m visiting for a few days from Boston and wanted to find out where might be a good place to watch USA and Belgium tomorrow night.

Couple caveats:
- I can’t get there many hours early like I know I’d have to in Boston soccer focused bars due to other activities
- I’m not a heavy drinker and don’t want the bar staff to be too annoyed at it

I’m staying in South Loop but can travel a couple miles. Also sound on or at least captions are great.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Worse case scenario I can use the hotel bar of course but thought it might be fun to go where at least some Chicago Outlaws/supporters might be.

Trying to map out the best happy hours in the city. Here are 5 I keep coming back to. What are yours? Let's build a Chicago happy hour list together!

1. Sushi-san — Lincoln Park

$6 maki rolls (normally $10), and they serve cocktails in soda cans. Sleek little sushi bar, and the HH runs every day, not just weekdays.

2. La Licor Panamericana — Logan Square

$16 machaca burger with fries at a Latin-inspired cocktail bar. Solid full meal + a cocktail without the usual markup.

3. il Porcellino — River North

$6 pizza on weekday happy hour (Mon–Fri). Housemade pastas and a good wine list too — hard to beat $6 for a pie in River North.

4. Kayao — Old Town

$12 ceviche (down from $29), plus $2.50 oysters, at a Japanese-Chinese-Peruvian fusion spot. Bar & patio only.

5. Oliver's — South Loop

$12 "tiny martini" with truffle fries in a 1930s LA-inspired room. Tue–Fri, 5–6pm — perfect after-work stop.

please drop your go-to Chicago happy hours. I want to save more good HH in my list!

This suburban mom is driving my teen daughter and a friend to a concert at Wrigley.
-Any suggestions for a good drop off/pick up point should be?
-Any suggestions for a quiet bar/coffee shop I can hang at during the show?

I haven’t spent time on that side of town in many years. Thanks!

Hello, my part time job is telling us we are not getting paid holiday pay for the hours worked on July 4th. But I was pretty sure they are required to pay holiday pay.

Would someone be able to help me find the law that states we are granted that? (if that is the case) if it’s not required then thank you so much for clarification!

I’ve been trying to google this but I can only find answers for full time workers and days that are not worked on the holiday.

Hi! Can you please recommend neighborhoods in Chicago for two girls in their mid 20s to move to??

My main priorities are finding an area where I feel comfortable walking around by myself as a woman and where there’s plenty to do nearby (cute restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, workout studios, etc.).
I’d also love somewhere that feels trendy, creative, modern, and has a younger crowd.

I obviously love West Loop/Fulton Market, but I’m trying to be responsible and not spend $2,000+ on rent 😅 I’m curious if there are any surrounding neighborhoods with a similar vibe. I’ve seen some more affordable, nice apartments in West Town, but I don’t know much about the area.

Any recommendations?

Hello all,

I visited Chicago last year with my (now) spouse and completely fell in love with the city. We're coming back next week with a group of friends from Toronto and want to make the most of the trip.

I already have most of the usual must-do's planned, but I'm looking for some advice/ recommendations onThe Second City and Neo-Futurists. The Broadway show I was hoping to see doesn't start until August, so I'm thinking of trying both of these instead since they seem like completely different experiences.

Questions:

• Since we're going on a weekday, I was thinking it will be reasonable to just buySecond City tickets at the box office the same day, or would you still recommend booking online in advance?
• If you've been, which Second City show would you recommend? I've heard the Mainstage show is the one to see.
• Any recommendations for Neo-Futurists? Is it worth it for first-timers?

Also...

• Which observation deck would you choose:  Looking for the best overall experience and resonable value.
• Best deep-dish pizza? (We're all about the crust!)
• Any hidden gems for a really good latte or coffee?
• Outlet store for shopping?

TIA!

I'll be visiting Chicago for a couple of days in mid-August. I expect the weather to be in the 80s, even around 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Is an architecture boat tour still worth it in hot, humid weather? Also, if rain is in the forecast, is it still enjoyable, or would you recommend skipping it? 

How much of the seating is exposed to the sun and rain? Are most passengers in the open air, or are there covered seating options?

If you do recommend taking a tour, which boat company offers the best educational experience?

Looking for a cooking class for a bachelorette in October for 8 girls! Want to keep the cost at $100 per person or even under and seeing most for around $150. Any recommendations? Or is there any recommendations for a super fun experience at around the $150/person range?

I'm in my mid-40s recently single after a long relationship, and seriously considering a move to Chicago. I was partnered for years and basically never went out, so I'm rebuilding my social life a bit from scratch and would love an honest read from locals before I commit to a city.

My plan is to rent for a while before buying, so I can actually live in a few neighborhoods and figure out where I fit. Budget's comfortable (4-5k month), so I care more about vibe and location than finding the cheapest spot.

Here's what I'm trying to find: for anyone who spent time in DC, is there a Chicago version of JR's? For those who don't know it, it's a gay bar in Dupont Circle with a laid-back, after-work energy, professional guys in their late 30s and 40s stopping in straight from the office, cocktails, somewhere you can actually hear yourself talk. More of an upscale gay cocktail-lounge crowd. Polished but not pretentious. That's always been my speed. I'll still dance if there's a chill area to step away, but that cocktail/lounge scene is what I'm really after.

I get the sense Boystown skews younger and more club-focused, and that the older/professional gay crowd may have drifted toward Andersonville or elsewhere, but I honestly don't know. Where does that crowd land these days? And for renting first, which neighborhoods would you point a single gay guy my age toward, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Andersonville, somewhere else?

(Extra curious to hear from anyone who moved to Chicago from DC or Atlanta, how does the gay scene compare?)

I’ll be exploring downtown Chicago tomorrow from 9 AM to 5 PM. If anyone’s up for checking out the neighborhoods, trying some great food, and walking around the city, let me know!
I’m looking for easygoing people who enjoy exploring on foot and having good conversations.
A little about me: I’m a 27-year-old guy traveling solo. Happy to meet fellow travelers or locals who want to show off their favorite spots!

Are there any good places on the northside, Edgewater, Uptown or Rogers Park to watch tonights game?

Never been to Chicago before and plan on staying there for the weekend next month. Is this a good hotel? Is walking the streets when it’s dark safe in a group of 4?

My roommate and I moved into an apt in the beginning of June, one with washer/dryer. We find the washer infested completely with mold and grime. We let management know and they say that they will replace the rubber gasket- weeks go by and they say the quote they received is too expensive due to machines being stacked (obviously!). So instead they're going to send a "deep cleaner". This deep cleaning repairman has now come to clean it three times and the machine is still moldy. They keep telling us it's stains and not actual mold because active mold wipes away easily, so we try cleaning a small part of it ourselves with a removal product and mold wipes away- so active mold still. We try to use the same product on more of the machine but a lot of it still remains, plus we find a deep underside of the gasket we previously didn't notice- completely infested. It's deep enough to where we can't really access much of it. Also, the filter and pump haven't been touched.

What should we do? We thought of a portable machine, but we don't have a space for one big enough to wash sheets, which is our #1 laundry need. Plus I am too physically unwell to be hauling around something like that as regularly as laundry requires. We tried cleaning ourselves with multiple products, but to lackluster results. I've followed all the YT videos and procucts.We're thinking about trying to find a repair service ourselves to at least come in and offer professional advice on what to do. But I'm very inexperienced in finding that kind of stuff. Honestly just really frustrated- laundry machines are not on the lease so there's not much we can do, but access to a washer is obviously something landlords and tenants consider when making and signing rental agreements. I just moved from a place with horrible laundry and I need this to work out in-unit. Anyone having dealt with something similar have any advice?

Hi i just moved in Chicago, I want to get advantage of good prices now for winter jackets/coats/parkas (not which of those to buy), I know layers are important but which of these brands would you recommend to get would like to spend under 400 USD. (Or other brand in the same price range)

Thanks!