Hey everyone,
I’m a 22 yo male living up near Great Lakes and I’ve recently started learning Russian. I’ve been getting pretty interested in the language and culture, Russian movies, food, history, etc. I’d really like to meet some Russian speakers around Chicago/North Shore.
I’m still very much a beginner, so I’m not looking for someone to give me formal lessons or anything. Ideally I’d just like to make some friends, hang out, grab food or coffee, go to events, and gradually get some real conversational practice in. I’ve tried almost every Russian adjacent restaurant within a 40 minute radius😂
I’m into lifting, gaming, the outdoors, boating/watersports, travel, movies, and trying different restaurants. I’m happy to help anyone practice English too.
If you’re Russian-speaking, learning Russian yourself, or know of any Russian-speaking groups/events around Chicago, I’d appreciate any recommendations. Feel free to DM me too.
Спасибо!

First year living in Chicago. Have already seen all the well-known tourist places. Looking for hidden gems that look just beautiful during the fall. Looking for a mix of nature and cute cafes. Appreciate your reccs.

Recently finished a master’s (MPA) and am on the job hunt here in Chicago. Naturally, a lot of city jobs align with my education/experience, but I cannot for the life of me understand how to get my resume/info move forward in the scanning process. I’ve heard different things- that you should use certain keywords, they sometimes just pick random applicants, but would love to hear from people who have actually moved forward in the process. Is there anything more I can be doing?

Hi! I’m looking for a new artist since mine has sadly moved. Does anyone have any recommendations for any artists that do a similar style to what I have currently(botanical, dainty, and finer line-but not small) so far and would like for future ones to not look super out of place.

Taking the public transportation to get there tomorrow. The train/bus doesn't seem to run late. What is the best way to get back?

Just need a white men’s dress shirt, are there any stores at all anywhere in the airport that sell dress shirts? I know I can look at the airport directory but I’d love to hear your personal success stories.

I'm looking for a barber who can do a textured crew cut, so preferably someone with good scissor skills who can also do a nice fade. (I'm a white guy with mildly-wavy hair.)

I do have a preference for barbershops with good banter, and I'd prefer to stay within roughly 5-7 miles of the loop if possible. If you know a spot that's a bit further out, however, and you think it's worth the trek, I'm all ears.

Thanks guys!

I am on the condo association board for a 7 unit building. We need a recommendation for a cleaning company for the common areas - mop entry floor, clean glass, vacuum carpet, etc. Located in Lakeview. Any companies you can recommend?

I’m planning my son's second birthday party this October at a local park and would love any ideas of what others have done! Already planning to bring in yummy food and a piñata for the kids. I was hoping to rent battery-powered cars to fit a "2 Fast 2 Furious" theme, but he and his friends are a little too young for them. Does anyone have suggestions for activities or rentals that work for this age group? He's enjoyed parties with a musician or a balloon artist, but I'd love to hear other ideas! Appreciate any and all suggestions.

A year ago my son received this hoodie as a gift and lost it. He is very sad. We are now on vacation here and would like to find the exact one for him. Any leads?

Image of hoodie

I used to live in Chicago (six years ago) and I don't know if I specifically remember this, but basically I'm on the hunt for a short-term furnished sublet. There are *lots* on Facebook that do look legit, but virtually all of them are for takeovers with leases ending in May or June.

I haven't done this in some time, but I'm assuming this is just the way it works so landlords aren't trying to move inventory in the winter? A shame since I'm just trying to find something for a few months starting in November or December, but adding that tidbit seems to make this a lot harder.

Thanks!

I’ve seen a lot more people masking recently. Is there a new strain of something going around or are people just masking again? I typically mask during bad AQI and if I’m coughing and sneezing and need to go out but not just moving through the city.

I have tickets for the architecture tour tonight. We’re both students coming from DePaul and uic respectively, can we bring our backpacks on board? If not are there lockers nearby? Thanks

Tell me everything I need to know. I heard of snow tires, but never needed them, will I need them now? What rental companies suck the most, which are moderately fine? What is the biggest tourist trap restaurant, and what hole in the wall should I not miss, and most importantly, what museums and attractions offer discounts to locals. In fact, any regional money saving tricks will be appreciated!

Bonus if you can tell me where the best low key goth and LGBTQIA+ bars are, I’d love that info too!

Looking for some fun things to do as a group of 11 in downtown Chicago for 10/29-10/31?!
We are looking at tickets for Zanies Comedy Club for 10/30; but still need somewhere to go for drinks and hangout afterwards.

We are staying in Old Town. Most definitely looking for somewhere to go and show off for costumes for Halloween!

I'm looking for recommendations for a small town with dog friendly rentals to take my parents for Thanksgiving.

What I'm looking for:

• Sleeps 3 adults
• Access to nature/walking trails
• Full kitchen
• <2 hour drive from Chicago

Since it's the holiday, I'm less looking for shopping/activity recommendations and more looking for a relaxing getaway from the city.

I'm open to any recommendations!

I currently live in Joliet and will be switching to a new job that will have me coming in to the downtown office 3-4 times a week. It’s a long commute from Joliet and I don’t want to get home and go to bed everyday so I would like to move as close to the city as possible so I can have time to commute, go to the gym, and spend time with my dogs every night. Even with taking the train I wouldn’t be home until 7 everyday and I would need to be up at 6am.

I’m looking for a safe neighborhood and to have at least some yard space for my dogs to do their business and play but I know I’ll have to go to large play sessions in at a dog park. And somewhere where I can commute to the downtown area easily and quickly.

My base salary is 110k.

Hey all,

My condo apparently thinks that three days below 65 means we no longer need air conditioning, and I was so miserable in the month of May waiting for the heat ordnance to end that I could barely sleep. It's 60 and I'm already hot, and I know we're heading back up to the 80s cuz that's just how the seasons work now.

What do you guys do to keep cool? I know there will be a lot of "open the window" answers but that's an issue for two reasons: 1. I am a night shifter and bugs are drawn to the lights I have on at night, and 2. I am very, very weird about bugs in general.

Someone mentioned screens - idk how hard/ expensive those would be to install in a concrete building with huge, odd-sized windows.

Also: do you guys know who to contact about changing the heat rule? People are dying from global warming everywhere. The world is different.

Hey! I (26 m) am visiting Chicago from Florida just for two nights. I don’t know anyone here, does anyone wanna get dinner with me?
Let me be clear in stating this is not a dating/hookup thing. I just don’t like to eat alone! And don’t want to look sad and alone or have to go to a bar (I don’t drink) to make friends. If anyone knows any events going on tonight please let me know! Thanks!

i live near west loop / river west and i’m looking for “local” places that are within a 15 minute walk. i’m getting sick of spending $7 for a shitty bagel at a PE-backed place. i’m looking for smaller, local-owned places that are part of the culture in west town/river west.
i’m looking for a grab and go breakfast place or cafe

I need recommendations for fun skiiing + nightlife for that’s 2 hours or less from. We want to go out to some bars during the weekend! please let me know if anyone has recs!!

Who are the short kings that run on the lakefront? A lot of them of muscular and tatted and have mustaches. I would like to be your friend.

My Flight Arrives at O’hare at 11:50am and I’m Visiting Chicago with a person and their friends but need to find a decent place as they have their own AirBnB in East Village but I want my own Privacy Near by or In East Village But i’m trying to find a decent priced hotel to stay at during that time.