Where to live in Chicago for running?

Do you want to live in the city or in the suburbs? Do you want to use a track often? Will you be running at night or during the day (don't forget about winter time)?

I'm moving from Manhattan so the city is where I'm comfortable. I don't have much need for tracks. Generally run midday since I work from home, but sometimes I delay until after dark at night.

You'll either need to be right next to the lake shore trail (and all of the hobby jogs, a-hole cyclists and lake shore drive exhaust that comes with that) or live about 2 hours outside the city.

Cabrini Green

Bucktown, Wicker Park, or Ukrainian Village. Each close to 606 trail. 3 miles of uninterrupted trail with a synthetic track running on each side and markers every 1/10 mile. Alternatively live in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, River North, or South Loop for proximity to lakefront path. 20 miles of trail. Not nearly as bad as above poster makes it out to be.

I was a student at U Chicago back in the day... Lakefront path is great. Less crowded way down south, but you might prefer to live north. Hyde Park has improved since I was there.

Path really not that busy in the AM

Marksch wrote:

Lakefront path is great.M

I love the lakefront path when I'm blowing past slower runners - very motivating/invigorating.

I hate the lakefront path when someone blows past me - all confidence is lost :/

It's beautiful though... so easy to get "lost" on your run just because you're starring at the city.

Nelson Algren wrote:

Bucktown, Wicker Park, or Ukrainian Village. Each close to 606 trail. 3 miles of uninterrupted trail with a synthetic track running on each side and markers every 1/10 mile. Alternatively live in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, River North, or South Loop for proximity to lakefront path. 20 miles of trail. Not nearly as bad as above poster makes it out to be.

Perfect answer.

South side.

You will get constant speed training.

Willow Springs - right on northern doorstep of Palos / Sag Valley Forest Preserves, miles of limestone and single track trails, not crowded, only 1 really busy road is on eastern edge, LaGrange Road, has pedestrian underpasses. Willow Springs has a Metra station, though that train line does not have best schedule. There are cheap condos and apartments there right by the trails if you look hard enogh.

No single person should ever live in a suburb, much less Palos.

What part of town is your job located?

River North

Anywhere north of the city and south of say Irving Park and then just make sure you're somewhat close to the lake. The lakefront path is great and unless you're running midday, it is not too crowded, as someone else said.

If I lived in the city I'd probably look at Lincoln Park. Close enough to downtown, but not too far from the lake. When I visit friends in Bucktown/Wicker Park it's such a pain going through all the stop lights to get to the lakeshore path. Depending on your age, you might feel a little out of place in Lincoln Park though.

Sorry, just noticed you said you were 33. You'd be fine.

I lived near the Francisco stop on the Brown line and loved it. I moved out of state about 4-years ago. You can take a trail through a few parks all the way north of Northwestern in Evanston if you want. You can also easily get to the path along Lake Michigan just north of Wrigley. There's a Fleet Feet store between where I lived and the lake (Old Town). They had regular group runs and could help you find more routes & people to run with.

I was about your age when I moved and there were a few areas good for being single nearby - Lincoln Square is cool, but not for me, I preferred Andersonville. Francicso was more of a family area - which made it safe and much cheaper.

One stop further away from the lake was Kedzie. There was a good pizza place that wasn't the typical chicago-style. Golden Crust I think. Great beer selection from what I remember.

Anywhere that has convenient access to the "Lakefront Trail"

20 or so miles of uninterrupted path along the side of the lake.

There is also a 1/2 decent 400 m track up near Navy Pier.

Nelson Algren wrote:

Bucktown, Wicker Park, or Ukrainian Village. Each close to 606 trail. 3 miles of uninterrupted trail with a synthetic track running on each side and markers every 1/10 mile. Alternatively live in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, River North, or South Loop for proximity to lakefront path. 20 miles of trail. Not nearly as bad as above poster makes it out to be.

The 606 is great. Do a 6 mile tempo (out and back) and then get a burger at Small Cheval!