Do you consider NW Indiana as part of the Chicagoland area? (Naperville: crime rates, buying a house)

[WildWestDude]

Do you consider NW Indiana part of the Chicagoland area?

I tell people that I use to live in the Chicagoland area and when asked exactly where, I would say in Munster Indiana. Their responce "that's in Indiana not Chicago" ...... No matter that much of NW Indiana is closer than say Naperville and Mundelein. The are lots of cultural and historical ties to the Calumet Region of Indiana or the "Region". Some think that the state border line makes a huge difference.

Its true, many people think that Indiana is way out there.
Chicagoland indeed spills over into NW Indiana. Some of its nicest suburbs are only a short 45 min drive away! It is not all steel mills and ghettos. You can find the area's best sand dunes, marinas, casino boats, bedroom, urban and rular communities.
It is amazing how many people think that this part of the metro area is not worth it because of old stigmas.

Northwest Indiana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Northwest Indiana

[Tex?Il?]

State lines make no difference!!!!!! IMO

It seems geographically ignorant to think that state lines mean anything except different laws.

I'm glad to see your proud of your region. I would much like to think of the Dunes and Valparaiso as part of my region.

You are exactly right. If places like Naperville and Schaumburg are part of Chicagoland then NW Indiana has to be to.

It really does sound ignorant to think that someone from Naperville or Mundelein would think they are "from Chicago" but Munster? Oh thats Indiana, not Chicago. Theres no difference between Munster and Mundelein!!!!

Well there is certainly like there is a difference between any two towns, but the state line really doesn't make a difference.

[Marius]

Steel mills and crime. I dont think people in IL would want to have that in their backyards. NO is my answer

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by Marius

Steel mills and crime. I dont think people in IL would want to have that in their backyards. NO is my answer

I really hope you're not saying that Chicago doesn't/didn't have steel mills or crime of it's own?

Are you?

[cubssoxfan]

Steel mills and crime. I dont think people in IL would want to have that in their backyards. NO is my answer

Have you explored Munster, Schererville, Crown Point or going by what you saw as you drove by on the toll-road or expressway passing Whiting and Gary? By the way south Gary has some OK areas. And I think some Chicago neighborhoods and some of the undesirable burbs have the crime rates soaring pretty high on their own.
Chicagoland is a huge multi-state area. I think TV station coverage is good measuring stick. If you get the Chicago stations for ABC, NBS and CBS then you're Chicagoland.

[Lookout Kid]

NW Indiana is DEFINITELY part of Chicagoland. Some people may not want it to be, but there's no denying it.

[Avengerfire]

Of course it is. Many parts of NW Indiana are closer to Chicago and have much more in common with Chicago than Gurnee or Elgin for example.

[Drover]

A lot of people who don't live near Chicago or in Indiana don't know that Chicago borders Indiana or how close places like Hammond or Gary are to the city. They've heard of these places but for all they know they're in the middle of the state. A place like Hammond that physically borders Chicago is obviously part of the Chicago area.

[rongoe]

What defines "in Chicagoland".

Candidates:

1. % residents work in the city
2. % residents travel to city at least X times per year (X=3? 4? 10?)
3. % residents who have lived in chicago at some point?
4. ...

I considered buying a house in Frankfort. One reason I didn't is that I wanted to "feel" like I lived in Chicagoland.

[Pegs56]

These are probably the same people who think "New Mexico" is a foreign country.