Fort Wayne: torn between Northern and Southwest suburbs

[Southwestmommy]

Welcome to Fort Wayne
I do not believe that would be a good place for someone who is raising young children.I live southwest (aboite),and the schools and community are perfect for a family,but the houses are subdivision cookie cutter.It is also a relatively new area, so mature trees are rare.
I adore the neighborhood you are talking about.Unfortunatly the schools are not southwest allen county,but if you are considering private that should not be a problem.There is also Rockhill park within walking distance. I remembered going there as a child,so I decided to take my children before going to the downtown library.There was a large group of older teens,just loitering,cursing,and cat calling a couple of very young girls.Needless to say we have not been back.
I suggest giving SWAC school system a shot,before paying for private.I was dead set my children would NOT under any circumstance go to public schools,but after a little encouragement (ok a lot),we tried kindergarten,and I could not imagine anything better.
We are living in southwest,but have considered,downtown,Wildwood,Foster Park area,and Harrison Hill(Harrison Hill elementary is exellent,but beyond that I hear it can be pretty bad) as well,if you decide to go the way of private school,these are a couple other older neighborhoods.The neighborhoods and neighbors within that are seem okay,but a block away you have 15 people on their porch yelling,drinking,and smoking.I try to teach my child to be kind to all,and not to judge others,and I do not know how I would be able to explain not wanting her to go to a friends home a few blocks away,just because I do not feel it is safe.
We currently live at Preston Pointe at Inverness,there is also:
Inverness Pointe
Hunt Club
Hamilton Pointe
Chestnut Hills
I would not recommend Preston Pointe as it is poorly managed,and $1300.00 per month.We are still on the fence about where to buy.
Wish you the best of luck,we know how difficult it is.

[WendyS]

I live in Wildwood Park and I highly recommend it. I grew up in the neighborhood and moved back in as an adult 6 or 7 years ago. It's a beautiful neighborhood with wonderful trees and a great mix of homes. It's definitely NOT cookie-cutter. And there's a good blend of people who have lived there for many years, young families, etc. I would say the sense of community and neighborly interaction is much stronger here than in the addition I lived in previously out in Aboite. And it's very conveniently located. More or less across the street from Jefferson Pointe, 3 miles from 69, 3 miles from downtown, proximity to Canterbury (which sounds like it's important to you). They're building a new section of trail that will run right past the neighborhood and connects to the River Greenway. I can't say enough good about it.

[juliestephen]

I have lived on the North Side of FW for 18 years. (Near Dupont and Coldwater) My kids have gone through FWCS schools. With parental involvement, the schools have been great. My oldest is going to IU on an excellence scholarship that many of the Canterbury kids received. I believe all the schools systems have their own unique opportunities. I would recommend that you tour the schools and speak with the principals once you have narrowed your choices.

We live near an apartment complex called Dawsons Creek (near Parkview YMCA) if you still need a suggestion for apartment up north.

Some suggestions for north side sub-divisions: Pine Valley (NWAC school district)
Houses are probably within your 200K range.. Private Country Club opportunity- (Golf, tennis, pool) Not sure how much it is.. The sub-division itself is probably over 30 years old, so you have alot of unique homes, mature trees, etc...
Fallen Timbers(FWCS) near Coldwater and Dupont....Neat -looking contemporary homes.. not many folks know about this sub-division- kind of hidden..
Lincoln Village- Near coldwater and Cook Rds-- Walkable public schools- nice older neighborhood. -colonial type homes.
Arlington Park- This is actually a NE neighborhood- but convenient to 469- Nice walkable neighborhood -and schools.. near Stellhorn and Wheelock

Being up "north" isn't really that far to SW, you'll learn the back roads.. example- Take Hillegas to Ardmore to get to Jeff. Pointe..

[Sahmmy]

Ok, I just moved into NW Fort Wayne after living in NE Fort Wayne for 16 years. NE Fort Wayne is nice, but it's getting older. Most of the houses in that area were built in the 70's. It's still a nice area, though. A lot of the shopping areas are new or have been remodeled recently, and the city schools are good, some really good, some slightly above average, but you wouldn't have to worry about your kids not getting a good education. NW Fort Wayne is booming right now...shopping centers and subdivisions are building up like crazy and NW Allen County Schools have a TERRIFIC reputation...they are all 4 star schools. Dawsons Creek apartments are really nice, and they are right next to a brand new YMCA. There are some beautiful homes in your price range. Pine Valley is the oldest subdivision in the NW area, I think. The houses are all pretty unique, some nicer than others. There are other subdivisons, like Eagle Lake, Windsor Woods, Woodmont, etc. that are newer but have the mature trees you're looking for. Good luck!

[FromRenee]

Agree 100%. The best neighborhood I have ever been lucky enough to live in. We walk every night with our dogs. It is like a wonderful old fashion town, with everything you need within minutes. And the houses are some of the most beautiful in town.