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Fort Wayne: torn between Northern and Southwest suburbs
We are moving to Fort Wayne, my husband's job will be near the intersection of I-69 and US-30. I am completely torn between buying a house in the Northwest or Southwest suburbs. I have a preschooler who I would like to send to Three Rivers Montessori school for a few years (unfortunately, it is located in the eastern part of town, off Maysville Road in New Haven) and later on, if financially doable, to Canterbury school in the SW, or a good suburban public school. I like SW suburbs the best because of the proximity to all children activities, gym, bookstores, entertainment, Canterbury for later years, but I am not willing to commute to New Haven from there twice a day. Northern suburbs seem like the only reasonable option, but it looks to me that everything is going to be far away if we live off Dupont. Constant commute Any suggestions on the merits of both of these areas? Our house budget is about $200.000+ and I'd love to live close to a park/trails/trees. Oh yes, I don't think we'll be considering the Northeastern part of town: I don't want to be in the city school district and also far away from all places to take kids after school. Also, could you please recommend a good apartment complex/condo/house for rent in the North for a first few month? Thanks!
I'm generally in the northern area of fort wayne for something each week. It's a very nice area in my own opinion. That's just my opinion. There are lots of trees, lots of stores, apartments, houses, and so much more,(which is true about many of the areas) next time I'm up there (probably sometime next week) I'll snap some pictures if I can and take a few names of apartment complexes. If there is time. Otherwise, between the northwest and southwest... That's a hard decision, I've noticed that both of them are growing very rapidly. The northern area from what I've noticed looks much more high dollar, however the southwest doesn't look bad either. So, it's really hard to say, but if I was choosing, I'd choose the northwest. That's just me.
I lived in Southwest fort Wayne for almost 11 years, and I would highly recommend it over the north part of town. Less traffic, newer schools, newer area. I also discovered a strange thing, it seemed to me that southwest got more people who were new to the area, where as the north part of town were more natives to the area. Also southwest is closer to Canterbury.
I was told by someone who would know - he was a real estate agent, that southwest had more homes valued over $500,000, it was something like 15 -1. 15 homes over $500K for every 1 home over $500K in north FW. (keep in mind this was probably 5 years ago, so maybe it has changed.
Southwest is nicer, and has more businesses to offer. I didn't want to be the first to chime in about it but it is true. I've family friends who live up north. You drive quite a ways from neighborhood to neighborhood up there and the businesses/entertainment venues aren't as plentiful. Some people prefer that sort of thing though.
In any case, the reality is that the NW and SW sides of town are only about 15 minutes apart drive-time. The home builders are the same, the schools are comparable and I don't think you find a cultural difference from NW to SW Fort Wayne. This is not a huge city. I happen to live in the SW and am glad I do... plenty of friends in this vicinity and my family is never bored. Jefferson Pointe is a great outdoor mall nearby and driving across town is simple with route 14/illinois/Jefferson Blvd cutting right through the center of downtown through SW Fort Wayne. IM me if you have any specific questions you'd like answers to. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Thank you so much to everybody who replied! I am more inclined towards SW, but was hoping to get some positive comments about the northern suburbs since they make more sense geographically as a compromise in my situation. Also, the important piece of information: my husband hates living in a new subdivion Of course, for my son it's the opposite: the more kids around the better. Are there any neighborhoods in the SW or NW with mature trees, sidewalks and houses that have some character? We are willing to consider a safe older neighborhood in the city school district. What about Wildwood park east of Canterbury?
There are some really nice older neighborhoods on the near southwest part of town. (not sure if that is good descriptive) near Rudisill and Broadway - which is also rather close to Canterbury school.
mbuszu - I now live in Indianapolis and yet there are times I miss Fort Wayne. How is Jefferson Pointe doing. It seemed like it was a little slow to take off when I was living there, especially the food court area. I miss my church I used to go to out on West Hamilton road.
Have they fixed the horrible intersection at Getz and West Jefferson
Last time I was there, I noticed they opened a Fresh Market - hope that is doing well, because it is a great specialty store.
I also heard that Kroger bought Scotts - are they changing the name - I hope not, I always liked Scotts much more than Kroger. I'm just curious as to where you live
There are some really nice older neighborhoods on the near southwest part of town. (not sure if that is good descriptive) near Rudisill and Broadway - which is also rather close to Canterbury school.
mbuszu - I now live in Indianapolis and yet there are times I miss Fort Wayne. How is Jefferson Pointe doing. It seemed like it was a little slow to take off when I was living there, especially the food court area. I miss my church I used to go to out on West Hamilton road.
Have they fixed the horrible intersection at Getz and West Jefferson
Last time I was there, I noticed they opened a Fresh Market - hope that is doing well, because it is a great specialty store.
I also heard that Kroger bought Scotts - are they changing the name - I hope not, I always liked Scotts much more than Kroger. I'm just curious as to where you live
Hey, feel free to come on back anytime :-)
Jefferson Pointe is doing well and is quite busy with activity although I am sad to say that Sharper Image just shut down (the entire national chain went under this year! - I used to love browsing that store... but perhaps that was the problem since I never bought anything -grin-).
I think I know which church you're referring to, The Chapel - great church, still here and growing, Pastor Hawks is excellent :-)
The intersection of Getz and W. Jefferson is actually under construction right now... slated to be done in a couple months (but more likely by year's end). That intersection was so miserable and the cause of many mapquest/maps.google.com navigation errors for my wife and I (when we first moved here) I'm glad it is being redone.
Fresh Market is an excellent grocery store - and it is definitely popular. They're food is a bit pricey but their products are excellent quality. Great produce, second to none.
The whole Scott's/Kroger thing is complicated - but as far as I can tell the Scott's stores aren't changing much. Were you here when the Scott's opened up in the SW area of route 14 and Scott Rd? It's a great store, and indeed it isn't going anywhere (apparently it is the most profitable store in the chain).
If you are looking for a great program...it's Christian based.... Keystone Schools is a wonderful program. Keystone Schools - Main Page checkout the website. It's a growing program and Organic Chemistry is offered to the high schoolers. Test score are high and it has what is known as a Proficiency-Based Math and Language Arts program. Children are placed according to their abilities, not what grade they happen to be in. My son is in an Honors English class that includes 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. He is a 6th grader. It is a small program, for example, there are 12 or 13 6th graders.
Keystone has a great pre-school program also. It's located in the Homestead area of SW. I would recommend that you checkout the website and also go visit the homestead campus.
Jefferson Pointe is doing well and is quite busy with activity although I am sad to say that Sharper Image just shut down (the entire national chain went under this year! - I used to love browsing that store... but perhaps that was the problem since I never bought anything -grin-).
I think I know which church you're referring to, The Chapel - great church, still here and growing, Pastor Hawks is excellent :-)
The intersection of Getz and W. Jefferson is actually under construction right now... slated to be done in a couple months (but more likely by year's end). That intersection was so miserable and the cause of many mapquest/maps.google.com navigation errors for my wife and I (when we first moved here) I'm glad it is being redone.
Fresh Market is an excellent grocery store - and it is definitely popular. They're food is a bit pricey but their products are excellent quality. Great produce, second to none.
The whole Scott's/Kroger thing is complicated - but as far as I can tell the Scott's stores aren't changing much. Were you here when the Scott's opened up in the SW area of route 14 and Scott Rd? It's a great store, and indeed it isn't going anywhere (apparently it is the most profitable store in the chain).
Yeah I loved that Scotts store at 14 and Scott Rd, the layout was great. Never seemed very crowded, surprised to hear it was the most profitable store.
Did you go to the Chapel. I miss going there - it is still growing. I should visist some weekend this summer
I moved to Fort Wayne just over a year ago, while my boyfriend has lived here for life. If you are going to send your children to a private school, then you could get more home for your money on the north side of town. Southwest has the best public schools in the area. As for Three Rivers Montessori, my daughter goes there and we drive everyday from here (Southwest). There is another family out this way and we carpool so you are welcome to join in! We'd love to have your family at TRMS it is an AMAZING school.
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Any suggestions on the merits of both of these areas? Our house budget is about $200.000+ and I'd love to live close to a park/trails/trees. Oh yes, I don't think we'll be considering the Northeastern part of town: I don't want to be in the city school district and also far away from all places to take kids after school. Also, could you please recommend a good apartment complex/condo/house for rent in the North for a first few month? Thanks!
Of course, for my son it's the opposite: the more kids around the better. Are there any neighborhoods in the SW or NW with mature trees, sidewalks and houses that have some character? We are willing to consider a safe older neighborhood in the city school district. What about Wildwood park east of Canterbury?
