Please tell me the reasons why you like Indiana. (Fort Wayne: low income, real estate)

[mbuszu]

I've been in Indiana (Fort Wayne) over 6 years after having lived all over the country (Buffalo NY, NYC, Boston MA, Charlotte NC, Edmund OK, Richmond VA, Springfield MA and several other places). After moving here for my wife's job from NYC, we started our family here and haven't looked back. There are numerous reasons why we love Indiana and I would like to hear of reasons why you like or love it yourself.

Top reasons for why I like it here in Fort Wayne:
- very low cost of real estate
- very low cost of insurance
- moderate weather patterns with four seasons
- friendly people with good family values and low crime
- great schools
- low income and real estate taxes
- easy to get-out-of and in-to airport with direct flight vacation destinations
- all the restaurants you could ever want
- a lot of excellent places to bring/entertain your children
- lots of nice lakes to buy a second property on for weekend vacationing
- all the shopping you could ever want

[ems721]

The fact that if you don't like the weather, you just wait 15 mins and it changes

[domergurl]

I have to second mb ... after our first child was born, we felt Indiana calling us back. Although Chicago will always have my heart, I can always visit, and do so as much as I can. It's not the most exciting place to live, but that's ok with me at this point in my life (being an old fart and all). But I will tell you, growing up in this state, all I wanted to do was get the heck out of dodge and I did, got it out of my system and came home. If I were single, or if we didn't have kids, we'd not be here.

[nebulous1]

I'm only here for the job. I haven't found people to be especially friendly, no matter how friendly I am to them. I think people are clannish here, perhaps there is some reason for it.

[sweetana3]

We came 30 years ago for the jobs and they have been very good to us. My government employer is like a big family and really takes care of employees. Most of us have been around a long time.

Husband's employer expects 150% and pays to match. He meets so many interesting and educated people in his job.

Dont care for the dampness of winter but hey, there are issues whereever we would go. I love the thrift store, used book stores, garage sales, volunteer opportunities, etc. I love having so much shopping close so I dont have to drive to another city like we used to do to Chicago.

I love our quiet neighborhood within walking distance to both our jobs. I like the senior centers, which I hope to take advantage of. I love the airport and its many connections.

I love the limo service we use for $11 per person to the airport. No taxis for me.

Love Trader Joes and would not want to live without one close. Also like the variety of farmers markets plus Traders Point market.

[nebulous1]

Yes, working for the government is a huge plus. You don't have to put up with all the things we in the private sector deal with daily.
Sounds like you have a good job. Some of us are educated too, but we are struggling because believe it or not, the private sector isn't hopping here.