Ft Wayne vs. Columbus? (Fort Wayne, Greenwood: crime, home, job transfer)

[Ronzou]

Originally Posted by HanaMandamom

Oops, Ronzou thanks to you too for the links!

haha no problem.

[FLD]

Originally Posted by HanaMandamom

I want an established ngbrhd with trees, nothing new and treeless. We're looking around $150,000-210,000.

If you decide to move to Columbus, your budget will surely get you pretty nice house.

I think the area a bit north of downtown looks good but I am not sure how much it's gonna cost. Or, I think, if you like, you may have a look around Tipton Lakes area. I have seen some houses whose owners have dropped their prices to the low 200k range. This area is very beautiful and safe and could be a good investment, too, but you will need at least 1 car to live there.

However, in my humble opinion, with respect to its size, I find the house prices in Columbus a bit on the high side. But that would be because of the industry in Columbus and a good number of blue collars. With a population of only 45,000, there are 2 big Walmarts, 1 Sam's Club, 1 Menard, 1 Circuit City, and etc., I was a bit surprised seeing these when I first came here. However, I came to learn why later.

[HanaMandamom]

Thanks FLD, I think the houses were a bit higher too, to find what I wanted/needed, as compared to other Indiana cities and especially Ft. Wayne. I found house after house under 200k that I would check out and only 2-3 in Columbus and they were about 100k more. Not sure if it is doable cause I don't know how well Columbus jobs pay.

As far as Tipton Lakes, wow the community looks beautiful but....the association fees were outrageous! some homes were $150 to $500 per quarter! Too rich for my blood I'm afraid and they also have more stringent rules. You have to fill out an application before you get a trampoline (we have one, so this was important to my kids) so they can approve the location of it in your backyard so that it is not visible or at least I guess not an eyesore from the street. I know they want to keep the area nice but if I was turned down to even get a tramp, that wouldn't sit well with me or my kids that jump their brains out all summer.

As far out shops, since you mentioned, is there a Lowes or Home Depot? Old Navy, Costco....

[mbuszu]

Originally Posted by HanaMandamom

As far out shops, since you mentioned, is there a Lowes or Home Depot? Old Navy, Costco....

Just an FYI - if you look at the Southwest side of Fort Wayne you have:
Meijers, Super Wal-Mart, Menards, Lowes, Old navy, Von Maur, a soon to be completed Super-Target, Jefferson Pointe, BestBuy, Dicks, Kohls, Jorgensen YMCA (not an average ymca for sure), Scotts/Krogers, Fresh Market, and many more significant shopping places... right there.

If you travel a bit north you have:
Sam's Club, Home Depot, and GlenBrook Square (a large indoor mall). You pretty much have everything you could want without exaggeration within perhaps 10-15 minutes drive.

With the new trail system being put in everywhere along the major and even minor driving routes of Fort Wayne... soon you'll be able to bike or walk everywhere as well (there are many completed trails already - but it seems to me that it'll be another two or three years before the system is connected up all across town the way originally envisioned). Most of the trails already have funding... delays in installation are related to coordinating with road widening efforts.

[domergurl]

No association in my neighborhood! Bring on a tramp, build a fence ... to each his own!

As for shops. Old Navy, si, Target, oui ... not a supertarget though. I still retain my Costco membership and travel an hour to the Costcos, yes there are 2 costcos in Indy. There's also a SuperTarget and Home Desperate 30 minutes away on the southside of Indy. There's also a Home Desperate in Seymour to the south. Oh yea, and 2 Trader Joes in Indy too. I do wish we had a Meijers here though. I don't think they have them in WA, but they are great stores. It's puzzling to me that Columbus has 2 W stores. I love having a great outlet mall within 10 minutes (Stride Rite shoes for the kids!!!). There's a terrific outlet mall near Fort Wayne too in Fremont.

I'm not a big mall person. Columbus has a tiny one and there's a big mall in Greenwood, about 45 minutes away. There's also a mall in Bloomington that seems to be expanding.

[JulieL]

I do not know much about Fort Wayne, but I will tell you that I know quite a bit about Columbus. Columbus may be small but a safe place to live. Columbus is a known city for its architectural design, and great for all nationalities. Columbus has swimming, ice skating, gymnastic centers, dance centers, kids commons, Tykwondo, go-kart racing, roller skating, skate parks, lots of ball diamonds, PAL football and basketball, and certainly other activities for children that I have not mentioned. If this is not of interest, there are bigger cities about 35-45 minutes north of Columbus. Also, there is a town called Nashville west of Columbus that has an old time feel to it. Small shops align the streets. Kind of like Gatlinburg but much smaller. Many people come from out of town to visit. In the fall it is the scenic route to Bloomington, Indiana which houses the Indiana Hoosiers.
As far as your home price range, you will find a nice home for $150-$200. There are several mature subdivisions in Columbus for this price range.

Good Luck in deciding what best fits your family.
Julie

[Colts]

Go with Fort Wayne. I live in a subdivision on the far southwestside of town, the "rich" side of town if you will, zip code 46814.

Fort Wayne is perfect for most families: large enough in that there's something to do, but not too huge. I've been here for a year and even though I'm only 27, I haven't had any problems here.

[Ronzou]

Fort Wayne was ranked in the top 5 for places to raise a family and top 10 for places that have an all American feel.

[HanaMandamom]

Wow you guys, I was going to respond to Mbuszu for all the fantastic info, then came Domer's list (you got me with Trader Joe's! love them) and of course my girls and I love Old Navy which it seems both places have. Then Julie L with yet a ton more info! You guys rock. Thanks to Colts and Ronzou too, all for taking the time to give your two cents.

[Ronzou]

haha.

Well there is a lot in Fort Wayne.

The part I always go to in Fort Wayne... I don't really know where it is lol it's around the Glenbrook square mall.

There is Circuity City, Petco(if you have pets), Steve and Barrys, Toys R' Us, JoAnn Fabrics, another Best Buy (I like the one at Apple Glen better), Office Depot, Old Navy, Kohls, TJ Maxx, Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, Nisco Pool and Patio Paradise/Christmas Paradise, Michaels Crafts, Sears (part of Glenbrook square). Many Starbucks, Super Target, Barnes and Noble. The list goes on.