Information on Mishawaka (South Bend, Granger: for sale, renting, crime rate)

[ownerwillcarry]

Hello all,
I'm relocating from Santa Barbara, CA to Mishawaka. Can anyone give me infomation on the city such as crime rate, unemployment rate, median housing/rent prices and basically what you enjoy about your city.

Thank you for your time,
Greg

[domergurl]

From the mothership (city-data.com):

http://www.city-data.com/city/Mishawaka-Indiana.html

Are you beholden to Mishawaka only? You could also look in Granger. Santa Barbara to Mishawaka/Granger/South Bend will be quite a shock .. are you prepared?

[ownerwillcarry]

Thanks....yes, I am prepared for the "shock". I'm moving becasue my fiancee can't leave the area right now. I know it sounds mushie, but there's nothing that I wouldn't give up (including Santa Barbara) for her...

Thanks again for your input!

[domergurl]

That's so sweet! Best of luck to you. It will help having your fiancee already here to help with the transition.

[Meli292]

I did the same thing 10 years ago, except I left South Florida for Mishawaka. I am no longer in Mishawaka but close by. I would also recomend Granger. I have never lived in California but for me it was quite a culture shock coming from S. Fla. I am very open-minded and for me it was about who I was with not where I was moving to. It looks like your heart is in the right place :-) I now have 3 children and I like it. There are a lot of restaurants and people are friendly. If you are purchasing a house be prepared for high taxes. That is a big debate right now. I would research statistical data and census information. But with that said it is a nice place to live. Not sure if this was helpful (I was a little distracted while writing) but good luck to you and your fiancee.

[Jakehorror]

Originally Posted by Meli292

I did the same thing 10 years ago, except I left South Florida for Mishawaka. I am no longer in Mishawaka but close by. I would also recomend Granger. I have never lived in California but for me it was quite a culture shock coming from S. Fla. I am very open-minded and for me it was about who I was with not where I was moving to. It looks like your heart is in the right place :-) I now have 3 children and I like it. There are a lot of restaurants and people are friendly. If you are purchasing a house be prepared for high taxes. That is a big debate right now. I would research statistical data and census information. But with that said it is a nice place to live. Not sure if this was helpful (I was a little distracted while writing) but good luck to you and your fiancee.

Great advice. Just a note to Meli292, Tax in Indiana is NOTHING...have you ever priced a home in SoCal??? they start at around $400K...no I'm not joking. And we're MOVING THERE!!!!

[domergurl]

When I hear about people saying that taxes are high in Indiana, I don't quite know what to think ... try living in Chicago or it's burbs.

[Chancelynn2002]

I have lived in the South Bend area all of my life, and I'm looking to leave. I don't know so much about California (though I'd love to visit!), but from all I've heard it's practically the complete opposite of South Bend/Mishawaka area (Michiana = MICHigan + indIANA). All negativity aside, this truly is a burb of Wal-Mart and NASCAR afficionados; people who love football, sports bars, and getting drunk every weekend. There are a few bright spots here - the Morris Civic Auditorium, which does attract some big names; the South Bend Symphony Orchestra; Tippecanoe Place (for Old World dining); Fiddler's Hearth, for authentic Celtic food and music; Notre Dame University, and much more I won't list here. The crime rate isn't desirable, however. One of the best things, I think, is the fact that we're 35 minutes E. of Lake Michigan, which has plenty along its coast, and an hour and a half from downtown Chicago. Cost of living here is pretty cheap. Check out craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums and also South Bend Tribune for great information. For basic demographics, check out Moderator cut: link not allowed. I would also recommend possibly renting in Niles, MI (only 15-20 minutes north of downtown South Bend) as it's cheaper there, if you're not looking to buy. Best of luck to you and your sweetie!