Fishers/Carmel or Granger.. FEW questions (South Bend, Mishawaka: transplants, rent, amusement parks)

[MaryMortgage]

Ok, the more I read the posts seems like allot of people are gearing towards FISHERS and Carmel Indiana as nice places to raise a family.

How far are they from Chicago? We are planning on moving to Granger and we have a house that we plan on renting for a year, ( Had promised the kids we will rent for a year to see how they like it) we are coming from the East Coast and as time gets closer I an getting nervous and worried that I may or may not be making a great choice for my family.

My husband works in the Motion Picture Industry and we need to be no more than 2 hrs from Chicago ( where they will be filming allot of movies)

I am just very confused, I would appreciate any and all comments.

Thank you very much.

Mary

[domergurl]

Why don't you live in Valparaiso? It's that much closer to Chicago. Fishers and Carmel are more than 2 hours from Chicago.

[jo-el]

Mary, we moved to Granger in August from Seattle and are adapting to the change. It's taken a good 7 months for me. I have to say that people have been extremely friendly. We've met a ton of transplants, and several locals, too. The pace will be drastically slower than the coast but it gives you time to breath and really enjoy your family. Plan on visiting Chicago to get your fill of the big city, festivals, amusement parks, etc.

BTW: We're in Penn Schools and have been very pleased with our Kindergarten experience and the quality of education. Check into Discovery Middle School and see what you think. I am shocked at how many DIFFERENT schools children go to in the neighborhood. There are a ton of Christian schools that our neighbors attend. Everyone seems happy with their particular choice.

Wishing you a happy move!

[ischyros]

Granger, if traffic is good, is only about 2 hours from Chicago by way of the Indiana Toll Road. Also South Bend has a commuter rail line that runs all the way into downtown Chicago although it's a good 30 minute drive to the airport where the train station is from Granger. The Granger area is very nice. Close to the north side of Mishawaka with plenty of shopping and restaurants. The downside can be that it's right in the heart of the lake effect snow belt in the winter and Granger averages about 3 times as much snow in the winter as the Carmel/Fishers area do.