Where to live between Ft. Wayne & W. Lafayette? (Indianapolis: apartment, rent)

[wstprof1979]

My husband recently accepted a faculty position at IPFW (Indiana Purdue Ft. Wayne) and I will be beginning a PhD program at Purdue in W. Lafayette (not ideal in terms of commute, I know, but being a dual-academic couple is tough!) We currently live in sunny AZ, but we plan on being in Indiana as of August 1st, and are trying to decide on a place to live that will allow us both to commute to our respective jobs. Peru, Indiana seems to be the best mid-point, but many of the posts on this forum seem to suggest we would do better to look elsewhere. Any thoughts or suggestions as to our possibilities? Mapquest says that we will both have an 1.25 to 1.5 hour commute--is this accurate? Is that a viable commute (i.e. we live in the land of 6 lane freeways, so I'm not sure what rural highways are like . . .)

I'd be grateful for any information, insights or suggestions you have. We're both young (28 & 30 respectively), no children (yet), and would also be looking to purchase a home for under $200,000 . . .

[teamplayer]

Sorry, but I think you are in for a severe reality check. Midway between these cities puts you both about 2 hours away from both. I can't imagine a faculty salary + PhD stipend covering the gas costs very well, not to mention the time down the drain. In addition, the towns in that corridor are fairly depressed places where even the Mexicans must be thinking of greener pastures, and the two-lane state highways connecting them are relatively run-down and dangerous. I seriously recommend doing your PhD at IPFW or making other plans, as this doesn't sound like it will pan out. Having at least one income, you have the luxury of adjusting your plans, like possibly treating this as a stepping stone. West Lafayette would be a great destination.

[domergurl]

Yea, reality check needed on Mapquest .... Are you going to be going to classes everyday? If his job is at IPFW and you are in classes a couple of days a week, you may want to live in FW as close to US24 as possible. Otherwise, I'd suggest you get an apartment in WL. No 6 lane freeways between FW & WL.

[wstprof1979]

Thanks for the check. Of course the folks at IPFW made it seem like the commute from Peru was a perfectly viable idea for both of us . . . I would only have to be in WL (max.) 3 days/week, so we are now talking about purchasing in FW and renting a small place in WL. I would have a month off for holidays in Dec. and 2 1/2 months in summer, so we could be together full time during that period . . .

[domergurl]

Yea, I'd rent in WL. You'll like living in Fort Wayne better than Peru. Since your husband will be working at IPFW, chances are that most of your friends will be from there too ... it will make you not so isolated from collegues.

[wstprof1979]

We just returned from a 4 day trip to check out Indiana--flew into Indianapolis, drove to WL and spent the night. Drove the next day to Peru area, met with a realtor, spent the night in Logansport, and then drove to Ft. Wayne and spent the night before driving back to Indy. We had such a great time--beautiful weather, friendly people, and coming from AZ it was amazing to see so much green and water. As suggested, we especially liked West Lafayette and Ft. Wayne.

So, here I appeal to you again. We did the drive from WL to Peru, and then from Peru to FW and in good weather (admittedly going about 5-8 miles over speed limit) it took us about an hour for each leg. Though not ideal, this would be a completely viable commute for us. However, we hear a lot of "beware the winter." Can anyone offer some thoughts on what it would mean to make this commute in winter weather? Spoke with some of my husband's new colleagues who reminisced about commuting from Bloomington to Ft. Wayne during a PhD program and made it seem totally doable, but then others seem to suggest that such a commute would be downright impossible during winter.

Help! We need to start making some real decisions regarding housing for fall . . .

[domergurl]

Does the song, Ice Ice Baby mean anything to you? Snow isn't hard to drive in, but it's the ice that's the killer, literally, and unfortunately, the northern part of the ice belt is in WL/Lafayette and extends diagonally through Fort Wayne. But statisically speaking, you'll have to deal with it maybe 2-3 times during the winter? Plus, you'll know when it's coming and the salt trucks and plows will make sure 24 is plowed early since it's a major thoroughfare. You west coast people crack me up! Driving is nothing to you guys! Welcome to our great state! I hope you enjoy becoming Hoosiers ... oops .. nope, Boilers!

[JamesinFW]

I was going to say. I was just in Lafayette a few weeks ago driving from New haven is only about 1.5-2 hours away, of course that was from a specific point a to specific point b on opposite sides of each town.

Peru would probably be decent for ya'll, it's not big or small, but it's green

[vbooker]

Hello,

I wanted a graduate degree from Purdue, yet my husband works in Fort Wayne. I commuted to W. Lafayette on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two years. There were only two days that were so dangerous that I did not chance the commute. Everyone at Purdue was very understanding about my commute.

I drove home every night. However, I knew of a person that was commuting back and forth from Chicago. She worked out a deal with someone in W.Lafayette to stay at their place while she was there. Perhaps you could find a grad student that would allow you to stay at there place a night or two a week for a reasonable rate.

Best of luck!