Relo from Vegas to Middlebury (South Bend, Elkhart: rent, low crime, house)

[gregoo]

Originally Posted by lmbh721

Glad you know the valley, Ca is very expensive and Vegas is an affordable alternative. Too many ppl move here for the wrong reasons and then don't understand why they're not happy/successful. We've lived in the far NW area for 3+ yrs and are hoping to move w/i the next two months. We're just not desert ppl. The housing market is in the crapper (not that it isn't all over), unemployment is at 8% and the crime rate is climbing daily. I wish you (and your SIL) well and good luck with your move....if you have other questions about Vegas....ask!

Thanks. Where have you lived? Have you been here in the midwest?

[lmbh721]

Originally Posted by gregoo

Thanks. Where have you lived? Have you been here in the midwest?

Yep, born & raised in Metro Detroit for 30 some odd yrs, Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex 12 yrs, Ellicott City, MD 2 yrs & Vegas 3 yrs....dating myself, aren't I? Oh well, we're ready for the Midwest life style again but dreading the harsh winters. Husband is from Iowa, originally, and has lived all over the country & Europe.

How about you, have you always lived in IL? Big change, weather wise. Culture shock for the average person....I miss the trees, grass & water. Have you been to Mt.Charleston? The closest you'll get to the Midwest in this neck of the desert....

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by lmbh721

Meijer's...

Please convince them to open a store in Columbus, Indiana!

[gregoo]

Originally Posted by lmbh721

Yep, born & raised in Metro Detroit for 30 some odd yrs, Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex 12 yrs, Ellicott City, MD 2 yrs & Vegas 3 yrs....dating myself, aren't I? Oh well, we're ready for the Midwest life style again but dreading the harsh winters. Husband is from Iowa, originally, and has lived all over the country & Europe.

How about you, have you always lived in IL? Big change, weather wise. Culture shock for the average person....I miss the trees, grass & water. Have you been to Mt.Charleston? The closest you'll get to the Midwest in this neck of the desert....

I always lived here in Illinois in the same town. 1 hour south of Chicago. It's time for a change.

[domergurl]

I grew up not far from Middlebury. It experienced a lot of housing growth in the last decade with people moving out of Elkhart and South Bend. It's a small rural farming community. You'll probably do your big box shopping in Mishawaka. It's flat, it's in the snowbelt of the state ... lake effect snow is a way of life! You'll hear tornado sirens during the spring and summer ... again, it's not a reason NOT to move there, just different from what you are used to in Vegas.

[uggabugga]

middlebury is in what i think is a beautiful area, a nice, quiet little town with a lot of amish influences. but like most of the surrounding towns, it's very reliant on the RV industry, so i suspect it's been hit as hard as the rest of elkhart county, which had an unemployment rate of 12.4% as of last november - i'd be surprised if it weren't over 13% by now

[lmbh721]

Originally Posted by domergurl

I grew up not far from Middlebury. It experienced a lot of housing growth in the last decade with people moving out of Elkhart and South Bend. It's a small rural farming community. You'll probably do your big box shopping in Mishawaka. It's flat, it's in the snowbelt of the state ... lake effect snow is a way of life! You'll hear tornado sirens during the spring and summer ... again, it's not a reason NOT to move there, just different from what you are used to in Vegas.

Thanks domergurl....snowbelt is my middle name...I'm an ex-Michigander and part-time yooper, so I'm familiar with sever winters, just not used to dealing with them...but I'll adjust. I haven't had a "real" fall season or a good tomato for a few years and I'm really missing it. I detest Vegas and can't wait to get outta Dodge

Can anyone tell me about automotive and dog license/kennel fees? How about regeristing cars? I checked out the BMV and the various city websites but found no fees. I understand you have to make an appointment for license & registration, how difficult is that?

Thanks!

[lmbh721]

Originally Posted by uggabugga

middlebury is in what i think is a beautiful area, a nice, quiet little town with a lot of amish influences. but like most of the surrounding towns, it's very reliant on the RV industry, so i suspect it's been hit as hard as the rest of elkhart county, which had an unemployment rate of 12.4% as of last november - i'd be surprised if it weren't over 13% by now

Thanks uggabugga....that unemployment rate is horrible, much worse than here. Sounds like the area is just what we're looking for though.

[lmbh721]

I apologize in advance for all the posts...but I have a ton of questions....

Does the St. Joseph rvr flood btwn South Bend & Middlebury? Is flooding a problem in IN., in general?

Is fishing good?

Is there a farmer's market close by? How about a good bead store?

Mishawaka looks like it's really nice also, yes?

What is the typical gardening season?


TIA

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by lmbh721

I apologize in advance for all the posts...but I have a ton of questions....

Does the St. Joseph rvr flood btwn South Bend & Middlebury? Is flooding a problem in IN., in general?

Is fishing good?

Is there a farmer's market close by? How about a good bead store?

Mishawaka looks like it's really nice also, yes?

What is the typical gardening season?


TIA

No apologies necessary, just be patient for responses.
I'm not aware of much flooding along the St. Joseph River, don't quote me. Last winter, the Tippecanoe river devastated some areas and we here in beautiful Columbus had a 500 year flood last June ... water flows south eh?
Fishing ... well ... there are lots and lots of lakes around and you won't be far away from Lake Michigan. Potato Creek SP has good fishing.

Farmers markets ... dude, it's Amish country, there are farm stands EVERYWHERE! It's really great too because a lot of them are honor pay, so be cool ok? I used to get fresh veggies and fresh eggs by helping myself to what I needed and leaving money in the jar, signing my name to say thank you. Same with bread ... again, there are a lot of Amish bake shops.

Mishawaka is nice, more urban than Middlebury.

This past season, I planted my tomatos in May and harvested starting in July ... I'll attach a photo of one of my many pickings. The bottom of my freezer is full of tomatos now, YUM! I picked the last of my cucumbers in August. This is in Southern Indiana mind you. My parents up by where you are moving to, had a heck of a time because of the cold snaps during planting season.