IUPU Fort Wayne (IPFW) Relocators Happy? (Indianapolis, Macy: 2009, dorms, school)

[NicePolishBoy]

I have read of people who were moving to Fort Wayne because of IUPU (or IPFW, I guess), so I am curious how it worked out for them. Can anyone tell me if they ended up happy in the city and at the university?

How is the college town feel? Good university to work at?

[domergurl]

There isn't a college town feel because, only recently did IPFW start having dorms on campus. I still think it's primarily a commuter school.

[jodyrose]

Originally Posted by NicePolishBoy

I have read of people who were moving to Fort Wayne because of IUPU (or IPFW, I guess), so I am curious how it worked out for them. Can anyone tell me if they ended up happy in the city and at the university?

How is the college town feel? Good university to work at?

IPFW is a large campus and directly across the street from one of the largest IVY Tech campuses in the state. That whole corridor is school related. Then you have a couple of other colleges in town as well. There is a nice mix of people/ages in Fort Wayne, well rounded for a small city. Not as much happening as Indianapolis, but then you dont have the traffic jams and higher housing costs to deal with either and Indy is just about 90 min drive away. I lived in FTW for 5 yrs and loved it.

[skvorp]

We're originally from WI and moved to FW ~12 1/2 yrs. ago, after an 18 mo. detour in IL. My husband attended IPFW (read: Indiana University & Purdue University, Fort Wayne campus) to finish his engineering degree, and while we did not specifically relocate here for IPFW, we knew we needed to be in/near a city with a reputable university offering his degree and had some family in the area. We've stayed simply because we have good jobs, FW is a decent place to raise a family, several amenities of a larger city without being too big, great cost of living (especially housing!), and a plethora of other reasons. Close enough proximity to Indy, Chicago, Cincinnati, larger cities for those things missing. As with any "shopping around", depends on what the individual is looking for and their specific needs/wants... best of luck!

[NicePolishBoy]

Thanks. So far, Fort Wayne is sounding pretty good. Too bad that its World Market is closing, from what I read--that is our kind of place. It makes me a little worried that it is closing, but hopefully places like Macy's (Right?), H&M, and Border's won't follow.

The position I am looking at doesn't have the immediate job security I have now, but we live in a place we don't like. Because of work/school, we previously had to leave places before we liked.

Is the university, IUPU FW, respected and liked in town? It seems that hardly any of the natives here like their university, except if they make money from it.

[jodyrose]

Originally Posted by NicePolishBoy

Thanks. So far, Fort Wayne is sounding pretty good. Too bad that its World Market is closing, from what I read--that is our kind of place. It makes me a little worried that it is closing, but hopefully places like Macy's (Right?), H&M, and Border's won't follow.

From what I am reading, there may be LOTS of stores going out of business period in 2009 and beyond. However I dont think World Market ever really caught on too well, mainly because it was in a terrible location. Hard to get into and out of and directly across the street from the big mall, with easy access and plenty of parking. Dont miss the stores on the west side of town at Jefferson Pointe Shopping Ctr and beyond. I TRULY loved and MISS the Fresh Market on West Jefferson!

[domergurl]

Yep, Circuit City is kaput. Many more will follow in the coming months ... sigh.

[NicePolishBoy]

It doesn't sound like Fort Wayne is worse off than other cities though, right? Someone asked me if the auto industry goes down and out, would Fort Wayne turn into a ghost town. The region isn't that tied to the auto industry is it?