Nice area within 45 min to sb??? (South Bend, Elkhart: for sale, real estate, renters)

[kamannkay]

We are moving from probably the quietest, safest, best school district in the US (well, in our opinion) in Jonesville, MI. My fiance has taken a job in South Bend, IN and we want to find a place as close to our current location as possible (reputation wise). Any suggestions?
Our children are 4 and 6 so elementary education is primary.
We are only looking to rent right now.

Thanks!

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by kamannkay

We are moving from probably the quietest, safest, best school district in the US (well, in our opinion) in Jonesville, MI. My fiance has taken a job in South Bend, IN and we want to find a place as close to our current location as possible (reputation wise). Any suggestions?
Our children are 4 and 6 so elementary education is primary.
We are only looking to rent right now.

Thanks!

The Penn Harris Madison schools are very well regarded and it's spread out enough where you can find anything from suburban neighborhoods, to out in the boonies farm living. Another suggestion would be Wakarusa ... nice small small small town that feed into the Wa-Nee schools ... smaller than Penn, but still very good.

[grmasterb]

If one is willing to commute up to 45 minutes into SB, why not consider Plymouth?

[domergurl]

another good option!

[flyingwriter]

You could also look at places like Paw Paw, MI, St. Joseph, MI, and Dowagiac, MI - which are all small Michigan towns with great school systems. All of them are about 45 minutes from SB. Niles, MI is much closer to SB, and has reasonably good schools and a lot more going on. However, it's not the place if you are looking for small town living. If you don't mind a 60 minute commute, then areas like Mattawan, MI and Schoolcraft, MI are a possibility. Both are close to Kalamazoo and have excellent school systems.

[michiganmom48]

Good luck we are moving to the area as well. My husband has looked for a home for 5 weeks and when I took him down there from North Carolina 5 weeks ago I did to. I have never seen rental homes so miskept then in this area. I have heard this from others. Homes with holes in walls and doors. Floors coming up and neighborhoods that looks really bad. We found a home in Niles, Mi but in a way I 'm sorry we took this transfer and we are from Michigan. I had no idea that we would have that much trouble finding a decent home.

[sgear]

The good, non mainstream rental homes in this area are mainly only known by word of mouth. I have lived in several beautiful rental homes, from ones on Lake Wawasee, to Middlebury, to Wakarusa. All were very nice single family homes, still owned by their previous owners. Your best luck in finding them is to have any local friends you know ask around, my grandma, aunt, previous work associate, and small town real estate companies have helped me find my homes in this area. The rents are cheaper too. Using the internet is Worthless in this area, as the most advertising anyone does is the occasional FOR RENT sign in the yard of the house. We currently pay $550 a month for a Beautiful remodeled 2 story, 1300 sq ft home in the heart of Wakarusa. I know, that's a steal, but that's what you get from finding these hidden gems that are looking for renters that will keep good care of the property so it holds it's value. Many decent homes for sale are now offering Seller financed Rent to Own options in Wakarusa, Middlebury areas..... Steer clear of Elkhart and Goshen though, schools are rough, despite many great housing opportunities....

[trinityjoy]

we live in Niles mi. I love Jonesville you will miss it. (we stop just to go to the udderside) Niles is close to sb but still in Mi. You might want to consider staying in Mi because moving out of state even a foot is a pain in the but. I just moved my Mom here from Ga. I have three houses in my neighborhood that are for sale. Very quiet little area 4 minutes from schools, 4 minutes from wal-mart, 10-20 minutes from awsome shopping. but we are on the river so there is no trafic unless you own a home. Everyone is so nice, neighbors plow your drive just because they have their truck out. feel free to contact me.

[trinityjoy]

i almost forgot Buchanan it is so cute, you have to see it. If your still on here let me know i'll put pics on. I will be in your town on Monday for our last trip for ice cream this year.

[cdr18]

I would highly recommend the Nappanee/Wakarusa area. It is actually undergoing somewhat of a revival if everything comes to fruition, as far as jobs are concerned. In addition, the Wa-Nee school district has been considered highly academic for rural standards. The people are very welcoming as well!