Transfering to Marion soon....have a few questions.. (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne: transplants, 2010)

[ChristinaScraps]

First a little info, I am moving from Ohio. I love the town I currently live in. I am 10 minutes from work, 6 minutes from my son's school, and 10-15 minutes from most of the local stores. We have most of the Department stores that you can think of and lots of local and chain restaurants. It is not a large town, but comfortable. The school district is excellent. My home is on 5 acres surrounded by woods, so it feels like I live in the country even though I am close to everything. I worked hard to get where I am and now I have to leave it all behind. I know I cannot find exactly what I have here, but I want to try. PLease help me find a lovely area to raise my family in Indiana.....

Which schools are considered the best in or around Marion (within about a 30 minute driving area to Marion)?

What cities near Marion are the best to raise a family in? Gas City? Swayze? Sweetser? or is Yorktown better even though it is farther away?

What are the property taxes like in Indiana?

What are the fees charged for your car license plates? Do you have a personal property tax on vehicles? If so, how does that work?

If you live in Marion can you tell me.... what types of stores are there? what about restaurants? is there a local library branch there?

Best area to live in to find a new job? I have a job, but my husband lost his when the company he worked for closed. He has been in a paper manufacturing plant most of his life.

Thank you for any help, suggestions or websites you can refer me to!

[cdr18]

Where are you guys originally from?? I live in Fort Wayne, but am familiar with the Marion area. Although in the 90s they have had some economical problems, their city is recently going undergoing somewhat of a revival. The local newspaper even said that the apartment occupancy rate is near 100%. This is all because of the GM announcement and many other factories that have opened up shop there. If you are considering moving into Marion, I would consider close to the downtown area, where there are nice historic houses and Indiana Wesleyan University is right in the center, roughly 15,000 students and a christian school, which is always good to have. I am sure you are familiar with this since you guys are from Ohio, but there are not really in luxurious places as far as suburbs are concerned...I hope this does not disappoint you. If your family isn't stuck to one place, I would also highly recommend Fort Wayne, as it offers everything a family could want.

Did he find a job in the Marion area?

[ChristinaScraps]

We are originally from Mansfield, I am transferring with GM to the Marion plant. I am trying to check out cities that are around Marion. Fort Wayne is on my list of possible places to relocate to. I am very worried about the school districts since I do not know anyone who lives there. From what I have read on the Indiana website, a lot of schools are in Watch status. I know that it is extremely bad when I school is given that status here in Ohio. My son's school is rated very high and I want to find a comparable school in Indiana. I want him to have the best education possible to encourage him to attend college. My goal is to ensure that his future is more secure than mine is. When I graduated from high school I started working at a Bank and did not continue my education. I am paying for that now, because I do not have many options. The unemployment rate is high here, so I will move to keep my job. I have to leave my family, my husband's family, and our friends just to secure our future. It is very scary to move to another state where you know no one. I will know other people who are transfering, but they do not know anything about Indiana either. So I am leaving posts in hopes of getting information from the locals!

No, my husband hasn't found a job yet. We are waiting until I relocate so he can look for a job in or around the town we live in.

Thank you for responding to my post

[cdr18]

Let's see....ok well first of all if you would consider moving to Fort Wayne, I would try the Southwest area, which is home to Homestead High School and Southwest Allen County Schools. This is a typical suburban high school with a growing population and new home construction off the wazoo. It is also a more desirable location for people in Fort Wayne. However, I realize that is a pretty health drive to Marion (45 minutes) for an everyday job. The schools are better quality in Fort Wayne, but I guess that is up for you to decide. There are also many private schools in Fort Wayne as well, I am not sure if that is something you are into? There is also Roanoke, Indiana, which is close to Fort Wayne and is known for its quaint like atmosphere. I also heard that you mentioned Yorktown, which is directly to the west of Muncie. Muncie is a dying city, but Yorktown is more of a desirable location, as far as people keeping up their houses and such.

There are some nice parts of Marion but it has been awhile since I have been there. I know the Marion schools aren't the greatest, from what I have heard. Is this the only GM plant you can transfer to? Because there is one directly southwest of Fort Wayne off of I69 that just announced plans to add 700 jobs. I am guessing though that is not an option.

[ChristinaScraps]

Cdr18 you said "Muncie is a dying city", why? are alot of businesses closing there? A lady I know said that Muncie is like Ontario (the area I live in) but bigger. That was why they are looking at transferring to Yorktown. They liked the school district and the area in Yorktown, but it is close to Muncie for shopping etc.
I would be willing to drive to get my son in a good school, it would be better if I could live closer to work since it is a daily commute. I'll look into Fort Wayne. I heard that the schools were larger there and I would like a smaller school, but not too small (confusing I know). My son is shy and a larger school with tons of children would just overwhelm him. I wish I could transfer to the plant by Fort Wayne, that is not an option right now.
From what I have read so far.....Marion is a heavy crime area, the school is very rough. I heard at work that the one apartment complex-where people from work are staying (with out of state tags on their cars) are having their cars broken into. I quess the apartment building is nice, but some surrounding areas are not. Rapes are being reported as #1 crime in that area. All very scary stuff for a small town lady planning on moving there on her own for awhile so my son can finish out the school year here!

Thanks again for responding to my post!

[cdr18]

The reason I say Muncie is a dying city is because of the continual decline in population and jobs. Much like many other cities in Indiana (Anderson, Terre Haute, Evansville), these cities are heavily reliant on manufacturing and in the past decades have lost many jobs to big factory closings such as Borgwarner (but who hasn't in this economy). They do have a great University there as well but the shopping district is nothing to get happy about. That university by the way is Ball State, which at one time was known as one of the top ten party schools in the United States (still accurate). These factory closings sure do take a toll on the quality of life, and driving through Muncie you will see the stress that these factory closings have had. I am by no means trying to say that Fort Wayne is clean of these as well, but the area has more things going for it in terms of job prospects (be easier to find your husband a job here).

As far as the size of schools, that would definitely be a problem as the only smaller sized schools in Fort Wayne happen to be on the north side. Leo, which is a suburb to Fort Wayne is respected as one of the top notch schools in the area and is decently small (however getting bigger).

Yorktown Community Schools are known as well for being exceptional, with not that big either. Also, if you live in the Yorktown area you would be closer to Indianapolis, which is a fun city for a weekend trip as well.

Ya, as far as Marion is concerned, I would stay away from their schools and the city in general.

Good luck with your choice. Let me know if you have any more questions!

[Jaxson]

Marion is a dying town also although the Mayor would spew other wise. Only growth and new jobs are minimum wage new fast foods like Culvers, White Castle, Moes and Sonic.

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowed

Marion schools are on academic probation for the 3rd straight year and this year lost over 300 students to the county schools around them. The county schools had to take them without tuition over crowding some grades. I would look to Gas City area before I would ever move into Marion. The county towns are nice as well if you like that small town feel.

Grant County
Van Buren~~~~Eastbrook schools
Gas City~~~Missiniwa schools
Swayzee, Sweetser & Converse~~~Oak Hill schools
Fairmount~~Madison Grant schools (home of James Dean big festival yearly)

Oak Hill is the highest ISTEP ratings in the county and only 5 star school followed closely by Missiniwa I believe.

Marion does have a nice large library with a local museum attached to it. The end of town the GM plant is on has empty buildings decaying across the streets from it. Once a multi factory town now only GM and Dana are the big factories left.

Their mall leaves a lot to be desired with a big anchor store sitting empty now for 3 years. They have Sears, Pennys, Elder Beerman, Hallmark, Bath & Body with the rest not national names or sitting empty. Most people go to Ft. Wayne, Kokomo or Muncie in that area to shop.

HTH.

[Sheryl and Jesus]

Hi Christina,

I was born and raised in Indiana and have lived here most of my life. I am currently living in Marion and attending Indiana Wesleyan University. I am an older student. I was born and raised in Wabash, which is about thirty minutes north of Marion. The schools there are pretty nice. They have three different high schools. Northfield, Southwood, and Wabash city schools. The community is quiet and there's not much crime. I don't think there are a lot of job opportunities though. They have some factories and a Superwalmart but not a lot else. Another area you might consideris Lafontaine. It is about halfway between Wabash and Marion. It's a very small community, but your children would be in the Wabash school district. They would be attending Southwood Jr.and High school. There are also a couple of Christian schools in Wabash as well. Marion has a Christian school too.

Sheryl

[MidWstGrl]

We are in the middle of the biggest recession since the depression. What city/town isnt losing JOBS and struggling ? The good thing about Marion it started here about 5+ yrs ago when RCA moved out (3600 jobs) and the leaders are working to bring new businesses to the area . They all may not be high paying jobs. But there is GROWTH even though we have decline .

Go To Facebook and search Marion,Indiana see the Fox News segment 4 October 16, 2009.
[URL="http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=176703522052&start=20&hash=896002655 7c0a69b0a6480986e147d6d"][FONT=Arial]Facebook | Links on "Marion, Indiana"[/FONT][/URL]



But when other GM plants are closing this one is still here and growing. It will recieve about (600 transplants) jobs by 2010 .[/FONT]
I am a transplant to Marion . I have been here for 20 yrs. I hated it because it lacked what I had been used to at my former out of state home.
First let me say it's NOT a big city or county here (Grant) . So you can't expect Big.
The mall is small and clean it may not have a huge selection. But you can get "what you need" and its easy to get in and out. If you need more selection you can go to Kokomo , Muncie , FT.Wayne, or Indianapolis . You just change your thinking on how you shop a little and adapt.

There are not many of the Larger chain nicer restaurants but some nice locally owned ones where the food is good. There is Applebees, Moes southwest grill, buffalo rings and things and other casual dining places and fast food in plenty. But for Outback or Red Lobster type the closest are in Kokomo or muncie . 30 mins away.

There are several other school districts you could move to within a 30 minute or less drive to Marion. If you didnt want Marion school district .My neighbor girl graduated last Year from Marion she was accepted into the Kelly school of business at IU ( basically she can skip her freshman yr) .
Yes there are many at low economic advantage here that may have bearing on the academic progress.
IWU is here and Taylor U in the county both Christian colleges.Private high schools there are Lakewood Christian school and a Kings Acdemy . The surrounding school districts would be Oak Hill,Missinewa, southwood, Blackford,Madison Grant and there are a couple others .
There are many churches here .

There are nice safe neighborhoods and there are some not as nice .
The housing here is very reasonable . Also,There are many Nice subdivisons just a few minutes from town out in the country . You should be able to get a house in the country with a couple acres if you want.
My property taxes are about 1/3 of what they were 15 yrs ago ! and cheap compared to other places .Car liscense depends on the value of your car.

There is a lot of lower income but its also has middle income and some VERY nice areas also.Its just like anyplace else now days .
.
There are tons of festivals here from spring right into Dec. This is Christmas city and has a fanatatic light display two miles long .
There is the Walkway along the river which is part of a trailway they are building through Indiana for walking and biking.
There is a major cycling comptetion held here now yearly and a fourth of july festival.
There is a cinema complex, water park , skating rink , mini golf , go carts ,several golf courses , and there is a country club.
And if you like Car shows plenty around in the summer . Also home to the James Dean festival and Gas City run ect where people come from all over the world .
Its not the best place NOR the worst place . Most people I know there is a sense of pride in their community whether its Marion,Gas City,Swayzee, Sweetser or Wabash ( in Wabash county) .
Its in the country here with many surrounding farms.

The people here are friendly and giving.
I am sure the orignal posted already googled Marion or Grant county .
but heres another link [URL="http://www.showmegrantcounty.com/CommunityInfo/"][FONT=Arial]Marion, Indiana & Grant County Indiana tourist information - Links/Maps[/FONT][/URL][FONT=Arial] [/FONT]

[ChristinaScraps]

Thank you for listing the schools in the area. The best school district is going to be where the deciding factor in where I relocate to. So much to read up on and research when you move to a different state!! I appreciate all the help I can get!