Relocating to Warsaw or Ft. Wayne (Fort Wayne, Columbia City: houses, high school, subdivisions)

[MLBellPSU]

I am pursuing opportunity in Warsaw. Would like to keep commute to work at 30 minutes or less. Does one live closer to Warsaw or Ft. Wayne based on following. Would appreciate specific areas and/or subs. Thanks in advance for your time & responses.

1. Good schools
2. Families with young children
3. Newer houses in friendly subs (i.e get together on back patio for drinks and kids to play, get a fire going, etc)
4. Good access to good health care (especially re children)
5. Malls relatively close (Macy's, Gap, Gap Kids, American Eagle, Justice, etc)
6. Some access to restaurnats that are private (not chains) -- hoping to find both local diners/joints that have been there forever and semi-upscale places
7. An area that is receptive to people who weren't born & raised in the area

[ShadowCaver]

Curious - are you wanting to be somewhere in between Warsaw and FtW due to that FtW is larger, offers more, be closer to get to on those times desire to get that fix? Honestly, US30 is fairly busy, has more than average amount of law officers [city, county, and state] looking for any infraction, and there are getting to be more and more traffic lights. Columbia City is about right in the middle of both Warsaw and FtW - ~20 miles from each... don't know, but IMHO, I'd live closer to Warsaw, to decrease the commute time & expenses [this coming from fool that now drives ~45 minutes each way ], and besides, Warsaw is, from my experience visiting, shopping, eating, touring, etc. there, is a fairly good town - I like it. Winona Lake, that is quite place too, unique and special. I'm not from this state, but in my experience, people are quite friendly and good around these parts. Good luck, and welcome to the area, and the forum.

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[cdr18]

If you were to live in Fort Wayne, the west parts are actually some of the most desirable parts of Fort Wayne. However, it is about a 40-45 drive to Warsaw due to the traffic lights. However with that being said, you would definitely have more of what you are looking for in Fort Wayne. There are two mall (one outside and one inside). Jefferson Pointe is more of an upscale outside mall and Glenbrook Mall, is the enclosed mall and known as a regional mall. (very big). You will find almost every store possible in a mid-sized Midwestern city in Fort wayne. However, for the size of Warsaw, they have a decent estabishment of food as well, because of their proxiimity to US 30. However, there are no malls, with the closest one being in Fort Wayne. As far as subdivisions, obviously Fort Wayne is going to have more of a choice with that. There are many middle and upper class subdivisions on the northwest and southwest sides and you would easily be able to find one that fits your lifestyle. As far as the neighbors, it all depends on where you are at. It could be a hit or miss. There are MANY newer houses in the area as well.

In addition, healthcare in Fort Wayne is next to top in the state and Midwest. You have Dupont Hospital, Lutheran hospital, Parkview (downtown), Parkview North, and St. Joseph hospital in downtown. Not too mention that the Parkview North campus is constructing a $536 million dollar regional hospital. Definitely Fort Wayne has the better healthcare in between the two cities. As far as Fort Wayne eateries are concerned, there are a mix of both local and national (I feel it is a good mix for the size of the city). There are definitely upscale restaurants such as Chapelle's, Baker Street, Biaggi's, El Patron. These are a mix of local and national.

Also, Fort Wayne seems to get an influx of new residents as it continually has grown in the last decade. Warsaw is a big city, but only has one high school. Therefore, the kids would be subject to getting into the new school system. I am sure you are familiar with towns that have one high school (everyone knows everyone sort of deal). However, Warsaw is decently big and the school is massive.

Fort Wayne schools are nice, obviously the suburbs have traditionally done better academically than the inner city. Personally, I would consider Southwest Allen County Schools and Northwest Allen County Schools. Also, Leo High School has excelled as well in nearby Leo, IN.

Feel free to ask more questions. Where are you guys moving from? Have you ever been to Fort Wayne before?