North Central Indiana info needed (Syracuse, Goshen, Middlebury) (Milford, North Webster: real estate, crime)

[alexei27]

Hi everyone...

I may have an opportunity to move from Utah to northern Indiana for a job (National Weather Service) in Syracuse. We are looking for information in some of the towns nearby. We have 2 adopted girls (from Haiti and China) so we are a mixed family. We like the small town life and eventually would want to buy a bed and breakfast.

Anyone have opinions on what towns are better than others...or reasons why some may not be so good? The internet is great for info...but I would like to hear from some of the locals!

Thanks!! Feel free to send a private message as well.

[sweetana3]

I just want to say I love Middlebury. We go to Shipshewana each year and visit Middlebury. It has such a comfortable feel about it and a great hardware store in the middle of the town. Very small.

I like the closeness of the Amish and the little bit of slowness it adds to life. Nice to wake up and sit on the porch of a B&B and hear the clipclop of horses and wagons in the morning. So different from auto traffic.

[alexei27]

Oh man...I think you just sold my wife on it! Our dream is to own a B and B in a small town that is quiet. She is gonna flip when she sees your post :-) Thanks for the info!!

[sweetana3]

Shipshewana is about 5 miles or so east of Middlebury and has the tourist attractions (flea market, auction, Yoders stores, Amish museum, etc.) but Middlebury is where I would like to stay. Quieter yet close.

I think Goshen is a nice place to live if a little bigger (more town attractions including the fast food stuff).

I dont know about the schools, Amish usually school separately. I am also not sure of diversity. But someone else may be able to answer that. Check with some of the churchs in the area, they may be able to give you some info or either call the schools or do some web research into the diversity of the school populations.

It is a pretty area so the prices may be higher. We used to stay in a BandB in downtown Shipshewana and loved to do that.

[sweetana3]

Quick website is www.middleburyin.com. If you want info on Goshen, just do a Google search.

Das Essenhaus kind of overwhelms the area with the huge hotel and restaurant complex, but it is on Rt. 20 and not right in town. A lot of tour groups stop here so the tourist still come. The pictures on the website make the areas seem more 1960/1970. My perception is that it still retains a warm and older feel. The website also identifies some of the restaurants and BandBs in and around.

There are four elementary schools and one says they have gotten 4 star staus more than one year.

[domergurl]

I grew up in the area. There are a lot of lakes in the area, so if you like, or want to take up boating, fishing, etc. That's a good place to be! Having grown up around the Amish, it's interesting. They really do like being left to themselves. Just be very careful driving ... don't forget, their traspo is horse and buggy & bikes. Seen too many needless accidents because people don't realize how slow they move.

I am sorry to say this, but Goshen is having a bit of a rough go of things in the crime department.

Syracuse has a lot of summering people who have places on Lake Wawasee, a gorgeous lake btw. I believe the kids in Syracuse feed into the Wawasee school system. Middlebury kids go to Northridge (both are rival schools to my old school).

Here's some school info:

http://mustang.doe.state.in.us/SEARC...ity=Middlebury

http://mustang.doe.state.in.us/SEARC...?city=Syracuse

http://mustang.doe.state.in.us/SEARC...fm?city=Goshen

Best of luck and keep in touch!

[alexei27]

Wow...great info. Its funny you look at the area from Google Earth and it looks completely flat and undesirable. But the pictures on some local websites and on real estate listings are just beautiful.

Thanks everyone...the job bidding war closes in a few days. I'll find out in a few weeks.

Even if we don't go for the B n B right away...there is some awfully nice real estate in the area. It will be nice to be in an affordable place again. Even Salt Lake City is getting out of reach.

[sensualrose]

I live about 20 minutes from Goshen / Shippshewana / and have lived here my whole life. The worst thing about Northern Indiana is there is nothing to do but eat and shop. And the area i am from is noted as "Restaurant Row" you can't even find a restaurant on a Friday night without a 2 hour wait. As far as Shippshewana goes blink your eyes and you are through it. It is a quiet and country town but to be honest there isn't much for kids to do. We sit home most of the time because we are sick of eating and shopping. I had my inlaws in town last weekend and they could not believe the way we live. It is a boring life unless you are a restaurant nut. Sorry for the negatives but this is how it is.

[Martha Stoelting]

I think the whole Wawasee school district (Syracuse, Milford, North Webster) is a great place to raise a family. If you like lakes and the related sports its a great place to be. Both Syracuse and Webster have a summer lake resort feel. If you want small towns, you've got them. What is a small town to you?

[alexei27]

Hi Martha...

I guess 2000-3000 people would count as a small town. We would love to live in a place where there really is no rush hour. I fully understand there will be sacrifices...but I think they will be worth it.

I think its interesting...people either love small town life or hate it. You very rarely hear anything in the middle!

I would be working in an office just north of North Webster on CR 13.

I have found some decent real estate sites...does anyone have any favorites for finding a house?