[michiganmom48]

We are from Michigan originally moving to North Carolina as my husband got a job in Virginia. His company got a contract in Indiana and he transfered there. He just rented a home in Niles, Michigan. My son is in High school going into 11th grade. I see there is two High Schools can anyone tell me if students have a choice which one to attend and just any info about Niles. This home is like less than 10 mins from South Bend so it is barely in Niles.

[flyingwriter]

I live in Niles, so I can answer some of your questions.

Both school systems are good. Brandywine is probably better, but NCS is also OK. Niles is a suburban area just north of South Bend, and there really are no bad parts of town. Also, just because the house is less than 10 minutes from South Bend, doesn't mean it's "barely in Niles." I live downtown and it takes me less than 10 minutes to get to South Bend. You'd be hard pressed to find an area in Niles that is more than 10 minutes from SB, maybe the far north side of town.

Overall, Niles is a nice area. It's a suburb, so it is not exactly exciting, but it is much more intersting than places like Granger or Mishawaka, which are just miles of strip malls and subdivisions. Niles has more of a real "town" feel to it. There are a lot of activities downtown, especially around Riverfront Park in the summer. There are also plenty of good shops and restaurants along Main and Front streets downtown.

Also, even though Niles is in Michigan, you would probably get more responses by asking on the Indiana forum. Niles is basically an extension of South Bend and identifies much more with Indiana than the rest of Michigan.

[fallingwater]

Originally Posted by michiganmom48

We are from Michigan originally moving to North Carolina as my husband got a job in Virginia. His company got a contract in Indiana and he transfered there. He just rented a home in Niles, Michigan. My son is in High school going into 11th grade. I see there is two High Schools can anyone tell me if students have a choice which one to attend and just any info about Niles. This home is like less than 10 mins from South Bend so it is barely in Niles.

I think it all depends on what you want. I live in Granger and also lived in Mishawaka for a year till we figured out where we wanted to invest in real estate. I am originally from the Detroit area. I briefly looked into Niles but MI has very high property taxes compared to Indiana. We could afford approx 60k more in a house because of the property tax difference. The Penn school district is considered one of the best in the area BUT the high school is very large. It has about 3,000 students. It looks like a college. I personally like being by shopping. I noticed a post from another person stating Granger and Mishawaka is mostly strip malls. That is untrue as there is a quaint downtown area in Mishawaka that I found quite charming. My neighbors in Mishawaka were quite friendly. Since I am a city slicker at heart, I did not want to drive a great distance for groceries. It appears to me that lots of people in MI come over this way since over half the license plates at Wal-mart are MI. Niles to me seemed too country for my liking.

[flyingwriter]

Originally Posted by fallingwater

I think it all depends on what you want. I live in Granger and also lived in Mishawaka for a year till we figured out where we wanted to invest in real estate. I am originally from the Detroit area. I briefly looked into Niles but MI has very high property taxes compared to Indiana. We could afford approx 60k more in a house because of the property tax difference.

I noticed a post from another person stating Granger and Mishawaka is mostly strip malls. That is untrue as there is a quaint downtown area in Mishawaka that I found quite charming.

It is true that Mishawaka/Granger is mostly strip malls. Yes, Mishawaka does have the downtown area but 85% of the city is nothing but subdivisions and strip malls. Granger is almost entirely subdivisions and strip malls, with no downtown or "town" like area to speak of.

Since I am a city slicker at heart, I did not want to drive a great distance for groceries. It appears to me that lots of people in MI come over this way since over half the license plates at Wal-mart are MI. Niles to me seemed too country for my liking.

There is a Wal-mart in Niles, along with Lowe's, Martin's, and Harding's. Yes, Niles is not as urbanized as Mishawaka or Granger, but I would hardly call it 'country.' It is actually closer to downtown South Bend and Notre Dame than Granger and parts of Mishawaka. Yes, it does have more cornfields and open space than the Indiana suburbs, but then that's why I like it. To each his own, I guess.

Also (to the OP) I notice you are from Michigan. If you're moving to Niles to come back home to MI, I will warn you that Niles is Michigan in name only. Niles is NOT REALLY MICHIGAN. The Indiana border should be 20 miles further north. Economically, Niles is completely tied to South Bend and Elkhart, and you can't even find most of the things that you find in Michigan in the Niles area. I'm from Three Rivers (14 miles from the IN/MI border), and when I moved here I was shocked at how "Indiana" the area is. It is so different from the rest of the state, almost like an island. If you want a Michigan feel, you are going to have to go further north or east, to at least Benton Harbor/St. Joe, Decatur, or Three Rivers. If you work in South Bend, those areas are all within a reasonable driving distance (45 min. to an hour).

[fallingwater]

Originally Posted by kazoopilot

It is true that Mishawaka/Granger is mostly strip malls. Yes, Mishawaka does have the downtown area but 85% of the city is nothing but subdivisions and strip malls. Granger is almost entirely subdivisions and strip malls, with no downtown or "town" like area to speak of.



There is a Wal-mart in Niles, along with Lowe's, Martin's, and Harding's. Yes, Niles is not as urbanized as Mishawaka or Granger, but I would hardly call it 'country.' It is actually closer to downtown South Bend and Notre Dame than Granger and parts of Mishawaka. Yes, it does have more cornfields and open space than the Indiana suburbs, but then that's why I like it. To each his own, I guess.

Also (to the OP) I notice you are from Michigan. If you're moving to Niles to come back home to MI, I will warn you that Niles is Michigan in name only. Niles is NOT REALLY MICHIGAN. The Indiana border should be 20 miles further north. Economically, Niles is completely tied to South Bend and Elkhart, and you can't even find most of the things that you find in Michigan in the Niles area. I'm from Three Rivers (14 miles from the IN/MI border), and when I moved here I was shocked at how "Indiana" the area is. It is so different from the rest of the state, almost like an island. If you want a Michigan feel, you are going to have to go further north or east, to at least Benton Harbor/St. Joe, Decatur, or Three Rivers. If you work in South Bend, those areas are all within a reasonable driving distance (45 min. to an hour).

Anyone that relocates here from a large city is going to think this area is country. Simple fact.

As far as Niles being closer to ND than Granger, its the same distance give a mile or two.

[walkingdude]

Your original question re: which high school to attend is dependent on the address. It is impossible to switch school districts in Michigan without a court order.

But in either case, my opinion is BREAK THE LEASE.

I made the move to Niles about a decade ago, and promptly relocated after one school year. Though I graduated from a local high school (several decades ago), and have to return to the area several times a year, I caution everyone to take a long look at the area.

Visit a fast food restaurant several times. I will guarantee that you will see public displays of corporal punishment (spankings). The same for any box store. Store clerks take pride in chasing suspected shoplifters through the parking lot, leaving paying customers stranded at the checkout counters. Opinions are gospel, narrow-mindedness rules and filthy floors, moldy counters and second rate products will greet you everywhere except the chain box stores.

The city council is still hoping, voting, planning and budgeting for the industrial age to return. Old buildings that should have been torn down years ago sit in the dilapidated state, a continuing eyesore. Taxes, utility rates and the permitting process hurt the residential customer because they are ridiculously slanted for the non-existent industrial customer. I pray that you never have an overdue library book, the fees are the highest in the nation. Sidewalks are worn out, cracked and, on many streets, practically unusable.

The high school band is terrible, the instruments squeeking and sqwuaking like an introductory 6th grade class. School sportsmanship is nonexistent and irate, angry parents on the sidelines is the rule. And be very careful about your opinions on evolution.

If you have to live in Michigan, go for Edwardsburg (about twelve miles to the east). Though it is a small town and has some of the same problems as Niles, there are many more enlightened families.

[WheredoIlive?]

Visit a fast food restaurant several times. I will guarantee that you will see public displays of corporal punishment (spankings). The same for any box store. Store clerks take pride in chasing suspected shoplifters through the parking lot, leaving paying customers stranded at the checkout counters. Opinions are gospel, narrow-mindedness rules and filthy floors, moldy counters and second rate products will greet you everywhere except the chain box stores.

The city council is still hoping, voting, planning and budgeting for the industrial age to return. Old buildings that should have been torn down years ago sit in the dilapidated state, a continuing eyesore. Taxes, utility rates and the permitting process hurt the residential customer because they are ridiculously slanted for the non-existent industrial customer. I pray that you never have an overdue library book, the fees are the highest in the nation. Sidewalks are worn out, cracked and, on many streets, practically unusable.

The high school band is terrible, the instruments squeeking and sqwuaking like an introductory 6th grade class. School sportsmanship is nonexistent and irate, angry parents on the sidelines is the rule. And be very careful about your opinions on evolution.

If you have to live in Michigan, go for Edwardsburg (about twelve miles to the east). Though it is a small town and has some of the same problems as Niles, there are many more enlightened families/

Ive noticed some of the rundownness when going to NIles. One thing I almost applied for housing there, but then someone told me that Niles is being ghettoized. To me the place is too overrun, like suburb of South Bend. It is nice to visit, but I did notice it had that kind of run down air to it on visits. I used to like to go to the used bookstore downtown, wonder if that is still there.

[flyingwriter]

Originally Posted by WheredoIlive?

Ive noticed some of the rundownness when going to NIles. One thing I almost applied for housing there, but then someone told me that Niles is being ghettoized. To me the place is too overrun, like suburb of South Bend. It is nice to visit, but I did notice it had that kind of run down air to it on visits. I used to like to go to the used bookstore downtown, wonder if that is still there.

It's not ghettoized. Very little of it is run down, mostly the area along Lake Street east of 5th St, with the closed-down factories. It IS a suburb of South Bend, so not what you're looking for if you want a country small town. It has lower-income areas and million dollar mansions in gated subdivisions.

The used bookstore is closed.

[WheredoIlive?]

Originally Posted by kazoopilot

It's not ghettoized. Very little of it is run down, mostly the area along Lake Street east of 5th St, with the closed-down factories. It IS a suburb of South Bend, so not what you're looking for if you want a country small town. It has lower-income areas and million dollar mansions in gated subdivisions.

The used bookstore is closed.

yeah, it is not same as country small town....glad to hear it isnt ghetto, I just had one person tell me that, who knows, its hard to know reality about place until you are there. That is too bad about the used bookstore, I loved that place Is that one rock second hand store there still, waht is it called MANIFESTO?

[flyingwriter]

Originally Posted by WheredoIlive?

yeah, it is not same as country small town....glad to hear it isnt ghetto, I just had one person tell me that, who knows, its hard to know reality about place until you are there. That is too bad about the used bookstore, I loved that place Is that one rock second hand store there still, waht is it called MANIFESTO?

Also gone.