Looking to move possibly to Northwest Indiana...

[domergurl]

Hubby grew up in Whiting and went to Catholic schools in Chicago ... felt more at home there. Living here in Columbus, this is the first place I've ever lived where someone remarked on my Chicago accent. Which is funny, because I grew up near South Bend.

The Calumet Region (happy??), is the ugly stepchild of this state. People in Indianapolis could care less about the people who live there. When I mention to people about the deterioration of EC, Gary and Whiting, I always get the same snarky remark ... why don't they move? That really annoys me.

[Then&Now]

The Region is comprised of Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, and Jasper counties. Although, I think that Lake and Porter are the ones that are thought of moreso than the others since they are closer. The population of Portage is actually closer to 40,000 now (around 38,000, I believe) and seems to be one of the fastest growing communities in the region with many moving from the Chicago, Illinois area to live here instead.

Portage is thriving and having lived here for over 30 years (I'm 34), I feel it is better than it ever has been. It's been a little hard getting used to having so many more people, but I'm excited to see all the new business, restaurants, and shopping coming in. Our new 16 theater Imax is nice too! LOL!

That said, it is less than an hour to get into downtown Chicago by train and that is really nice. Plus, the beaches in the summer and the outlet mall and marina in nearby Michigan City is great too. And then on the other side, you have Merrillville with Westfield Mall and lots of other happenings less than 20 minutes away.

[Then&Now]

Originally Posted by domergurl

Hubby grew up in Whiting and went to Catholic schools in Chicago ... felt more at home there. Living here in Columbus, this is the first place I've ever lived where someone remarked on my Chicago accent. Which is funny, because I grew up near South Bend.

The Calumet Region (happy??), is the ugly stepchild of this state. People in Indianapolis could care less about the people who live there. When I mention to people about the deterioration of EC, Gary and Whiting, I always get the same snarky remark ... why don't they move? That really annoys me.

LOL! I get the same comments about a Chicago accent. I am from Portage and all the while growing up and even now, people will ask me if I'm from Chicago when I travel somewhere - especially south. I always joke that I don't have an accent at all - they do. LOL!

And I agree with you about the comments from people in central and southern Indiana. I always figured though, that they just never had the pleasure of living and enjoying everything in Northwest Indiana.