apartments in Chesterton? (Portage, Valparaiso, Porter: renters, living, zip code)

[crzyfrmkids]

A relative is moving to NW Indiana for a job in SE Chicago. They are needing an apartment in a decent area and some have suggested Chesterton. What is the drive time to SE Chicago? Is there a train that goes into Chicago from that area? Are there any nice apartments--clean, safe? Thanks in advance!

[Bluefox]

The southshore has a stop in Chesterton. Depending on where in SE Chicago, the commute will be roughly an hour, more or less factoring in the drive time to the Dune Park station. Chesterton to the south loop is about 1.5hrs on the train.

As far as driving, again it will depend where exactly your relative will be working. The toll road is generally a smoother commute than 80/94 but will cost more. On a nice day with no traffic you can get from Chesterton to downtown Chicago in an hour and some change, and a commute to SE Chicago will be presumably shorter. Weather and rush hour, however, will add to the commute time. If your relative decides on Chesterton, the first thing s/he should do is invest in an iPass if they plan on taking the toll road because the cash lanes can get very backed up even on non-peak hours.

Most areas of Chesterton are good by most standards. I would look at craigslist first and if you don't see anything there check some of the online apartment-finding sites. However, may renters in the area do not post online so your relative's best bet is to actually go to Chesterton and see what s/he can find. That way s/he can find what areas s/he finds suitable.

[PatsCats]

There are a few apartments in Chesterton proper, but most are outside Chesterton itself.

I used to live in The Orchard Apartments in Porter, which has a Chesterton zip code. It was pretty nice, mostly quiet, and I miss it from time to time. I'd still be living there now if I hadn't gotten married and bought a house.

Valpo (Valparaiso) and Portage are well within driving distance of Chesterton, but have no direct train stop. Still it's pretty easy to get to Chicago from either.

My husband works in Chicago and takes the train every day. It's a nice ride, but it is about an hour and a half. At least you can sleep, or read, which you can't do if you're driving!