Advice for Valparaiso (South Bend, Chesterton, Porter: real estate, housing, rent)

[gradyb]

yeah, so we just moved from Ohio, and we'd like to be on the east side of Chicago, if possible. I work near millenium station, and I saw the train schedule isn't the best - but doable.
I guess you saw the new thread I started, I really just want my wife to be safe and meet some other moms. We're looking at the 200-250k range. So, we found two pretty nice homes, one in Valpo and one in Chesterton. Chesterton seems like the better 'value', but I wonder if there's a reason. Valpo commute's a killer, for sure - but I'm doing a 1.5 hour commute already. The Chesterton house is 5 minutes from the station, which is appealing. Are the Dunes beaches really nice in the summer? Any bike paths in Chesterton? Is there any near term risk that some of Gary's troubles start to spill over into Chesterton? Both school systems look pretty good, statistically. Anything that I'm missing, though?

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by gradyb

yeah, so we just moved from Ohio, and we'd like to be on the east side of Chicago, if possible. I work near millenium station, and I saw the train schedule isn't the best - but doable.
I guess you saw the new thread I started, I really just want my wife to be safe and meet some other moms. We're looking at the 200-250k range. So, we found two pretty nice homes, one in Valpo and one in Chesterton. Chesterton seems like the better 'value', but I wonder if there's a reason. Valpo commute's a killer, for sure - but I'm doing a 1.5 hour commute already. The Chesterton house is 5 minutes from the station, which is appealing. Are the Dunes beaches really nice in the summer? Any bike paths in Chesterton? Is there any near term risk that some of Gary's troubles start to spill over into Chesterton? Both school systems look pretty good, statistically. Anything that I'm missing, though?

Overall, I think Valpo's schools might be a bit better than Chesterton's - but Chesterton does have Valpo beat when it comes to ease of a Chicago commute via rail.

As for Gary spilling over into Chesterton ... well, overall I think the region is less safe as a whole than it was say, 20 years ago. But it's due less to Gary "spilling over" than it is to society's general crapification as a whole. And there's about 20 miles worth of road between Gary & Chesterton.

Yes, I said crapification. I've coined a new term.

[LIS123]

I wouldn't worry about the 'spillover' of crime from Gary into Chesterton. I haven't noticed a big change in the Munster/S'ville/Dyer area. It might be more noticeable right outside Gary, such as in Hammond or Griffith. If I had to guess one area where this effect maybe noticeable, it might be Merrillville, right near the Gary border. It's almost as if the towns are blended together now. Your children should be able to receive adequate Education in either town.

I know it's expensive, but is there any way for you to live closer to Chicago than Chesterton or Valpo? The commute on the South Shore is long and, over time, takes its toll. It's a very repetitive, mundane experience. Luckily, you'll get a seat since you pick the train up early, but the commute will wear on you. It will be VERY frustrating to sit on that train for more than on hour each way.

[gradyb]

Thanks for the helpful responses. I can do work on the train, so the time goes pretty quick (although I hear it's no Metra?). As far as closer to Chicago, we can get a half acre lot with 10 yr old home with half the taxes as West burbs for less than 250k? I'll take it... that's why I was curious as to crime, etc. - almost seems too good to be true. For conveniences, I don't really need a bunch of STBX and WMTs around!

Sounds like either place is pretty solid - I grew up in Richmond, so I'm excited to be a Hoosier again!
I'm surprised Chesterton isn't growing faster, so close to the train...

[domergurl]

Most Chicagoans are sticking to Lake County. Personally, I like the Dune Acres station. It's big and in a safe place.

I think a lot of people choose Valpo for the school system, so the parents are willing to take the extra time to get to the train.

No, the southshore sure isn't the Metra! It's about as basic as it gets. Unfortunately, this state just doesn't understand public transit. They lease toll roads to build more roads ...

[tekka-maki]

250k gives you some good options in W and NW burbs of Chicago; Aurora, IL is growing FAST and worth looking at... dunno about 1/2 acre plot though. Sounds like you really wanna live in IN so I'll let it be. Honestly, I like IN and grew up in South Bend, but I just would not do that commute.

Metra is the Chicagoland commuter and runs (For the most part) much better schedules than S. Shore to include many non-stops during rush hour to all 'burbs (IN not included). I used to live in Palatine (25 NW/Chicago) and it took 30 minutes to Olgivie which isn't very far at all from Randolph/Van Buren and Michigan.

It doesn't surprise me that Chesterton isn't growing as fast as it should. S. Shore is just not a hot ticket (no pun intended).

[tekka-maki]

Originally Posted by domergurl

No, the southshore sure isn't the Metra! It's about as basic as it gets. Unfortunately, this state just doesn't understand public transit. They lease toll roads to build more roads ...

To be fair, Metra isn't all it's cracked up to be either. I used to depend on it daily, but in terms of efficiency, speed, and scheduling, Tokyo mass transit wins hands down; it makes the Metra seem antiquated and wasteful! So there will always be something better I think; unfortunately, I can't think of what's worse than S. Shore, lol.

Both IN and IL are leasing toll roads to private enterprise and as much as one pays in tolls (another full topic), you'd think Chicagoland (IL and IN) would have a better highway system to accommodate all the drivers.

Down here in San Antonio, there is no lightweight rail system but the highway infrastructure is undoubtedly superior to Chicago in every way, and they don't TOLL [yet]! O.k. I'm trolling now...

[domergurl]

Nah, you're not trolling. Can you imagine Chicago roads without Metra? Perish the thought! The South Shore is the last of the old interurbans that used to be all over Indiana. It is what it is and it's the only way I go to Chicago.

[artemis]

Originally Posted by gradyb

yeah, so we just moved from Ohio, and we'd like to be on the east side of Chicago, if possible. I work near millenium station, and I saw the train schedule isn't the best - but doable.
I guess you saw the new thread I started, I really just want my wife to be safe and meet some other moms. We're looking at the 200-250k range. So, we found two pretty nice homes, one in Valpo and one in Chesterton. Chesterton seems like the better 'value', but I wonder if there's a reason. Valpo commute's a killer, for sure - but I'm doing a 1.5 hour commute already. The Chesterton house is 5 minutes from the station, which is appealing. Are the Dunes beaches really nice in the summer? Any bike paths in Chesterton? Is there any near term risk that some of Gary's troubles start to spill over into Chesterton? Both school systems look pretty good, statistically. Anything that I'm missing, though?

I have friends who live in Portage, and they have told me that some of Gary's problems are starting to filter into their area.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by tekka-maki

Down here in San Antonio, there is no lightweight rail system but the highway infrastructure is undoubtedly superior to Chicago in every way, and they don't TOLL [yet]! O.k. I'm trolling now...

Thats all fine and dandy, but Chicago and most of Northwest Indiana were built up way before San Antonio (although SA is a much older city) was and built up rather quickly as well as far more densely. Thousands of homes had to be demolished to make the highways in the Chicago area. There are a number of reasons the highway infrastructure of this area might not be as good as San Antonios.

You also forget about the challenges of building a highway system that is affected by a rather large pond,I mean lake.

SA:650,000 in the 1970 census to an estimated 1.3 million in 2008 (1.9 metro area).
The Chicago area has had around 6 million people since at least 1950.

I find no reason to brag about a city that is getting larger very quickly that has "superior" roads and no public transit to speak of. The oil cartel loves you.

I by no means am trying to say my city is better than yours, but I think your comment was unnecessary given the true nature and reasons for the differences in roads.

Over and out.