Moving to Chesterton or Valparaiso area.. (Portage: apartments, middle school, live)

[magik]

chesterton would be your best choice. valpo has some obnoxious college kids running around driving drunk getting high n stuff. chesterton is quiet safe and not alot of bad news goes on there. valpo has some stuff that happens, most of it comes from kids that go to gary get involved with bad stuff n bring it back to vlapo. valpo is safe but chesterton would be better choice. its close to lake michigan close to train. close to dune state parks. it has alot of things close by.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by magik

chesterton would be your best choice. valpo has some obnoxious college kids running around driving drunk getting high n stuff. chesterton is quiet safe and not alot of bad news goes on there. valpo has some stuff that happens, most of it comes from kids that go to gary get involved with bad stuff n bring it back to vlapo. valpo is safe but chesterton would be better choice. its close to lake michigan close to train. close to dune state parks. it has alot of things close by.

Really?

Because I've lived here for almost 10 years now and it's a running joke that we have absolutely no idea where the college kids are. The only time you see them is when they take over Target & Walmart with their parents in August.

[sillymom2three]

I am starting to think it might be where we find what we want to rent, I haven't seen many options from online, or the paper. My hubby is *hoping* to have time to go look soon himself.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by sillymom2three

I am starting to think it might be where we find what we want to rent, I haven't seen many options from online, or the paper. My hubby is *hoping* to have time to go look soon himself.

Driving around is most definitely your best bet - the majority of the rentals in this area aren't really advertised except for a sign in the yard.

[sillymom2three]

Thanks. What is the average cost on things like gas, milk? Water,etc? what is the sales tax there?

I have been living in the land of crazy party college students all summer,so that I am use too LOL.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by sillymom2three

Thanks. What is the average cost on things like gas, milk? Water,etc? what is the sales tax there?

I have been living in the land of crazy party college students all summer,so that I am use too LOL.

State sales tax is 7%.

Gallon of milk is $2.50-$3.00

Gas was $2.78 this morning.

While Valparaiso is considered a college town, there really isn't a college bar "strip" like there are in many college towns - there is no real place where you'll find groups of students. It's also a Lutheran University and doesn't have a rep as a party school ... so I think you'll be safe.

[sillymom2three]

I wrote to several autism groups about moving there, and this from a letter from ASA indiana group.. IN case there other parents ever wanting to know, this really discourages me to say the least. I would have thought it would be the other way around, but I am really good at making waves and getting people to change there ways

Hi Katy-

Welcome to the area! In Porter County, where Valparaiso (Valpo) is, there is a county special ed co-op called The Porter County Interlocal. They run a school called SELF there where they segregate the kids with special needs (even though according to the law that's illegal to do).

There are some "high functioning" kids that are in the local public schools in special ed programs. I have a friend who's daughter attends the developmental kindergarten at Brummett in Valpo and she's had an ok experience there.

I'm not sure what you are used to and what you are expecting. I have to be honest I don't have alot of positive things to say about the Porter County Interlocal. Valpo school distict is a good one - for the typical student. Not so much for everyone else.

It is my understanding that any therapy you get is group therapy, not individual. They also do not use any kind of specific methodology for kids on the spectrum. There are no private schools for kids with autism in the area (nearest one is in Chicago Suburbs). There is often a waiting list for private therapy, so start calling and get on the lists (www.northwestindianaautism.com/resources.php for a list of local clinics).

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by sillymom2three

I wrote to several autism groups about moving there, and this from a letter from ASA indiana group.. IN case there other parents ever wanting to know, this really discourages me to say the least. I would have thought it would be the other way around, but I am really good at making waves and getting people to change there ways

Hi Katy-

Welcome to the area! In Porter County, where Valparaiso (Valpo) is, there is a county special ed co-op called The Porter County Interlocal. They run a school called SELF there where they segregate the kids with special needs (even though according to the law that's illegal to do).

There are some "high functioning" kids that are in the local public schools in special ed programs. I have a friend who's daughter attends the developmental kindergarten at Brummett in Valpo and she's had an ok experience there.

I'm not sure what you are used to and what you are expecting. I have to be honest I don't have alot of positive things to say about the Porter County Interlocal. Valpo school distict is a good one - for the typical student. Not so much for everyone else.

It is my understanding that any therapy you get is group therapy, not individual. They also do not use any kind of specific methodology for kids on the spectrum. There are no private schools for kids with autism in the area (nearest one is in Chicago Suburbs). There is often a waiting list for private therapy, so start calling and get on the lists (www.northwestindianaautism.com/resources.php for a list of local clinics).

are you getting responses from other groups??? I'd be interested if they all feel the same way as this person.

[sillymom2three]

Originally Posted by domergurl

are you getting responses from other groups??? I'd be interested if they all feel the same way as this person.

The other one says she will email me on Monday. But I think I trust this persons's info, she wouldn't have her position if she didn't know what she was talking about. That's just a part of the letter by the way.. Her title is
President,National Autism Association,Northwest Indiana Chapter. I already heard about the school doing that, I found that online, which is really bad for autistic kids, the more you allow them to be around there peers the more the flourish, how else do you learn to be social?

I am hoping the other group will have more info. But like I said I am really good at rocking a boat. I had to fight for him when we lived in a small town before MB.

[sillymom2three]

Also anyone know of a good rental/real estate group/agency that could help my husband look for a place, he has no transportation to the Valpo area while he is there right now.