Moving to Chesterton or Valparaiso area.. (Franklin, Porter: apartment complex, rentals, theatre)

[sillymom2three]

Need suggestions on where to live, ( we will need to rent) and what is the best schools. I have a 6th grader, a 2nd grader, and a special needs autistic kindergardner. Looking for 3 bedrooms or more, we are moving from Myrtle Beach,SC so little excited on the rent not being as bad LOL.
Not to thrilled to leave my beach, and warm weather, though, and I have never lived outside the south, ha ha. I think I might stick out a bit with my accent..
Thanks

[sillymom2three]

Also will be looking for a good ballet/dance school for my dd.

[grmasterb]

Are you or a significant other going to be working in NWI or Chicago?

[Chuckity]

I'm partial to Valpo for a couple of reasons - the main being the schools are excellent. (I have two in the school system right now - it really is top notch.)

But if you'll be working in Chgo - you'll should go as far north as possible to be closer to the South Shore Line & expressways. This would put you in Chesterton schools - which truth be told, are excellent as well.

Having a Valpo physical address does not necessarily mean you'll be in the school district - make sure you double check if that's important to you.

As for looking for rentals, most of the rentals in the area aren't advertised in newspapers or online ... you'll really need boots on the ground and to spend a day or so driving around looking for rental signs.

Good luck to you!

[sillymom2three]

Thanks, no he is going to be working for a company out of Burns Harbor.. He is there now actually and will be till Thanksgiving, when I hope to move then. My biggest concern is my special needs child, and my oldest that will be in middle school. My daughter never has a problem adjusting or moving, but the other are in places in there lives where it will be harder.

[sillymom2three]

Any suggestions on dr's,dentists, all that fun stuff is appreciated too.

[Chuckity]

I don't have any experience with having a special needs child - but if I could offer you any advice, I would say to call the main Valpo schools office directly and voice your concerns about your little one.

As for middle schools, there are two in Valpo - Benjamin Franklin & Thomas Jefferson ... referred to almost exclusively as BF & TJ. There's a bit of healthy rivalry between the schools - you can check the differences academically at greatschools.net.

[grmasterb]

Since your husband will be working in Burns Harbor, I would recommend Valpo. Chesterton is a nice little town, but Valpo has more amenities.

[PatsCats]

is more quiet, more quaint. Art Galleries, Community Theatre, nice restaurants, historic downtown with beautiful gazebo, very close to the beach. Of course, none of those are things you asked about.

I used to live in an apartment complex that I liked in a postage-stamp sized "suburb" of Chersteron called Porter. The kids in the apartments there go to Chesterton schools. I know little about the schools themselves, except that they are good in both Chesterton and Valparaiso (locally known as Valpo).

There are Dance Schools in both Chesterton and Valpo.

There are a number organizations in the region that provide services for autistic children and adults.

Hope that's helpful!

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by PatsCats

Art Galleries, Community Theatre, nice restaurants, historic downtown

You just described Valpo.