Comparing NW Indiana to Northern/NE Indiana (South Bend, Lafayette: fit in, real estate)

[SMTfamily]

Some background on our family. We are a moderately conservative family of 7 from the Carolinas. We relocated to Valpo about 27mths ago. We moved because my husband had been laid off and we couldn't find anything in the Carolinas or southern US. We had lived in W. Lafayette a few years before and liked it. We thought that we'd be okay with this area. Wrong, we haven't been happy since we've moved here. Our kids are more content than we are, though the area hasn't been a positive influence on them. We have looked at relocating back to the South, but there are few jobs in my husbands field.

My husband is interviewing for a company in the New Paris area. We have never been that far east except Angola for a softball tourney. So we do not know how it compares to the NW Indiana area. We find NWI people are either uppity/snotty or the opposite. There isn't much middle ground. We also find that the area lacks the conservative family values that we are use to. ie we have been married 18yrs with 5 kids,I am a SAHM and we are moderately conservative Christians etc. Most of my kid's friends are split families with multiple kids/multiple dads etc. Few attend church. Drugs are also more prevalent here than what we were use to. Heroin is big in Porter county. We also find that people aren't friendly as a whole and we just can't find our niche. People aren't generally looking for friends, even MOMS Club type organizations. We also do not like how Crowded NW Indiana feels and the cost of living (ie. rentals real estate) is expensive compared to the Carolinas.

Is the New Paris and surrounding areas similar to NW Indiana or is it somewhat different? I have been told that NW Indiana has been influenced more by Chicago and the Catholic faith, where the Northern/NE part of Indiana was founded on more conservative faiths such as Mennonite and Amish. How would say this area compares to living in the Valpo area? We don't want to make the move if its going to be more of the same. Also is the weather the same, or is a little less snow than Porter county?

Sorry to write a book, I appreciate the input.

[artemis]

There are a lot of Protestants in NW Indiana, lets not lay blame on the Catholics.

Have you considered Southern Indiana, Northern Indiana is snowy, period.

[SMTfamily]

I'm not blaming anyone. I asked because when talking to a friend who grew up in Goshen. SHe now lives in South Bend and works at ND. She just said that there was a difference in the culture of the two areas because South Bend and west were influenced by the Catholic faith and the east of there was influenced by the Amish and Mennonite population. Yes there are protestant churches here, But after two years we are just now finding a church we feel welcomed in. For the most part we haven't found that many churches that were very friendly and welcoming. We have to go where the jobs are. In the state of Indiana there are currently two jobs listed in my husbands specific specialty. Its not a career that you can decide where you want to live and then find a job. Its more you have to go where the job is. Most jobs are either out in Cali, midwest or Northeast. We do not want to go any furthur from family in the Carolinas than we are now.

[artemis]

So because she told you that you believe it? She's from Goshen, what does she know about Porter County?

You look down your nose at Chicago people & Catholics, and complain that Valpo people are snobby? You've been there 2 yrs & admit you haven't been a bit happy. The kids that your children are exposed to are from broken homes. Who is snobby & uppity here?

""Its not a career that you can decide where you want to live and then find a job. Its more you have to go where the job is. ""

Have you ever heard the old saying "Bloom where you are planted"? You dont' sound like you've tried very hard to fit in. Perhaps if you lowered your nose a little & were actually grateful your husband found a job you'd be a little happier. If not, go back down South & change careers. You need NW Indiana more than they need a passive-agressive ingrate. BLESS YOUR HEART.

[SMTfamily]

Excuse me but I don't want to fit in. I want to be who I am as do most people. I am not changing my values to fit in anywhere, whether it be here or down south. People are happy where there are comfortable and fit. We as a whole don't fit here. My kids are involved in many community/school activities. I have attended various "mom" groups and haven't had many welcome would you like to be friends. Most already have there limited friend group are just happy with it. I lived in West Lafayette and found it the exact opposite of here. Many stay at home moms/middle class families. I still have several friends I met there and its been 5-6yrs since we lived there. I have found that's not the norm here.

As far as being judge mental. I am sorry, but the values of my kids friends and their families affect my family. My teen has many friends that their parents do not care or keep up with what their kids do. This has a negative impact on my kids. Some of these are good kids. With the mentality of their families, I am the one that has to take them to the movies/activates week after week, or pick up and take their kids home from events, so that they may go etc. It would be nice to have families that are involved with their kids and keep an eye out for them. On the other end of the spectrum are the mean snobby kids that get everything they want and have money to do what ever they please. We don't fit there either. I am sorry if you don't like my opinions on Valpo and NW Indiana as a whole. But its jus that my opinion and I don't give a crap if you like it or not. So if you can't help answer my questions about comparing NW Indiana and northern/northeast Indiana then kindly keep you mouth shut. How's that for passive aggressive.

[artemis]

Don't come back to Middle Tennessee. We don't need people like you here.

[SMTfamily]

And you call me judgmental.

[artemis]

I know a bigot when I see one.