Moving from Fort Wayne to Merrillville? (Valparaiso, Schererville: rental, subdivisions, living in)

[itsmeme]

I'm considering taking a job in Merrillville and looking for places to live. Of course I'd like to be close to the office in Merrillville, but I'd also like to be able to visit Ft Wayne easily. I've lived other places in the United States, but I'm mostly born and bred in Fort Wayne and not familiar with other places in Indiana, so I'm seeking you guys' help.

I'm a young black woman so I'm looking for someplace safe and where any racism I'll experience is of the mostly clueless variety I'm used to in Ft. Wayne. I'd ideally live someplace with a walkable downtown (interesting restaurants, coffee shops, active arts scene, decent nightlife?), but that's more negotiable. I want to spend under $1500 a month on rent.

I think I spotted a good rental in Highland. Would this be a good place for this?

Thank you so much!

[Chuckity]

You should probably repost this in the Northwest Indiana section.

[Hiruko]

I'm from the Chicagoland area with family in Northwest Indiana. Northwest Indiana is firmly within Chicagoland. Unfortunately, Merrillville is in decline. I have a close relative living in the town, and I've seen how the subdivisions have stagnated and attracted less affluent residents. Highland is a nicer community. I'd add Munster, Dyer, Griffith, and Schererville to that list. With that said, Merrillville is a more racially diverse community.

[Nikko12]

I was going to suggest Valparaiso as it is only about 20 minutes from central Merrillville and right on Route 30 so it would not be too far from Ft Wayne and checks off most of the boxes except I feel that there is a good amount of racism there. Same for Crown Point.

I think Highland would be a good choice. I agree with above that Merrillville is on the decline and doesn't offer much in what you are looking for.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by Nikko12

I was going to suggest Valparaiso as it is only about 20 minutes from central Merrillville and right on Route 30 so it would not be too far from Ft Wayne and checks off most of the boxes except I feel that there is a good amount of racism there. Same for Crown Point.

I think Highland would be a good choice. I agree with above that Merrillville is on the decline and doesn't offer much in what you are looking for.

Details please. Specific ones.

[Marv95]

Originally Posted by Chuckity

Details please. Specific ones.

Just go over to the NW Indiana forum where it's been discussed at length. It's a destination for white flight from the Chicago area after all.

The whole area is overpriced for a single guy IMO. But if the OP can afford it then oh well. Don't know why anyone would want to spend near $1500 for a 1BR or 2BR apt though.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by Marv95

Just go over to the NW Indiana forum where it's been discussed at length. It's a destination for white flight from the Chicago area after all.

The whole area is overpriced for a single guy IMO. But if the OP can afford it then oh well. Don't know why anyone would want to spend near $1500 for a 1BR or 2BR apt though.

Dude, I literally live in NWI.

And ... shocker ... I moved here 20 years ago from Chicago.

There isn't a good amount of racism here ... I take HUGE issue with that statement.

(And lol ... rent isn't that high.)

[itsmeme]

Thank you for the suggestion of cities to add to the list. My plans have likely changed, but I will investigate more if i wind up in tbr NWI area.