Relocating to South Bend from TN (Mishawaka, Granger: crime, houses, neighborhoods) - Indiana (IN) - City-Data Forum

Aneilka · 12-30-2006, 10:54 PM

Does anyone have helpful advice or information about South Bend IN? We have a job offer there and are currently living in TN.

PaperTrail · 12-31-2006, 02:38 PM

Yes, I realize that I just posted in your Roanoke thread as well

but you've just happened to hit upon two topics that I actually know about!

I am originially from South Bend and moved to Virginia just over two years ago. My parents still live in SB, so I go back often.

Since I don't know specifically what you're looking for in a town, I'll give you a couple of highlights from South Bend:

-- Snow can be pretty hefty there. Lake-effect snow comes off of Lake Michigan, and several inches at a time isn't rare. It's certainly manageable, and you'll be used to it after two seasons if you're not already. Personally, I miss the snow a lot -- that and the distance from my family are the only downsides for me of living in Virginia.

-- I don't know how old you are, but the nightlife in SB is pretty dull. Downtown shuts down after 5, and the Notre Dame students populate about two bars close to campus. Mostly though, they stay on campus for partying.

-- Speaking of ND, the school and its sports are entwined heavily in the area. Football is obviously big, and basketball and hockey are fun to go to if you like sports. The school has a hand in all the workings of the city, and although most people see Notre Dame as being on the liberal side of Catholic schools, you still have to remember that it is a religious school at heart, so it's not really all that left-leaning.

-- The heart of downtown is pretty safe and nice, with some walkways that go along the St. Joesph River. There are lots of little parks and stuff worth exploring. However, getting just outside of the downtown area will find you in some pretty rough neighborhoods where crime can be bad.

-- Restaurants leave a lot to be desired in the city. I've only come across two or three local places that I really enjoy.

-- I did the private schooling thing when I was living there, so I can't speak much to the public schools in South Bend. When I was growing up, Indiana as a whole was ranked 49th in the U.S. in public education, so private school was the only way to get a good education. That certainly may have changed by now, though.

I hope these help.

claremarie · 12-31-2006, 02:48 PM

We also have a job offer in SB and are currently live in the DC area. We are looking for a house in the $500-800 K range, and there doesn't seem to be much in SB in that price range. Is Granger a better housing option? How far is Granger from SB? How flat is it? (Completely, or mostly?) What is the summer weather like?

PaperTrail · 12-31-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claremarie

We also have a job offer in SB and are currently live in the DC area. We are looking for a house in the $500-800 K range, and there doesn't seem to be much in SB in that price range. Is Granger a better housing option? How far is Granger from SB? How flat is it? (Completely, or mostly?) What is the summer weather like?

When I left a couple of years ago, Granger was certainly one of the wealthier places to live. Lots and lots of people commuted into downtown South Bend for work. I wish I could give you a time that it takes to drive from SB to Granger, but I just don't remember that well. Sorry.

The $500-800K range that you're looking for will take you very very far in South Bend. There are some areas close to down town where you can get some large nice houses that might be close to that amount. Jefferson Avenue has always been nice, and there are some decent places on Riverside Drive close to Leeper Park (you should be able to tell if you MapQuest it). Lots of the nice houses in the city are bigger historic ones, and if you're looking for more suburbia or a tad more space, Granger would be a good bet.

To answer your last two questions: South Bend has a few hills, but overall, northern Indiana is quite flat. And the summers can be in the high 80's or low 90's, though it doesn't feel nearly as hot as living on the East Coast does!

domergurl · 01-01-2007, 08:35 AM

In the 500-800K range, you can name your house. Granger has good schools, but feed into a huge high school (Penn) The SB school system is pretty bad. St. Joe & Marian are great Catholic schoools.

Flat as a pancake, a few heavy snows in the winter and some hot and humid days in the summer. Buy a snowblower and have a good central air system with a service contract.

claremarie · 01-01-2007, 10:33 AM

Other than houses, is there anything else in Granger? Malls? Good Thai restaurants? Starbucks? A rec center with an indoor swimming pool? Indoor tennis courts? Golf courses?
Here in VA, there are lots of neighborhood swim/tennis clubs, with an extensive league of swim teams for the kids. Is there anything comparable in Granger?
And what good is snow if there are no sledriding hills????

PaperTrail · 01-01-2007, 02:31 PM

I think there are some sledding hills in South Bend, so don't fear.

I wouldn't call South Bend flat as a pancake. I live on the Virginia coast, and east Va. IS flatter than anywhere else I've ever been. As a whole, while South Bend and the region is generally flat, there most certainly are exceptions.

In South Bend, I used to live in a hilly area on the NW side of town along the river. The city also has Bendix Woods, a pretty decent state park that is very hilly. When I was growing up, they used to have a few big hills that you could intertube or ski down. I assume they are still there. Another park, St. Pat's, also is pretty hilly and has a decent outdoor amphitheater for local/regional acts.

Granger isn't too far away from the prime shopping areas in Mishawaka, along Grape Road. The mall and lots of chain restaurants are around there.

I'm not sure what kind of clubs and stuff are available around that area. For the kids, Little League is pretty popular throughout the city, and I'm sure you'll be able to find other youth sports. Notre Dame has a nice youth hockey league.

Finally, I'll mention that I grew up without an air conditioner in my house. I absolutely hate the heat, always have, but even without A/C, South Bend was a tolerable place to live. If you're in Virginia right now, you'll have no problems whatsoever with northern Indiana summers.

domergurl · 01-02-2007, 06:01 AM

When I was a kid, Bendix Woods had sledding, as do a lot of city parks. Heck, about an hour away, Valparaiso even has a skiing hill.

There's recreation too. Check out the parks districts for SB, Mishawaka & Granger. Granger has a lot of ND folks living there. Shamrock Hills is a pretty exlcusive neighborhood that is in your price range. I'm sure they have a pool etc. There's a zoo in South Bend and the St. Joe library system is very good (they have programs there too).

Sorry, saying flat as a pancake was a bit harsh ...

elvis · 01-02-2007, 11:37 AM

If you can afford the 500 - 800 thou range, there isn't any place you can't move and not like it. Areas in that socio-economic status are protected by the police and aren't visited by the troubles of the surrounding areas. So what are you worried about?

Southside Shrek · 01-02-2007, 11:49 AM

when I lived in SB as a student, I remember my first walk over to the Barney Burger place on South Bend Ave. The Barney tasted pretty good. After eating 10 zillion Barneys, I couldn't stand them.

awhile back I drove through the old neighborhood and the Barney Burger was gone. apparently it burned down. I say good riddance because Barney Burgers and pizzas killed my gallbladder.