Where Should We Move To In Indiana? (South Bend, Hammond: crime, home)

[SWGal]

We've lived in the Chicago suburbs all of our lives and are ready for a change of pace and a better quality of living. We've heard so many great things about Indiana: property taxes are much lower than living in Illinois-Cook County, you can buy a bigger home for your money, quality of living is much more relaxing, slower/laid back, and peaceful & we feel our family would benefit more with a calmer, less materialistic lifestyle (if there is such a place!). We have 4 kids & my husband commutes everyday to the Midway Airport area to work. We're so tired of the crime and congestion that's associated with Chicago and the surrounding areas. We'd like to live and raise our children in a safe, established neighborhood with great schools with smaller class sizes that are predominantly English speaking. We don't want to live in the "middle of no where" but we're definitely seeking more space between our neighbors and ourselves. We don't know anyone or have any family that lives in Indiana so we don't know who to ask for advice about where we should move. All we know is that we have to move out of Illinois. We would really appreciate any advice since we're ready to move asap! Thanks so much!

[msamhunter]

Originally Posted by SWGal

We've lived in the Chicago suburbs all of our lives and are ready for a change of pace and a better quality of living. We've heard so many great things about Indiana: property taxes are much lower than living in Illinois-Cook County, you can buy a bigger home for your money, quality of living is much more relaxing, slower/laid back, and peaceful & we feel our family would benefit more with a calmer, less materialistic lifestyle (if there is such a place!). We have 4 kids & my husband commutes everyday to the Midway Airport area to work. We're so tired of the crime and congestion that's associated with Chicago and the surrounding areas. We'd like to live and raise our children in a safe, established neighborhood with great schools with smaller class sizes that are predominantly English speaking. We don't want to live in the "middle of no where" but we're definitely seeking more space between our neighbors and ourselves. We don't know anyone or have any family that lives in Indiana so we don't know who to ask for advice about where we should move. All we know is that we have to move out of Illinois. We would really appreciate any advice since we're ready to move asap! Thanks so much!

Well depends on how far east you are wanting to travel. Most people will probably say Munster, Schererville or St. John. Suburban schools are better on the Illinois side though.

[Broadrippleguy]

Originally Posted by SWGal

We've lived in the Chicago suburbs all of our lives and are ready for a change of pace and a better quality of living. We've heard so many great things about Indiana: property taxes are much lower than living in Illinois-Cook County, you can buy a bigger home for your money, quality of living is much more relaxing, slower/laid back, and peaceful & we feel our family would benefit more with a calmer, less materialistic lifestyle (if there is such a place!). We have 4 kids & my husband commutes everyday to the Midway Airport area to work. We're so tired of the crime and congestion that's associated with Chicago and the surrounding areas. We'd like to live and raise our children in a safe, established neighborhood with great schools with smaller class sizes that are predominantly English speaking. We don't want to live in the "middle of no where" but we're definitely seeking more space between our neighbors and ourselves. We don't know anyone or have any family that lives in Indiana so we don't know who to ask for advice about where we should move. All we know is that we have to move out of Illinois. We would really appreciate any advice since we're ready to move asap! Thanks so much!

Well i guess that Income Tax is sure paying off for Illinois......... but anyway theres Saint John/Crown Point
Also there is a small lake in southern Lake County i can't remember the name. Also you could look at Munster.
For your Commute though i would try out a few different things like seeing if the South Shore works out or taking a drive to the loop Via the Skyway and see how long that takes. But for driving to rather it be the Loop or midway airport it depends on timing and if you can beat the morning rush.

[artemis]

Originally Posted by SWGal

We've lived in the Chicago suburbs all of our lives and are ready for a change of pace and a better quality of living. We've heard so many great things about Indiana: property taxes are much lower than living in Illinois-Cook County, you can buy a bigger home for your money, quality of living is much more relaxing, slower/laid back, and peaceful & we feel our family would benefit more with a calmer, less materialistic lifestyle (if there is such a place!). We have 4 kids & my husband commutes everyday to the Midway Airport area to work. We're so tired of the crime and congestion that's associated with Chicago and the surrounding areas. We'd like to live and raise our children in a safe, established neighborhood with great schools with smaller class sizes that are predominantly English speaking. We don't want to live in the "middle of no where" but we're definitely seeking more space between our neighbors and ourselves. We don't know anyone or have any family that lives in Indiana so we don't know who to ask for advice about where we should move. All we know is that we have to move out of Illinois. We would really appreciate any advice since we're ready to move asap! Thanks so much!

You might want to post this in the NW Indiana forum as well.....

//www.city-data.com/forum/northwest-indiana/

[subject2change]

Yes, if you move this to the NWI forum you'll get more responses.
For Midway, you'll have to come in on the skyway or the Dan Ryan. If you stay close to the stat line in Dyer, you'd have good access to 394, which goes right into 94. For the skyway, you'd want to stay around Munster (which has higher property taxes, negating some of your savings) or South Hammond. It's not going to be a pretty commute, unless your husband works really odd hours. If you're looking for less congestion and more of a country feel, you'd probably prefer Dyer to Munster.

[msamhunter]

Originally Posted by subject2change

Yes, if you move this to the NWI forum you'll get more responses.
For Midway, you'll have to come in on the skyway or the Dan Ryan. If you stay close to the stat line in Dyer, you'd have good access to 394, which goes right into 94. For the skyway, you'd want to stay around Munster (which has higher property taxes, negating some of your savings) or South Hammond. It's not going to be a pretty commute, unless your husband works really odd hours. If you're looking for less congestion and more of a country feel, you'd probably prefer Dyer to Munster.

Wouldn't choose south hammond if you plan on having your kids in city schools.

[knighthood82]

You should take a look at this discussion on the different options in Indiana: //www.city-data.com/forum/chica...g-stock-2.html

[svillechris]

If you're looking for a town that's safe, has very good schools, is family oriented, and not too rural of a feel, your best options are:

In Lake County and a bit closer to Midway: Dyer, St. John, Munster, Schererville, Crown Point

In Porter County and a bit further but great options: Valparaiso, Chesterton

[Northwest Indiana]

Originally Posted by SWGal

We've lived in the Chicago suburbs all of our lives and are ready for a change of pace and a better quality of living. We've heard so many great things about Indiana: property taxes are much lower than living in Illinois-Cook County, you can buy a bigger home for your money, quality of living is much more relaxing, slower/laid back, and peaceful & we feel our family would benefit more with a calmer, less materialistic lifestyle (if there is such a place!). We have 4 kids & my husband commutes everyday to the Midway Airport area to work. We're so tired of the crime and congestion that's associated with Chicago and the surrounding areas. We'd like to live and raise our children in a safe, established neighborhood with great schools with smaller class sizes that are predominantly English speaking. We don't want to live in the "middle of no where" but we're definitely seeking more space between our neighbors and ourselves. We don't know anyone or have any family that lives in Indiana so we don't know who to ask for advice about where we should move. All we know is that we have to move out of Illinois. We would really appreciate any advice since we're ready to move asap! Thanks so much!

Could you state what suburb you are coming from AND whether or not you would like to locate to an area similar AND price range? It would be easier to help you then

Given the gist of your comments, I would suggest Munster, Dyer, Schererville, or Highland. All are safe towns, close to Chicago for employment, and with good schools.

Munster and Highland have the most "established" neighborhoods with Munster being much pricier overall. Schererville also has many established neighborhoods with a few newer subdivisions still being developed. Dyer has established neighborhoods north of Rt. 30 and less established newer subdivisions south of Rt. 30...The schools in all of these towns are very good with Munster the strongest academically and Highland the "weakest".

Keep in mind that while all of the schools in the towns listed are roughly 90%+ English speaking, there will be ESL students present in each corporation. If you are expecting there NOT to be any ESL students at all, then you are out of luck.

If you provide me with a price range and home requirements (age, size, etc.), I will be able to suggest more specific areas.

Lastly, as far as materialistic goes...you will experience that anywhere.

[Family 1st]

Ft Wayne!!! Tons to do, close to Indy and South Bend!!