Moving to NWI...Shorewood Forest (Valparaiso, Chesterton: HOA fees, house, neighborhoods)

[MomZ]

Hi all,
My family is considering a move from the western burbs of Chicago to NWI. My husband will continue to commute to cHI at least 2-3 times per week.
We are interested in Shorewood Forest. We have two sons, 10 and 7.
I would like to know what this neighborhood is like. I’d also like to understand if there are many families with children the same age as my own. Also, I’d love to hear feedback on the assigned public schools for this area. We are coming from an area with excellent, yet massive schools and schools are an important factor.
Sorry for the numerous questions but I am nervous to move my kids from their well established community and essentially “starting over”.
Thank you for any insight!

[Pundcakesss]

The migration from Illinois to Indiana is real. This is like the 7th post since the election.

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by MomZ

Hi all,
My family is considering a move from the western burbs of Chicago to NWI. My husband will continue to commute to cHI at least 2-3 times per week.
We are interested in Shorewood Forest. We have two sons, 10 and 7.
I would like to know what this neighborhood is like. I’d also like to understand if there are many families with children the same age as my own. Also, I’d love to hear feedback on the assigned public schools for this area. We are coming from an area with excellent, yet massive schools and schools are an important factor.
Sorry for the numerous questions but I am nervous to move my kids from their well established community and essentially “starting over”.
Thank you for any insight!

Im 32, but I grew up in Aberdeen, the closest area in Valpo to Shorewood, and had a few friends from Shorewood that went to Valparaiso High School. However, I think they had to pay to send them to VHS (so they could go to school with their friends), as far as I am aware, Shorewood is still zoned to Wheeler schools. I don’t have up to date data, but I think Wheeler schools are good. Check out this thread. Maybe Chuckity will chime in with 2019 info.

//www.city-data.com/forum/north...shorewood.html

[Chuckity]

Shorewood is actually the reason we moved to Valpo - I fell in love with that subdivision.

In the end, we ended up moving a couple of miles east of it - but I still adore Shorewood.

And yes, Shorewood has Wheeler schools - which are fantastic.

I definitely think both you and the kids will be pleased.

[svillechris]

The only other thing I would add is that Wheeler is not a large school district in terms of number of students enrolled. The high school there has 535 students total. Compared to some of the bigger high schools in the western burbs where that’s not even one grade. That may be a positive or a negative to you but just wanted to mention it.

[MomZ]

Thank you, everyone!
We would prefer smaller schools.
Question; are families in Shorewood sending their children to the assigned Wheeler schools or paying to have them attend Valparaiso? What is the difference in the schools, besides student population size?

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by MomZ

Thank you, everyone!
We would prefer smaller schools.
Question; are families in Shorewood sending their children to the assigned Wheeler schools or paying to have them attend Valparaiso? What is the difference in the schools, besides student population size?

I would say most of the Shorewood kids go to Wheeler and not Valpo.

The only reason they wouldn't is if Valpo (or Chesterton for that matter) offered a sport that wasn't available or was more competitive than what was offered at Wheeler.

I'm a huge fan of Valpo schools - both my kids graduated from them and had zero problems getting into great colleges. (One graduated from a school that is consistently rated in the top 10 universities of the country.) With that being said, I wouldn't have batted an eye sending my kids to Wheeler.

[Midpack]

We've lived in Shorewood for over 25 years, though we're relocating this year - nothing related to Shorewood itself.

It's an older neighborhood so there have been fewer and fewer young children over the last 25 years, many older kids and young adults. However, there's always new families moving in with younger children so there's a mix of all ages - it's just the median age of children is a little higher now than 25 years ago.

It sounds like you're most interested in the outlook for your kids understandably. Beyond that I'd say.

Shorewood has a nice lake, though we're all facing a substantial increase in HOA fees to address a silting issue.

Shorewood is better for (exercise) walking and biking than many neighborhoods.

There's nothing within walking distance at all - e.g. stores, restaurants, bars, etc. So you will be driving for anything and everything. If that doesn't bother you, Shorewood is a nice neighborhood.

[iidreamtheaterii]

My Wife and I visited Shorewood Forest for the first time over the weekend and quite frankly found where we intend to relocate and move to in the future.

The amenities provided on site such as the large pool, courts, playground and an actual usable beach really has me drawn in. Not to mention a walking trail and of course the lake itself.

The smaller Wheeler school district is attractive as Hanover was a "good fit" for us until the amount of approved subdivisions without a plan to house all of the kids just ruined our vibe of the area. I also see that they have a swim team and gymnastics team that Hanover does not include.

I did see signs within calling for a "Shorewood Forest Utilities Meeting". The previous poster had mentioned an "increase" in the HOA cost.

I don't have any information of what the current cost/mo or what it could end up becoming. Anyone from Shorewood Forest that could give me some more detailed information would be fantastic.

Thanks!

[chiguy79]

Just curious if you made move to Shorewood and are happy with the move. Considering similar move with same concerns (two kids both 8) with occasional commutes to chicago.