Hammond IN vs Munster IN vs Chesterton IN (Portage, Valparaiso: crime rates, hotel)

[shalina]

We have some questions about these cities, trying to relocate from Norman OK. First, which city is the safest? Wr are a family of 2 young children, with intention to grow the family. TY in advance!

[Ditto97]

If you're planning on working, where will you be working? Chesterton is much farther away from Munster and Hammond, so if your commuting to the city, I would recommend staying in Lake County. I can recommend other cities to check out once I'm aware of what you're looking for!

What are you seeking in a neighborhood? Munster is close to many amenities and has beautiful, well-kept homes. Chesterton is beautiful, and is home to the Indiana Dunes, a National Park! Hammond is an older city with quick access to the highways.

For safety statistics, I would recommend checking out the Crime Statistics on this website. It will provide you with more detailed information than I can provide. Considering you have children, too, I would check out the local newspaper - The Northwest Indiana Times - and other sources of information for grades and statistics on the schools.

Welcome to Indiana!

[shalina]

Originally Posted by Ditto97

If you're planning on working, where will you be working? Chesterton is much farther away from Munster and Hammond, so if your commuting to the city, I would recommend staying in Lake County. I can recommend other cities to check out once I'm aware of what you're looking for!

What are you seeking in a neighborhood? Munster is close to many amenities and has beautiful, well-kept homes. Chesterton is beautiful, and is home to the Indiana Dunes, a National Park! Hammond is an older city with quick access to the highways.

For safety statistics, I would recommend checking out the Crime Statistics on this website. It will provide you with more detailed information than I can provide. Considering you have children, too, I would check out the local newspaper - The Northwest Indiana Times - and other sources of information for grades and statistics on the schools.

Welcome to Indiana!

Thank you so much for the thorough response! I'm applying for remote jobs, so commute won't be an issue except for the occasional visit to Chi town. However we do look for a safe child friendly community, with close proximity to pediatricians, doctors and hospitals. Living in a gorgeous, lush environment is also a priority, which was why we consider Chesterton.

[rrah]

What is your reason for relocating? It doesn't sound as if it's job related. That might give people a better idea of what would work for you and your family. Since you have children Munster or Chesterton has the better school options.

If you've never visited NWI, I suggest you do. One town really runs into the next and only locals really know if they are in Hammond or Munster or Highland or Griffith or whatever. Case in point, we were in the area recently for a funeral. Husband, not a NWI native, said something about our hotel being in Highland. I said, "No. We're in Hammond. If you cross the street you're in Highland." He rolled his eyes

In general the area is not what I would ever describe as lush and gorgeous. At times one can literally see the air pollution. I'm not talking about the smoke stacks from the Mills or oil refinery. There will be a "cloud" one sees given the right weather. I was reminded of this on that recent visit. I often joke when we visit family in the area that it smells like home. There are places of beauty. Lake Michigan for example is stunning. There is nothing like standing on one of the beaches at a certain time of day and seeing the Chicago skyline. After decades of being away I still miss the Lake and the beaches. There are, of course, parks and spots with lush green and prairies.

The entire area will has plenty of doctors and hospitals. If you don't find one you like in your town, the next town is just as close.

[Ditto97]

To piggy back off what the above commenter stated, I live in one town, my kids went to public school in another town, we shop in a third and fourth town and attend worship services in a fifth town. The proximity of all the towns is super close, especially in Lake County. Yes, what is your reason to relocate to NWI, assuming a remote job would allow you to live anywhere?

For a lush town, Chesterton is a great option! It has access to a lot of outdoor activities. Most of the more-developed towns will have lush areas with plenty of trees and greenery. Besides having a lush, safe area to live, what else is a priority?

I might recommend to further look at the Tri-Town area - Schererville, Dyer, St. John - or Crown Point or Valparaiso. While Valparaiso definitely has an advantage being close to Lake Michigan with the Dunes, the other towns have their own specific forms of lushness. Each of these towns also have quick and easy access to doctors. Most of my family's doctors aren't in the town we live, but in neighboring towns. This also showcases how close together everything really is. But even so, there will be amazing physicians in the town where you choose to live.

If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to reach out!

[js2013]

Chesterton has a nice little downtown, close proximity to the lake and the dunes, less of a congested feel than Munster or Hammond. Farmland within 10 min of downtown. It is a bit far from the city - 1hr20 min on the South Shore train, unless you catch an express, one in the evening and one in the morning that takes 50 min - but given your flexibility that may not be an issue.

[Nikko12]

Based on what you stated that you are looking for I would recommend Chesterton out of the 3 communities that you listed. It is right off I-94 so its a pretty easy drive to Chicago (except for rush hour), and access to the South Shore train. It's safe, relatively affordable and not as congested. Munster is expensive, higher taxes and much more congested. While there are some decent areas in Hammond, I would avoid that city because of the higher crime rates. I don't have kids, but from people that I know Chesterton and Munster would be the best option for schools.

[lonerose99]

In the top 10, 5 of the safest places in the state are from NW IN: Dyer #1, St. John #3, Crown Point #4, Valparaiso #9, and Munster #10.

[RustCoast219]

Lived most of my 50 yrs in S. Hammond Forest neighborhood, its wasn't a bad place, but had to move because of the SCH schools were getting worse. Moved to Chesterton and it was like moving to another country. People were friendly, kids were polite and Duneland schools provided my kids a top notch education. New subdivisions are popping all around Ches., with a decent supply of older to very old homes. Ches is refusing to allow any big box (or even medium box) stores in town, so most shopping is done in Valpo, Portage, Mich City. Ches has 2 large grocery stores though.

[shalina]

Thanks for the feedback! Sorry that I didn't reply sooner! How kuch snow do you get in Chesterton?