How desirable is Cedar Lake becoming? (Schererville, Highland: transplants, homes, buyers)

[valpofan11]

Is Cedar Lake becoming more desirable as time goes on? When I was growing up, it felt more like Lowell culturally, but that has obviously changed as the population has grown. I hear a mix of different things about Hanover Community Schools (west of Cline Ave) but obviously lots of great things about Crown Point Community School Corp (east of Cline Ave). It's in a decent spot near the state line.

For those that live in/around Cedar Lake and/or have family there, where are people moving to Cedar Lake coming from? Are they coming from Dyer/St John/Schererville, Highland, places in Illinois like Crete, Monee, and Beecher, or elsewhere?

Interested to hear your thoughts on the town, its desirability, and its growth.

[svillechris]

Originally Posted by valpofan11

Is Cedar Lake becoming more desirable as time goes on? When I was growing up, it felt more like Lowell culturally, but that has obviously changed as the population has grown. I hear a mix of different things about Hanover Community Schools (west of Cline Ave) but obviously lots of great things about Crown Point Community School Corp (east of Cline Ave). It's in a decent spot near the state line.

For those that live in/around Cedar Lake and/or have family there, where are people moving to Cedar Lake coming from? Are they coming from Dyer/St John/Schererville, Highland, places in Illinois like Crete, Monee, and Beecher, or elsewhere?

Interested to hear your thoughts on the town, its desirability, and its growth.

I know a number of people who have lived in Cedar Lake or currently live there. The feedback is mixed. The school district maps are funky, and that cuts into the sense of community. When you think of Cedar Lake most people think of Hanover Schools, myself included. But basically half of the town is within the Crown Point school district. Hanover is not really the Cedar Lake school district, but instead its the West Cedar Lake plus Southern tip of St. John school district. Some people love the district (referring to Hanover here) and most times mention that it's not as big as CP or LC. Others think the schools are solid, but lag behind the aforementioned neighboring districts. Some people say they like the smaller town rural feel, but many have claimed that's quickly disappearing. No data to support this, but my experience is that there are more people coming from other parts of Lake County going to Cedar Lake than there are people from Illinois, though I'm sure there are plenty from Illinois too. One thing that I think may be holding certain buyers from moving to Cedar Lake aside from the issues I've already mentioned is the housing stock. To my knowledge there really aren't many upscale homes at $500k or more like there are in neighboring St. John or Crown Point. If there are, it's because they're lakefront properties and not in a family friendly subdivision. Cedar Lake seems to be a mix of either older somewhat run down homes combined with very new, somewhat cookie cutter homes with the sweet spot of $250k-300k. Granted, there's a huge appetite for those homes and thus the growth. I think Cedar Lake will continue to grow but will be more aligned culturally and statistically with Lowell than CP or St John. All in all, a fine place to live and raise a family.

[valpofan11]

Originally Posted by svillechris

I know a number of people who have lived in Cedar Lake or currently live there. The feedback is mixed. The school district maps are funky, and that cuts into the sense of community. When you think of Cedar Lake most people think of Hanover Schools, myself included. But basically half of the town is within the Crown Point school district. Hanover is not really the Cedar Lake school district, but instead its the West Cedar Lake plus Southern tip of St. John school district. Some people love the district (referring to Hanover here) and most times mention that it's not as big as CP or LC. Others think the schools are solid, but lag behind the aforementioned neighboring districts. Some people say they like the smaller town rural feel, but many have claimed that's quickly disappearing. No data to support this, but my experience is that there are more people coming from other parts of Lake County going to Cedar Lake than there are people from Illinois, though I'm sure there are plenty from Illinois too. One thing that I think may be holding certain buyers from moving to Cedar Lake aside from the issues I've already mentioned is the housing stock. To my knowledge there really aren't many upscale homes at $500k or more like there are in neighboring St. John or Crown Point. If there are, it's because they're lakefront properties and not in a family friendly subdivision. Cedar Lake seems to be a mix of either older somewhat run down homes combined with very new, somewhat cookie cutter homes with the sweet spot of $250k-300k. Granted, there's a huge appetite for those homes and thus the growth. I think Cedar Lake will continue to grow but will be more aligned culturally and statistically with Lowell than CP or St John. All in all, a fine place to live and raise a family.

In contrast, I could see plenty of Crown Point area buyers or those moving from Illinois picking the east side of Cedar Lake because of Crown Point Community School Corp and it would be cheaper to live in Cedar Lake on the east side as opposed to many new subdivisions in Crown Point.

Hanover as a district is really booming with enrollment growth, I expect that to continue with those from other parts of Lake County as well as Illinois transplants moving in. The Hanover Twp part of St John is really booming right now, over by Midwest Ice Arena.

[MyTarge13]

As usual, a lot of the issues with places like Cedar Lake or Lowell is location. These towns are further south than places like Dyer and Munster.

I know a number of people who live in these areas. A common complaint is the drive for those who work further north. A second complaint from those same people is the traffic as they try to get north to their jobs.

The towns are reasonable places to live.

[valpofan11]

Originally Posted by MyTarge13

As usual, a lot of the issues with places like Cedar Lake or Lowell is location. These towns are further south than places like Dyer and Munster.

I know a number of people who live in these areas. A common complaint is the drive for those who work further north. A second complaint from those same people is the traffic as they try to get north to their jobs.

The towns are reasonable places to live.

Cedar Lake is barely further south than Crown Point. The east side of Cedar Lake goes to Crown Point Community School Corporation, which is insanely desirable. I think the past perception of Cedar Lake being a hick town has had an impact. Cedar Lake is really growing now, both on the Hanover side and the CP side.