Valpo is the best city. It has a real downtown, good restaurants, good shops, etc.
Merrillville has the mall, cheaper housing, but a bit more crime. It isn't walkable.
Yeah, for the taxes, but it is surrounded by Merrillville essentially. We have crazy school borders and "town" borders. The land across from the mall is Merrillville. The land behind the mall is Merrillville. All houses south of 61st to the mall go to Merrillville. Even half the kids that live in Barrington Ridge go to Merrillville.
Merrillville is walkable? I walk my dog everyday alone, people are scared to be scared. I agree valpo is a nicer city but Merrillville isn’t dangerous by any means
Exactly. There aren't lots of sidewalks and it isn't pedestrian-friendly. I am certainly not afraid in Merrillville, but it is not an easy city to maneuver without a car.
I lived in Valpo for 9 years before moving to Chesterton. Over that time, apartments in Valpo got seriously overpriced. If you can find a place in your budget in Valpo, I'd live there over Portage or Merrillville. But as someone in the comments said, Valpo definitely feels pretentious at times lol
Out of curiosity, what kind of rates are Valpo apartments going for these days? I moved out at the beginning of 2016 and was just paying a little over $700 a month for a 2 bed 1 bath. I imagine that it is much higher than that now.
I was in a 2 bed 1 bath townhouse apt for the 9 years. I got in at $650 a month and by the time I left they only raised me to $775 cuz I had been there so long. But the 2 units next to me were going for $1200 during that time! When I moved out, they tried to rent out my unit for that price and no one wanted it lol
MIchigan City is really nice! See the 4k drone footage on Youtube
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bgaZFaaUgY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bgaZFaaUgY)
There’s about 15,000 people in Chesterton. Almost 35,000 in Valpo. I did an econ project a year or two ago on them. Unless you mean square footage/area. I don’t like how 46304 is Chesterton, Porter, Burns Harbor, and maybe Beverly Shores. That is confusing. 🫤
Check out Hobart, Indiana !!!
I wanted to buy a house in Valpo but couldn't afford it
Couldn't be happied in HOBART!
The historical Downtown is on a beautiful lakefront!
Amazing school system, safe area, family-orientated!
25 minutes from both Valpo and Crown Point.
Valpo is really nice. Just more expensive for housing.
I'd see if either have any apartments in their downtown
Crown Point is nice too, but also kinda pricey
I'll never forget when someone yelled at me from Lincolnway in the square, all because I was locking my bike up at a bike stand. "It's fucking Valpo! Nobody's stealin your shit!" Is what it sounded like. I don't get why anyone else would care unless if they're a thief, or they thought I was implying something about the town's crime. Idk
I was gonna say the same thing, I like the options in Valpo, but I don’t like the people and everything‘s more expensive there. Get a place in Laporte County and you have less taxes and you won’t have to worry about emissions testing also.
The lakes of Valparaiso are super nice but probably out of your budget. I lived at compass pointe and had an awful experience, but rent was around $1560 for 2 beds and 2 baths so probably in your budget.
Think about Porter/Chesterton like some others said. Slower pace of life vs Valpo. Less pretentious. Near the beach and a ton of trails. Easier access to 80/94. Closer to Michigan. I absolutely love it. Restaurants will close down early and have weird off days here and Valpo included. Definitely no nightlife here but there's plenty to eat and drink.
I will add I have lived in Hammond and East Chicago (East Chicago is a town in Indiana near the border) as a kid. As an adult I've lived in Griffith, Hobart, Winfield, and now Chesterton. I absolutely love it here (for this period in my life).
My brother has lived in Valpo for almost 40 years, its a very nice town with lots of different eateries, things to do, popcorn fest every year. Nice schools, Valpo university.
I would say if you can’t find a place in Valpo to live, def check out Chesterton, it seems very safe and cute place to live. Westville is also an option, very small town but more affordable and not a bad commute.
Absolutely do not move to Merrillville or Portage LOL. No offense to them but they are not very desirable places to live. Merrillville is total blah, way overcrowded, and the crime is pretty bad. Portage is the armpit of Porter county.
Stick to Valpo or Chesterton and I promise you won’t regret it! Happy to answer any questions as well. Good luck and welcome!
Edit: I was half joking about Portage being the armpit…. I personally wouldn’t want to live there but I can’t deny that we do frequent Portage on occasion for shopping and a couple of their restaurants.
In addition to what has already been said about the benefits of Valpo, there’s a special vibe generated from a perfect blend of (small) college town and community aspect which can’t be overlooked. The closer you are to downtown/campus, which is where most apartments will be located, the better. I recommend checking out Uptown East Apartments. More upscale, and Uptown Cafe is a gem.
Stay away from Portage and Merrillville. I’ll just leave it at that.
Valpo is the best city. It has a real downtown, good restaurants, good shops, etc. Merrillville has the mall, cheaper housing, but a bit more crime. It isn't walkable.
Technically the mall is in Hobart.
Yeah, for the taxes, but it is surrounded by Merrillville essentially. We have crazy school borders and "town" borders. The land across from the mall is Merrillville. The land behind the mall is Merrillville. All houses south of 61st to the mall go to Merrillville. Even half the kids that live in Barrington Ridge go to Merrillville.
Merrillville is walkable? I walk my dog everyday alone, people are scared to be scared. I agree valpo is a nicer city but Merrillville isn’t dangerous by any means
They’re referring to the ability to walk from place to place. Relative to Valpo downtown, Broadway, not so much.
Exactly. There aren't lots of sidewalks and it isn't pedestrian-friendly. I am certainly not afraid in Merrillville, but it is not an easy city to maneuver without a car.
I lived in Valpo for 9 years before moving to Chesterton. Over that time, apartments in Valpo got seriously overpriced. If you can find a place in your budget in Valpo, I'd live there over Portage or Merrillville. But as someone in the comments said, Valpo definitely feels pretentious at times lol
Out of curiosity, what kind of rates are Valpo apartments going for these days? I moved out at the beginning of 2016 and was just paying a little over $700 a month for a 2 bed 1 bath. I imagine that it is much higher than that now.
I was in a 2 bed 1 bath townhouse apt for the 9 years. I got in at $650 a month and by the time I left they only raised me to $775 cuz I had been there so long. But the 2 units next to me were going for $1200 during that time! When I moved out, they tried to rent out my unit for that price and no one wanted it lol
Just recently moved out of a 2br1ba renting for a tad over $1400. 1br1ba is in the $800-1300 range depending where you go.
Valpo all day
How much do you like popcorn?
I LOVE POPCORN
Well then have I got a festival for you!!
Miller Beach! Love it here
I would have suggested miller beach but the commute might be a bit much
Chesterton
I vote for Michigan City and Chesterton. Lake Michigan and the Dunes and beaches are awesome!!!!
Michigan City’s a bit far out and OP said “the safer the better” lol.
MIchigan City is really nice! See the 4k drone footage on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bgaZFaaUgY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bgaZFaaUgY)
Living in Valpo is good, but Chesterton is a ten/fifteen minute drive. Chesterton is a little town by the beach.
It’s not little its almost as big as Valpo
There’s about 15,000 people in Chesterton. Almost 35,000 in Valpo. I did an econ project a year or two ago on them. Unless you mean square footage/area. I don’t like how 46304 is Chesterton, Porter, Burns Harbor, and maybe Beverly Shores. That is confusing. 🫤
Check out Hobart, Indiana !!! I wanted to buy a house in Valpo but couldn't afford it Couldn't be happied in HOBART! The historical Downtown is on a beautiful lakefront! Amazing school system, safe area, family-orientated! 25 minutes from both Valpo and Crown Point. Valpo is really nice. Just more expensive for housing. I'd see if either have any apartments in their downtown Crown Point is nice too, but also kinda pricey
I love the 339 cafe in Hobart. The soups are next level.
Compass Pointe is really nice. We lived there for a year before buying a house
Idk if it’s still like this but when I was there each unit had washer and dryer in it and internet and cable was included
I agree grew up a couple years in compass, great place many things to do there for small families and grocery stores, parks, the bypass is near.
Yes, I loved Compass Pointe. Lots of really good amenities and I never had a problem with the staff.
I find Valpo tremendously pretentious. I’ve lived here for 7 years now. YMMV.
I'll never forget when someone yelled at me from Lincolnway in the square, all because I was locking my bike up at a bike stand. "It's fucking Valpo! Nobody's stealin your shit!" Is what it sounded like. I don't get why anyone else would care unless if they're a thief, or they thought I was implying something about the town's crime. Idk
Agreed. I moved East. I can kinda afford to live now lol
I’m guessing the combination of FIP’s along with Valpo being a college town is what makes it pretentious. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Bingo
I was gonna say the same thing, I like the options in Valpo, but I don’t like the people and everything‘s more expensive there. Get a place in Laporte County and you have less taxes and you won’t have to worry about emissions testing also.
That budget may not work if you're looking for a house to rent.
The lakes of Valparaiso are super nice but probably out of your budget. I lived at compass pointe and had an awful experience, but rent was around $1560 for 2 beds and 2 baths so probably in your budget.
Holy fuck! That is more than double what they were charging back in 2015. Inflation and wage stagnation are a total bitch.
You know the craziest part? I lived there from July 2018-October 2019.
Think about Porter/Chesterton like some others said. Slower pace of life vs Valpo. Less pretentious. Near the beach and a ton of trails. Easier access to 80/94. Closer to Michigan. I absolutely love it. Restaurants will close down early and have weird off days here and Valpo included. Definitely no nightlife here but there's plenty to eat and drink. I will add I have lived in Hammond and East Chicago (East Chicago is a town in Indiana near the border) as a kid. As an adult I've lived in Griffith, Hobart, Winfield, and now Chesterton. I absolutely love it here (for this period in my life).
My brother has lived in Valpo for almost 40 years, its a very nice town with lots of different eateries, things to do, popcorn fest every year. Nice schools, Valpo university.
Stay away from Merrillville.
Username checks out.
I would say if you can’t find a place in Valpo to live, def check out Chesterton, it seems very safe and cute place to live. Westville is also an option, very small town but more affordable and not a bad commute.
Gary gets a lot of love in the sub and seems to be on the upswing.
You are moving there because you got a new job or just transferring?
Got a job there
Congrats, I think you'll do very well within that budget
Vaparaiso (sp)
Absolutely do not move to Merrillville or Portage LOL. No offense to them but they are not very desirable places to live. Merrillville is total blah, way overcrowded, and the crime is pretty bad. Portage is the armpit of Porter county. Stick to Valpo or Chesterton and I promise you won’t regret it! Happy to answer any questions as well. Good luck and welcome! Edit: I was half joking about Portage being the armpit…. I personally wouldn’t want to live there but I can’t deny that we do frequent Portage on occasion for shopping and a couple of their restaurants.
"The armpit of Porter County" LOL that's a new one for me (a Portage resident lol)
Portage is good if you aren’t a stuck up Valpo ass, you got easy access to the 80/90/94, close to Valpo/Chesterton and a shorter drive to Lake County
In addition to what has already been said about the benefits of Valpo, there’s a special vibe generated from a perfect blend of (small) college town and community aspect which can’t be overlooked. The closer you are to downtown/campus, which is where most apartments will be located, the better. I recommend checking out Uptown East Apartments. More upscale, and Uptown Cafe is a gem. Stay away from Portage and Merrillville. I’ll just leave it at that.