Advice for Valparaiso

[Luv4ThePaws]

Thanks sooo much, Chuckity!!!! Talking about not being planned well.... You need to come and drive downtown Charlotte... Now that's poor planning!!

[Luv4ThePaws]

Thank you so much everyone for your help!!! I really do appreciate it. I don't know if anyone has ever been there, but we loved Fair Oaks Dairy, right off the highway. They had the BEST fresh, homemade ice cream- it was wonderful!!! It seemed like a great place for school kids to go and learn about milk production and stuff!

We were very confused by the construction and detours that were going on in the area and people told us there is usually some kind of construcion happening during the summer months! We eventually found our way though and were very impressed by your pretty city and area. The whole drive in from Ohio to Indiana was just lovely with all that farmland and wide open greenspace and it seemed like a lovely, simple way of life. What we didn't like was the horrible traffic going into Chicago. We went to Chicago on a Friday morning (after rush-hour around 10:30) and then on a Sunday afternoon and it was just bumper-to-bumper, so crowded and we paid $10 each way in tolls! We felt that if Tom didn't have to commute to Chicago everyday, that if we lived and worked in the Valpo area, then we could definately make a life there and enjoy living there. But, having to deal with that traffic (especially in winter...) and that depressing commute through Gary.... It's really sad to see such a shell of a town. So, we are so glad we went and checked it out and are so thankful for your advice!!!! I apologize for not getting back to this thread sooner, but we have been so busy in the month since we returned.

Enjoy your beautiful town and countryside and that delicious homemade ice cream!!!!!

Thanks again!
Kari

[verbalicon]

Hi all,
We're moving to Valpo from a small town in Southern California. Hubs got a job there; we're renting a home for a couple of months until we get our bearings in the town and see where we want to buy (looking at Chandana Point and Forest Hill). NOW I just saw that Porter County was added to the high drug enforcement/ improvement area, and I just have to ask: Where in Valpo are the drugs concentrated? Obviously want to stay out of that area. Thanks much for your help.

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by verbalicon

Hi all,
We're moving to Valpo from a small town in Southern California. Hubs got a job there; we're renting a home for a couple of months until we get our bearings in the town and see where we want to buy (looking at Chandana Point and Forest Hill). NOW I just saw that Porter County was added to the high drug enforcement/ improvement area, and I just have to ask: Where in Valpo are the drugs concentrated? Obviously want to stay out of that area. Thanks much for your help.

There is absolutely no area in Valparaiso that you won't be safe or feel safe.

You're worrying needlessly. Pinkie swear.

[verbalicon]

Thanks, Chuckity. Now, here's another question: What's the best elementary school in town? We're trying to pick a place to live, and my main criterion for location is to end up near the best elementary school. Is any of them head and shoulders above the rest in terms of academic achievement? And what is the "insider" rep of the Montessori school?

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by verbalicon

Thanks, Chuckity. Now, here's another question: What's the best elementary school in town? We're trying to pick a place to live, and my main criterion for location is to end up near the best elementary school. Is any of them head and shoulders above the rest in terms of academic achievement? And what is the "insider" rep of the Montessori school?

Hey Verb--Valpo is no San Luis Obispo. But its a pretty nice place! Stop worrying and enjoy!

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by verbalicon

Thanks, Chuckity. Now, here's another question: What's the best elementary school in town? We're trying to pick a place to live, and my main criterion for location is to end up near the best elementary school. Is any of them head and shoulders above the rest in terms of academic achievement? And what is the "insider" rep of the Montessori school?

Nope. They're all fine schools.

All the elementary schools feed into two middle schools which feeds into one high school - every Valpo school is pretty darn good.

[verbalicon]

Wow, thanks, Chuckity, for the great input. Really looking forward to raising our little girl there and already put her on the waiting list at Growing Kids. Will also take another look at the Montessori School since I'm an avid Montessori fan.

Now, here's another question (or should that maybe even be another thread?): My husband is going right into a cushy job at the U; I, on the other hand, am not. As a certified PMP with an MS in Systems Engineering and 10+ years of experience in high tech and aerospace, I'll be searching for employment in the area. Would like to keep the commute in the 30-minute range. Where would you suggest I start? Already contacted the Calumet PMI chapter, which has been useless so far, and have looked at the Chamber of Commerce business listings which include mostly small businesses. Do you have any idea where else I could look? Thanks so much!