Living in South Bend vs Granger

[frankygoes69]

So, I just wanted to inquire about moving to either South Bend or Granger. I have dependents, wife (DoD Nurse) and a 12 year old son (footballer). We thought about buying for our 23-24 month stay, however, we feel its better to rent instead. I would appreciate thoughts and concerns in regards to this matter. I am retired Army, wife is a RN and our son is in middle school.

I would be attending our Lady's EMBA program. Any thoughts, assistance and guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks and Go Irish!!!!!!!!!

 

[Blazers46]

So, I just wanted to inquire about moving to either South Bend or Granger. I have dependents, wife (DoD Nurse) and a 12 year old son (footballer). We thought about buying for our 23-24 month stay, however, we feel its better to rent instead. I would appreciate thoughts and concerns in regards to this matter. I am retired Army, wife is a RN and our son is in middle school.

I would be attending our Lady's EMBA program. Any thoughts, assistance and guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks and Go Irish!!!!!!!!!

Granger. South Bend schools stink. Granger would be better for your son for football too. While the better athletes are probably in SB (only if they all could stay eligible) Penn-Harris-Madison school district is probably a lot more structured with football even in Middle school. Unless you sent your son to SB St Joe or Marion private schools Granger is your best bet. Plus you need to be pretty picky about where you would be staying in SB. There are nice areas but some really bad ones too.

I came from Elkhart and Elkhart Schools so I have natural hate/envy of Penn school district. I still think Elkhart and South Bend have the better athletes, Penn has the numbers, money, and athletic structure. The best athletes are usually ineligible or in jail. I am sure Penn has their problem children but I would guess its not as bad as the surrounding South Bend, Elkhart schools.

 

[arrowryan]

With your son only being in middle school, talking about high schools would be pointless (unless he will be going into high school within the next two years, of course). There are some good grade schools in the South Bend area. All of the Catholic grade schools are pretty good, Stanley Clark is a great school, and LaSalle isn't bad either.

There are some not so good areas in South Bend. I grew and up and still live on the west side of South Bend; many think the west side is the worst part of South Bend. The south side of South Bend is probably the nicest area; that is where a lot of the good restaurants are, a lot of places to shop, and Erskine Golf Course is there too.

Granger is Northern Indiana's version of Beverly Hills. There is a lot of gated neighborhoods, really nice cars, milfs with boobs jobs, and the people that usually live out there are doctors, lawyers, Notre Dame coaches/professors, etc.. If this is where you are at financially, then I would recommend you look into this area.

I think you should look at Mishawaka. Mishawaka is a great city that has the city feel of South Bend and kind of has the same crowd as Granger. I've lived here all my life (22 years) and I really enjoy it. Good luck!

 

[Wingman Ray]

Obviously the above posters know the area more than I.

Another concern is buying in a 24 mo stay. Rates are great right now but unless you are getting a great deal sales vs appraisal value, 24 months is a lose/lose deal.

When you sell you pay 6% real estate commission plus todays real estate has the seller paying closing costs 80% of the time. You will make zero dent in you principal balance in 24 months. So basically you will incur closing cost and real estate fees with very small chance of making much appreciation in appraisal value or decrease in the principal balance of your loan.

My suggestion is to rent unless it is just stupid high rent vs property prices.

 

[dad4aa]

I think Blazer and Arrow both have good points. Lived in the area almost my whole life and I would look to Granger (Mishawaka second choice). While they do have some gated communities, you can find very nice affordable housing in many of the no -gated subdivisions (not sure what your budget is so I want to make sure you know it's not all "Beverly Hills"). While the Catholic grade schools and Stanley Clark provide great education, there is a cost to that which you won't pay for Penn or Mishawaka.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Mishawaka for life

 

[NDinL.A.]

It depends what you are looking for. South Bend has lots of great areas, and lots of great Catholic schools (and some good public schools, especially the academies). It also has some poor areas, and some bad public schools. It’s closer to Downtown, and depending where you live, closer to ND, so there are more things to do in a closer area to your house.

Granger is more of the elite, I guess you could say. There’s good and bad with that. With the elite, come the elitist pricks that I personally can’t stand dealing with. But the area is also really nice, great homes, and a lot of great people as well. I have several co-workers who are phenomenal people who live in Granger, so we visit there often. There’s not enough diversity for me, but that’s a personal thing – it’s not like it’s a racist town or anything. Only one Catholic school, St. Pius, that is usually full. As was said, very good public school system, and the best sports teams (their HS is by faaaaaaaaaar the biggest in the area, so that helps).

I live on the south side of South Bend and I’m extremely happy. It’s a bit of a hike to ND (meaning, 12-15 mins, and no traffic) but coming from L.A. I’ll take that “commute” any time. We have more land down here and we have everything we need within a 2 minute drive. Good luck!

 

[arrowryan]

The only thing that Penn is way better at than the other schools in the South Bend area is athletics. If you have a kid that has a strong chance at landing a lot of athletic scholarships, then I would consider Penn.

If I am someone who is moving to the area and am looking for a high school to put my kid into, I'm probably not choosing Penn. Penn is, as NDinLA said above, massive and a new kid in town is going to know no one and will probably hate it. Other than athletics, Penn is no different than Washington, Riley, Adams, and Clay.

 

[woolybug25]

I'm surprised that no one had mentioned St Joseph High School in South Bend. It's a private catholic school and the best overall school in the area, imo. It's expensive, but there is no doubt that it's a fantastic high school.

 

[arrowryan]

I'm surprised that no one had mentioned St Joseph High School in South Bend. It's a private catholic school and the best overall school in the area, imo. It's expensive, but there is no doubt that it's a fantastic high school.

Blazer mentioned both St. Joe and Marian. I didn't want to talk about high schools (not too much anyway) because I think the guy's son that started the thread is only in middle school.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Granger is more of the elite, I guess you could say. There’s good and bad with that. With the elite, come the elitist pricks that I personally can’t stand dealing with.

Hey now, you leave us Granger pricks alone. lol

 

[frankygoes69]

Thank you all for the input.

 

[Graybeard52]

Granger schools in general are better than Mishawaka schools. South Bend, you have to be more selective. There are decent areas with decent schools, there are less decent areas with schools that aren't as good.

There are areas in Mishawaka that you can live that are more affordable than Granger and you can still register your kids for Penn schools(I believe), if economics is a consideration. I live in far SE Mishawaka which is kind of removed from the main part of the city. Relatively affordable, low crime, safe area. Not a *ton* of rentals though. Still a good area to raise a child.

If cost isn't an issue and schools are important, I would go with Granger.

 

[Irish4Life09]

I grew up in Granger when I was little. I can't say anything for how it is now, but 20 years ago it was great.

 

[connor_in]

Screw all these guys...move to Osceola, IN ... garden spot of the Midwest

 

[NDinL.A.]

Hey now, you leave us Granger pricks alone. lol

Hahaha, I also said that I have friends in Granger who are great people so I'm there often to visit. Lots of awesome people in Granger living among the elitist pricks lol.