Living the Lakefront Lifestyle
The Indiana dunes communities are the undiscovered gems of the Chicago metropolitan area. While our parks and beaches attract thousands of day-trip visitors, few people appreciate the special feeling you get from living in the dunes year round. Northwest Indiana offers fantastic opportunities for folks who prefer close-to-nature suburban and rural lifestyles along with terrific schools, and quality-of-life. Best of all, Indiana is more affordable, with lower taxes, lower density, and lower stress than most any area of Metro Chicago.
Share my appreciation for the open spaces, wildlife habitats, and country roads of these hidden gems. Explore the rivers, ponds, beaches and lakeshore hamlets along our inland ocean. Learn why Mellencamp was inspired by the retro simplicity of rural LaPorte, Porter, and Lake county communities; the refreshing Indiana lifestyle that has it's own unique character.
Portage A new Lake Michigan park facility accents this city's diverse housing market where the median home is in the affordable mid-$150,000. The region's only Omnimax, 2 Starbucks, a Bass Pro Shop, the Port of Indiana, a US Steel facility, and the enormous Ameriplex light-industiral park, are some of the economic features here.
Chesterton / Porter You will find a retro feel of Mayberry in the antique shops downtown in these twin towns, while in contrast, experience trendy upscale restaurants, grocery stores, a Montessori school, and the highly regarded Duneland school district. There is a downtown residential district with some Colonial style homes dating back to the early 1900's. Carrying on the contrasting theme, on other hand, Sand Creek and Coffee Creek offer exclusive luxury and New Urbanism for the upscale market. A wide range of duplexes, townhomes and large single family homes, averaging just under $220,000.
Valparaiso Has an even larger footprint, as the county seat several large private businesses. Again there is the contrast of an older downtown with a higher density and retro feel in these beautifully restored turn-of-the-century classics. Then on the outskirts are large ranch and multi-level homes, many on an acre or more. The rolling hills and glacier-carved topography gives Valpo a unique landscape all it's own. Many small lakes and the vaunted Valparaiso University gives the city unique vitality and beauty. Typical median home prices range in the low $200's in-town and the upper $250's in the lake and rural areas, some higher with more land, lake access, and higher features and amenities.
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Let's get together and talk about your home buying, selling, or trading plans. If you're not ready to meet in person, please tour my website, sign up for my email newsletter, with the form below, explore my blog information. I'm sure you'll find the resources here helpful. I know Porter County like no one else, and I look forward to answering your inquiries. Enjoy!
