Fort Wayne is Indiana’s second-largest city, blending urban conveniences with a homey, Midwest charm in the northeastern part of the state. At the junction of three rivers, this midsize metropolis offers riverside recreation alongside a thriving arts and dining scene. “Fort Wayne is a place that focuses on improving livability,” says Realtor Ben Wahli of 4th Street Real Estate. “The city offers business and career opportunities, great schools, great restaurants and events that foster community.” Downtown Fort Wayne is a buzzing district of 99 neatly gridded blocks that anchors Fort Wayne and reflects its creative essence through public art and entertainment venues. Locals make their mark with colorful, hand-painted murals splashed across high-rises, and nightly live music fills the streets. As the city grows, residential and commercial spaces are renovated for the increasing population and new businesses. The city launched its 10-year vision Tourism Master Plan in 2023, aiming to improve residents’ quality of life by prioritizing tourism and expanding amenities.
Residents of Bloomingdale are within walking distance to Promenade Park.
Downtown and it's activities are just a short drive from Oxford.
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A Midwestern city filled with art and family fun
Art is a major part of Fort Wayne’s culture, evident in the city’s galleries, museums and unique public exhibits. Spearheaded by the Art This Way organization, the city’s array of public art, from sculptures in pocket parks to murals on commercial buildings, weaves color and character into the cityscape. Two blocks downtown, known as The Landing, feature an amalgam of outdoor seating and dining buzz with local foot traffic at night. The city’s visual and performing arts are found on the Main Street Arts Campus, a cultural district comprised of various museums, theaters and other attractions. Special exhibitions are always on display at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Musicals, plays and other local and regional performances are staged next door at the Fort Wayne Youtheatre and the Civic Theatre at the Arts United Center.
Fairfield buildings feature vibrant murals that brighten up the neighborhood.
The Fort Wayne Museum of Art is a cultural hot spot for Five Points residents.
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Mixed architectural styles from the 20th century and beyond
Fort Wayne houses a variety of architectural styles ranging from early 20th-century contemporary and ranch-style homes to Colonial Revivals and the occasional Queen Anne. Craftsman, bungalow and traditional ranch-style homes in neighborhoods like Foster Park and Franke Park are steps away from their respectively named parks. Victorian homes framed with flourishing front gardens celebrate the historical relevance of West Central . The median real estate sale price hovers around $250,000, up 7% from 2023. Prices typically average between $150,000 and $330,000, with homes lasting an average of 31 days on the market.
There are many beautiful craftsman style homes in the Northside neighborhood.
No two houses look alike in Fort Wayne's West Central neighborhood.
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Exploring Fort Wayne by foot, bike or boat
With its three scenic rivers, Fort Wayne’s residents are close to waterfront parks and recreational activities like kayaking, paddle boarding and more. At the Rivergreenway, multi-use trails stretch 25 miles along the downtown riverside, offering a beautiful setting for walks, jogs, rollerblading and biking. Promenade Park is a downtown waterside destination equipped with an amphitheater and pavilion. Here, the Parkview Tree Canopy Trail takes residents on a shady walk above the river, while the family gardens, Doermer Kids’ Canal and accessible playground offer kid-friendly activities. Headwater Park is another spot for locals and visitors to walk or jog. Amenities at other local parks, like Swinney Park and Foster Park, include tennis courts, golf courses, and additional trails. The greenhouses and gardens of Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory bloom year-round with over 1,000 varieties. Family-friendly attractions are also abundant in Fort Wayne. Kids can learn more about animals from all over the world at the 40-acre Fort Wayne Zoo, located in Franke Park.
The City of Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation manages several master plans outlining revitalization and development efforts. These include Franke Park, Packard Park and Brewer Park, with construction well on the way as of December 2024. “Expanding park access and trail connectivity has improved significantly in the past few years and has remained a focal point for the city,” says Wahli. Additionally, the RiverFront Fort Wayne Project plans to develop the riverside to improve accessibility and create more events along the riverbanks.
Visitors from Five Points can hang out with kangaroos at the Childrens Zoo.
Discover the gardens and trails of Foster Park a short drive from South Calhoun Place.
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From trendy local shops to inspired eateries
Along Main and Wayne streets in the heart of downtown sits a collection of restaurants, bars, breweries and shops that people frequent for a day or night out in Fort Wayne. One block south of Promenade Park lies The Landing. Back in 1823, The Landing served as Fort Wayne’s epicenter, housing the city’s first post office, theater, and hotel. Today, the pedestrian-friendly block is home to neighborhood staples like Alto Grado Pizza and upscale urban bar Marquee. Here, shoppers may stop and shop at one of the fashionable boutiques before grabbing a coffee from Utopian Coffee and Kitchen. Renovation efforts mean modern offerings amidst historic architecture. “Fort Wayne is very focused on the restoration of brick streets and historic areas, and The Landing has been an especially exciting project,” says Wahli. A trendy conglomeration of local vendors comprises Union Market at Electric Works, an indoor food hall of eateries ranging from BBQ to Middle Eastern. The Electric Works campus is a modern mixed-use development housing historic buildings reimagined into a collaborative coworking, shopping and dining environment.
Fort Wayne's Landing is a popular destination of Hazelwood residents for dining and nightlife.
Broad River residents are close to Union Street Market and all that it has to offer.
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Attending Fort Wayne Community Schools
Fort Wayne Community Schools earns an overall B-minus score from Niche. Some 28,000 students attend classes across the district’s 52 combined elementary, middle and high schools. Students seeking higher education close to home can apply to nearby Purdue University Fort Wayne or Indiana University Fort Wayne. There’s also the Indiana Institute of Technology, with a convenient location right next to downtown in East Central . Ivy Tech Community College offers certifications and two-year programs.
Area kids from ninth to twelfth grade may attend Northrop High School.
Fort Wayne's Indiana Tech is located in the East Central neighborhood.
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Commuting by car or taking the Citilink
Those who commute by car in Fort Wayne experience an average 20-minute commute one way, about six minutes less than the national average. The drive from Fort Wayne’s west to its east side is about 9 miles. US Route 27, Interstate 69, and Route 930 are the three major thoroughfares, while Interstate 496 forms an arc around the southeast and northeast sections of the city. Fort Wayne’s Citilink operates about 15 bus routes to the city’s most-visited destinations. The downtown area has relative ease of walkability, so residents can explore restaurants and shops without re-parking their cars. After the city has finished expanding its bike-friendly infrastructure, cyclists will have an easier commute through the downtown area. Fort Wayne International Airport is just over 8 miles south of downtown.
Crime and flooding in Fort Wayne
According to FBI data, violent crime rates in Fort Wayne have consistently been above the state and national rates since January 2022, with a few months falling below the national rate. Property crime rates show a similar trend.
PFAs, or “forever chemicals,” have been found in the city’s environment in recent years. Although the drinking water is not affected, the wastewater is. In response, the city filed suit in July 2024 against some 20 local companies whose processes had introduced the chemicals in the first place. For 10 years or so, professionals have collected and tested water samples, a costly process amounting to about $10,000 per year, hence the lawsuit.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
