Sharing a border with South Bend, Mishawaka has many of the same perks, like connectivity to the Michiana region and proximity to significant employers. However, the city boasts lower crime, a slower way of life and a newer selection of homes than its neighbor. Bridges pass over the St. Joseph River, connecting the two halves of Mishawaka – where apartment buildings and shopping centers stand in the north and housing developments expand in the south. According to Matt Lentsch, executive director of development and governmental affairs for the City of Mishawaka and Mishawaka Utilities, the city is only trending upwards. "We do things right, and we've done things right all along," he says. "We don't just look at the next five or 10 years, but we look 20-plus years in the future when we start projects." Despite increased job opportunities, safety, amenities and city improvements, Mishawaka's cost of living remains low. "When we spend money, we do so frugally," Lentsch says. "If we're going to be increasing taxes or spending money on anything, it's going to improve the quality of life for our residents."
The Mishawaka police station has recently moved into the new City Hall building in downtown.
Locals head for the Mishawaka River Walk to get some fresh air and take in the river views.
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Notre Dame and AM General Motors are main employers
Like South Bend to the west, Mishawaka got its start in agriculture. Farming and food production still play a small role in today's economy, driven by a mix of healthcare and education, with Notre Dame, Indiana University South Bend and Saint Joseph Mishawaka Medical Center as leading employers. Many manufacturing companies are based around Mishawaka, including AM General. The heavy automotive manufacturer produced the first model of the Hummer.
A growing assortment of modern industry jobs differentiates Mishawaka from South Bend. "A lot of young professionals are moving to the area because it's so close to Notre Dame," says Dan Thompson, Realtor at Lochmondy Realty. "They graduate from there and move here instead of South Bend because there are more diverse job opportunities." Technology, utility, office and sales positions continue to draw young professionals eastward.
Frost Engineering is a large employer in downtown Mishawaka.
The university of Notre Dame is right next door to the residents of Harter Heights.
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Homes well below the national median
Small houses like Cape Cods, bungalows and workers' cottages from the early 1900s are the least expensive in the area, usually selling between $75,000 and $200,000. As the city expanded, styles diversified and ranch-style homes and bi-levels with wider yards became prominent. Up-kept American Foursquare and Colonial Revivals are at the middle of the price range in Mishawaka, between $200,000 and $400,000. Neighborhoods on the outer stretches of the city take advantage of undeveloped space, with new builds sprawling on rolling hills. The large houses start at around $450,000 and top out at $1 million. "House values have doubled or tripled in price, but we also care about those who can't afford a $300,000 home," Lentsch says. "We work closely with Habitat for Humanity to build and repair affordable housing." Despite being up 3% from the previous year, the median home price in Mishawaka is $195,000 – about $200,000 less than the median in the United States, which is around $400,000.
The edges of Mishawaka is seeing some new home developments.
The area surrounding downtown Mishawaka has some of the oldest homes in the area.
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Year-round outdoor fun at Buetter Park
The St. Joseph River winds across the center of the city. Outdoor enthusiasts can take full advantage of this natural resource through the parks, which provide access for fishing and kayaking. There are 28 parks in the city, including Buetter Riverfront Park and the recently revamped Ironworks Plaza. Between its ice-skating rink and summertime concerts, the Plaza at Buetter Park is a scenic gathering spot for all seasons.
Winters in Mishawaka are cold and snowy, and lake-effect snowstorms bring additional cold weather and inches of snow. Residents enjoy ice skating and sledding at multiple locations. Residents can also stay active in the winter months inside The Mishawaka Fieldhouse. "It cost millions of dollars and just opened a few months ago," Thompson says. "It's one of the biggest indoor recreation facilities in the Midwest."
The river floods on occasion, especially after melting snow brings runoff. Homes nearest the river's bends are the most prone to water damage from flooding.
Ironworks Plaza is part of Robert C. Beutter Park on the St. Joseph River in Mishawaka, IN.
Robert C. Beutter Park on the St. Joseph River in Mishawaka, IN.
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Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is great for athletes
School City of Mishawaka has a C-plus grade on Niche and serves most of the city. The district has seven elementary, one middle and one high school. Oscar-nominated actor Adam Driver graduated from Mishawaka High School. Some students in the city attend B-minus-rated South Bend Community School Corporation or Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, rated an A. Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is the top-rated school district in South Bend and the fourth-best district for athletes in the state. Football is a large part of the athletic departments across all three districts serving Mishawaka, and three high schools have claimed state championships.
Fred J. Hums Elementary School in Mishawaka, IN.
Mishawaka High School in Mishawaka, IN.
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Familiar shopping along Grape Road
One of the largest shopping strips of South Bend and St. Joseph County is in the city, bringing jobs and tax breaks. The shopping area along Grape Road and North Main Street has big box, home improvement and grocery stores, along with national chain restaurants and other shops. University Park Mall is on Grape Road with 120 stores. In addition to major shopping, "There's more dining options in Mishawaka than in South Bend," Thompson says. The city has a diverse collection of restaurants serving Czech, Italian, Latin American and Southern cuisines.
Mishawaka Market takes place on Sundays from June through September. Handmade goods, local produce and baked goods, including some from the nearby Amish communities, are for sale. The weekly event also has a designated kids' zone, performances from local musicians and animal adoptions.
The University Park Mall in Mishawaka is the largest indoor mall in northern Indiana.
Grape Rd in Mishawaka is where residents head for all the major retail and chain restaurants.
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In the center of St. Joseph County and Michiana
Interstate 90 intersects the northernmost part of the city. U.S. Route 20 is along the southern border, and Indiana State Road 331 is to the east. "One of our best features is that we're centrally located in the county," Lentsch says. Chicago is 105 miles west, about two hours away by car, traffic depending. South Bend's TRANSPO bus system runs through Mishawaka and the surrounding suburbs. South Bend International Airport is less than 10 miles west. The airport has flights to a limited number of destinations, most of which are large hubs like Charlotte Douglas International and Chicago O'Hare International.
Mishawaka: "More police officers per square mile"
According to information provided by the FBI, both violent and property crimes in Mishawaka happen at a similar rate to the national average. However, violent crimes were notably lower compared to neighboring South Bend. "One of the big things that we don't just talk about but act on is public safety," Lentsch says. "We have more police officers per square mile than any other city in northwestern Indiana. Our police officers are also the highest paid in the state."
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