More than 300 years of history along the St. Joseph River
Once the site of Fort St. Joseph, Niles, Michigan, a city of about 12,000, is the most populous area in Berrien County. Over the centuries, the fort — named for its proximity to the St. Joseph River — changed hands several times. First, it belonged to the French during the French and Indian War, then the British, Indigenous tribes during the Pontiac Rebellion and later the Spanish. Niles' layered history has earned it the nickname "The City of Four Flags," and today, it's the site of ongoing archaeological excavations and historical reenactments. In Niles, kids come together at the fort's site for summer camps, and community members attend educational lecture series. Along with its rich heritage, Niles is also known for its outdoor recreation options, quirky Main Street businesses, year-round festivals and quiet neighborhoods filled with investment opportunities. "It's a wonderful little town," summarizes Lisa Croteau, the city's director of marketing and communications, who's called the area home for nearly 30 years. "It's close to everything. It's affordable, and it's got lovely people," she says. Adding, "Niles is kind of the center of the universe in our Michiana area," — Michiana is a portmanteau of Michigan and Indiana, frequently used throughout the region.
Niles has a small town feel with a population of 12,000 as of the last census.
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Early 20th century and mid-century homes for below-average prices
Housing in Niles spans decades, architectural styles and price points, but, in general, Croteau says, "houses are still affordable here." Many of the city's oldest homes sit on compact lots closer to downtown, but prospective buyers will also find early 20th century investment opportunities and recently upgraded bungalows, Foursquares and classic cottages too. There are pockets of midcentury ranch-style and split-level houses on the eastern side of the city — closer to Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport — and the median sales price for a single-family home in Niles is around $185,000, which is significantly less than the national median of $420,000. In general, home prices within the city have increased by several percentage points over the past few years and inventory is relatively low.
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The Niles Community School District, YMCA childcare and nearby universities
Children in Niles can attend Niles Community Schools, which earns an overall B-minus grade from Niche. The district also has a comprehensive English Language Learner Program and several non-traditional educational opportunities at Cedar Lane Alternative High School, like the NASP, or the National Archery in the Schools Program. The YMCA Y-Club offers childcare before and after school, and the Niles District Library on Main Street also has educational programming. There are creative writing groups, financial literacy classes and a crochet club for adults. Lake Michigan College and the Bertrand Innovation Center — which is home to both a dental assisting lab and a virtual reality lab — are located about 5 miles from downtown. The University of Notre Dame, which has long been famous for its football team, is also less than 9 miles south.
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Local industries and transportation options
Gone are the days of fur trading in Niles, and today, major employers include the French Paper Company, which was founded in the 1870s, National-Standard Co. and Tem-Pace. Large-scale manufacturers and supply warehouses are located off Terminal Road near the train tracks, and major thoroughfares like Minnesota State Highway 51 offer passage to more populous areas like South Bend, where it's also common for residents to find work. Kalamazoo is about 60 miles away — or just over an hour's drive — northeast along Interstate 94, and Kalamazoo is also accessible via Amtrak's Wolverine or Blue Water Trains. "If you give yourself a 2-hour window, you can also get to Lansing, Indianapolis and Chicago," adds Croteau. Although Niles is home to the Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport, residents book their commercial flights out of the South Bend International Airport, 11 miles away. Medical care is accessible at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals.
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Main Street retail, history centers and more opportunities in South Bend
Niles' shopping and dining are primarily concentrated along Main Street, which is known for its small, locally owned businesses, casual pizza joints and coffee houses. "We have 18 different restaurants, and it's still growing," says Croteau. Here, cars parallel park up and down the historic street and the Underground Laugh Lounge, which hosts open mic nights and touring comedians, is a walk away. Other downtown destinations include the Fort St. Joseph Museum and the Historic Chapin Mansion, both maintained by the Niles History Center. "Last year, the local history museum did a haunted walk where you could listen to all the legends and lore of ghosts throughout town," adds Croteau, highlighting some of the unique ways residents enjoy local history. There are additional retail and entertainment opportunities across the Indiana border in South Bend, which has a population of more than 100,000, and in Buchanan, which is less than 6 miles away.
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Crime scores and redevelopment
Although crime scores in Niles are higher than both national and Michigan averages, recent years have seen an overall decrease in both violent crimes and property crimes. Most incidents are concentrated in and around the city's downtown. "It's like many typical Midwest communities," notes Croteau. Adding, "It was thriving in the early 1900s and up until the 1970s, but then corporations started merging and leaving. It left this community not really knowing what to do with itself." Niles has plans to boost its economy by redeveloping the 3rd Street corridor — aka the 3rd Street Village — a neighborhood located near the northern edge of Riverfront Park and the Local Historic District Commission of Niles, or the LHDC, has taken care to preserve much of the city's historic architecture, even in the midst of revitalization.
Apple and ice festivals, haunted attractions and a farmers' market
The City of Niles doesn't discriminate by season when it comes to planning events. Locals can look forward to the Four Flags Apple Festival at the end of September, which entails a weekend complete with a grand parade, live music, carnival rides and "The Biggest Apple" contest. According to Croteau, more than 100,000 people come to town annually for this event. There's also the Bluegrass Festival in June and the Hunter Ice Festival in January, which celebrates the city's ties to the Hunter Brothers Ice and Ice Cream Company. Kids can go tobogganing and play ping-pong at tables made of ice. Dozens of professionally crafted ice sculptures decorate downtown, and vendors scoop out ice cream, which is enjoyed even in zero-degree weather, says Croteau. Niles is also known for its Scream Park, one of the nation's top haunted attractions, and there's a farmers' market on Main Street every Sunday from June through August.
Over a dozen public parks around the city
There are more than a dozen public parks throughout Niles, many of which feature playgrounds, baseball stadiums and picnic facilities. The city's crown jewel, Riverfront Park, borders the St. Joseph River and has docks for boaters, fishing piers and an amphitheater that hosts a summertime concert series. Niles is also a dedicated garden city, and The Four Flags Garden Club and the Niles Garden Club help to maintain flower beds and more around town. Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve spans more than 100 acres and has an arboretum, hiking trails, a rain garden and Japanese gardens. It also hosts events like LIGHTS at Fenwood and the Spring Garden Market. Golfers can tee off at the Plym Park Golf Course, and pet owners can bring their canines to Ruff & Tumble Dog Park, also beside the St. Joseph River.
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