New life after industrial closures and economic decline
Named for the southernmost bend in the St. Joseph River, South Bend is a northern Indiana city centered around the University of Notre Dame and a growing arts and culture scene. The area was once an industrial corridor, with businesses like Studebaker, Singer Sewing Company and others benefiting from its prime location along the river between Chicago and Detroit. Then, the number of residents with manufacturing jobs dropped from more than 50% to 16% between 1960 and 2000. However, new life is coming to the city of more than 103,000 people through different employers and civic improvements.
Residents connect through museums, libraries, sports teams and the arts, not to mention the college football atmosphere at Notre Dame. "I do think there is a different energy here," says Daniel Lichty, communications manager of St. Joseph County Public Library. "I'm continuously learning new things about initiatives people are taking and what we are doing to improve the city's quality of life. Overall, there is a positive vibe and a great place to live."
The University of Notre Dame is just beyond the city's limits and significantly influences South Bend’s culture and economy. "Notre Dame adds job opportunities but is also a great resource for the community as a whole," Lichty says. Founded by Father Edward Sorin in 1842, more than 20 years before South Bend was a city, the university has expanded beyond its start as a one-building campus with 12 students. Now, the university is one of the top academic colleges in the country – ranked in the Top 25 by Forbes and U.S. News & World Report. The school teaches nearly 9,000 undergraduate and more than 4,000 graduate students. Also well-known for its football team, Notre Dame is the second-largest employer in the city.
Healthcare is South Bend’s largest industry, with many residents working downtown at Memorial Hospital of Beacon Health System. AM General, Honeywell Aerospace and Curtis Products of South Bend are the most significant industrial employers in the area. A push for technology-related roles is made possible by Innovation Park and Ignition Park, two new technology hubs in South Bend’s once-empty warehouses. The new GM and Amazon centers on the west side of St. Joseph County are expected to bring thousands of new jobs.
Notre Dame is the centerpiece of Kennedy Park.
Memorial Hospital in downtown South Bend is a large employer for locals.
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Opportunities for exploring arts, sports and more
The History Museum and the Studebaker National Museum are destinations to learn about the city's past. The South Bend Museum of Art showcases local pieces, while the Morris Performing Arts Center has musicals and concerts. The city hosts annual events centered around music, like the South Bend International Music Festival and the Riverlights Music Festival.
The Chicago Cubs' single-A affiliate plays at Four Winds Field. "They're a fantastic organization that is well loved by the community and brings in a high attendance," Lichty says. The field, which is being renovated, is expected to keep its title as one of the best minor league stadiums in the country, according to MLB.com.
The Studebaker Museum is a huge part of the community all over South Bend.
Catch a South Bend Cubs game near Kennedy Park at Four Winds Park.
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Homes close to Notre Dame fetch higher prices
The city grew rapidly in the early 1900s, so architectural styles from that time dominate the area. Bungalows, cottages and Cape Cods are the most prominent, along with ranch-style homes built between the 1950s and '80s. These smaller homes sell between $35,000 and $250,000, while larger homes or those closer to the city's center fetch a higher price. That price difference affects development in the area. "There are a lot of empty lots on the west side, but the drawback for developers is that the cost of construction to build a home is usually more than what they might sell it for in that part of the city," says Ashley Hairston, Realtor and team lead of ANH Realty of Coldwell Banker. "So, the lots stay empty."
Colonial Revivals, Queen Anne Victorians, Tudors, new traditional homes and others near Notre Dame's campus are the most expensive, priced from $250,000 to $2 million. Townhouses and condos are available near campus, ranging between $94,000 and $1.5 million. South Bend's median home price is around $190,000, much lower than the national median of $406,000. Most homes in South Bend were built before 1980, so they are likely to have lead paint. The city offers grants to improve home safety by removing through its Lead Safe South Bend initiative.
Near Northwest is full of beautifully landscaped yards.
Many of the homes north of East Wayne Street in Sunnymede are turreted storybook mansions.
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Graduating from high school well-prepared for college
South Bend Community School Corporation is rated B-minus by Niche. The district has 15 traditional schools, online schools, magnet schools and specialized academies, including some for alternative learning.
Many of the district's high schools and specialized academies have advanced placement, honors and International Baccalaureate programs to prepare their students for post-grad learning. The city has eight higher-education establishments, including Indiana University South Bend, Saint Mary's College and Bethel University.
Jefferson Intermediate School in South Bend earned a C grade from Niche.
Saint Mary's College lies right beside the Notre Dame campus in South Bend.
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Outdoor activities, despite the weather
Potawatomi Park is one of the city's most active parks and is also home to the Potawatomi Zoo, the oldest zoo in the state. The St. Joseph River is a hub of action, with a few parks along its perimeter, such as Howard Park. During the winter, the park transforms into an ice-skating rink with firepits, an attached restaurant bar and performances throughout the season. Residents can get active on the river during the warmer months, fishing for salmon and trout or racing canoes and kayaks in the East River Waterway. The waterway with simulated rapids and waves is the first artificial whitewater waterway in the United States.
South Bend has moderate summers, with daily highs rarely exceeding the mid-80s. Winters, on the other hand, are cold and snowy. "We get a decent amount of lake effect. That comes with the territory of being where we are geographically," Lichty says. The city is responsible for plowing and salting the roads after storms. There is some flooding around the St. Joseph River, especially on the east side, and homes along the bends are most susceptible to water damage.
Potowatomi Park is home to the popular Potowatomi Zoo.
The beauty of the St. Joseph River is appreciated by South Bend locals all across the city.
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Commuting around Michiana
The Smart Street Initiative began in 2013 with a 20-year goal of improving the city's travel safety, business growth and micromobility. What were once two-way streets with fast traffic are now one-way roads with lower speed limits, more crosswalks and space for cyclists. There are plans to create the South Bend Bikeway network, a 116-mile-long bike system of trails, bike lanes and paths for bike commuters. Those driving to work can expect a short commute — the city is just over 40 square miles. "South Bend is small, and you can get anywhere in about 20 minutes," Hairston says. Transpo, the city’s public bus system, runs throughout the area every day but Sunday.
South Bend International Airport has nonstop flights to large hubs, and the 95-mile drive to Chicago typically takes about an hour and a half on Interstate 90.
Attempts to combat high crime rates
According to FBI data, violent crimes in South Bend happen at nearly twice the rate as the national average while property crime rates are similar to the national average. These numbers are slightly down from previous years, and the police department is adding more officers to address the issues. The department formed the Strategic Focus Unit in 2016 to focus on fighting gang and gun violence.
Small restaurants and large shopping plazas
Southern, Hispanic and German dishes are on the diverse restaurant menus throughout the city. A few fine-dining options are close to downtown and Notre Dame's campus. Extensive shopping is available on the city's edges at Erskine Village Shopping Center and Town & Country Shopping Center. Grocery stores are mostly in outlying plazas. University Park Mall and the large shopping plazas along Grape Road are outside the city's boundaries but a short drive from most homes on the eastern side of the St. Joseph River.
The University Park mall is one of the largest shopping destination in South Bend.
Fatbird is a popular contemporary southern cuisine restaurant in downtown South Bend.
The Dennis Bamber Group sells many types of properties including residential, vacant land, and commercial. Dennis and his team pride themselves on being waterfront specialists and have a marketing program designed specifically for lake properties. The Dennis Bamber team has sold more than 100 lake properties over the last few years on more than 50 different lakes. They will ensure that every client's home is marketed to the right buyers in the most appealing and professional way. Regardless of the property type, their priority is client satisfaction.
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.
