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Far Northwest

Far Northwest

Suburban Neighborhood in South Bend, Indiana

St Joseph County 46628

$103,885 Average Value
$65 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

The quiet of a suburb and the accessibility of a city

A "blink and you'll miss it" neighborhood, Far Northwest has the quiet of suburbia and the proximity and accessibility one would expect near the city's center. Large industrial areas with some of South Bend's biggest employers are a short drive away, with little traffic along the way. Houses are affordable compared to the rest of the city, attracting landlords and first-time buyers looking for starter homes. However, "Many people living in Far Northwest are lifers and have lived there for decades or generations," says Cheryl Ploskonka, a Realtor at Century 21 Circle who has been selling in the area for six years. With inexpensive homes and some of South Bend's charms nearby (including some unexpected pieces of history), it's no wonder why people lay down roots in Far Northwest.

Houses well below the city average

As South Bend expanded outwards, neighborhoods developed with architecture reflective of each era. Far Northwest has bungalows, Cape Cods and American Foursquare homes from the 1930s and '40s but saw its heaviest development in the 1950s. Ranch-style homes perch on small hills, a few cement steps up from street level. "House conditions vary a lot from block to block, and there's a mix of homeowners and landlords in the area," Ploskonka says. Homes that fell into disrepair were demolished, and empty lots with the remnants of driveways and foundations remain on some streets. Tall trees fill empty and undeveloped lots, adding greenery and shade for walks along the sidewalks, though they're sometimes overgrown and cracked. Homes range between $45,000 and $220,000. With a median price of $70,000, houses in the neighborhood are nearly $150,000 less than the South Bend Metro average and even farther under the national average.

Ranch style homes with large lots sit throughout Far Northwest.
Ranch style homes with large lots sit throughout Far Northwest.
Small colorful bungalows can be found throughout Far Northwest.
Small colorful bungalows can be found throughout Far Northwest.
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A short drive to Notre Dame and other major employers

The neighborhood's quiet streets are close to many of the city's most prominent features. South Bend International Airport is just west of the neighborhood and has regular flights to 14 locations. The neighborhood is very close to South Bend's large industrial sectors and employers with offices there. AM General and Honeywell International are among the city's 10 largest employers and a short drive from the neighborhood. The city's largest employer and claim to fame is The University of Notre Dame, which employs over 3,500 people and is only 3 miles from Far Northwest. Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 20 are nearby, heading west towards New Carlisle. "There is a new Amazon facility opening in New Carlisle," Ploskonka says. "It's going to bring a lot of jobs to the area and is a short drive away from the neighborhood." Buses stop along Marquette Boulevard and Elmwood Avenue.

Residents of Far Northwest have the convenience of Downtown South Bend in their backyard.
Residents of Far Northwest have the convenience of Downtown South Bend in their backyard.
Far Northwest is located just outside the famous Notre Dame campus.
Far Northwest is located just outside the famous Notre Dame campus.
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Exploring the history of South Bend

Casaday Costume Company is a costume rental company that supplies costumes, props and accessories to local performing groups, school theater departments and the public. "Our reach is from Chicago to Detroit and from Grand Rapids to Bloomington," says Executive Director Greta Fisher. Casadays has over 100,000 garments, including some dating back to the 1850s. "There are beautiful original Victorian pieces in our archival collection, too," Fisher says. The company's name comes from James Lewis Casaday, a local theater director passionate about collecting props and clothing for local shows in the 1930s. The non-profit operates from Lasalle Intermediate Academy's old vocational wing and supports other local non-profits, like The History Museum. The History Museum, Studebaker National Museum, Civil Rights Heritage Center and many guided tours connect South Bend residents and visitors to the area's long history of education, manufacturing and innovation.

Playing Dungeons and Dragons with classmates

Students living in Far Northwest start school at Coquillard Elementary School, rated a C-minus by Niche. Navarre Middle School is also rated a C-minus, while Washington High School receives a C-plus. The high school has over 20 social and academic clubs, including Dungeons, Dragons and Chess Club, National Honor Society and Social Media Club. Two public magnet schools are beyond the neighborhood's borders – C-rated Marquette Montessori Academy to the east and B-plus-rated LaSalle Intermediate Academy to the west. Unsurprisingly, LaSalle Intermediate Academy, which shares a building with Casaday Costume Company, is one of the many schools in the district that utilizes the rental company's costumes for theater productions.

Family-owned restaurants on Lincoln Way

Entirely residential, the neighborhood has no restaurants or shops. Fast-food restaurants and national chains are nearby, along Lincoln Way and Western Avenue, two of the area's main roads that lead 3 miles east to downtown South Bend. A few family-owned restaurants, like Top Notch, are on the main streets. French toast, waffles and eggs Benedict over homemade hashbrowns come out in hot skillets as part of the restaurant's all-day breakfast. Volcano Restaurant is west on Lincoln Way and serves classic Italian cuisine from a Tuscan villa-inspired brick building with a patio for outdoor seating. Walmart, Aldi and Meijer are north of Interstate 90, about 2-and-a-half miles north of the neighborhood.

International Fuse is a locally owned sports bar near Far Northwest.
International Fuse is a locally owned sports bar near Far Northwest.
Stop in at the local Aldi for fresh produce and great deals.
Stop in at the local Aldi for fresh produce and great deals.
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Walking and biking trails along the St. Joseph River

Fremont Park is a long, narrow park that takes up the length of an entire residential block. The green space, across from the neighborhood's only apartment complex, has a basketball court, pavilion and splash pad. A large playground and swing set painted in primary colors is in the middle of the park. The Riverside Trail borders the St. Joseph River, 1 mile east. The paved trail for biking and walking meanders 3.4 miles along the river, connecting to other stretches of South Bend's activity paths like the East Bank Trail and Northside Trail.

Kids of Far Northwest enjoy the playground at Fremont Park.
Kids of Far Northwest enjoy the playground at Fremont Park.
Enjoy fishing, biking and walking in Keller Park on the St. Joseph River in South Bend, IN.
Enjoy fishing, biking and walking in Keller Park on the St. Joseph River in South Bend, IN.
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Heather Haggerty
Written By
Heather Haggerty
Jace Hirosky
Photography Contributed By
Jace Hirosky
Colleen Carey
Video By
Colleen Carey

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Patty Seutter, an experienced agent in this area.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

South Bend International

16 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Far Northwest US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$90,000
Median Single Family Price
$86,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$65
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
19
Months of Supply
1.90
Median List Price
$95,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
5%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
50%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
545
Median Year Built
1948
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,348
Significantly below the national average
1,937
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,227

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Patty Seutter, an experienced agent in this area.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,538
Median Age
31
Population under 18
34.3%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.3%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$42,362
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$54,290

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.8%
College Graduates
19.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
28''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

32 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

15 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Reviews

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Far Northwest