WELCOME TO NORTHWEST INDIANA

Including the Chicago Southland and Southwestern Michigan

Encompassing the counties of Jasper, Lake, and Porter, the vast expanse of Northwest Indiana is ideally situated in close proximity to the world-class attractions and employment centers of Chicago. This rapidly developing area harmonizes urban centers and industrial towns with historic villages and vibrant new construction. Throughout Northwest Indiana and the suburbs south of Chicago, commonly known as Chicago Southland, newcomers will discover family-oriented communities that offer a small-town atmosphere and "more home for the dollar." At the same time, the Loop in downtown Chicago is available within minutes by car or mass transit. And the exceptional recreational opportunities of the Southwestern Michigan “Harbor Country” are right at your doorstep.

The kaleidoscope of settings and the diversity of the region's communities support every imaginable lifestyle. The cities and towns that make up this region vary in size from the highly urbanized Gary, Indiana, to small villages with only a few hundred residents. Local amenities are well developed and efficiently managed on county and municipal levels. From the forest preserves in Cook and Will counties in Illinois to the immense Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore region, recreational sites provide breathtaking natural beauty and virtually unlimited outdoor adventure.

Several communities have claimed a strong industrial sector for decades, attracting Fortune 500 companies and major corporations. Others serve as retail centers, home to modern malls and popular shopping centers. Some villages are strictly residential with home values that rise into the millions. Several of the Northwest Indiana communities have traditionally been known for their major steel manufacturing operations and industrial strength. Today, the metropolitan center of Gary is shifting from an economy based on industry to a destination for tourists who are drawn to dazzling casino resorts and the natural beauty of the Indiana Dunes area.

Services

State-of-the-art hospitals and medical centers in Illinois and Indiana anchor the quality healthcare network that includes women's health centers, birthing centers, clinics and immediate-care centers, centers of excellence, and the offices of hundreds of skilled professionals. Multi-faceted regional hospitals combine with smaller community hospitals to meet every need close to home. Many of the hospitals are planning or have completed significant additions and expansions to meet the demands of a growing population. Leading healthcare systems employee thousands of physicians and operate a network of facilities and services. Home health, skilled nursing, community education, wellness and fitness programs, and public health screenings are just a few of the services that are designed to promote and ensure health and well being for every resident.

The school districts that serve Northwest Indiana and Chicago Southland communities are unified in their goal to achieve excellence in programs, facilities, instructors, and staff. Many have earned state and national recognition for excellence in education and serve as models for other Illinois and Indiana schools. High schools provide advanced placement courses, programs for the gifted and talented, special education, tutorial options, and a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Parochial schools and independent private schools offer educational alternatives in a variety of academic environments. Options for higher education are available within an easy commute, with technical schools and community colleges joining public and private four-year colleges and universities to provide a comprehensive selection of career, vocational, and degree programs.

Lifestyle

Rich in cultural and recreational attractions and amenities, the region is home to symphony orchestras, theatre groups, spectacular venues, university performing arts centers, dance companies, art galleries, and fine museums. The Governors State University's Center for Visual and Performing Arts facility is equipped with the latest technology to offer a peerless setting for a variety of productions. Also on this campus is the internationally renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.

Tinley Park's First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre draws an audience from Metropolitan Chicago and beyond, booking the biggest names in the musical industry. Indiana residents enjoy a wide range of performances and special events in such venues as the Star Plaza Theatre, the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts, and the Center for Visual & Performing Arts in Munster. Valparaiso University also boasts the Brauer Museum of Art, with its nationally recognized collection of 19th and 20th-century American art as well as traveling exhibits.

Opportunities to enjoy outdoor adventure and four-season recreation are never far from the front doorstep. Thousands of acres of forest preserves, lush county and city parks, and a myriad of recreation programs appeal to every age group and interest. Hundreds of miles of Lake Michigan's most pristine shoreline stretch between Gary and Michigan City in Indiana, forming the Indian Dunes National Lakeshore and encompassing the Indiana Dunes State Park. Golfing, tennis, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, sailing, boating, water sports, and nature study are just a few of the common pastimes.

Chicago Southland residents can cheer on some of the nation's favorite professional sports teams in Chicago, but they can also enjoy regional attractions like the Gary Southshore Railcats baseball team or popular racing venues like Balmoral Park and the Chicagoland Speedway. Festivals, celebrations, and annual events crown the region with a 12-month calendar of exciting dates to remember. Great food, games, rides, live entertainment, arts and crafts, parades, and competitions bring family, friends, neighbors, and visitors together.

Newcomers will be amazed at the variety of housing in Northwest Indiana and the southern suburbs, providing some of best values within commuting distance of Chicago. Meticulously restored turn-of-the-century homes are nestled in historic communities, while rapidly growing suburbs and luxurious subdivisions offer fine new executive and family homes. Some planned communities like Lakes of the Four Seasons are centered around premier recreational amenities like a championship golf course. Young families can select from a number of comfortable "hometown" settings with lush parks, an active recreation program, and strong support for local schools. Urban, suburban, or rural—the ideal home is waiting for you in Northwest Indiana and Chicago Southland.