Shopping and Dining
From unique shops downtown to popular electronics and home stores, there’s something for every shopper in Valparaiso. Located in a 100-year-old renovated livery stable, Lifestyles Unique Gifts sells everything from cards and toys to jewelry and home decor. Handcrafted furniture, ceramics, and crafts await the curious shopper and souvenir hunter at Specially Ours Craft Shoppe. Local artists, chefs and a variety of vendors sell their wares at Chesterton’s European Market. This seasonal market showcases local art and seasonal produce and is a must see for anyone visiting Valparaiso. Local and national home improvement and garden stores round out the shopping experience along with a few chain retail stores.
White tablecloth fine dining, sidewalk cafes and family-friendly restaurants are just a few of the unique dining options in Valparaiso. A stop at The Blackbird Café is in order for a cup of coffee or lunch featuring the popular pretzel roll. Stay for dessert and people-watching after your meal. If looking for fine American dining, check out Dish Restaurant or Sage Restaurant. Not in the mood for white tablecloths? Duck into one of the many local pizza parlors, bistros or sample popular American fare at one of the many chain and franchise restaurants and sandwich shops.
Parks and Recreation
Boasting an extensive city park district, Valparaiso is home to over a dozen parks with more park planning in the works. Located south of Valparaiso, the Gabis Arboretum & Gardens offers visitors 360 acres of wetlands, gardens, and hiking trails along with gardening, seasonal classes and summer concerts. Ogden Gardens is home to the city’s botanical and Japanese gardens and is a popular backdrop for weddings and high school prom pictures. Fairgrounds Park has the city’s largest baseball diamond complexes and soccer fields along with paved walking trails.
If golf is your game, take in a round of nine or eighteen holes at one of the many golf courses in Valparaiso. Choose from one of 5 golf courses like the Valparaiso Country Club and The Course at Aberdeen which received a 5-star review from Chicagoland Golf.
Living
As a regional destination in Northwest Indiana, Valparaiso prides itself on maintaining a vibrant arts scene and historical preservation while still keeping in line with a small town feel. Valparaiso real estate ranges from 19thCentury homes to apartments to condos. The median home cost, according to City-Data.com for 2016, was $179,719. The estimated median household income in 2016 was $50,436, with a census report of population totaling 32,369.
For current information on homes for sale in Valparaiso check out these listings or contact our office to set up an appointment.
Schools, Health, Transportation
Home to Valparaiso University and a variety of top-rated colleges and universities, education is considered a top priority here. Four school districts serve the Valparaiso area and oversee nine elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. High School student achievement typically ranks higher above the Indiana average. A variety of private and Montessori schools serve the area as well. Purdue University North Central is a short drive away in Westville and draws many students to the area. Students in the area also have the option of attending Indiana University Northwest in Calumet or Purdue University Northwest in Hammond.
The Northlake and Southlake campuses of the Methodist Hospital and Porter Regional Hospital are in the Valparaiso area along with a variety of family clinics, private practice doctors and hospice services.
Valparaiso Transit V Line buses take visitors and locals across town and to popular historical and shopping destinations. For those commuting to Chicago, the ChicagoDASH bus will get you there along with the South Shore train. For drivers, Valparaiso has excellent access to U.S. 30 and Interstates 80/90 and 94.
The Porter County Municipal airport serves Valparaiso and Midway and O’Hare International Airports are within a two hour driving distance. Amtrak and the Chicago Transit Authority have trains running nearby.
More Info
Whether you have a question on buying a home in Valparaiso, selling a home, or any other Valparaiso, Indiana Real Estate related question please call or email us. We’re always happy to help!
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