South Bend, a 42.4 square-mile city established in 1865 on the St. Joseph River in Indiana, checks all the boxes: great job opportunities, friendly people, and diverse neighborhoods. The median age is 33.7 (2022), and its largest industries are tourism, education, and healthcare.

The city’s streets, which are lined with bungalows and homes in Prairie, Craftsman, and American Foursquare styles, mainly follow a grid layout. The typical home value is $166,517, reflecting an increase of 15.8% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). With the University of Notre Dame being one of South Bend’s defining features, residents can celebrate annual college graduations, as well as take part in art fairs, music festivals, and running races.

South Bend is connected to I-80, I-90, State Roads 2, 23, and 933, and U.S. Routes 20 and 31. The U.S. routes provide access to downtown, which has been revitalized in recent years. New condos and apartments are attracting young professionals and empty nesters. State Road 23, meanwhile, runs right through Granger, a highly residential neighborhood that features larger homes.

Known as the “Metropolis of Northern Indiana” to locals, South Bend offers them an abundance of amenities, a low cost of living, and many parks to enjoy.