Moving to Cville - can you help me understand the neighborhoods?

We may be moving to Cville. I'd like a Victorian house with at least 1/4 acre lot. Any area that I should stay away from? Go toward?

What's it like between the City Cemetery and Central?

Elementary? Middle school?

If you're coming from a larger city, and you're into urban renewal or gentrification (I mention this because you want a Victorian home), keep in mind that the town will not be doing this. So, your neighborhood, whatever you choose, is not "up and coming." It's also just not what we do. The type of people who go into older neighborhoods and restore older homes, are generally young professional couples and gay couples. That's not Connersville. Some, like the former mayor, have lived in lovely historic homes, but there will never be a trend. So, look on and around Grand, Central. I think that would be generally found to be respectable. Remember, you will not be able to sell this property! And, realize that many in Connersville would never live downtown, because they would not see it as nice enough, or too noisy!

Your elementary school is determined by where you live. There is only one middle school. I would be interested to know what people think about the quality of the different grade schools. I don't have an opinion.

Connersville is a great place to raise a family and I believe our schools are good. I hope you and your family will be very happy if you do move here. Welcome!

The middle school to me is good I mean not like I have visited any other's but the secretaries are friendly helpful have always joked with me. Ive had many one on one conversations with the teacher's they actually have a set aside time in the am and if you ever have questions you can discuss this with all your child's team teacher's.. The principal's are nice helpful and informative... I havn't had any raw deals with the middle school.. Happy house searching there are some beautiful homes just take your time and welcome and good luck:)

Well, as you can see, the village has an idiot or two.

Pretty Lady- I may be a bit biased, as I have lived here my entire life, but C'ville is basically a good place to live and raise a family. Do you have employment lined up? If you seek out decent and helpful people,there are plenty of them around.
Of course, we have our problems. Every place does.
If you choose to make C'ville your home, we welcome you and yours!

red is a jerk
pay no heed to red

Husband's employment is lining up, which would require moving to Cville or a very nearby area. I think it is sinful for professionals to serve an area but refuse to live in it and be part of the community. I will be commuting to grad school and I work from home on contract, so employment is not an issue for me. It is a nice option to have Amtrak available to me for commuting (although the departure times are killer!)

I grew up on the outskirts of Flint, MI, went to the same high school as Michael Moore ("Roger & Me" and various other flame-o-mentaries) and every man in my family has worked in vehicle assembly/design in Flint since before cars were invented (trivia - Flint was known as Vehicle City in the late 1800s). I am acutely aware of the depression and pain that an entire town feels when an employer abandons an area. Flint is currently bulldozing vacant homes and selling the lots to neighbors for $1. 2nd in the nation for unemployment, 3rd for crime. How bad is Cville compared to Flint?

In our particular situation, it is much more advantageous for us to own a home than it is to rent (very long and complicated story), and if Cville is a safe place to live, we will be OK as long as we stay in Cville long enough to either ride out the slump, or pay down our mortgage enough that we are not upside down when we move. I'm not looking to make a profit. I want to own an old house simply for the joy of enjoying and preserving it, and circumstances have never allowed.

I just wanted to make sure that Central, a few blocks north of Amtrak, was not "meth row" - sometimes you drive by big old houses and don't realize that each one has been divided into 4-6 flop apartments. It looks like property theft and burglary is a problem in Cville as well. Is that a problem that is seen more in certain areas, or is it widespread? How bad is it if you take decent security measures?

I've been reading your comments. Some of you portray Connersville as the pits, and some of you have hope for the future. You're both right. The question isn't so much what it is today, but what does it - what do YOU have the potential to be in 5 or 10 years?

It seems like your city and county leadership is missing the boat marketing-wise. I had read all the materials we were sent, and learned more (even positive stuff) about Cville from you than the fancy brochure.

Thanks everyone for your time. I'll be visiting soon and I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk to you about!

prettylady wrote:

Husband's employment is lining up, which would require moving to Cville or a very nearby area. I think it is sinful for professionals to serve an area but refuse to live in it and be part of the community. I will be commuting to grad school and I work from home on contract, so employment is not an issue for me. It is a nice option to have Amtrak available to me for commuting (although the departure times are killer!)
I grew up on the outskirts of Flint, MI, went to the same high school as Michael Moore ("Roger & Me" and various other flame-o-mentaries) and every man in my family has worked in vehicle assembly/design in Flint since before cars were invented (trivia - Flint was known as Vehicle City in the late 1800s). I am acutely aware of the depression and pain that an entire town feels when an employer abandons an area. Flint is currently bulldozing vacant homes and selling the lots to neighbors for $1. 2nd in the nation for unemployment, 3rd for crime. How bad is Cville compared to Flint?
In our particular situation, it is much more advantageous for us to own a home than it is to rent (very long and complicated story), and if Cville is a safe place to live, we will be OK as long as we stay in Cville long enough to either ride out the slump, or pay down our mortgage enough that we are not upside down when we move. I'm not looking to make a profit. I want to own an old house simply for the joy of enjoying and preserving it, and circumstances have never allowed.
I just wanted to make sure that Central, a few blocks north of Amtrak, was not "meth row" - sometimes you drive by big old houses and don't realize that each one has been divided into 4-6 flop apartments. It looks like property theft and burglary is a problem in Cville as well. Is that a problem that is seen more in certain areas, or is it widespread? How bad is it if you take decent security measures?
I've been reading your comments. Some of you portray Connersville as the pits, and some of you have hope for the future. You're both right. The question isn't so much what it is today, but what does it - what do YOU have the potential to be in 5 or 10 years?
It seems like your city and county leadership is missing the boat marketing-wise. I had read all the materials we were sent, and learned more (even positive stuff) about Cville from you than the fancy brochure.
Thanks everyone for your time. I'll be visiting soon and I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk to you about!

I like you already! You will be an asset to our community.

I have lived here 8 years & only had 1 time with crime. I had it on security tape & police did nothing. so a friend told me who the person was. I went to his house & spoke with his Grandmother.(the guy was about 30 years old.)told her he was a thief & it was on tape, the next day my chainsaw was back in my front yard.(took it from back)however tape caught him returning it also.

look around & take a good look @ the homes. look close @ the one on 12th & Grand. it has a carraige house out back nice corner lot there. if intersted let me know it is in the family & for sale. the home to the east is a disabled vet. & very nice people.

prettylady why Connersville?

oops on my post I had a moment. I just wonder why they will be here and then decide to move? Im nosey

pretty lady got any leads on jobs, i want to move back home to connersville and im in northern indiana and hate this flat land, Conersville is a nice little homey town good to grow up in just keep ur kids away from the bad element which isnt hard, a lot of parents dont care bout their kids just let them go play and they end up in trouble like i did when i was a kid, but i moved away got to know a lot about life now i just want to give my kids a good up bringing in a nice historic town. It is so beautiful there look up realtor.com and put in the zip and lots of houses for sale! let me know if any job leads u know about, im versitile in about anything except suit jobs

welcome prettylady

you can buy a victorian fixer upper for a deal
its a nice town
good luck to you

its really not a bad town to live and raise a family...its just not got many things...but i hope to see that change in the next few years...i have lived here all my life and i will prob be layed to rest here....i just wish the ppl of this town would get off there sorry asses and go pick trash up or clean a sidewalk or even help paint a house so it would look nicer...if we could just clean it up it would look better.....but anyhoo Grand ave and central are your best choices for a victiorian style home....good luck and welcome to connersville

Moved back 4 yrs ago and although there are problems, it's a nice place to live. Beats all the city traffic.

Kind of interesting to see all the different comments great to see majority has good things to say:) I grew up in Liberty moved here 15 years ago has seen good and bad in this town but over all still feel like its great to live here:) Hope the best lays ahead for you:)

Pretty Lady, I think you and your husband should rent, I really do. I just don't think you will be able to sell your home when/if the time comes. I think you should see if the owners of homes which interest you will rent for a year, and make sure you get agreement on advance notice of any showings. That way, you get a feel for the community and can decide where is best to buy.

I do not think Amtrak will be a reasonable option for you, and I don't think homes around the Amtrak stop will be a good idea. I could be wrong. Anyone else have thoughts on that? Forum member *Well*- what do you think?

Look for a home that has a couple of blocks around it that have well-kept yards, and the homes are well-kept.

Love that you're from Flint! I think you'll *get* Connersville, and will be a welcomed addition!

dealwithitamerica wrote:

prettylady why Connersville?

Why not?

I heard there is no "pretty lady"....just someone yanking our chains. Why would someone want to move here unless they are retired and don't have to pay the gas to go to jobs out of town. There is not much here, although we do have a great library for such a small town. And a lot of great people.