Is Fort Wayne, Indiana a Good Place to Live?

Fort Wayne is situated in the North East part of Indiana almost halfway between the state’s Ohio border and it’s Michigan border. Fort Wayne has a population of about a quarter million people making it the second most populated city in Indiana after Indianapolis. If you are moving to Fort Wayne you will be glad to know that the city is within 300 miles of major cities like Chicago, Cincinnati, and Detroit. The city was founded during the American Revolutionary War as the last in a series of forts constructed by General Anthony Wayne who the city is named after.

Is Fort Wayne, Indiana a good place to live? Living in Fort Wayne exposes a low cost of living and silent neighborhoods. It is a good place to purchase real estate, begin a career and raise a family. You have the feeling of living in a small town with access to big city amenities. It is a good place to live.

Fort Wayne is a great option for anyone thinking of moving to Indiana. It is a typical American Midwest city whose residents love meat, beer and sports. Though you will find any amenity you need, it may not be of the quality found in larger cities in the USA. Fort Wayne has a rich history and has shed its image as a security stronghold to a thriving metropolis with equally successful industries. However, most residents are drawn to the city by its affordable cost of living. Though Fort Wayne is a town rooted in tradition it continues to undergo massive revitalization.

In this article you will find out:

Is Fort Wayne, Indiana a good place to live? Pros and Cons.

Fort Wayne is a good city to settle down in if you plan on living in Indiana. However, just as in any other city in the United States, there are good sections and bad sections within the city. Where you live in Fort Wayne will determine if it’s a good place for you to live. If we ranked the neighborhoods in Fort Wayne based on criteria like cleanliness, safety, and affordability, the best neighborhoods will include Cherry Hill, Sycamore Hills, Shores of Rock Creek, Arlington Park, Bittersweet Lakes, Eagle Creek, Westchester Glens, Westchester Lakes, La Cabreah and Deerfield Estates. The worst neighborhoods will include Highland Park Forest, Harvester, Branning Hills, Oakland Park, Suburban Heights, Memorial Park, Ferndale, Poplar, Vesey, and South Suburban.

Crime in Fort Wayne is moderately high. The city has a safety index of 26 meaning that 74% of cities in the United States are safer than Fort Wayne. The overall crime rate in Fort Wayne is 29% higher than the national average. You have a 1 in 29 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Fort Wayne. About 10 crimes per 100,000 people occur every day in Fort Wayne. Property crimes like vehicle theft, arson, larceny, and burglary are the most common forms of crime in the city. Violent crimes are the second most prevalent form of crime in Fort Wayne.

Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) is the biggest public school district in Indiana. It manages 51 facilities consisting of 31 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and 5 high schools which service over 30,000 students. Private primary and secondary education in Fort Wayne is offered by Catholic and Lutheran schools. Indiana University Fort Wayne (IU Fort Wayne) and Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) are two prominent higher education institutions in the city. IU Fort Wayne specifically offers degree programs in health sciences while PFW offers all other degree programs. The city is home to the Allen County Public Library which is one of the 20 largest public libraries in the U.S.A.

Fort Wayne can be accessed by one interstate highway, I-69 and a beltway, I-469. There are also four US Routes bisecting the city. Five Indiana State Roads intersect within the city and are mostly used by personal vehicles. Fort Wayne does not have a freeway system. As far as mass public road transport is concerned, the Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation operates 12 bus routes in and around the city. Fort Wayne is not connected to the national Amtrak system. Fort Wayne operates two municipal airports operated by the Fort Wayne–Allen County Airport Authority. Fort Wayne International Airport is the city’s main commercial airport.

Fort Wayne has plenty of social spaces and has a thriving social life. There are plenty of social venues for the performing arts including theatres, connection centers, art museums, and an orchestra. There are 68 parks in Fort Wayne which offer large open social spaces. There are three minor league teams for sports fans and plenty of events and festivals spread throughout the year.

Is Fort Wayne a good place to work?

As of 2017, the top industries in Fort Wayne were manufacturing, health care, retail trade, and finance & insurance. Manufacturing is inextricably linked to Fort Wayne’s history and has been the city’s backbone since the beginning. However, pertaining to employing people, the largest industries are distribution, transportation, and logistics, health care, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and financial services respectively.

The unemployment rate in Fort Wayne stands at 3.2% compared to a national average of 5%. The average salary of an employee in Fort Wayne is $44,000 compared to a national average of $31,000. Popular jobs in Fort Wayne include Operations Manager, Mechanical Engineer, and Software Engineer. The single largest employers in Fort Wayne include The Lincoln Financial Group, Parkview, and Fort Wayne Community Schools.

Is Fort Wayne, Indiana a good place to buy a house?

According to Niche, Fort Wayne is the 13th best city out of 228 cities in the US to own a house. The median home price in Fort Wayne is $120,000 and the median rent is $900 per month both of which are substantially lower than the national average. 62% of Fort Wayne residents own their homes with most homes owned via a mortgage. Home insurance is recommended due to the high rate of property crimes.

However, where you buy a house determines if it is a good place to purchase a property. Good neighborhoods include Cherry Hill, Sycamore Hills, Shores of Rock Creek, Arlington Park, Bittersweet Lakes, Eagle Creek, Westchester Glens, Westchester Lakes, La Cabreah and Deerfield Estates. Bad neighborhoods include Highland Park Forest, Harvester, Branning Hills, Oakland Park, Suburban Heights, Memorial Park, Ferndale, Poplar, Vesey, and South Suburban.

The average monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment in Fort Wayne is $775. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $950 a month. The average rent for a three bedroom apartment is $1200 a month. The average monthly rent for a four-bedroom apartment is $1450nd the average rent for a five-bedroom apartment is $1800 a month.

The average buying price of an apartment with a single bedroom in Fort Wayne is $104,500. The average price of an apartment with double bedrooms is $155,250. The average price of an apartment with triple bedrooms is $199,570. The average price of a quadruple bedroom apartment is $243,330. The average price of an apartment with quintuple bedrooms is $295,010.

Is Fort Wayne, Indiana a good place to retire?

Fort Wayne is a great city in which to retire. The city is consistently ranked as one of the most affordable cities in America. Any retiree will be happy to live in a place with such a low cost of living. Fort Wayne is also relatively safe compared to other cities its size. Moreover, Fort Wayne has a very diverse population and has all the amenities any retiree can require. If that is not enough, there are larger metropolitan areas close by where better facilities can be found.

The monthly rates and home prices mentioned above can be used as a guide when looking for retirement properties. Normal properties cost about the same as retirement properties.

Is Fort Wayne, Indiana a good place to visit?

Fort Wayne has plenty of landmarks and attractions that will thrill any visitor. There is something for every taste and preference in Fort Wayne. The most significant tourist attractions in the city include Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Science Central, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Franke Park and Fort Wayne History Center.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Fort Wayne, Indiana?

As mentioned earlier, the cost of living in Indiana is very low. Fort Wayne has received credit for being the most affordable city in America. The cost of living is 13% lower than the national average with housing being the largest expense in most households.

Is Fort Wayne a good place to invest in property?

There are great real estate developments happening in Fort Wayne. Real estate in the city is cheap and residents earn higher than average salaries. You can expect good returns as a real estate investor in Fort Wayne.

Is Fort Wayne a good place to raise a family?

Fort Wayne is a great place to raise a family. There are plenty of schools at all levels to educate your children. The cost of living is really low and the city is moderately safe. There are also lots of social amenities for your family.