2021 Best Places to Live in the South Bend Area

Granger

• Suburb of South Bend, IN
• Rating 3.72 out of 5  146 reviews

Current Resident: This is a bedroom community for the upper middle class in the South Bend area. Low crime, excellent schools. Drive outside Granger for shopping and work. Developments keep the poor people out and property values high by not allowing renting of property. Many people bring their kids to my development to trick-or-treat because they see it as safer than their own neighborhoods. I see that as a compliment and welcome them!...Read 146 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• 30,776 Population

Osceola

• Suburb of South Bend, IN
• Rating 3.75 out of 5  12 reviews

Former Resident: I have lived in Osceola almost my entire life and I love the community I have been able to build. Osceola is a very small town but that makes it all the better, I have grown up with the same people and have gotten to form very strong relationships with them. There is not a ton to do in Osceola itself but the surrounding cities have a lot of fun things to do ...Read 12 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• 2,707 Population

Mishawaka

• Town in Indiana
• Rating 3.72 out of 5  131 reviews

Nearby Resident: Although Mishawaka is a small town in northern Indiana, it has its own unique charm that many people, including myself, appreciate. It is a relatively safe place to live because of its low crime rates, and it is not congested like most bigger cities. There are plenty of local shops, retail stores, and restaurants in downtown Mishawaka and along the outskirts of South Bend. Mishawaka neighbors the city of South Bend, the home of the prestigious University of Notre Dame, as well as Elkhart, the industrial hub. Because of the closely neighboring cities, there are many different job opportunities. Most importantly, Mishawaka is always trying to improve their city by building affordable (or even luxurious) housing conditions and organizing big, fun events for everyone to enjoy. Mishawaka is quite diverse for being so small...Read 131 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• 49,245 Population

Goshen

• Town in Indiana
• Rating 3.68 out of 5  101 reviews

Current Resident: Goshen is a great and safe small town. Goshen is very artsy and the community is very friendly and helpful. A mixture of rural and urban yet surrounded by farms. Goshen also has all the store need to shop for food, clothing or anything needed for your household. Great town to raise children in...Read 101 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 34,108 Population

South Bend

• City in Indiana
• Rating 3.49 out of 5  340 reviews

Current Resident: Since around 2015, I have seen a lot of changes take place. New downtown developments like the restoration of older buildings such as the JMS Building and The Lasalle, to renovated green spaces like Howard Park and Seitz Park. I actually see people walking downtown, unlike before it was more like a ghost town. Not to mention new, local restaurants filling once vacant downtown storefronts. In the neighborhoods, there has been more paving to roads and fixing up homes that have sat vacant for many years. In some neighborhoods that saw lots of abandoned homes torn down, are now seeing new homes actually being built. As for crime and public schools, the crime is higher than most Indiana cities and hope there is more of a push to combat it. The public school system is ok, really depends on what school. However, a new referendum just being passed to bring in more funding...Read 340 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B minus

• 102,037 Population

Dunlap

• Suburb of South Bend, IN
• Rating 3.19 out of 5  26 reviews

Current Resident: Great suburb outside of Elkhart. Shopping, Gyms, Restaurants and Schools are all near by. Have great parks and community recreational areas.Read 26 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• 6,667 Population

Nappanee

• Town in Indiana
• Rating 4.38 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: We moved here this year, and it was the best decision. We did the odd decision of moving away from Granger, Indiana, and it was a great decision. The small town feel and the atmosphere is perfect for anyone moving away from the bright lights of the city. The school, NorthWood, is the most conservative, christian school you'll ever attend...Read 8 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• 7,033 Population

Niles Township

• Suburb in Michigan
• Rating 4.08 out of 5  24 reviews

Former Resident: It is a nice quiet town with excellent local amenities, it is definitely a town where you can peacefully raise a family or live comfortably in retirement. Also, you can enjoy the beauty of living in the country side, with the option to escape to bigger cities less than an hour away...Read 24 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• 13,880 Population

Bremen

• Town in Indiana
• Rating 3.7 out of 5  33 reviews

Current Resident: Bremen is a small rural community in Indiana. I like a small town. It does not have the pressures that a large metropolitan area has. Our school system does not offer as many things that a large school has, but what is offered is taught well. The teachers take pride in their students. We had very little COVID problems in Bremen. I think that was partly because we have fresh air! No city smog etc. There is not much nightlife in Bremen and that might be a drawback from some people...Read 33 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• 4,505 Population

Buchanan

• Suburb in Michigan
• Rating 4 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Buchanan, Michigan! I love the culture that the community upholds. My only complaint is the lack of restaurants.Read 9 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• 4,304 Population

Edwardsburg

• Suburb in Michigan
• Rating 3.71 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: A small little town that is a great for a break from the city. You are close to every small city. Edwardsburg is surrounded by Granger, IN; Mishawaka, IN; Elkhart, IN; Niles, MI; and Kalamazoo, MI. There are many adventures to take in less than 30 minutes of anything you would want to do...Read 17 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• 1,255 Population

Milton Township

• Suburb in Michigan
• Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: I would choose to live here again even with the cold it is still a nice play to live because we get all four season and it is very beautiful. The worst thing about this area is one day it could be 80 degrees and the next it could be 45 degrees. I see Niles growing in the future with more jobs in the area and with the community helping to improve on things in our area as well...Read 1 Review

• grade B

• grade B

• 3,885 Population

Elkhart

• Town in Indiana
• Rating 3.22 out of 5  99 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived and worked in Elkhart for years. I love the small town feel but still city living. I respect the approach our current administration is taking to revamp the city walking district and the Aquatic Center has been such a great addition. There are so many hidden gems in town, whether it be a park or a little known restaurant. There is so much to do and explore in Elkhart. I highly recommend the Wellfield Botanical Gardens!...Read 99 Reviews

• grade B

• grade C+

• 52,257 Population

Bertrand Township

• Suburb in Michigan

• grade B

• grade B minus

• 2,613 Population

Niles

• Town in Michigan
• Rating 3.62 out of 5  39 reviews

Current Resident: Small town feel, with a big town heart! With parks, the Saint Joseph River and many small businesses, this town will hit you in the "feels" and leave you wanting to come back and try that new restaurant you missed last time. Join a community that cares and looks out for each other. Close enough to major shopping in South Bend/Mishawaka and with Chicago about 2 hours drive away, you get small-town life with all the things you'd want from a big city nearby...Read 39 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• 11,211 Population

Bristol

• Suburb of South Bend, IN
• Rating 3.27 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Bristol my entire life! And I have loved every moment. It is a small town, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything to do! One thing I love and hope to never see change about Bristol is our main street that has all the old historical buildings. There is the Museum, the opera house, a cafe, and other old buildings with history. The people in town are all very nice. I am a runner, so when I go on runs I see many people and a lot of them wave or give me a positive comment that makes my runs so much better. I love being able to say hi to strangers and get a warm smile back. It makes my day, and I hope it makes theirs too!...Read 11 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C+

• 1,518 Population

Howard Township

• Suburb in Michigan
• Rating 3.17 out of 5  12 reviews

Niche User: There isn't a whole lot to do where I live, but I love being with my family and friends and its not to far of a drive in order to go do something fun. I love all the nature and being able to experience all four seasons of the year...Read 12 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• 6,091 Population

New Paris

• Suburb of South Bend, IN
• Rating 3.06 out of 5  16 reviews

Current Resident: New Paris is a quiet small town. While the town itself does not boast very many attractions, it is only a short drive to other larger towns and cities. I would like to see my town become more diverse. I would also like to see a larger business presence.Read 16 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B

• 1,503 Population

Mason Township

• Suburb in Michigan
• Rating 3.25 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: The thing I love the most about our town is that it small. There are also lots of pizza places to go to and who doesn't love pizza.Read 8 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B

• 2,944 Population

Simonton Lake

• Suburb of South Bend, IN
• Rating 2.75 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C

• 5,362 Population

Jefferson Township

• Suburb in Michigan
• Rating 3.67 out of 5  6 reviews

Niche User: If I could choose where I would live, I would still pick this area. Living on the Michigan/Indiana border has way more positives than negative attributes. This area is different than anywhere else in the country because it has 4 different seasons with 4 different temperatures. Summer is accompanied by an ocean-like lake and winters are filled with mountainous skiing. The area is full of things for all to partake in without a hiccup. Being only 30 minutes away from the Great Lakes and a city like South Bend is perfect placement for me. Every single school in the Edwardsburg school district is a "Blue Ribbon" school and is known for being the best of the best in the area. There was a teaching position open two years ago and 275 teachers applied for it! That right there shows just how badly people want to be involved in the Edwardsburg community. Just since I have been away at college, the town has opened a new grocery store, 2 new restaurants, and a fitness gym. For a town of only 6,000 honest residents, that is really impressive. The culture is so connected saying 'everybody knows everybody,' is an understatement. The high school just had a school donor that recently died because of cancer and we held an assembly where almost 1,000 people showed up to show respects. I'm proud to say I am from that town and to have grown up an Eddie of Edwardsburg...Read 6 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• 2,530 Population

Buchanan Township

• Suburb in Michigan
• Rating 3 out of 5  3 reviews

• grade C+

• grade B minus

• 3,506 Population

Harris Township

• Suburb of South Bend, IN

• grade A+

• grade A

• 23,832 Population

Clay Township

• Suburb of South Bend, IN
• Rating 3.33 out of 5  48 reviews

Current Resident: Some of the roads have a lot of potholes due to the weather conditions and the salt that has to be put on the road during the winter. Otherwise, I love my township and I'm disappointed to have to be leaving it for university!...Read 48 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B minus

• 33,648 Population

Portage Township

• Suburb of South Bend, IN
• Rating 3.73 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: For a small town in Northwest Indiana, Portage is great place to live. Family friendly, quite and safe. The schools are great, with helpful staff in every school. Great small community, just not a lot to do as far as a night life unless you travel a bit to a bigger town nearby...Read 15 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B minus

• 92,972 Population