The city of South Bend, Indiana is a colorful place to call home. The town is so many things at once--a vibrant college town, a business and commercial hub, and a family-friendly place to raise children. With so much to offer, South Bend attracts residents from every imaginable background and walk of life, providing a diverse and interesting tableau to everyday life.

There are currently just over 105,000 residents living in South Bend, with an average age of thirty eight years old. Of the city's working age population, approximately thirty nine percent of residents are employed in the service industry. An additional twenty eight percent of locals are employed in a professional or managerial capacity, while around fifteen percent of residents are employed in an administrative capacity. The average household income in South Bend is right around the national average, coming in at $32,439 per year.

South Bend offers its residents a strong local economy. The most recent survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that South Bend, Indiana actually led the nation in wage growth at the end of 2004. For residents, this meant an average wage increase of about ten percent. When added to South Bend's historically low cost of living, this is a deep point of pride for city leaders.

Newcomers to South Bend will find an array of housing options to consider. About half of the houses in the city are single-family detached style. These range from turn of the century architectural styles to brand new construction. The remaining half of homes are a great mix of multi-family housing such as condominiums, town houses and duplexes.

In South Bend, home ownership is a reality rather than a dream. Potential home buyers are certain to find an ideal home for every taste, budget and lifestyle. Because of its accessible housing market, home ownership has become a popular option in South Bend, with about half of residents currently choosing to own rather than rent their homes. This has proven to be a solid investment decision as well, as owners here have experienced a steady increase in their homes' values over the years. Recent real estate reports indicate that the average purchase price of a home in South Bend is currently $106,800.

Like many Midwestern cities, South Bend offers a number of distinctive districts and neighborhoods throughout the city. For those seeking a more urban lifestyle with access to all of the city's amenities, a number of unique neighborhoods are found in and around the heart of the city. Within blocks of the downtown core, you will find some of the city's oldest neighborhoods, boasting elegant homes that have been lovingly restored to their former glory.

Downtown is certainly a focal point for South Bend. This is where you will find the city's commercial and business hub. But as more and more people choose to live in an urban core, South Bend has also become a city of numerous pedestrian-friendly enclaves, with dozens of unique shops and chic boutiques lining the avenues.

One of South Bend's most sincere points of pride is its role in education. It is here that some of the country's finest institutions of higher education are located. For those beginning or continuing a college education, some top-notch school await you. Within South Bend, you will find the Indiana University of South Bend, Ivy Tech College at South Bend, Saint Mary's College, and the crown jewel of the region, the venerable University of Notre Dame.

South Bend is a city that caters to the needs and wants of its diverse population. The end result is a fun, interesting, and vibrant city in which to live. If you are thinking about moving, consider all that South Bend, Indiana has to offer! To learn more, simply request our "free relocation assistance" today.