Locals say that Fort Wayne is a big city that feels like a small town. Never is that more apparent than when you ask people what their morning commute is like. Being the second largest city in Indiana, you think you’d hear the same grumbling complaints about traffic, but you’d be wrong! Many people live within 10 miles of their jobs, which means their longest commute is 20 minutes, 29 if you stop for coffee (which you should). Maybe the lack of traffic is why everyone is so nice here! 

Despite being a very family-friendly town with a lot to do, Fort Wayne can feel isolated to people who relocate here for work with no support system in place. If you’re used to larger cities, the two/two-plus-hour drive to get to a city with a larger entertainment district may frustrate you, especially when a lot of the activities shut down for the winter. 



No Traffic (and people are nice)

LookyLOO Review of Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne attracts families looking for a quiet community and plenty to do on the weekends. Whether it’s one of the many festivals in summer months, the greenway, or one of the many arts events, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Keeping with the small-town mentality, the nightlife isn’t as bustling as some would like, but with enough restaurants and coffee shops to try it doesn’t seem to bother locals too much. 

If you're interested in seeing what's happening in Fort Wayne check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.visitfortwayne.com/events/).


Lifestyle 

The city of Fort Wayne has a long history of manufacturing and, like many other cities, it suffered greatly during the recession of 2008. That being said, the city is doing everything it can to come back and revitalize the town. In addition to the economic growth in the past 10 years, companies like BAE Systems and General Motors are making large investments in the city to ensure its growth. The main industries besides manufacturing are healthcare, insurance, and retail.


Worklife

The low cost of living combined with friendly small-town atmosphere make Fort Wayne a perfect place to settle down and raise a family. The city would be a breath of fresh air for anyone looking to escape big city life or for someone who’s looking to take a baby step out of their own small hometown into city life. 


It’s a Goldilocks town!

Why Move Now?

**MortgageJoey**
8mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

There’s plenty to enjoy about Fort Wayne: downtown has good restaurants and parks, catching a game at Parkview field, decent number of breweries, lots of adult sports leagues, decent hiking within driving distance, and usable trail system, great Asian food… Some local gems: The Dash Inn, Fox Island County Park, The Komets, Morgan’s, Summit City Climbing Club (opening soon), O’Sullivan’s, The Clyde (for decent concerts)…I don’t understand anybody who says there is nothing to do.

For more reviews of what living in Fort Wayne is like from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/fort-wayne/reviews)

Reviews about Fort Wayne from Locals

If you’re a young professional looking to start your post-grad life in Fort Wayne, you’ll be happy to know there’s a ton of great coffee shops, museums, and outdoor activities to keep you busy outside your 9-5. Check out these neighborhoods that are close to the action:
- Downtown
- Fairfield
- The Landing


Young Professionals

Downtown

Young Families will love all the activities for the little beans that Fort Wayne has to offer. The parks, the festivals, the museums and nature trails - it does a family good! These neighborhoods will give you plenty of room to move while still keeping you close to nightlife:
- Foster Park
- East State Village
- West Central


Young Families

Foster Park 

The low cost of living, minimal traffic, and amenities make Fort Wayne a no-brainer for families settling down for the long-haul. These neighborhoods have bigger home for bigger kiddos and bigger families and keep you close to everything you need, while giving you a quieter street to call home:
- West Central
- Lakeside
- North Anthony


Established Families

West Central

Fort Wayne

**MortgageJoey**
8mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

There’s plenty to enjoy about Fort Wayne: downtown has good restaurants and parks, catching a game at Parkview field, decent number of breweries, lots of adult sports leagues, decent hiking within driving distance, and usable trail system, great Asian food… Some local gems: The Dash Inn, Fox Island County Park, The Komets, Morgan’s, Summit City Climbing Club (opening soon), O’Sullivan’s, The Clyde (for decent concerts)…I don’t understand anybody who says there is nothing to do.

**ewskuntz**
8mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Fort Wayne has plenty to do, yet it is not overwhelming like larger cities. it's a mid sized town. You can go anywhere, anytime, without being tied up in a crowd. There's plenty of bars, clubs, restaurants, sports, outdoor activities, gyms, biking and walking trails, lakes, and rivers. The downtown is thriving. It's full of parks and public spaces, new apartments, an amazing stadium, historic theaters, a botanical garden, and there are events all summer long. Parking isn't a problem.

There are lots of newer apartment complexes on the outskirts of town. The north side is developing outwards.

Fort wayne may not be progressive enough for some, but honestly, after seeing the state of many progressive cities, I can't imagine wanting to live in them.

**BooRadleysreddit**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

BooRadleysreddit
•
1y ago
•
Fort Wayne, like pretty much everywhere, has plenty to offer if you're willing to go find it. I've lived in multiple states. As far east as Virginia and as far west as Nevada. When the time came that I was able to choose where to live, I chose Fort Wayne.

My standard of living is better in Indiana than anywhere I've been and there's no way I could afford my current lifestyle anywhere else. No matter what you're into, you can find like-minded people if you put yourself out there. I recommend local pages on your preferred social media.

It's difficult to give suggestions without any context, but just know that you'll get out of Fort Wayne whatever you put into it.

Fort Wayne, like pretty much everywhere, has plenty to offer if you're willing to go find it. I've lived in multiple states. As far east as Virginia and as far west as Nevada. When the time came that I was able to choose where to live, I chose Fort Wayne.

My standard of living is better in Indiana than anywhere I've been and there's no way I could afford my current lifestyle anywhere else. No matter what you're into, you can find like-minded people if you put yourself out there. I recommend local pages on your preferred social media.

It's difficult to give suggestions without any context, but just know that you'll get out of Fort Wayne whatever you put into it.

**Considering a Move to Fort Wayne**

I lived in Chicago for 12 years and Columbus, OH for another two. I moved back here for the cheaper living. I run my own business and it's all online now, so it just made sense.

It's not just housing that's cheaper, though: EVERYTHING is cheaper. Utilities, food, health insurance, taxes (well, for me). I used a TON of water last month. I cringed opening my bill and it was... $18.46 (for one person). That's just one example. Also upgraded my health insurance and am spending about $100 LESS per month.

Also, while FW is pretty dead in the winter due to the cold (we're getting down to something like -6 this weekend... yay), the mayor's administration here has been working hard to bring more amenities to the city. Downtown is really starting to bloom. We've got a baseball park down there that looks just as cute as all get out (really looking forward to attending a game). We've got the Riverfront opening this spring, and there's a project called Electric Works that stands to bring in more stuff to do. But there's lots of stuff for families to do already. The city has improved the trail system. We also have a pretty stellar philharmonic and a ballet company, if you're into that sort of thing.

You do run into some people with a smaller-town mentality here--meaning they expect conformity. There are areas in FW that are run-down, but overall it's a very safe city, and (I think, anyway) the police do a pretty spectacular job of keeping it that way.

It's pretty right-leaning as far as politics--though we have a Dem mayor, so there's some balance. I do think the city is really well-run (the trash company debacle notwithstanding). Maybe follow The City of Fort Wayne on FB for one method of staying up-to-date on the projects they are working on.

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Summit City

Looklyloo Score: 88