Small town - midwest experience
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2/16/2017
We lived in North Manchester, Indiana for 10 years. In many ways this town seems like the midwest that time forgot. It has a small but vibrant main street lined by businesses and you can get pretty much anything you really need without leaving town. There is a grocery store, hardware store, a few fast food places, etc. If you want to see a movie or shop at a WalMart or other big box store however you will need to drive at least half an hour to find these.
North Manchester is also home to Manchester Univeristy, a small liberal arts college of just over 1000 students. The campus fits nicely into this community and the school and community benefit from each other. The campus is well kept and the students are largely quiet and good community neighbors. The school does not allow frats or sororities so there is no tradition of Greek culture among the students. That's really nice. Town folks regularly take advantage of cultural and sporting events at the college.
Politically N Manchester is an interesting place. I consider myself to be a true middle of the road conservative. The college is an extremely liberal and progressive institution and the town has the small town midwestern conservativism. So on campus I felt conservative and in town, liberal. It was really interesting!
There are a variety of religious denominations you can choose from in this town, though cultural diversity is extremely limited.
The climate includes muggy summers with temps seldom passing the 90s, but the humidity can be high and mosquitos and yellow jackets can be persistent pests while picnicking. Winters are not too extreme and the town is far enough south to avoid most of the lake effect snow seen in northern Indiana.
Town is one hour west of Ft Wayne, the nearest shopping hub and 100 miles north of Indianapolis, should you want to take in professional sporting events. Ft. Wayne has a fantastic zoo and other destinations. There is a very nice golf course east of town, and a season membership is reasonably priced.
North Manchester is located at the cross-roads of two state highways, but since major highways and interstates do not pass through or nearby, there is not too much traffic in the area.
This is a low crime town, and a great place to rear children. All in all a great place.
Alan | Rexburg, ID