Pretty Good Place to Live
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11/26/2023
I bought a home here in 2021 and lived in the town for close to a year until January 2023. Looking at the big picture it is a pretty good place to live. Would rate it at 3.5 stars but don't have that option.
The only real reason I left and sold the home was due to the fact the home was too small for my needs. And the prospect of having the money needed to put on a small 100 foot addition or buying a similar sized shed was a challenge at that time. The cost involved with rising lumber and construction costs would have meant I doubt it could have been done for at least a couple of years. Aside from this I was pretty happing living here. Neighbors were fine and for the most part I was treated well when shopping in town or utilizing the local restaurants.
I heard numerous complaints from local people and transplants about living in Hartford City. Most claimed there is nothing to do. I don't agree. For a small town as a previous reviewer mentioned there are a number of things developing in the area to keep people happy. People that move to a small town need to understand you don't have as many options for culture and entertainment as a metro area. Even Muncie with 65,000 people is a 20 mile drive and has limited options available. You need to learn how to be a self starter when you move to a small town. Make your own fun. I don't have to rely upon society to create my fun and in fact have several hobbies and interests that keep me busy. My work in radio really helps and in the past has allowed me to get some local people in some places to get involved with on the air work and behind the scenes. Thus, I didn't have much to complain about while living here.
I just bought a home in a small town in rural Iowa. More room with the home and a garage than I had in Hartford City. Plan to stay there until retirement in a few years. At that time if I don't believe that is the place to retire I will look at Hartford City again. I would live there again if I could purchase a home that was larger than my last home. Indiana is becoming a decent state to retire money wise and that is a plus.
Positive aspects.
Clean air.
Not heavily populated.
Roads were in pretty good shape.
For the most part people were at least civil. Not usually overtly friendly but rarely rude when out - shopping or using local services or restaurants. Minimal trouble with the people.
Decent number and variety of stores and restaurants for a town of less than 6,000 people in the -shadow of larger towns like Muncie and Marion.
Neighbors were OK.
A couple of decent parks to walk in including Wilderness park.
Cost of living is relatively low. Taxes are also low. Utility bills are reasonable
Very low violent crime rate.
Negative aspects.
Water quality is not the greatest. Advise using a quality filter for drinking and possibly bathing.
Quite windy but that is an asset if you utilize wind turbines.
Employment is limited to manufacturing, retail and restaurant work. Some health care as well.
While property crime is low, drug usage is a problem like with most cities and towns now.
William | Richmond, MO