Over 19 years here, from child to adult.
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2/28/2021
Moving here is much harder than growing up here, I know from many people I've talked to. When you grow up here you learn how to interact with people, everyone will seem normal, act normal, then out of nowhere people are having a bad day and decide to go insane. >Road rage will get you killed, I promise you, 80% of people here probably have an illegal firearm in their car and aren't afraid to flash it or use it.
Keep calm and share the road, if you get upset by bad drivers don't live here basically.
Schools are very subpar (mainly the higher ups, principles etc cause the issues), some of the teachers here are AMAZINGLY caring and go above and beyond, but can only do so much having to stick to St Joseph Counties schooling system. (I've gone to multiple schools here, seen them all).
About the crime again... growing up here my house itself has had property crime about 5-6 times that I can remember, 3 cars have been broken into, multiple porch thefts (bikes locked to your post at your porch? Doesn't matter, it will get cut and taken). -> Best bet is to buy a scary mean dog, criminals here have a huge fear of dogs, but watch out, they will try to warm up to them when you're walking them "can I pet your dog" so the dog likes them, say "no sorry" - You're welcome
You'll see people in gas stations stealing (putting stuff in their pocket) etc almost daily, just ignore it, even the cashiers ignore it, because they're too scared to confront people because of the amount of shootings.
The chances of being mugged are pretty damn slam, as there are many criminals, or people hiding guns etc, no one wants to really steal directly from you in person, because they know you might have something (personally living here, you SHOULD have a firearm). Property theft is the bad thing here when it comes to crime, almost all shootings here are from arguments, grudges, drug deals, etc.
This information is all from my personal experience along with other people that have grown up here recently along side me.
Simply put, you wont die here because of crime, but you may very well lose valuables that you don't protect well.
Scott | South Bend, IN