Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso, a city that is known to most area residents simply as 'Valpo,' is the seat of Porter County in northwestern Indiana. With a population of just over 47,000, Valparaiso has undergone rapid expansion in the past decade, particularly in the retail and business sectors. New businesses and shopping centers have opened here with regularity, although the rapid growth has slowed in recent months. There are many higher-education opportunities in Valparaiso, including Valparaiso University, Ivy Tech, and Purdue University North Central. Primary education in Valparaiso is also excellent; the Valparaiso area has four public school districts, an alternative high school, a vocational school, and plenty of private school options. Valparaiso has a well-developed system of green spaces, including 14 city parks that offer outdoor activities, classes, and programs for all ages.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Valparaiso's business portfolio is diversified. The city is home to international and national companies, including the company that makes Orville Redenbacher popcorn (Redenbacher was a local resident). Companies have flocked to Valparaiso for the low cost of doing business in the state, which is augmented by incentives and a frozen tax levy.

Jobs in the education sector are popular in Valparaiso: The city's top two employers are Valparaiso University and Valparaiso Community Schools. Other top employers include big-box stores and various industrial suppliers.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

With its rapid growth and proximity to Chicago, Valparaiso has become an increasingly popular place to live. In the last decade, the population has increased nearly 8 percent. Some neighborhoods that are popular with residents include:

• City Center: With mostly small, older homes, downtown Valparaiso is one of the more affordable areas to live. The neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly and features many cultural attractions and an urban feel.
• Coburg/Malden: The area to the east of downtown Valparaiso is still relatively rural; it has a low population density and mostly single-family homes.
• Marian Manor/University District: The area around Valparaiso University has a lively and urban feeling and is home to mostly college students and young professionals.
• Westhill/Sylvan Manor: This neighborhood skirts the downtown area to the south, west, and north and offers quiet residential areas, golf courses, and quite a few small lakes and ponds.
• Wheeler/Sedley: This quiet but expensive neighborhood is filled mostly with families who have children of school age.

SHOPPING

Valparaiso's downtown area features plenty of independent specialty shops, including jewelry stores, clothing boutiques, day spas, and an old-fashioned corner drugstore. At the intersection of Bypass 49 and U.S. 2 are Valparaiso Walk and Valparaiso Marketplace, two sprawling outdoor plazas that include many national retailers and home-improvement stores. Just to the east of these plazas is Porter's Vale, a new plaza anchored by JCPenney and Cinemark.

GETTING AROUND

For a city of its size, Valparaiso has a remarkable public transportation system. Workers and visitors to Chicago have two options to get there from Valparaiso: Take the South Shore train (which has a stop just north of Valparaiso) or the ChicaGo DASH, an express bus service that runs between downtown Valparaiso and Chicago. For local transportation, Valparaiso offers V-Line, a dedicated-route bus service with routes that serve Valparaiso University, the South Shore, shopping centers, and other popular destinations.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Considering its reputation as a hub of business and residential growth, it might be surprising that Valparaiso offers some high-quality options for entertainment of many kinds. A pair of historic venues make live entertainment options plentiful in Valparaiso:

• Chicago Street Theatre: Housed in a newly renovated 130-seat building, this theater is the home of Valparaiso's Community Theatre Group, which stages live plays and musicals.
• Memorial Opera House: Built in 1893 as a memorial to Civil War veterans, the opera house is a venue for concerts, films, live theater, and, of course, opera.

For a taste of history and culture, Valparaiso offers the Brauer Museum of Art: Located on the campus of Valparaiso University, this museum specializes in 19th- and 20th-century American art and displays works by such artists as Georgia O'Keeffe, Childe Hassam, and Frederic Edwin Church.

FOR VISITORS

• Porter County Museum: Housed in the former county jail and sheriff's residence, the Porter County Museum offers archival papers and exhibits that showcase the history of the area.
• Sports and outdoor enthusiasts will also find opportunities in Valparaiso at the Taltree Arboretum and Gardens: The 300 acres of Taltree showcase the natural beauty of prairie, forest, wildflowers, and other diverse plant species. Trails allow visitors to explore easily.

EVENTS

Valparaiso keeps a busy year-round calendar of events, including:

• Winter Greek Fest: This February event is a celebration of Greek culture, featuring homemade Greek food and pastries.
• Porter County Fair: The Fair offers several food stands, rides, games, and vendors. The event also includes a pageant and a grandstand with entertainment acts.
• Popcorn Festival: This festival salutes Valparaiso native Orville Redenbacher and his famous brand of popcorn.
• Vale Fine Arts Festival: This October event showcases the talents of local artists in the Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts.

SPORTS TEAMS

Valparaiso Crusaders: Sports fans gather at Valparaiso University to see the Crusaders (particularly the basketball and football teams) in venues on campus.