There is a presidential park in Highland. In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge came to Highland and delivered a dedication speech for Wicker Park, a park on the west side of town. In 2008, soon-to-be President Barack Obama came to Highland for a pre-election rally. He gathered people in Wicker Park, and it was the biggest crowd there since Coolidge's appearance in 1927, drawing more than 40,000 people.
Highland, located in Lake County, Indiana, is a town of about 23,700 people. Situated on the very, very northwestern tip of Indiana, Highland is actually considered a suburb of Chicago -- tricky, with those two different states! Highland is located close to the shores of Lake Michigan and the big manufacturing city of Gary. But don't underestimate Highland. While it is the little cousin of two bigger cities, Highland is a great city in itself. Not only does it have tons of community pride, it also has lots of culture, attractions, dining, entertainment and great housing options, making it a smart place to choose to settle down. It is even possible to commute to Chicago from Highland, so if you are looking to work in the big city and not spend your whole paycheck on rent, Highland might be a place you should consider.
Moving to Highland
So, you're considering looking to rent an apartment in Highland. Highland has a great mix of housing options, from rental condos to townhouses for rent. Highland might be the neighbor of big city, Chicago, but Highland has its own neighborhoods. Each neighborhood in Highland is a tight-knit community that is proud of its area and heritage. If you're thinking of moving here, it will pay to do research about the town. You will want to end up in the right housing, around a great group of people and near the amenities you like.
If you want to move to Highland, start your search any time but the winter. Trust us; the Midwestern winters are brutal. Combine the typical Midwestern winter temps with the fact that Highland is basically on the shores of Lake Michigan, and you're going to get some temperatures and wind blasts that are going to make searching for the right home difficult if not impossible. Try searching in fall or spring; April to late October is ideal. Summers in Highland are hot, but at least you won't get frostbite from spending too much time outside.
Did you find the rental apartment you want, or are you in a hurry to find it? Make sure you gather all the documents you'll need to secure the place. The necessary documents depend on the landlord; however, the typical requirements include things like: bank statements, tax returns, a letter of employment, a confirmation of salary, letters from personal references, letters from former landlords, and copies of your identification cards and papers. Affordable apartments near Chicago are highly sought after, so if you find a place you love, you won't want to wait. Apply for it on the spot.
Neighborhoods in Highland
Want to know more about what each neighborhood in Highland is like? This guide can help you parse out a little bit more about the feel of each neighborhood.
Town Center: Want some big-city amenities without ever heading to the big town? Settle down in the town center of Highland, which includes the center of town and its southeastern portion. The center of Highland has lots of businesses, residences, restaurants, entertainment and more. It has some architecturally interesting buildings; you won't feel like you're in any other Midwestern suburb (even though you are!)
Northwestern Highland: Northwestern Highland is closest to Chicago. For that reason, it's one of the busiest and most bustling, as well as one of the more commercial areas. Expect to find more apartment complexes here; you can find a range of houses from luxury apartments to furnished apartments. There is a bit more crime in this area than other parts of Highland, so keep that in mind when you're wondering why the price tag is lower here than in other areas.
Frog Hollow: Looking for quieter, more sleepy living? Frog Hollow is the place to be. Frog Hollow has affordable homes, many of which are small. However, if you're looking for an affordable rental in Highland, this might be just the place to look. The reason for the lower apartment prices? It could be that it's a less economically stable, or it could be that it's very low-lying and tends to flood.
Living in Highland
Technically, Highland is considered part of the Chicago Metropolitan Area, so lots and lots of the people that live here commute. It's not hard to get into the city either, since U.S. Route 41 runs through town, and it connects to several expressways that run right into Chicago. You'll need a car to get into town, though, since the train doesn't run here just quite yet. However, while trains aren't readily accessible, there are airports nearby if you want to get farther than just Chicago. Residents can easily fly in and out of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport or Chicago Midway International Airport. The town is also really close to the Gary/Chicago International Airport.
People in Highland aren't just always leaving, however, even if transportation is super easy from town. In fact, there are lots of great ways to entertain yourself in Highland. One of the best is the city's many parks (including Wicker Park). Highland has 20 official parks, with land that totals 198 acres. That's unrivaled compared to anywhere else in the region, which means you have tons of space to run and play ball in town. Like to eat? Highland has its own dining scene, too; Theo's Steaks and Seafood is a local standout for steakhouse fare.
If you end up living in Highland, you'll be in good company. The town has not only hosted famous guests but is also the birthplace and hometown to some pretty noted residents. It might feel pretty good to call the hometown of author Debra A. Kemp, NFL player and manager Ryan Grigson, and inventor of the Wiki, Ward Cunningham, your home too.