Niles is called the City of Four Flags. Its nickname comes from the fact that the French-built Fort St. Joseph was controlled by the countries of France, Britain, Spain, and the United States.
Niles is located less than 11 miles north of the city of South Bend, Indiana
Niles is called the City of Four Flags. Its nickname comes from the fact that the French-built Fort St. Joseph was controlled by the countries of France, Britain, Spain, and the United States.
Niles is located less than 11 miles north of the city of South Bend, Indiana. With a population of 11,600 people, its sits on the Saint Joseph River. This riverfront city is filled with history. FortSt. Joseph has changed hands four times, and the city was a well known stop in the 1800s for the Underground Railroad, a network to free runaway slaves. Amtrak has several rail stations here, including Michigan Central Station, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its biggest industry is manufacturing, followed by retail trade.
Niles offers a mixture of detached houses, condos and apartments. The cost of living is lower here versus Michigan averages. This means you can save money by living here. You should have no problem finding homes for rent in Niles. The rental average is higher in Niles than the state average. You can find condos for rent that would be comparable to the price of an apartment.
The Local Real Estate Market
Finding a good home in Niles won't be too difficult. There are plenty of houses on the market from river and lake front homes to suburban sprawls. If you're looking for a one bedroom apartment, you can find it. If you need a 4 or 5 bedroom house, you can find those as well. Homes rent for just slightly more than apartments. There are many grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurants located throughout the city.
In planning your move, you should think about four to eight weeks ahead of the actual move date. This will allow you to fix any last-minute challenges. A credit check is definitely recommended before you begin filling out rental applications. You can be prepared to address any negative incidents if you have any. Most landlords will want a copy of your ID, a security deposit, bank statements, and several copies of your pay stubs. A residence with all bills paid (meaning utilities) is a great find, but be prepared to pay for utilities if necessary.
Factor in the actual cost of the move. You can rent a truck, or if you have the budget, you can pay a company to move you. Look at the pros and cons of doing it both ways, and pick the best option. Get a map so you'll know how to get around town before and after your move.
Although Niles is less than 6 square miles, there are several neighborhoods to choose. Some of the major areas are CityCenter, Oak Street, East Main Street, Ontario Road, Lake Street, Bertrand, Huntley Rd, Grant Street, Front Street, and Dayton/Bakertown. The top listed apartments communities are North Niles Villa, Berrien Woods, Griffin Estates, and Tanglewood. Dial-A-Ride public transport serves Niles and surrounding area.
City Center: This is a hip and trendy neighborhood with most of the residential real estate as rental units. There is mixture of homes and apartments, from one to four bedrooms. You can also find studio apartments and condos here as well. The walk score is 72.7%. Several restaurants including the Third Street Pizzeria and The Hob Nob are located here.
Oak Street: This neighborhood is a bit more quiet and expensive than CityCenter. There is a mixture of owners and renters. The walk score is 71.3%.
East Main Street: This area is generally medium-sized homes and some smaller homes. There are some apartments. The walk score is 28.1%.
Ontario Road: If you're looking for quiet, this is it. This is a well-established neighborhood, with medium-sized and smaller homes and some small apartments. There are even some mobile homes in this area. The walk score is 29.4%.
Lake Street: This neighborhood near North 17th St is hip and trendy and has more urban socialites. It's fairly quiet, and you can walk to most destinations. There are a few apartments but the walk score is 65.1%. There is a Brew Ha Ha coffee shop for those java lovers and even a McDonald's in this neighborhood.
Bertrand: This is a very quiet neighborhood with a mixture of medium and small homes. This includes a few small apartments and mobile homes. The walk score is 38.1%.
Huntley Road: The Huntly Rd/Yankee St neighborhood has BarronLake within its borders. This suburban area is one of the quieter in Niles. It has a mixture of older homes and some that are not so old but established. There are some mobile homes but not apartments or townhouses. The walk score is 28.5%
Grant Street: A neighborhood with a nice social scene, the Grant St/South Lincoln Ave area is a nice mixture of trendy inhabitants. It has a walk score of 63.1% and you can get to most places on foot. It has a combination of apartments, small and medium-sized homes. For a good frosty treat, try out the Dairy Queen or head over to The Tavern to have a beer and meet some new friends.
Front Street: This northwestern neighborhood is considered rural and quiet. Even so, it appears to be more on the hip side of things. There are apartments scattered throughout the area. The walk score is 23.1%.
Dayton/Bakertown: The most expensive real estate is in this neighborhood. It may be the most quiet of them all too. There are medium and large-sized single-family homes and a few townhouses. The walk score is 23.8%.
Niles has plenty of activities in and around its city center. RiverfrontPark is the site of several activities and festivals, including the Bluegrass Festival and Niles Riverfest. It also has an Armed Forces memorial and a skateboard park for those extreme sports lovers. Downtown houses the historic ChaplinMansion, which served as City Hall. Whatever you're looking for, you're sure to find it in Niles!
