You got the job, or you're keeping your Chicago job and want more room. Now you need a home in a region you may only know from the toll road. Here's the lay of the land, town by town, with a local broker who lives here.
| Counties | Lake and Porter |
|---|---|
| Time zone | Central time, the same as Chicago |
| Train to Chicago | South Shore Line to Millennium Station (Randolph St.) in downtown Chicago. The Monon Corridor branch opened March 31, 2026, with new stations at Hammond Gateway, South Hammond, Munster Ridge and Munster/Dyer. Schedules |
| Airports | Chicago Midway and O'Hare by car; South Bend International Airport is the east end of the South Shore Line |
| Utilities | NIPSCO provides gas and electric in much of the region; water varies by town. Check each town page. |
Each town page lists public school districts with official links, utilities, highways and transit. You choose the town; we find the home.
To the Chicago Loop: about 45 miles, roughly 55 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 55 miles, roughly 65 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 42 miles, roughly 50 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 35 miles, roughly 45 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 28 miles, roughly 40 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 33 miles, roughly 45 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 37 miles, roughly 50 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 28 miles, roughly 38 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 43 miles, roughly 55 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 38 miles, roughly 45 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 47 miles, roughly 55 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 40 miles, roughly 48 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
To the Chicago Loop: about 22 miles, roughly 30 minutes off-peak (estimate — traffic varies)
We give you facts about places and commutes, never opinions about who lives where.
A few Indiana rules and numbers newcomers ask about most. Each links to the official source.
Indiana landlords must return the deposit, or an itemized list of deductions, within 45 days after you move out and give a forwarding address. Indiana sets no cap on deposit size. Indiana Code 32-31-3
New residents have 60 days to get an Indiana driver's license and 60 days to title their vehicles. Indiana BMV
Indiana's state income tax rate is 2.95% for 2026, scheduled to drop to 2.90% in 2027. Counties add their own local income tax. Indiana DOR
If you buy later: Indiana caps property tax bills at 1% of assessed value for an owner-occupied home, 2% for rentals and farmland, and 3% for other property. Boone County Auditor summary
Most of Indiana is on Eastern time. Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Jasper, Newton and Starke counties in the northwest, plus six southwest counties, are on Central time, the same as Chicago. State of Indiana
General information, not legal or tax advice. The linked official sources are the final word.
No cost to you: the owner pays our placement fee. HR and relocation teams: how we work with you.
Your broker: Douglas Willems. Licensed since 1997, a landlord since 1998, placing tenants since 2008. Not a tour guide.
Last checked October 2026. Drive times are estimates. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Moving from far away? Watch how we help people relocating see a home, the street and the commute before they commit.