Named after General Anthony Wayne, the city of Fort Wayne is a perfect blend of urban convenience and natural beauty. The city is officially nicknamed the "Summit City" due to it being the highest geographical point on the Wabash and Erie Canal that connects the Great Lakes with the Ohio River. Another not-as-popular moniker for this city is "The Magnet Wire Capital of the World," due to the development of insulated copper or aluminum wire that is wound in coils to create electromagnetic fields.
Fort Wayne is Indiana's second largest city and has been a three-time recipient of the "All-American City" recognition. Fort Wayne is proud to be the home of America's largest public genealogy research library and also America's #1 minor league sports city, according to a 2007 issue of Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Fort Wayne. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Fort Wayne Climate
Located at the junction of the Saint Mary's, Saint Joseph, and Maurmee Rivers, Fort Wayne experiences daily high and low temperatures with a total variation of about 20 degrees. The climate of the city is partially influenced by Lake Michigan and Lake Eerie. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year with June being the wettest month. Thunderstorms occur from May to August.
Tornadoes are rare but funnel-shaped clouds have been sighted. Fog is a common problem during spring due to the passage of warm air masses over melting snow. Snowfall is common from November to mid-April with the peak occurring during January. At any point in time, the total amount of snow on the ground hardly exceeds 10 inches. Flooding occurs several times in a year.
Fort Wayne Neighborhoods
Located close to Interstate 69, Abbey Place is one of the most affluent zip codes in Fort Wayne. This thriving neighborhood with its inviting landscape is suitable for single professionals, retirees, and families that are just starting out. Woodland of Riverside is close to wooded areas and rivers and is a quiet neighborhood. Low traffic makes it a suitable place for walking and jogging. Pontiac Place offers diversity in real estate - from two-story apartment buildings to sophisticated condominiums.
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in Fort Wayne is not just lower than the national average but also lower than the cost of living in the state of Indiana. Sales tax in Indiana is 7.00 percent which means the costs incurred on alcohol and tobacco, clothing, furniture and appliance, household accommodations, and recreation are very low when compared to other places. Healthcare costs are average and education is costlier in this town. The living costs in Fort Wayne are still well below the national average, and the median family income as of 2011 was $58,631. Also, the real estate prices are extremely low compared to the national average, with a median home price of only $91,008.
Registering Your Car
You have 60 days to register your car in Indiana from the date of the beginning of your residency in the state of Indiana. For registering your vehicle, proof of your residency in the state and proof of your social security number should be submitted at a BMV office. Vehicle Inspection Number inspection by a law enforcement officer or at any local license office is also required.
A driver's license should be obtained within 60 days of becoming a resident of the state of Indiana. You are required to surrender your valid out of state driver's license before applying for an Indiana state license. If you do not have a valid out of state driver's license, then you are required to get an Indiana's learner permit for 180 days, before you can apply for the state's license.
Fort Wayne Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Fort Wayne, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Indiana. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Fort Wayne Schools
Public education in Fort Wayne is provided by four different school districts. East Allen County Schools, Fort Wayne Community Schools, Northwest Allen County Schools, and Southwest Allen County Schools are the four districts that comprise the Fort Wayne public education system. The largest of the four is the Fort Wayne Community Schools district with over 31,000 students enrolled. Fort Wayne also has a number of higher educational institutions, including Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute of Technology, the University of Saint Francis, Indiana-Wesleyan University and several campuses of Ivy Tech Community College.
Fort Wayne Employment
Fort Wayne is well-known for its manufacturing industry which has corporate headquarters for companies like General Electric, Mangavox, Westinghouse and also International Harvester located in the city. Other major companies located in Fort Wayne are Phelps Dodge and Rea Magnet. Some of the city's largest employers include Parkview Health System, Fort Wayne Community Schools, General Motors, the City of Fort Wayne, Lincoln Financial Group and BFGoodrich.
The unemployment rate in Fort Wayne is 8.1 percent, slightly higher than the national average. When compared to the national average job growth of24.63 percent, Fort Wayne's job market has been considerably behind the rest of the country, despite the diverse economic base of the region and the city. With a job growth rate of -5.33 percent, the job growth is slower than the national average, and it may be a smart idea to secure employment before making your move to Fort Wayne.
Public Transportation
Citilink is the name given to the public transportation corporation operating in Fort Wayne and Allen County. Fixed-route services operate on 12 scheduled routes, operating seven days a week. Popular area attractions like shopping, restaurants, amusements, and accommodation are covered by these routes. Flexilink service is available on routes 21 and 22, meaning that if your destination is within three-fourths of a mile, the bus can deviate from its fixed route to drop you off at the nearest designated stop. You can also get picked up on these routes, provided you call the service 30 minutes before you travel.
CampusLink is a free shuttle service traversing between Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and Ivy Tech's Coliseum and North campuses. Citilink Access is a fixed-route service available on demand for persons who are physically challenged. Fort Wayne has several major highways like I-69, I-469, and U.S. Routes 24, 27, 30 and 33 and is also served by the Fort Wayne International Airport which is Indiana's third-largest airport and has the distinction of being one of the three Midwest commercial airports with a 12,000-foot runway.
Culture and Contemporary Life
From community events and concert tours to Broadway musicals, lectures and dance, the Embassy Theater has hosted one and all. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra has been performing regularly at the Embassy Theater since its inception in 1944. Broadway-style shows by volunteers are produced by the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre. In addition to the annual Nutcracker ballet, two major productions are carried out by the Fort Wayne Ballet. Contained in the Fort Wayne Museum of Art are 1,300 pieces of paintings, prints, and sculptures reflecting American and European art since the 19th century.
Three ethnic events are celebrated in June. They are the Indiana Highland Games, honoring Scottish heritage, German Fest and the Greek Festival. All of these events feature their respective region's music, dance, sports, and literature. The Johnny Appleseed Festival, honoring John Chapman, is held every year in September. Although different ethnicities have contributed to the cuisine of this city, the Coney Island Weiner stand with its signature hot dogs is quite famous in the city.
Moving to Fort Wayne
Whatever your reasons for moving to Fort Wayne, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Fort Wayne is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.