Elkhart

there’s an urban legend in elkhart suggesting that native americans cursed the land so that anyone who was born in the city would wind up living there for the rest of their lives. i thank my lucky stars that i was actually born in michigan and swiftly relocated to austin, texas at 18. as illogical and silly as the story seems, it’s a deadly threat to anyone who has actually lived in the town, generally due to being tied down by family and friends who also had the misfortune of being stuck in elkhart. don’t get me wrong. i love the river, and outside of the city there’s some really beautiful midwestern scenery, but to actually rationalize why anyone would choose to locate themselves in the city of elkhart is something else entirely. my dad tells me it’s because he “doesn’t like change” and i suppose that would comprise the disposition of most of the residents as well. the economy is decent, it’s quiet, the cost of living is low…all things considered, the most insulting aspect of the city is aesthetic, and even then at least it has the river. but then i also consider some of the stats i’ve read about pollution and the schools and the supposed fact that elkhart has the second highest rate of unsolved murders in the nation, and with that in mind, i have this to say: normally i would never discourage someone from being a cheap skate or to go out of their way if they’re content with their environment, but seriously, elkhart, indiana? it’s a cultural wasteland. the entertainment value of the city is placed on the local walmart, and thus i say MOVE! MOVE WHILE YOU STILL CAN!

I am proud to say I’m from Elkhart. Although its taken a while for the city to get moving on some much needed improvement projects I think it is now safe to say we are on the cusp of a new era.

Downtown is looking good streetscape is being finished up and there are committees in place to look at ways to prevent crime. New developments and improvements along Main Street and through the River walk area are coming to life.

There is a lot of hidden treasure in town including a new RV Hall of Fame, the Midwest Museum of American Art and the National NY Central RR museum.

Check out my blog at www.amishcountry.blogspot.com

Elkhart, in my opinion, SUCKS. Trucks and trains are everywhere. Their downtown, forget about it. Don’t walk around there at night. My friends who live there have nicknames it “Hellkart”. I never want to live there and I only go there when I have to.

I grew up in Elkhart, and was happy to leave. Lots of small-town attitude, religious intolerance, and the whole economy is based on factory labor jobs, which rapidly come and go when the economy fluctuates. Traffic’s bad, roads are worse, and for most of your shopping, you’ll want to drive west to South Bend. Take a look at elkhartsucks.com sometime for a good overview on the place.

well elkhart is like any other town. it’s bigger than some but there is no particular toursim here. better to go to south bend or napanee for some northern midwest adventures

But visit? There’s really not much here to visit.