Sorry I warped you BTilke. Not really. ((6)) It's nice to rope someone else into a fixation. When you share it's not really a problem is it? :-)

I still do count trash cans. My recent report from Sardinia and Sicily has the nitty gritty on the trash can low down.

Thanks for asking about the weather. I still have a couple of friends in Evansville from my mid-90's contracts who pulled through OK. Geez it was bad though. 11 minute warning at 2:00am! What are you supposed to do?

I'm doing much better here just south of Indianapolis a couple of counties. Here's a link a friend sent me of some pictures:

http://teacherportfolio.indstate.edu/tevers/tornado.htm

And to think this was only (yeah, only) an F3 tornado not an F4 or F5. :-(

Thanks for the link. It was very moving. I can't imagine going through that. I hope those who sustained tornado damage get better treatment from insurance companies than many of the Katrina victims in the Gulf.
Those strong storms are expected to hit my old hometown in the Lehigh Valley (PA) this evening, but no tornadoes expected (fingers crossed). Meanwhile the weather in our part of the UK is bland as ever--for which I should be grateful!

We are thinking about relocating to Indiana within a few months. Are there any nice, kid friendly neighborhoods with affordable lots to build a house? Would prefer some 'natural scenery'(greenery) around the housing developments, not just open, bare corn fields that are being developed everywhere. We would like to be within a 20-25 minute driving distance to Munster.
The upper limit of our budget is $400-450K, including the lot and house. If there are new/er pre-built houses, we are willing to consider those too. Would also prefer a good school district.
Any advice would be most helpful. Thanks.

With that budget, I'm absolutely sure that you could find what you are looking for.

I'm sorry I don't know Indiana as well as I used to know it. And the valuable answer to this question would definitely be a more recent evaluation.
But I have looked at pricing and you would have wonderful choices for way below your price levels, IMHO.

I think my pick would still be Valparaiso, but don't forget that with your 25 minutes from Munster designation, you are absolutely putting yourself into a rain/snow belt. It wouldn't bother me, but it would others.

I would look at a map, drive, and also check out (google) all the counties' real estate pages that I was interested in. There's tons on line now. There are web pages just for properties on water/lakefront/riverfront.

Since you want land I would choose property in one of townships between Valparaiso and Chesterton. Probably either Jackson or Liberty. Both Chesterton and Valparaiso schools are excellent. Chesterton has an fairly new high school with fantastic facilities. Both are large schools with a lot to offer. Washington Township is a good location too but has a small school system.

I have to agree with Kris. Parts of Hammond are beautiful (Forest Ave and Purdue Cal areas) with very large houses on giant lots. The city has rebuilt all the grade schools and have brought in really good teachers. But only one or two houses have an acre. Try Valpo or Crown Point.