My hubby is considering going in house on a job he's currently contracting in Michigan, it's in Three Oaks. Does anyone live near there (it's all the way in the southwest tip, off the lake) and can tell me anything about the area? Thanks

-- CJ (sheep@katahdins.net), April 17, 2002

Answers

I grew up in Chicagoland, so our family would go on summer vacations to that area of Michigan (they call it Michiana- cause it's right near the border of Indiana and Michigan). It's really quite nice. The Indiana Dunes are right there, Warren Dunes. It's a very family oriented area, small harbour towns, very low key, lots of ice cream places and a pretty famous local hamburger joint "Redamaks". There is not much night life...except for watching the sunset over Lake Michigan.

-- claudia in NY (cooleyville@aol.com), April 17, 2002.

We live in Niles about 15 mi away. Claudia really gave a nice description. Yes, this is Michiana and it is really beautiful year round. Three Oaks is the town the movie Prancer was filmed. It is a small (1500) quite farming type town. Don't blink. Lake Michigan and the Dunes are only minutes away. We have acres of orchards, grapes, winery's, beaches. Very nice country. Hope that helps.

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-- Steve Hicks (bunchahicks@truthmail.com), April 17, 2002.

Great! How about farm prices? I can't find hardly anything online, do any of you know of a local MLS or FSBO site in the area?

-- CJ (sheep@katahdins.net), April 17, 2002.

We just moved in last month to our farm (5 acres, farm house, barn, coop and double garage +. Was quite a steal, we feel, just under $100,000. You will find land prices somewhat less in Michigan than Indiana. We have been looking for about 3-4 years for the right place in the right spot. In our price range it took longer, $125,000- $150,000 and you have more options, larger. Due to being close to Chicago, rich folks buy here quite often which has raised prices quite a bit. http://www.Realtor.com is very good site. We went with local agent. Good Luck

-- Steve (bunchahicks@truthmail.com), April 17, 2002.

Hi, we live about 10 minutes down the road in Buchanan. If your not concerned about school district, or you also have the option of School of Choice in our county, Galien (the next town to the west of Three Oaks) may offer some reasonably priced homes.We have a great youth fair for our county of Berrien & a really active 4-h groups.

-- Gail Brinkley (dinsmore@qtm.net), April 17, 2002.

www.realtor.com lots of online tools and searches there :)

-- Jenn (none@none.com), April 17, 2002.