Hammond

I have lived in Hammond, Indiana all my life (all 23 years of it) and I prefer South Hammond over North Hammond. I have only recently seen Hammond going bad but it’s still a pretty good place. South Hammond seems cleaner, friendlier and more family orientated then North does.
It is located in Northwest Indiana and is within driving distance to Chicago, Illinois (with a lot of ways to get to 80/94).
Hammond has many schools including Purdue Calumet and 4 high schools. The schools have a good education program but sometimes they don't seem to push students enough.
There are a lot of retail shops, gas stations, bars and food places to choose from no matter which part you are in.
For the most part neighbors are good people with the few exceptions if you live near rentals where there’s families going in and out of.
Animals aren’t much of a nuisance (in my area there aren’t dogs barking at night usually).
Traffic only seems bad during construction and in the morning and afternoon when school is starting and ending.
Where parts of the Columbia Center used to be they are building town homes, a YMCA and a place for retirees. The buildings look like they are in the wrong place (they look fancy and the part of Hammond they are in aren't that fancy) and hopefully draws in good people and not the rift raft that used to be there.