Overview
La Porte is a small city located in Northwest Indiana. The larger city of South Bend is approximately 35 miles east. Retirees will appreciate that La Porte is within reach of other large metropolitan areas, making it easy to live in a quaint environment but also enjoy the amenities of a big city.
Climate & Geography
The climate type in La Porte is categorized as humid continental, meaning summers are hot and humid while winters are cold and snowy. Residents can expect more rainfall and snowfall than the national average, and approximately 175 sunny days throughout each year.
La Porte sits close to Indiana Dunes National Park, with a variety of terrains, moraines, and valleys to the northwest. These include Indiana Dunes, Valparaiso Moraine, and Chicago Lake Plain to name a few. The rest of the surrounding terrain is primarily flatlands and plains. The city has an elevation of 814 feet above sea level.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
La Porte residents spend their time in the many museums, parks, and landmarks the city has to offer. Some of these include the Hesston Steam Museum, La Porte County Historical Society Museum, Garwood Orchards, Sandy Acres Clydesdales,and Beechwood Golf Courses.
LaPorte is also very close to Chicago, accessible through the South Shore Line commuter rail or by car, for convenient access to a wider variety of activities.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The overall cost of living in La Porte is lower than the national average, and close to the state average. The most prominent factor is the very low cost of homes and housing, although all other indexes—groceries, health care, utilities, and transportation—are below average.
Indiana is considered somewhat tax friendly for retirees. The state does not tax Social Security benefits, but all other forms of retirement income are taxed at the 3.23 percent flat income tax rate with no special exemptions or deductions. Property taxes are quite low, and there is an "Over 65 Deduction" and a homestead exemption available to help reduce this cost even further.
Health Care
There are two highly ranked medical centers and hospitals located within 30 miles of La Porte. They are Porter Regional Hospital in the neighboring town of Porter, and Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Memorial Hospital of South Bend is regionally ranked and both hospitals are rated high performing in various adult procedures and conditions according to U.S. News.