New to the South Bend, Indiana, Region? Find Out How to Get Connected
Learn how a former resident made friends and reacquainted herself with the South Bend area.
Moving to a new city or state often stirs up uncertainty. What will I do for fun? How will I make friends? Where will I order way too much takeout food after a long day at work? But for Brooke Speer, associate director of the Sorin Society at the University of Notre Dame, she quickly became reacquainted with the South Bend, Indiana, region, where she lived while completing her undergraduate degree at the university between 2008 and 2012.
From networking groups like Young Professionals Network (YPN) South Bend and Connect 574 to nonprofit organizations with volunteer opportunities, there are countless ways to meet new people. And with a variety of community events, parks, restaurants, shops and museums, “The Bend,” as the locals call it, offers a little bit of something for everyone. Ahead, find out just how Speer connected with her community when she and her husband moved back to the South Bend region in 2017.
What brought you to the South Bend area?
My husband is actually from South Bend. I’m originally from Montana, but I completed my undergrad at Notre Dame. I then moved to Arizona for graduate school. After living there for several years, my husband and I wanted to move closer to one of our families, and we ultimately chose South Bend.
Do you find The Bend to be a welcoming place?
Definitely. When I first moved back, I didn’t have a job lined up yet. I didn’t have the same friend group from undergrad because most people had moved somewhere else. My husband already had a job and was starting an online grad program, so he was more set up. I really had to be intentional about meeting people and getting involved. But you get out what you put in, and I’ve definitely found community here.
Are there any particular organizations that helped you plug into the community?
I first got involved with YPN South Bend as a way to both connect professionally and meet people who I might enjoy spending time with. I would attend events and ask the people I met there to grab a coffee. I’d also ask people what other organizations they were involved in, what they liked to do for fun or if they could introduce me to other people they thought would be good to meet to get connected around town.
Since then, some other organizations have popped up that I would have appreciated having when I moved, but I’m glad they’re here now. There’s a Women in Business – After Hours group for professional women in the area to form new business relationships and friendships, and a social group called Connect 574 that aims to make people feel at home in the community. There’s a lot of momentum right now and different organizations catering to community needs, especially for young adults.
What are some of your favorite things to do in the area?
The South Bend region has something to offer for all seasons of life. Before having a child, I used to go to trivia every week or frequent nearby wineries. Now that I have a toddler, I love visiting the parks. We used the Parks Pass last summer, which was a mobile passport that encouraged you to visit different parks in the area to win prizes. We explored places I probably wouldn’t have gone to otherwise, so it was great. The proximity to beaches is another plus.
There’s always a lot going on at Notre Dame. As an alum, I love checking out the game day activities. We have so many great restaurants, bars and even cocktail lounges like The Exchange and Spirited. New places are always popping up and offering unique food and drink options.
What advice would you give to other newcomers?
The first thing I would recommend is getting online and following different local organizations that host events or provide opportunities to get involved. I followed all of the Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook pages for places like Visit South Bend Mishawaka and Downtown South Bend as well as various venues, parks and art pages. Join their newsletters to be in the know on what’s happening. The business community could plug into the South Bend Regional Chamber, as well.
Also, don’t be shy about reaching out to people you meet at events or find on LinkedIn and asking them to grab a coffee. Every time I did that, the person was more than happy to meet with me. These people connected me to organizations that I didn’t even know existed, and some ended up becoming very good friends.
What are some must-visit spots people should know about?
I really enjoy Howard Park, whether I’m sitting on the patio having a drink or playing with my son at the new playground. The play space is great in the summer and then transforms into an ice rink in the winter. The restaurant portion also has a heated patio, so it’s really a great spot in any season.
I’m biased, but Notre Dame’s campus is absolutely gorgeous. It’s fun to visit, especially during football season.
One of my favorite restaurants is The Bucket. They have a beautiful deck overlooking the river.
For a road trip, we love going to the beach in New Buffalo, Michigan. There’s a restaurant there called The Stray Dog Bar & Grill that has a deck overlooking the beach and Lake Michigan. It makes you feel like you’re at the ocean.
Any last thoughts?
There’s always so much going on around here. If you plug into the right places, follow the right groups, and get on the right newsletters, you’ll be in the know. There’s just so much to offer in the South Bend region, especially if you know where to look.
This article was sponsored by the South Bend Regional Chamber and Visit South Bend Mishawaka.