Would you relocate to another midwestern city? (living in)

[Drover]

Pittsburgh is another place I'd move back to tomorrow if an opportunity came up to do so. I didn't bring it up because it doesn't fit the OP criteria. But since it's been mentioned repeatedly by others, might as well run with it.

Pittsburgh today is basically where Chicago was in the early 1990s when redevelopment was just starting to reach critical mass. Now's a good time to get in on the Pittsburgh market. The price run-up is already well underway in the East End, near north and near south sides. But there are still good, safe, and stable areas that are ripe for urban renewal.

[mangomadness]

The only other mid-West city I would move to is Minneapolis/St. Paul, but the cold weather there is worse than in Chicago. Still, I like it there wherever I visit.

[thefallensrvnge]

Originally Posted by jwaiter

Ft Wayne was mentioned on NPR this morning. They said Ft Wayne has the highest Burmese population in the US, some 5000 Burmese, and the pro-democracy leader of Myanmar visited for that reason.

Thousands of Burmese to greet Suu Kyi in Fort Wayne, Indiana | abc7chicago.com

This is precisely why I would live there. Actually it is basically the reason I moved to Indiana. After traveling to Burma, I fell in love with the country and am trying to learn the language. Indiana has great volunteer opportunities with the Burmese, and linguists at the college who can teach the language. Very rare to find.

I saw Daw Kyi in Fort Wayne today. It was unbelievable--a true once in a lifetime experience. The city is speckled with elements of Burmese culture. And I love it!

[aragx6]

If we were going to move somewhere other than Chicago or St. Louis at this point it would probably be Pittsburgh; there really is a lot to like about that town.

I always feel as though Indianapolis lacks the rust belt grit and neighborhood feel of other midwestern cities -- like the Midwest for those who don't really like the Midwest. Not a fan. Actually reminds me a great deal of Kansas City FWIW.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by aragx6

If we were going to move somewhere other than Chicago or St. Louis at this point it would probably be Pittsburgh; there really is a lot to like about that town.

I always feel as though Indianapolis lacks the rust belt grit and neighborhood feel of other midwestern cities -- like the Midwest for those who don't really like the Midwest. Not a fan. Actually reminds me a great deal of Kansas City FWIW.

Indianapolis has no character.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by aragx6

If we were going to move somewhere other than Chicago or St. Louis at this point it would probably be Pittsburgh; there really is a lot to like about that town.

I always feel as though Indianapolis lacks the rust belt grit and neighborhood feel of other midwestern cities -- like the Midwest for those who don't really like the Midwest. Not a fan. Actually reminds me a great deal of Kansas City FWIW.

I guess, knowing your sentiments about Kansas City, that that would be damning Indy with faint praise.

Pittsburgh is an interesting town, although its subway is very limited; one negative aspect: its airport is a LONG, LONG way from the city center...

[aragx6]

I really don't hate Kansas City; it just is what it is. Despite the protestations of some who live here, it's simply not a town that feels all that Midwestern to me -- at least not the Midwest I've grown up with and love. Those huge city limits, the general sprawl and the lack of well delineated urban neighborhoods with their own flair. And for me, it's become clear: It's just not far enough along in the urban movement. It's got quite the conservative regressive streak to it that isn't a great fit for me.

But there are others for whom it's perfect and who can't stand St. Louis and cities to the east. So obviously it's all relative.

edit: And FWIW, Kansas City International is farther away from downtown than Pittsburgh and there is zero public transportation there. Not even a bus.

[Broadrippleguy]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Indianapolis has no character.

Wrong.
But your trolling and its obivious.
so carry along.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Broadrippleguy

Wrong.
But your trolling and its obivious.
so carry along.

How am I wrong? Indy is essentially a giant Schaumburg.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by MassVt

I guess, knowing your sentiments about Kansas City, that that would be damning Indy with faint praise.

Pittsburgh is an interesting town, although its subway is very limited; one negative aspect: its airport is a LONG, LONG way from the city center...

It's no further away than ORD and you face a lot less congestion getting to/from it. Unless you travel frequently for work, I should think the airport's distanceto the city center would be pretty far on the list of one's quality-of-life concerns when considering where to live Even if it is a major concern, it can be largely mitigated by living on the south or west side. The major downside is no rail connection (that's in the long-term plans if PAT and the state can ever get their fiscal act together) but there is express bus service.

The light-rail system may be limited but there are also 3 BRT lines so there are 5 dedicated public transit ROW's (though one of the light rail lines operates as a street-car line for about a mile and a half.) The bigger issue with public transportation is the near-impossibility of providing efficient or even comprehensive cross-town coverage due to the geographical barriers and how the city is laid out around those barriers. PGH's public transportation system is even more CBD-oriented than ours since not only do the rapid-transit ROW's (rail and bus) head to and from there but so do most bus routes.