Denver vs Indianapolis (to rent, loft, college)

[oberon]

I would say the only midwest cities that are bigger/more metropolitan/more cosmopolitan are Chicago, Detroit, and perhaps Minneapolis/St. Paul. I lived in Indiana for 5 years and there is nothing there that compares. Socially, Denver is more progressive, and things like race are much less of an issue.

I agree wholeheartedly with kristenfromdenver. People may be slightly standoffish in Denver, but for the most part if you're friendly, they'll be friendly too.

[katie_001166]

I think Denver would be a good mix of what you are looking for. From what I've heard lots of transients from the midwest settle down there. It may be more urban, trendy than Indiana, but it does have good values overall. I mean, its not going to be some small-town values, but its nowhere near the plastic & fakeness of Los Angelos/Miami.

I have a question.....I am from Chicago......and how good is downtown Denver? Is it walkable, trendy, with lots of bars and clubs?

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by katie_001166

... I am from Chicago ... how good is downtown Denver? Is it walkable, trendy, lots of bars and clubs?

Yes. Search on keywords like LoDo or downtown or clubs or walkable.

[steveco.]

Lodo is where you will find the more expensive trendy bars SOCO or south of colfax is where you will find the majority of the clubs where the 20 somethings hang out

[denverian]

Originally Posted by katie_001166

I think Denver would be a good mix of what you are looking for. From what I've heard lots of transients from the midwest settle down there. It may be more urban, trendy than Indiana, but it does have good values overall. I mean, its not going to be some small-town values, but its nowhere near the plastic & fakeness of Los Angelos/Miami.

I have a question.....I am from Chicago......and how good is downtown Denver? Is it walkable, trendy, with lots of bars and clubs?

The 16th St. Mall is a long (maybe a mile?) outdoor pedestrian mall in the middle of downtown (used to be a street) that keeps getting better every year. It has restaurants, entertainment, stores and a free shuttle to get from one end to the other. You can also walk to LoDo and Larimer Square from there where you'll find more stores, bars, clubs and restaurants.

[Tim Currie]

Originally Posted by thrashee

Hi All, I'm preparing to make a move in a few months, coming from Maryland, and am considering either moving back home to Indianapolis or out to Denver.

Coming from the Midwest, from what I've read it sounds like Denver would be much like Indy in terms of social and political climate (obviously not physical). Which is fine for me--being a Midwesterner at heart, I tend to value good old common sense and being down-to-earth than the latest trends.

I've been scanning these forums and have come across two concerns: 1) I've read a lot about how hard it is for single guys in Denver due to the ratio. Is there any real truth in this? I tend to be of the thought that you can meet someone practically anywhere, and I've never been a club-hopper, so I'm not looking for a plethora of single ladies. 2) I've also read how suburban Denver is, how the folks are very "vanilla". I wonder how much different this would be versus a city like Indianapolis, and how many of those people making such claims are coming from one of the coasts.... Any thoughts?

Ok, I have a girlfriend but I still take notice of the girls out there... In my opinion there are plenty of hot ass girls in Denver, cause I'm always looking! So I dont think thats a problem, unless you are only going to go to a club to pick them up, thats always gonna be crowded....

No. 2, I came from Northern Ca and I don't think it's too suburban, but I live downtown. My boss lives in total suburbia and it is boring as hell, same as suburban anywhere. But I think downtown and central denver is awesome and waaaay more urban than Sacramento or anything else in CA except San Fran and maybe...San Diego. I Looooove downtown Denver, tons of stuff to do, places to walk, shopping, food, bars, parks, etc....

(never been to Indianapolis)

Hope that helps!

Originally Posted by denverian

The 16th St. Mall is a long (maybe a mile?) outdoor pedestrian mall in the middle of downtown (used to be a street) that keeps getting better every year. It has restaurants, entertainment, stores and a free shuttle to get from one end to the other. You can also walk to LoDo and Larimer Square from there where you'll find more stores, bars, clubs and restaurants.

I just had this argument with a buddy, it is 1.2 miles per Wikipedia if I recall....

Originally Posted by katie_001166

I have a question.....I am from Chicago......and how good is downtown Denver? Is it walkable, trendy, with lots of bars and clubs?

Yes, yes, yes. But obviously it is NOT Chicago. I'd say outside of NY, Chicago, and San Fran, Denver is right up there next in line.(or close)

[denverian]

Originally Posted by Tim Currie

I just had this argument with a buddy, it is 1.2 miles per Wikipedia if I recall....

Now I know. Thanks!

[blacksmith76]

Originally Posted by steveco.

Lodo is where you will find the more expensive trendy bars SOCO or south of colfax is where you will find the majority of the clubs where the 20 somethings hang out

They call it SOCO? Littleton downtown is calling itself LIDO, now. Getting kinda silly with every place having a "hip" abbreviation.

I would definitely choose Denver over the midwest. Can't understand why everyone keeps saying Denver is so white when people keep posting that it's a minority majority town? There is just a large latino population and a the rest is a big mix. Maybe people are expecting more of the east coast black/white thing.

[DenverAztec]

Originally Posted by thrashee

...I've been scanning these forums and have come across two concerns: 1) I've read a lot about how hard it is for single guys in Denver due to the ratio. Is there any real truth in this? I tend to be of the thought that you can meet someone practically anywhere, and I've never been a club-hopper, so I'm not looking for a plethora of single ladies. 2) I've also read how suburban Denver is, how the folks are very "vanilla". I wonder how much different this would be versus a city like Indianapolis, and how many of those people making such claims are coming from one of the coasts....Any thoughts?

Growing up here, I can tell you that there are a ton of single men and women and those that are in their 30s and 40s and single need to question what it is they are doing and possibly try something else. My nephew who bought a condo in LoDo complained about meeting girls. I asked him what he was doing to meet them; hanging out at the bars around his condo was pretty much the extent. The bars in LoDo are mostly sports bars and he moved to LoDo because he is a sports freak. There was nothing about his actions, and the actions of all his college buddies that moved to LoDo, that was appealing to most women. I had to remind him that not everyone likes sports, which he could not comprehend easily, and that ladies are much more impressed by showing that you take interest in learning about them, not just them about you. He ended up meeting a very nice lady at the Tattered Cover bookstore in LoDo while being cheap and reading books on their cozy chairs instead of buying them. The guys, and ladies, downtown and in Capitol Hill tend to be younger professionals and can be labeled in that generational category of "Millennials". The old generations being the "Veterans", "Baby Boomers", "Generation X" or "Y". I have been studying them to help them adapt and stay at my company. Millennials are free thinkers, fast movers and really concerned with living life to the fullest. All of this is perfectly great, but they often neglect to think of others, or are too concerned with their mission to succeed and not comprehending the impression they present to those around them. In the corporate world, Millennials want a job that has exceptional pay, fun environment, they pick their hours and wear flip-flops and jeans. If they don't get it, they will look elsewhere. They anticipate swapping jobs 20 to 30 times in their lifetime, unlike the dedicated Baby Boomer who does not like the change and thinks it negative on a resume to jump jobs too often. So, now that you have this lesson on Millennials, this is the type of individual who is filling the lofts and condos in much of LoDo, Potter Highlands and Capitol Hill. This will change when the more exclusive residential 50 floor high-rises are built on 14th street (The Spire, The Four Season and 1401 Lawrence), as those properties are in the millions and they will be bought and filled by that upper 1% of the income bracket. It is true that only the wealthy will be able to afford property in the central core of Denver. Not that it was the intent of its citizens, it is more of a supply and demand issue.

To an occasional visitor, it can seem vanilla, but the more established neighborhoods like West Highlands, Curtis Park, Governors Park, Park Hill and Washington Park will feel more diverse. Folks in these areas want a yard and a good school close by, yet not in the burbs. Most of West Denver is Hispanic, my high school, Denver West was 89% Hispanic, most fourth generational, and it is still pretty much the same today. North High and Lincoln HS were a majority Hispanic as well, but the Highlands gentrification and lack of children has actually threatened to close North due to a lack of students. Lincoln is still heavily Hispanic.

Originally Posted by oberon

I would say the only midwest cities that are bigger/more metropolitan/more cosmopolitan are Chicago, Detroit, and perhaps Minneapolis/St. Paul. I lived in Indiana for 5 years and there is nothing there that compares. Socially, Denver is more progressive, and things like race are much less of an issue. I agree wholeheartedly with kristenfromdenver. People may be slightly standoffish in Denver, but for the most part if you're friendly, they'll be friendly too.

Downtown Denver is the 10th largest downtown in the country and growing. It toggles in the top ten with San Francisco, Portland, Boston, DC, NYC and Seattle for the most walkable city. The light rail plans are by far the most aggressive and approved in the U.S. Somewhat limited now, but that will change. The nice thing about slow growth and not being in the top five for size is that crime is very low and yes, the people are friendly. If you make the effort, they will talk and some of the locals won't stop. I have tons of friends from the Midwest as people from there find it similar to Madison and the Minn./St. Paul area, but more happening. It is a gradual step up verses one to a much larger city. Our historical preservation community is incredibly strong and well supported; you will not find literally hundreds of square blocks of abandoned homes like areas you have in Philly and Detroit. It is even hard to think of one or two square blocks here with abandoned homes or buildings. We have had our share of economic struggles but nothing like the Steel Industry and Auto Industry and the effects on those cities where they use to exist.

Originally Posted by katie_001166

I think Denver would be a good mix of what you are looking for. From what I've heard lots of transients from the midwest settle down there. It may be more urban, trendy than Indiana, but it does have good values overall. I mean, its not going to be some small-town values, but its nowhere near the plastic & fakeness of Los Angelos/Miami.

I have a question.....I am from Chicago......and how good is downtown Denver? Is it walkable, trendy, with lots of bars and clubs?

So true, Denverites won't smile at you while figuring out the quickest way to put a knife in your back.

Downtown is very walkable, again the fourth most in the country, and many great bars. I prefer the bar with the view on the 27th floor of the Hyatt, the Cruise Room in the Oxford hotel and the Ships Tavern in the Brown. I am past my days of loud pickup bars. The nice thing about Denver verses Chicago is that you can drive a car, park it really close to where you are going and with minimally planning - you won't have to wait for a seat or in a line for service. With ever changing weather, which Chicago has also, these simple comforts become more important as one gets older.

We don't have the easy selection of restaurants like those that you have on Rush Street in Chicago, but you can find excellent steaks at Capitol Grill, Ruth Chris or Sullivan's. We don't have the uniqueness of Bistro Zinc or Carmine's right downtown, but those places are on the outskirts in like the Highlands (Potter and West), Wash Park. Sushi Den, Stuben's, AIX, Bang, Sparrow, Luca d'Italia. LoLa and Duo come to mind. Our downtown does have many historic mansions on its edges like you have on State Street or in the Gold Coast area but not in the density form due to DURA.

High-end retail and grocery shopping is what downtown is really lacking. It is limited. What you would find on the Magnificent Mile would be found in the Cherry Creek shopping area, about 3-4 miles southeast. All of the large department stores left in the late 80s and early 90s (May D&F, the Denver, Neusteader's, Joslin's). Most don't even exist or merged with other. Their buildings became hotels or lofts. I use to have college classes in what is now the Hotel Teatro, which was originally a trolly car and bus station. However, you will find smaller retail and restaurants like Nike Town, Gap, Banana Republic, Hard Rock Cafe, Chipotle, etc. on the mall.

Originally Posted by denverian

The 16th St. Mall is a long (maybe a mile?) outdoor pedestrian mall in the middle of downtown (used to be a street) that keeps getting better every year. It has restaurants, entertainment, stores and a free shuttle to get from one end to the other. You can also walk to LoDo and Larimer Square from there where you'll find more stores, bars, clubs and restaurants.

Very true, the demand for more services is coming from the increase in downtown residents. The 16th Street Mall will only become better. As older residents move downtown, you will see more markets and retail attempt to meet their demands.

Originally Posted by blacksmith76

They call it SOCO? Littleton downtown is calling itself LIDO, now. Getting kinda silly with every place having a "hip" abbreviation. I would definitely choose Denver over the midwest. Can't understand why everyone keeps saying Denver is so white when people keep posting that it's a minority majority town? There is just a large latino population and a the rest is a big mix. Maybe people are expecting more of the east coast black/white thing.

Visually, I could see why Denver would appear mostly white to a visitor, as you don't hear of tourist wanting, or advised, to hang out in the Westwood neighborhood. Many Denverites reading this don't even know where that is. It contains the lowest income levels and the lowest home prices. Think the streets in the area of Mississippi/Morrison Road/Sheridan/Alameda/Federal. It is almost all Hispanic and Asian, but some great hole in the wall type of fast food can be found here. The majority of the black population that was once in Curtis Park/Five Points has moved to Aurora and Montebello. We still have the second largest MLK marade (march and parade) each year, even when it is 16 degrees like it was this year. In addition, we are one of the few cities to have had a Hispanic and Black Mayor.

So a little long winded but I hope this gives the OP a little more insight. Best wishes!

DA

[WestCoDude]

I grew up in Denver and then moved to the midwest--St. Louis, to be exact. So I've kind of done the reverse and while I've never been to Indy, hopefully I can offer you some insight.

1.) Don't worry about the m/f ratio. Seriously. I mean....Denver's a huge city with plenty of single people and if you're a decent enough person, you'll do just fine with the opposite sex. I think Denver's dating scene was way better than St. Louis' and I was a young, single guy there. So...don't worry about it.

2.) Denver is pretty vanilla. I was stunned how diverse St. Louis was compared to Denver. There is a very large Latino community in Denver....but that's about it. Denver proper is somewhat diverse....more like biracial....and the suburbs are extraordinarily white-bread.

That said...again...it's a huge city. While the diversity won't knock you upside the head like it would in Houston, St. Louis, Chicago....whatever....you'll find it if you look for it.

I wouldn't say that Denver is all that midwestern. While Denver's suburbs might be that way...the city proper is not at all down-to-earth and midwestern-y. It can seem pretentious and standoffish a lot of the time. But realize that two distinctly differently sets of people are generally attracted to the two areas: Denver attracts a lot of young single people looking for jobs and adventure while the midwest is all about families. I've heard Denver described as a giant frat party (I think it was Cindy Rodriguez in the News). I dont' know about that....but I can see how she came to that conclusion.

Denver is defintiely more cosmopolitan than little ol' Indy....but less so than St. Louis or Chicago.