From California to Indiana? (Indianapolis, Bloomington: movers, hotels, job market)

[Birki]

Digdug,
A native Northern Californian coming out of lurkdom here to weigh in. My parents live in Cloverdale (near you!) and I grew up in the Bay Area (Cupertino, Fremont and Sunnyvale).

I've lived in Fishers for 6 years now and I always describe it to my CA friends and family as a lot like Pleasanton, CA. If you are familiar with Pleasanton you will know that it is a family-friendly area with many newer single-home subdivisions, typical chain store shopping, a decent "quaint" downtown, good parks and schools, and good access to freeways. It is also growing quite fast.

Carmel is the Atherton/Saratoga of Indiana (and a real nice city, wish i could afford to live there!), and Zionsville, well I'm not too familiar with it, but I might compare it somewhat to Healdsburg or Los Gatos.

My biggest beef with the Indy Metro area is the utter lack of public rail transit and no near-term plans to create any. Other than that, it is a great place to live.

My culture shock - I moved here at the tail end of the Silicon Valley bust. I had worked in tech marketing for some time. It was odd to move here and not hear anyone talk about Apple, Cisco, computer chips, etc. Completely different industries here. A Fry's finally opened up in Fishers and it appears tp be doing well.
Best of luck as you make your decision.

[dennismpat]

Originally Posted by Birki

Digdug,
I've lived in Fishers for 6 years now and I always describe it to my CA friends and family as a lot like Pleasanton, CA.

Fishers, to me, resembles the city of Irvine here in Southern CA, but without the smog, traffic and palm trees. I've been to Pleasanton before, and have to agree with you that Fishers also resembles Pleasanton.

At least there's a Trader Joe's store there! Colorado doesn't even have one.

[sirwaldo]

I live in Southern Calfornia and my family and I are looking at the Evansville area becasue of the weather. I grew up in South Bend(northern) but now since I have lived in SoCal I need to go to somewhere warmer. I will be leaving this summer by July. Look into Evansville area.

[looneytoon]

digdog.................I will add my 2 cents:

I was born and raised in So. Cal in the early 50's when it was a great place to live, go to school and surf.

I have lived in:

North Lake Tahoe
San Diego
Sacramento
Fort Collins
Boston
New Haven
Sarasota
.........and now reside in Charlotte, NC.

My business takes me to the Indianapolis area on a regular basis. AND, YES, it is super conservative!!

It is amazing how many folks are natives to the area. I would say, "they are not that adventurous."

A lot of where you choose should depend on the weather, recreation and cultural atmosphere you desire. COL and schools are always a factor.

If you don't mind 6 months of winter and muggy summers, Indiana is not bad, but the freeway speeds are more often 55 than 65 and summers are filled with road construction.

If I had my choice, I would live in Colorado..........but the wife likes the beach and the ocean too much and I like the mountains and fly fishing. So, we settled in NC about 20 years ago.

COL is very reasonable, 4 seasons without the harsh winter temperatures, about 2 months of summer humidity (you gota have a swimming pool) and just friendly enough, but too friendly.

Lots of outdoor things to do, golf, clay shooting, fishing, parks, boating and such. Gentle rolling terrain and millions, yes, millions of hardwood trees everywhere.

So, please, take your time and check out many areas. It took me 20 years to find the right spot...................PM me if I can help.

[mikuly1987]

If your looking for a nice town to live in low crime rate and just a well mannered area for childeren and with nice schools for the wife you would want to look into Crown Point. Alot of my family lives there and it is a really nice area. Especially lakes of the four seasons. It's it's own little community inside of crown point. They just got a new high school built about 4 years ago. Close to larger town merrillville 15 min and chicago about 1-2 hours.

[Ronzou]

Originally Posted by looneytoon

If you don't mind 6 months of winter and muggy summers, Indiana is not bad, but the freeway speeds are more often 55 than 65 and summers are filled with road construction.

This was recently raised. Now it's 70 and in some places more.

But who actually does the speed limit.

[jennjennjohn]

My husband and I both grew up in SO CAL, moved to Raleigh and now have lived in Fort Wayne for almost 3 years. It's one of the friendliest places I've ever lived. The southern part of the state is beautiful but Indy has a bit more crime. It's as flat as a pancake here but pretty in its own way. We are3 hours from Chicago, 2 from Indy and 5 from Pittsburgh. The schools are great we are in Southwest Allen County hands down. You would not believe what kind of house you can get for your money. Hope this helps

GO COLTS!!!!!

[Jonesvillian]

Digdug...

I would say Columbus...

The schools are very good

Columbus' entrance from I-65 can be crowded at rush hour though.

West of Columbus on the other hand is Beautiful, with Brown County and its state park, its probably the most Beautiful part of Indiana. But it does have expensive places.

One place I suggest to NOT go is Seymour quite a few miles south on I-65. That place is just messed up. I have been there and I dont like it at all, Thats just my oppinion. No offense to any Seymour Residents. Yes it does have some nice homes here and there ill admit.

[drewsky]

I've really found this site to be interesting and informative. I'm considering a move to Northern Indiana myself. I was born there, went through high school there and visit on a regular basis. I live in Sacramento now and it has all the usual negative aspects of California living. One thing that has really given me pause as a Californian regarding Indiana is that it isn't even to first base yet when it comes to Smokefree restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, live entertainment spots, etc. It's like California was prior to 1995. No State law; just a few towns with their own Smokefree Ordnances. If you're a smoker, this probably isn't an issue (except, would you want your kids subjected in recreation centers, bowling alleys, etc ?) Not trying to start up a smoking debate here. Just be certain you're considering this quality-of-life aspect. You spend more indoor time there because of the weather.

[Jasper Indiana]

I think southern Indiana has a lot to offer. I lived in San Diego for a little less than a year and it was very nice. I miss the beaches. Moving back to Indiana was the right move for me, though. Please check out southern Indiana. It is a nice relaxed area where housing is affordable and you don't have to live right on top of your neighbors.. Thanks, Chad