Evansville vs. St. Louis (Indianapolis, Boonville: how much, job market, school district)

[Juice13610]

The job market in St. Louis is ridiculous. I have been tirelessly looking for jobs in the St. Louis area. Not only do they want to pay mid-30s or less, and I'm not even getting called back. I have some experience, mostly interning (over 1 year in hardware/software support), and 4 months (so far) professional experience as a Sys Admin (basically hardware/software support).

How would you put Evansville up against St Louis? How is the job market? How much is housing compared to St Louis? How is the shopping? Restaurants? Urban lifestyle or more rural-with-high-buildings? Thanks!

[domergurl]

There have been several threads here regarding Evansville. I think it was recently highlighted as one of the best areas to live in the country. With the I-69 extension going in at some point, Evansville will be more accessible and it will probably bring in more business than is already there.

The climate is probably the same though ... ungodly humid this time of year.

[Juice13610]

Thanks domergirl.


For everyone else in the Indiana forum, wow, great way to step up and encourage people to move to your cities (not).

[domergurl]

Not quite sure what you expect juice ... I've never been to evansville myself, just speaking as to what I've heard from others on this forum in other threads. Sorry we couldn't be of more assistance.

[Juice13610]

I expected more responses.

[ShadowCaver]

domergirl - might be just me, but that link, it don't...

juice - well, I am from the StL area, and have spent some time in Evansville, but not in any manner to really tell you much... sorry. However, will say that Evansville, of course being smaller, will not have the wide diversity in the same manner as StL. But yet, it is a nice burg, from what I've seen/experienced. Has some nightlife, good school district here and there, some nice and really nice restaurants, and, esp. from what I saw, a area just to the east, down by the river. Outside of the city, and heading east, such would remind a person quite a bit of leaving StL, but going west - geography and such are quite similar. Job and housing, I've no idea. Surprised to hear about StL job market not more amicable for your skills. Good luck!

[CObound]

I was born and raised in Evansville until I went to college at IU when I was 18. Evansville is boring and that's about all there is to it. Jobs are probably not too hard to find, housing prices are very affordable, there isn't much nightlife, there isn't an 'urban scene', but there are many, many restaurants in town (but nothing super fancy like you might find in larger cities). Growing up, we were always bored, and now that I am 24 I don't really want to go back for the same reason. I would rather live in a larger city nearby like Louisville, Indy, or Nashville. If you are a bit older with a family then Evansville might suit your needs fine, but if you are younger and looking to meet singles, experience new things, and live an urban lifestyle...Evansville is not for you. Most people that live there were born and raised there and never left. The city is very focused on high school sports, especially football. The nearest pro team is either the St. Louis Cardinals or the Indianapolis Pacers. Shopping in Evansville is restricted to Eastland Mall, which is decent and has all your big name stores (and recently DID get a coach store, which I was very surprised by). There are many good restaurants because Evansville is a big test market for restaurants (lots of good stuff like Biaggi's, Bonefish Grill, Old Chicago, etc...) However, you won't find really nice places like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Stoney River, etc.... Downtown is very small and there really isn't much to do. They recently built a Jillians and there is Casino Aztar (but that is usually full of people who are there 5 nights a week and live at the slot machines and is also VERY smoky). Other than that, the bar scene is limited. If you are big into hunting, 4-wheeling, fishing, etc..., then Evansville might actually be a nice place for you, especially Newburgh/Boonville. Anyways, that's about all I can think of right now, let me know if you have other questions.