It seems many of you do not like living in IN. Would you lump Bloomington into the same category? (Nashville: low income, fit in)

[gr81s4u]

Originally Posted by Indyjones

Yeah, you went right through the older section of town, up and down Walnut/College. But you did go through our downtown area. If you had gone down Kirkwood, you would have gotten the college flavor, and drove around campus. East of town is where most of the newer type houses are and mall. Also new box stores on the west side as well.

I did see the college somewhat. That is one thing I love in IN is the older college buildings.
Such beautiful architecture and usually pristine grounds.

[btownboy_indyman]

ive live in indiana my whole life and its ok i hate the weather most the time i live in indy now but i grew up on the outskirts of bloomington in a some what rural setting and attended school there until age 16 there is just some thing about that town as soon as i get into bloomington it is just so refreshing you feel like you dont have to worry about any thing it is laidback atmosphere where life is very enjoyable. the only problem about bloomington is the jobs.

[btownboy_indyman]

bloomington is so small it is really easy to navigate unlike indy which is huge

[LIS123]

I'm not too familiar with Bloomington, but can comment on my experiences in IN. I think IN (NWI is my area) is a nice enough place to live with a family. For the reasons others have mentioned: reasonable housing, safe towns, solid schools. It's definitely not a fun place to be as a single person and the overall culture/vibe is less than stimulating. My take is there's this sense of complacency and a lot of people just want to coast through a comfortable life without taking chances and trying to achieve more. I'm not super ambitious by any means, though I don't think it's that great for someone to live their whole life within a few miles of where they grew up.
With the economy shifting away from manufacturing and towards services, technology, etc Indiana may have a hard time adjusting. If things are like this in the part of IN close to Chicago, I can only imagine what it's like deeper into the state.

[seasection]

I moved here by choice and I love it here. It is not a rat race. Fishers is great, and we are buying a house in West Clay this spring. It is gorgeous. I would highly recommend it. Schools are great, lots to do, great friendly people, polite on the roads, cheap eats, good airport, low taxes....etc. I am not single so cannot comment regarding the single scene. We know some divorced people who seem pretty happy. I visited Bloomington once, it is a large college town that is highly rated.

[LIS123]

Originally Posted by seasection

It is not a rat race.

I'll agree with this point. Life in IN is not an endless rat race, as in many other places (NYC probably being the worst). It does help in the sense that one can go about their business without too much concern for status, etc.

As a caveat... 'laid back' can be a euphemism for lazy/unmotivated, so don't get too excited if IN people are described as 'laid back.'

[LIS123]

Originally Posted by LIS123

As a caveat... 'laid back' can be a euphemism for lazy/unmotivated, so don't get too excited if IN people are described as 'laid back.'

What I mean by this is that places where the rat race is in full force tend to be full of ultra-competitive ambitious people that never stop.

Places where the rat race does not exist usually have people who are less competitive and cutthroat than those in other places.

It's not a knock against Hoosiers, just a statement that in general I've found people in Indiana less competitive than people I've met from other places. This has both good and bad consequences.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by seasection

I moved here by choice and I love it here. It is not a rat race. Fishers is great, and we are buying a house in West Clay this spring. It is gorgeous. I would highly recommend it. Schools are great, lots to do, great friendly people, polite on the roads, cheap eats, good airport, low taxes....etc. I am not single so cannot comment regarding the single scene. We know some divorced people who seem pretty happy. I visited Bloomington once, it is a large college town that is highly rated.

West Clay is a very upscale neighborhood that will be out of reach for many who relocate here, but man is it beautiful!!! Have you been to the Broccoli Bills yet? Betcha can't wait to get into those swimming pools this summer! I think it's great that you like it here!! Welcome, welcome welcome.

[regionrat1]

I moved back to Indiana after the Navy because this state is the only good state. I used to be stationed in Norfolk,VA and hey you know i truly dislike comonwealths and all the other. California I dislike the most but since the smoking ban in Illinois. I dislike that state as much as California.

[regionrat1]

Oh the reason I dislike California is that they are to stuck up outside of L.A. and inside the city of L.A. I have traveled a lot in California with my ex-wife who was from there. They are just to snobish and take everything serouisly like if some one jay walks they freak out. They all think thier state is the only place people should live in the country cause they are all werid or have some type of problem. Basically they are all drama queens even the men.