Visited Indianapolis first time since COVID-19 (Carmel, Marion: real estate, rent, credit rating)

[RJ8089]

Why does Indianapolis look like a 'ghost town? Im comparing to Atlanta. Might be a unfair comparison, but I didn't see any traffic jams driving I-465, I-69, I-65, Keystone. It seems like COVID-19 really did a number on vibrancy of Indy. Is everything OK? The economy ok? I am in the middle of thinking about moving back to the 'Crossroads of America'.

Atlanta traffic has returned, things feel more vibrant. What's going on an Indy so I can make a good decision.

[ischyros]

Indy doesn't really have too many traffic jams unless there's an accident or major constructions. About the only place that consistently jams up is I-465 east on the northside between Keystone and I-69. That jam has returned since the shutdown. Other than that, I'm sure there are still several people working from home at least part time. And still a lot of people aren't going out to restaurants as often as they did prior to the shutdowns.

[sheerbliss]

You must not have been on 465 Friday. It took me 90 minutes to get home after someone wrecked their car at I-69.

Restaurants are open at only 50% capacity.

I read that rent prices are up, and the St. Louis Fed shows unemployment here dropping rapidly.

In any case, I wouldn't assess the economy based on whether you were in a traffic jam during a visit.

[WestsideMac]

Traffic Jams typically are only going to happen during rush hour and again it depends on the area. As RJ8089 mentioned I-465 by I-69 on the northside is typically the worst. 465 from 65 South back to Kentucky Ave can get bad on the southside too. Otherwise unless there's an accident it's not bad.

Many schools are on hybrid models, but also so many businesses are remaining at home for work through at least the end of the year. I have a friend at Rolls Royce and they are starting to sell their other physical locations and only keeping their downtown headquarters open. Those at the other locations will work from home. If they need to work at RR they will come to the headquarters. My other 2 friends at Eli Lilly are dealing with a similar situation where they have to Zoom any day they have meetings, otherwise they work from home.

Finally we are still at stage 4.5 since July so as sheerbliss mentioned most restaurants, unless they have outdoor seating are really taking a hit, and will seem "empty." I think bars and clubs just opened up, but no dancing. So between that limitation and the fact that many people are just trying to be cautious it will definitely feel more dead. Finally, while sports and therefore attendance at bars is finally back, the B1G just decided on football in Oct. That impacts Indy area for all the fans that typically would be out watching on a Saturday evening but can't right now.

If you are comparing traffic now, you should have come to Indy in March. There was much less traffic compared to now back then when everyone had to shelter in place. Again just judging it based on traffic wouldn't be accurate, but ATL is also no notorious for it's traffic that Indy will never compare no matter Covid or not.

[Toxic Toast]

Are you calling Indy a ghost town because our traffic isn't the disaster Atlanta's is?

[RJ8089]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

Are you calling Indy a ghost town because our traffic isn't the disaster Atlanta's is?

I'm calling Indy a ghost town because even in Carmel, it seemed dead. Maybe I've been in Atlanta too long. I remember Indy being more vibrant.

[RJ8089]

Originally Posted by sheerbliss

You must not have been on 465 Friday. It took me 90 minutes to get home after someone wrecked their car at I-69.

Restaurants are open at only 50% capacity.

I read that rent prices are up, and the St. Louis Fed shows unemployment here dropping rapidly.

In any case, I wouldn't assess the economy based on whether you were in a traffic jam during a visit.

I'm looking at what I saw. Hamilton Town Center wasn't vibrant except for that Ford restaurant, among other things. Even downtown. It just might be because I'm use to busier and vibrant Atlanta.

[sheerbliss]

Maybe a lot of people were on vacation and decided to get out of town, just as you did.

Record real estate sales, falling unemployment, and a AAA credit rating suggest the economy is doing OK.

https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-ne...tting-records/

https://www.localnewsdigital.com/202...o-7-8-in-july/

https://www.fitchratings.com/entity/...rating-actions

[rrah]

As people have already said, Indianapolis and the rest of the state is not fully open yet. Not sure where Marion County is right now in the planned opening, but even Carmel is not fully open yet. Many people are still exercising caution about going to restaurants, shopping for entertainment, etc.

[sheerbliss]

Here's the public health order for Marion County (Indianapolis) that went into effect September 8:

Public Health Order
• Takes effect Tuesday, September 8th, 2020
• Bars can reopen with 25% indoor capacity and 50% outdoor seating
• Table service and seating only
• Must close at 12am
• 3 violations leads to closure for minimum of 30 days
• Restaurants open 75% outdoor dining with social distancing, table service allowed in bar area
• Nightclubs can operate like a bar but at 25% capacity, no dancing and live entertainment