Moving to Evansville

[Jeeper]

Hi,
I just wanted to clarify that the $165,000 price range represents the absolute highest price I could ever go. It's the OMG I must have this home price that leaves me totally tapped out and eating rice until I get a job.

I'd be much more comfortable with a home around $135,00.

Thanks.

[Stffrd612]

Hi,

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I loved Evansville and would move back if I could find a good job. I lived there 12 years. Here is what I found in that time:

East side: This is where most of the restaurants and shopping are located. This is also where a lot of traffic is. There is the Eastland Mall (which is the largest in the area), Target Greatland, Super Wal-Mart, and tons of restaurants. It is a safe part of town and the housing prices are moderate. There are also several nice apt places on that side of town. Most of them are newer apts. Lincoln ave area is nice and many places just south of Lloyd are cute. I would not want to live on Morgan Ave or Burkhardt. Both have a lot of traffic and would get on my nerves.

If you continue out further east you end up in Newburgh, IN. Newburgh is a nice town...much smaller suburb of Evansville. It is a cute town with some good qualities. Although, there is always a ton of construction going on and I never really had any reason to go there in the 12 years I lived in Evansville because I had everything I needed on the east side.

West Side: This is the older side of town but still descent. I prefer the east side to be closer to places I would go shopping but I believe you could get better house prices on the west side. This is also where the Fall Festival is every year which is a large street festival with food and rides. It is always fun (during the day).

Far West Side: This is out by University of Southern Indiana. In recent years there has been tremendous growth out here. I liked the Copper Creek Apts. They were really close to some shopping and movie theaters. Other posts have listed more of the stores out here. It used to be all woods but now there is a ton of shopping but still more trees than the rest of Evansville. I saw a house on Realtor with 3.25 wooded acres near USI yesterday. If you want more space (acres) you will probably only find it on the far west side of Evansville.

North side: This can be a nice area to live as well. I have seen many cute houses in this area out near Mill Rd. and would consider it as well.

North East side: I lived out here for a few years too. We bought a new home off N. Green River Rd. and it was only $119 for a 3bd/2ba cute home brand new. ZIP code 47725 on the far north east side is close to McCutchansville and there was a ton of new subdivisions that popped up a few years back. There is also some new stores popping up to keep up with the residential growth. Very safe area but there is a lot of traffic because people are all trying to use the same few roads (N. Green River Rd, Oak Hill, etc). Highway 41 is also a pain in the mornings. You can usually make good time on the Interstate 164 though.

The only area I would not live in (again) is just on the west side of 41 and south of the Lloyd expressway. If you look on Realtor.com you will see tons of cute looking craftsman homes that I would love to have and at great prices ($80K for example) but I they are in this area. I lived there for a year and we had cars broken into, a roommate was stabbed twice using a payphone, rats, etc. I would say this is rare for Evansville, which I still consider very safe but IMO stay away from that area.

Hope this helped someone.

[indydreamer]

I have never been to Evansville. How are racial atmosphere? How would a hispanic, black, or bi-racial families get along there? Is it diverse?

[elrod56]

I was born & raised in E'ville. It's a good little town. One thing to keep in mind about Evansville is that there is an significant amount of cancer there. Don't know why - many people blame GE in Mount Vernon & Alcoa in Warick county east of E'ville. There's a lot of dirty industry around E'ville. Being on the river with the rising ground heading north, the air can be VERY stagnate and heavy at times. Summers can be very humid. It's a very heavy German & Polish population, with a good numbers of Blacks and some Hispanics. No real racial tension -much better than it was when I was in high school in the 70's. Very good medical facilities. The southern accent can be somewhat strong at time, especially with many Kentuckians working in Evansville from across the river. I can understand that Evansville may not be everyone's cup of tea. It's not mine anymore. When I do go back though, I make it a point to stop at the Hilltop restaurant and get a brain sandwich. That's just good eatin' !!!

[Spaddy]

I would like to respond to the posting regarding the area South of the Lloyd and West of 41. My husband and I purchased a home in this area for less than 80K. It is a lovely colonial near a great park where we, along with many neighbors, walk our dogs each day. It has only needed superficial and aesthetic work and will yield a comfortable return. This area is not as bad as it's made out to be. The area is on the edge of a great turnaround. We have lived here for over 4 years and haven't had the slighest problem. Haynie's Corner is an evolving artist community and a great anchor for the downtown historic homes. There are questionable neighborhoods in the proximity of downtown, but what town doesn't have that. I would trade living on the west side for our "questionable" neighborhood anytime. Give this side of town a chance. The neighbors are active, involved, diverse and becoming a true catalyst for positive change. We have felt welcome and appreciated and certainly not like the transplants you will feel like on the west side of town. The community garden, UE, and various festivals all make this end of town a wonderful place to live.