The State of Indiana? (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne: housing, rent, income)

[marlisamsh]

Originally Posted by ColoradoMove

My wife, two kids (under 3) and I are considering moving from Boulder, CO to Carmel, IN. We feel as though we have done are research on Carmel (which we like), but we are getting disturbing info on the state of IN from friends that have lived there. I have heard comments saying IN is full of smoking, overweight and not active people. My wife and I get a good feel for IN from everything we have looked up, however people are indicating outside of Indy people are not very progressive (i.e. healthy, active, interested in new things). Can anyone elaborate further? We don't want to find ourselves living on an island (Carmel) never wanting to venture out into a state we are not proud of. Thanks to anyone that can help...

I live in Mishawaka, In and it is okay, the people are friendly but the job market sucks. I have several friends that live in Carmel, In and they are not pleased. I truly believe that Indiana is a proverty stricken place. My family was considering moving to Indianapolis, In, but we changed our mind and will move back to Texas. Please come and visit before you decide to move here and get stuck somewhere you and your family will not be happy !

[domergurl]

So you're going to Texas now? I hope you find a community that fits your needs. Have you tried posting the to Texas board?

[IA Boy]

I have to agree with the people who have recommended spending a little time in Indiana before you make a permanent move. I have lived in Indiana, California, Florida, Tennessee, and now Iowa. I would have to say that without a doubt Indiana is my LEAST favorite. Very conservative, economy based on agriculture and heavy industry, and long dreary winters.

[mbk]

I'm from NY and moved to Carmel last summer. I absolutely hate it!
Reasons:
1) geography is completely uninspiring! flat and ugly.
2) way too conservative.
3) recycling? what's that?
4) suburban hell! beautiful sidwalks that lead nowhere
5) Indy, beautiful old homes, completed neglected, depressing, almost a slum
6) no real town to walk in (downtown is trying, but I personally think it's too late)
7) you have to drive everywhere!
8) public transportation? what's that?
9) way too much religion
10) big box chain stores all around
11) strip mall after strip mall after strip mall


things I do like:
1) people in general are very friendly and kind
2) polite driving
3) good schools
4) most homes have no fences, wierd in the beginning, but we really like it now.

that said, we are getting out as soon as we can.

[domergurl]

Did you move here without knowing what to expect? Sorry this state hasn't been up to par, but sheesh! I'd be interested in know the back story about why you chose to live here.

[Ronzou]

Originally Posted by mbk

I'm from NY and moved to Carmel last summer. I absolutely hate it!
Reasons:
1) geography is completely uninspiring! flat and ugly.
2) way too conservative.
3) recycling? what's that?
4) suburban hell! beautiful sidwalks that lead nowhere
5) Indy, beautiful old homes, completed neglected, depressing, almost a slum
6) no real town to walk in (downtown is trying, but I personally think it's too late)
7) you have to drive everywhere!
8) public transportation? what's that?
9) way too much religion
10) big box chain stores all around
11) strip mall after strip mall after strip mall

1) That happens when you are in the mainlands.
2) Don't know about that one. A lot of people I talk to are independent.
3) Recycling is good, because we don't want landfills full polluting everything years from now.
4) Not everywhere.
5) Don't know, don't live there.
6) There is a lot of walking in Indy because parking is outrageous.
7) Well yeah, that's the nice thing about it, even though gas is outrageous, it's nice to be able to drive a car, and not have to pay to park at home, pay to park at a store, pay to park to pay city bills, pay to park at work.
8) Many people in Indiana don't need public transportation because we can actually have cars, and drive. Although Fort Wayne has a good mass transit system.
9) Not really up here. It only happens if you let it happen otherwise, it's just normal.
10) That happens, because most people don't start their own grocers, or little stores, because it's hard to stay in business.
11) Not that I noticed up here.

But then again you're in Central Indiana, and I only go down there once in every blue moon.

[timincal]

I havn't heard much posted about Columbus, Indiana has anyone any information on this city?

[domergurl]

Oh plaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiidmommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !!!

[mbk]

We moved here because me husband go a postdoc at lilly, and unfortunately for me I didn't do the kind of research I should have before moving.

And, that was a joke about recycling. In my neighborhood we are 1 in 3 families that recycle! There is an obvious disregard here for the environment, you can see just by the sprawl and the giant (completely non-energy efficient) homes being built everywhere. One would think in the 21st century, American policy makers would have figured out an alternative to sprawl and strip malls.

[KokomoIndiana]

Wow ! Seems as if there is a new breed of bigots surfacing !

Quote"I have heard comments saying IN is full of smoking, overweight and not active people"

So what you say is that you would prefer to pass up a great neighborhood because it might have fat people that smoke ? And move into a snobby , uppity neighborhood just because there aren't any smokers and or FATTO's ?

As you can tell I live in Kokomo Indiana and have for oh let's say 35 years. Yep , you guessed it I can be classified as FAT and a SMOKER. But you see here is the difference between you and I. You sit out to segregate me , but I accomodate you. By that I mean , I do not blow smoke into anyones face that is not ok with it. I do not go to public restaurants and smoke during dinner. As I know other patrons that are there could have asthma , COPD , allergies and so on. Plus , my dinner doesn't last no more than a half hour to hour and I can go that long without a cigarette.

If a person around me doesn't like or wish to be around smoke , I do not smoke in their presence. It is a respect thing. Ask a best friend of 18 years whom doesn't like smoke. I haven't smoked EVER in his presence as that is his wish that was stated from the start. And I abide by that as it is his wish , and his friendship to me is worthy enough of that sacrifice.

As for the broad generalization of overweight and inactive. How can you not assume that some that are overweight are not overweight due to medical conditions and or medications etc. ? Just to lump them all together is RUDE. As stated I am one that is classified as overweight. BUT I also have diagnosed and documented thyroid issues as well as Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. Which both of those issues does what ? Increase weight and makes it nearly to impossible to lose weight.

So if your bigotries and prejudices cannot look beyond the outer person. Why in the world do you feel worthy enough to live in a diverse environment ? There are black persons , white persons , tall persons , short persons , thin persons , not so thin persons , and so on.

So what if I am not out running a marathon? Or hiking or skiing to stay in shape. I have a shape and damn it round is a shape !!

So go ahead and look for a state or city with low overweight populations or non-smokers. You will be cheating yourself and doing yourself a great disservice. All for the sake of appearances and prejudices. I am really surprised that you were not told that we are all Hoobillies (Hoosier hillbillies) and illiterates too ! LOL

No amount of sprigs and twigs or tofu. No amount of mineral waters or aspargus can inject class into one's &%@- well you get this picture right ??

If by smoking , eating Dorito's and drinking Coke , makes me a criminal. Lock me up and throw away the key. Because running , jogging , hiking , and celery sticks are not for me !

Plus , the more pretentious people are about not living around so and so because of physical attributes , just means I know you won't be knocking on my door. Wanting to borrow cups of sugar , eggs and/ or popcorn. Not to mention I know there won't be a run on my twinkies or smokes at the local fat peoples' store.

And to think these people have kids. And if they raise them up to be cautious of neighborhoods with overweight smokers. What kind of disservice did they or will they do these children ? It's a shame , but as they say. "Prejudices start at home and the parents' are their teacher" !

On the outside of sarcastic attitude. Indiana is an alright state , I have seen fat people and smokers in other states too. There is not a way one to avoid us or them. Indiana has it's faults , it has it's good points. I personally would not live in Indianapolis or it's suburbs. But that is just me though. I love to visit Indy and the many things it has to offer. But I am not a major fan of traffic issues and or being around tons of people. I also wouldn't suggest Kokomo , if you're having issues with backwards ways and or obese persons and smokers.

Not to mention that aren't many attractions here IE: Zoo , Museums of culture etc. I mean we do have an automotive museum , Elwood Haynes Museum , etc. As well as a few historical landmarks , ie: Big Ben , Sycamore Tree Stump , The Vermont Covered Bridge etc. We're home to many car lots , fast food restaurants , not many fine dining establishments , but hey we have Chrysler plants here !!

In closing , yes I did take offense to the comments of overweight and smokers. But shouldn't you be more interested in a state or city for their crime rate , murder rate , school ratings , job market , housing market , attractions , parks and or entertainment ? Versus just the number of overweight and or smokers ?

And remember no matter how obese one person is , or how many cigarettes they smoke. Or how many marathons a person runs , or how many sticks of celery or carrots one eats. We all are individuals with needs , wants , desires
and feelings. That all deserved to be treated well in any and all neighborhoods. When you set out to separate yourself from one group or another. You really are a part of the problem and not that of a solution.

When we die , it doesn't matter how much you ran , hiked , counted calories etc. Doesn't matter how many smokes you smoked , calories you've eaten. You still die and or are dead. Nothing matters then , the only thing we cannot change is that eventually we all die. And until that day I plan to enjoy it the best way I can. Not to mention Indiana is usually extremely hot in the summer , most times around a 100 degrees with humidity and heat index. And in the winter it is bone chilling cold with temps that sometimes reach 30-40 below with the windchill factor. So it is not advisable to be out running for the fun of it in either climate. If you're out running in the summer heat you could die trying to live healthy ! And in the winter , same thing. Frostbit , hypothermia and so on. I would much rather sit here in a climate controlled environment and not suffer heat stroke or freeze to death !