Evansville or Terre Haute (Indianapolis, Bloomington: how much, hotel, house)

[kyle19125]

Hi, I'm considering a move from the high-priced, polluted East Coast to a smaller town in Indiana and was hoping for some feedback on either or both of these cities. I'm a gay male, on the conservative side, who doesn't get into the bar scene so much...obviously since I'm considering a smaller town in Indiana. I want the energy of a college town, with a decent amount of restaurants, coffee shops and a walkable feel to the city center. A somewhat diverse population would help too. Thanks for the replies.

[Chimpie]

Evansville, hands down.

Two major colleges, Univ. of Southern Indiana and Univ. of Evansville.

They have every restaurant possible it seems, both chain and original/private owned.

The riverfront entertainment district is growing, with not only the casino but now a Jillians and a new hotel, with more planned in the near future.

I would dare to say that median age of Evansville is younger than Terra Haute, and the cost of living is relitively cheap as well.

If you can put up with snow, ice, tornadoes, etc, Indiana is a great place to live, and Evansville is nice place to call home.

[Piggy]

If you are looking for something long term, I would also consider Evansville. I think property values will be on the rise shortly as they have propsed an I-69 to run directly from Indianapolis to Evansville. I think there will be a boom there in the area when the construction starts.

[domergurl]

Have you thought about Bloomington?

[kyle19125]

I had thought about Bloomington, but it seems I'd get half the house for the price versus Evansville or Terre Haute.

[domergurl]

The only reason I mentioned B-ton is it's more gay friendly.

[jager]

Hi,
With the criteria you listed I wouldn't recommend Indiana. I have relatives that live in Columbus, Ohio that tell me a lot about it and how much they love it there. Columbus isn't really small but there are a lot of small towns around Columbus. Columbus is a big university town with a section called the Short North that is filled with coffee shops, restaurants and some gay bars. But you said you weren't into the bar scene but there is a decent sized gay population in Columbus. In fact, my neighbor, who is a gay male, used to live in Columbus before his job transferred him here. He says he misses Columbus. Good luck with your choice.

[pastorgirl]

I'd consider Minneapolis before I'd consider somewhere in Indiana, although, Bloomington, IN might be a possibility

[pepper87]

I would definitely consider Bloomington. It is a great place. Not too big, not too small. College town. Very friendly to all.

I lived in Evansville after high school and I hated it. It has done nothing but grow since I was there. It's not a "safe" place. It's not a friendly place either. And it is all spread out. Congestion and badly engineered roads!

[dodeca]

Originally Posted by pepper87

I would definitely consider Bloomington. It is a great place. Not too big, not too small. College town. Very friendly to all.

I lived in Evansville after high school and I hated it. It has done nothing but grow since I was there. It's not a "safe" place. It's not a friendly place either. And it is all spread out. Congestion and badly engineered roads!

Yep, I'd go with Bloomington over TH too. I'm a gay lad from the TH, and always felt much more comfy in Bloomington. Housing prices are higher there, but living in such a great town makes it worth it. One tiny little thing that I love about Bloomington, that I never ever heard anyone from Terre Haute ever say, was from a DJ on a local radio station: he always called it "Beautiful Bloomington, Indiana" without a hint of irony. A lot of people feel that way about Bloomington, and it shows. People are happy to be there.