Latinos in Indianapolis? (Fishers, Carmel, Pendleton: middle-class, section 8, rentals)

[hapaleeretired]

I have been gone from Indy for three years but before I left anywhere along Washington Street (US 40) inside I-465 you will find many Hispanics, especially on the west side.
I think it is difficult to attain an accurate percentage because so many are undocumented.

[alov0303]

I would not say alot as others have said, but I grew up in Los Angeles. But, there are certain advantages to this. My wife is hispanic and bilingual which has been real helpful in regard to employment. We have found that employers have been actively recruiting her services because (1) she is bilingual and (2) has a college degree. There are pockets of hispanic neighborhoods with the largest being washington street just west of downtown. Also, as one poster stated, castleton does have some groceries.

hope this helps

[ComputerConsultingLLC]

I am Puerto Rican and I can say there aren't many PR's out here LOL. I live in the Geist area and there are some, but people are right- Lawrence tends to have a higher population of Latinos. Not sure about cubans, but many mexican's and South American's.

Indianapolis in general is a very nice city - small enough not to be crazy, large enough to have all the "large city" stuff.

[jamh13]

Yes, just big enough now, but that wont last long. This area is growing just as fast as any in the midwest(besides chicago). It Wont be long before indy is an overcrowded city too. I heard indy gained almost 30k residents last year. Thats up there with some of the sprawling warmer weather cities. I used to live in denver, and heard a statistic in the late 90's saying 3000-4000 were moving to denver a week. Look at denver now, for a city of its size it has some of the worst traffic. Road crews just cant build that fast. Time to move out to the country.

[swmr1ml]

I work at an near downtown Spanish Magnet school-we teach Spanish and as a result we get alot of latino students-there seems to be alot of latinos on the near eastside. Our students are great!

[Teacher40]

I live on the Far NorthWest side of town ... definitely a large Latino population here, I believe mostly Mexican. I honestly would not argue if someone said it was about 35-40% African American, 30+% Latino, and the remainder Caucasian/Other. This just comes from what I see on a daily basis. It is in the school district of MSD Pike Township. There are several mercados espanoles aqui, tambien. Somewhere to check out.

[Alien!]

We moved to Indiana 7-8 months ago. We live in Carmel which I would say probably is the most prestigious area around Indianapolis (it is located north of Indianapolis). Many educated or reach people live in Carmel, and the schools are known to be the best (or one of the best) schools around Indianapolis.
I don't really see Latinos as regular residents in Carmel; there are only construction workers who seem Mexican, perhaps even illegal. In an area near to Carmel called Fishers, I have seen some Latinos, but again most of them seem socioeconomically challenged people. When we go to northen parts of Indianapolis, again we see some Latinos, just "some" not many, whom again are similar to the population you see in Fishers. I don't really know about southern parts of Indianapolis, never been to there, but I've heard from everyone that people there are mostly caucasians and not very welcoming to other ethnicities.
I have to tell you, this place is definitely not like California. We lived in the past in California, Arizona and New Mexico where Latinos are very prevalent. Midwest is certainly different. Take it into serious consideration. There may be some Latinos around, but generally people tend to look at them like second-level citizens, so keep it in mind.
We are originally from Middle East. My wife is a nurse, she has 2 masters in nursing from highly ranked US nursing schools with GPA of 4.0, and 11 years of work experience. In other states, they used to call our home everyday with job offers, we used not to pick up the phone due to so many disturbing calls! Here, she has been looking for job over past 6-7 months, they don't get her even for jobs that are being advertised long time! As soon as they know she's from another background, they don't respond anymore!! A friend of ours had the same experience here, she finally changed her name on applications to an American name and got some interviews, and finally got a job that was lower than her level of experience and education. Here, it's mainly "connections" and other "local/native" factors that play role, qualifications come later on the list.
Well, remember, I think these other nice people who are responding to your letter, encouraging you to come to Indianapolis, are mostly or all American; they are very nice and I respect them much, but they don't face the challenges a foreigner may have, and they cannot feel what I tell you.
Anyway, yet I think as a Spanish language teacher you will have chance to get a job. There is a school almost on the west side of Indianapolis, called "international school", they teach other languages to kids including Spanish; it's a private school; check with them for a job. I've heard it's a very good school. They have a website.

Finally, if you're moving from California, be well prepared for a huge weather change.

Good luck, and think more before moving to Midwest! This is what other people told me before we moved, but I didn't listen!!

[Teacher40]

Originally Posted by Alien!

We moved to Indiana 7-8 months ago. We live in Carmel which I would say probably is the most prestigious area around Indianapolis (it is located north of Indianapolis). Many educated or reach people live in Carmel, and the schools are known to be the best (or one of the best) schools around Indianapolis.
I don't really see Latinos as regular residents in Carmel; there are only construction workers who seem Mexican, perhaps even illegal. In an area near to Carmel called Fishers, I have seen some Latinos, but again most of them seem socioeconomically challenged people. When we go to northen parts of Indianapolis, again we see some Latinos, just "some" not many, whom again are similar to the population you see in Fishers. I don't really know about southern parts of Indianapolis, never been to there, but I've heard from everyone that people there are mostly caucasians and not very welcoming to other ethnicities.
I have to tell you, this place is definitely not like California. We lived in the past in California, Arizona and New Mexico where Latinos are very prevalent. Midwest is certainly different. Take it into serious consideration. There may be some Latinos around, but generally people tend to look at them like second-level citizens, so keep it in mind.
We are originally from Middle East. My wife is a nurse, she has 2 masters in nursing from highly ranked US nursing schools with GPA of 4.0, and 11 years of work experience. In other states, they used to call our home everyday with job offers, we used not to pick up the phone due to so many disturbing calls! Here, she has been looking for job over past 6-7 months, they don't get her even for jobs that are being advertised long time! As soon as they know she's from another background, they don't respond anymore!! A friend of ours had the same experience here, she finally changed her name on applications to an American name and got some interviews, and finally got a job that was lower than her level of experience and education. Here, it's mainly "connections" and other "local/native" factors that play role, qualifications come later on the list.
Well, remember, I think these other nice people who are responding to your letter, encouraging you to come to Indianapolis, are mostly or all American; they are very nice and I respect them much, but they don't face the challenges a foreigner may have, and they cannot feel what I tell you.
Anyway, yet I think as a Spanish language teacher you will have chance to get a job. There is a school almost on the west side of Indianapolis, called "international school", they teach other languages to kids including Spanish; it's a private school; check with them for a job. I've heard it's a very good school. They have a website.

Finally, if you're moving from California, be well prepared for a huge weather change.

Good luck, and think more before moving to Midwest! This is what other people told me before we moved, but I didn't listen!!

Hello again everyone!

I read your argument for why not to move to the Midwest, and I am sure the arguments are very true. I know there is a huge difference from the Midwest to the West Coast. I have lived in Indianapolis for 26 years, with my second homes being in Chicago and St. Louis. I am personally ready to try another part of the country, because I have lived here forever and I am not afraid of change and to try something new.

However, with all this being said, I do have to stick up for the Midwest a little. I agree that you do not see Latinos everywhere, and I know they are not as populous here in Indianapolis, as in LA, of course. I actually would jump my statistic for the NW side to higher than 30+% Latino, if I were being honest. Anyway, Indianapolis is a very "pocketed" community. You will not go to one, or even five, areas and see the same population. You could drive on a street, and within ten minutes on that street pass through a variety of socioeconomic levels and cultures. So, I guess what I am trying to say that it all depends where you've been. Yes, and I know the south side isn't nearly as diverse as the north side. But, I can't help but say that you are speaking about the suburbs, mostly, where of course the population is going to mainly be "American" as you call it (aren't we all American, honestly? I could say I am Irish-American, but I don't). No offense, but both Carmel AND Fishers, are among the most affluent areas here and you are not going to see a lot of diversity. I honestly am wondering if you've been around Indy much.

But, overall, it is true that we are all probably coming in from a different point of view than you, which I respect as well. I hope that you enjoy some part of the Midwest; i.e. the beautiful season changes (have you been to Brown County for the fall colors?), the friendly people, low cost of living and housing, laid-back environment. It can't all be that bad. But, i understand about the job search problem for your wife. I am a teacher, or aspiring anyway, and I cannot find a job anywhere because there are 1200+ applicants per job (general elementary) for each school district and it's definitely a challenge. I am surprised about hearing the same for nurses though. It is definitely all about connections and who you know, unfortunately. So, I am moving.

About the first inquirer's (sorry, I forgot your username) question about Spanish teacher positions, if they need to fill a vacancy, you can go anywhere. I went to Catholic schools all my life and the second language we learned back then even was Spanish. So, I think most schools offer that as a second language. You won't have a problem. -just us gen. elementary educators have the most challenge. Good luck! And, don't be afraid to try Indianapolis. You might find out that it's the right fit (for a while). Hey, it's a nice place to raise a family, too.

[domergurl]

Not to be witchy, but if you come here expecting something other than what people tell you ... I don't know what to say except I told you so. Here's a list of what Indiana is NOT:

like the 49 other states and terroritories of the United States


SHEESH!!!

[Alien!]

Well, in response to your note, I would like to point the followings:
1. You are right. I have not really been much around Indy. I go to work everyday, come back home and spend few hours listening to my wife's complaints, keep blaming myself for coming to Indiana (while I had many opportunities in other states), and go to bed.
2. I agree, the nature here is overall beautiful, even the wildness of winter has it's own beauties, no doubt.
3. i am an American too, just was born somewhere else, but yet, people here look at me differently, that's okay though. What really bothers me is my wife's experience.
4. if there were not many jobs available for a profession, your argue would absolutely be right, but for nurses as you know there are plenty of jobs open. Mainly, my wife is really over-qualified. They don't get her even for jobs that are advertised and remain open. she has gotten to a point that she's even ready to do a work much less than her qualifications, but... She is completely convinced that they don't get her only due to her not being from America originally, and I believe she's right because I know how smart she is.
I came to this state with lots of hopes, but seems like we may have to move out at some point.