Has anyone moved from CALIF to Indiana? INPUT PLEASE (Indianapolis: fit in, crime)

[sweetana3]

I see people on the Monon, at the dog parks and in my neighborhood walking, running, and biking and we are downtown.

I think many go to gyms, the Y is always packed, or they go to organized sports. Check out the soccer and baseball leagues.

But yes, the midwest is very different from CA and CO and such. We are not as much outdoor people and this is a big generalization. Maybe it is the weather or our flat landscape?

[PixiStix]

Originally Posted by Interpol76

I moved from here from California. People may be a tad nicer in Indiana, but people here are also very very introverted compared to people in California. Also, people in Indiana dont seem to do anything. One thing about California is there is always people out doing things. Even in the summer here it seems everyone is stuffed inside their boxes watching tv.

With the exception of the past year, I've lived in Indiana all my life. Summers here are the best & we are rarely inside. Too many parks, hiking trails, fairs, festivals, car shows, cookouts & just hanging out by the pool-

[sanjose]

we're moving from the silicon valley to carmel/fishers/zionsville... once we sell our house that is. we're visiting in two weeks to drive the towns and see what we like best.

[Mike Dunn]

Here are a couple of websites that may help you.

Greater Zionsville Chamber of Commerce



City of Carmel, Indiana in Hamilton County

[RangerDuke08]

Zionsville is probably the best neighborhood there, there are a lot of trees, that's where I would live if I moved to Indiana though I don't live in Indiana I have been to both places, IN and CA, I would say I found people to be a lot nice, things to be slower paced, though I think most IN natives would love to visit CA anyday for the geography and weather.

[BoredChicagoan]

I have been in Indy for almost a year, having moved from Chicago. I did the move in order to eventually move BACK to Chicago with a job promotion. I'm miserable.

First off, Indy is not a 'city' rather it is a large town or a big suburb. There is no public transportation, not a great deal of culture (art, theater, etc), the 'downtown' area is deserted after 5 pm. It's an extremely conservative and uneduated population of individuals here. There are pockets of places that really do 'try', but Indy is just a long way of being a fun or interesting place to live. Places like Mass Ave are a long way away from being a cultural beacon in the town. The Public schools are a disaster (I teach,therefore I know how bad it is).

Restaurants? I hope you enjoy chains b/c that is the majority here. The town motto seems to be "There are worse places".. I can see for most people in Indiana how it's a big city, nice place as most people I've met come from very rural or small small towns; but coming from California is definitely going to produce a massive amount of culture shock. I"m from a mere 3 hours away and I'm still in awe of many things.

I very much regret my move and am trying to get out ASAP.

Just something to think about.

[BoredChicagoan]

Acegirl

be warned that Indy residents are really not active (as in Cali and Chicago). This is a town of very out of shape and very lazy people. Their idea of 'doing something" is going to a car race, and sitting and drinking.... or going to a car show..

all of these things are fine.. but if you don't have an interest in more blue collar type of interests you will be hard pressed to find a great deal of things to do.

There ARE things to do.. that is the immediate response people will provide: There are things to do!!

But they are few and far between and you have to hunt them down. Once you've gone to the Museum, a few historic homes, attended scary fair, then that's it.

[Davachka]

Originally Posted by BoredChicagoan

I have been in Indy for almost a year, having moved from Chicago. I did the move in order to eventually move BACK to Chicago with a job promotion. I'm miserable.

First off, Indy is not a 'city' rather it is a large town or a big suburb. There is no public transportation, not a great deal of culture (art, theater, etc), the 'downtown' area is deserted after 5 pm. It's an extremely conservative and uneduated population of individuals here. There are pockets of places that really do 'try', but Indy is just a long way of being a fun or interesting place to live. Places like Mass Ave are a long way away from being a cultural beacon in the town. The Public schools are a disaster (I teach,therefore I know how bad it is).

Restaurants? I hope you enjoy chains b/c that is the majority here. The town motto seems to be "There are worse places".. I can see for most people in Indiana how it's a big city, nice place as most people I've met come from very rural or small small towns; but coming from California is definitely going to produce a massive amount of culture shock. I"m from a mere 3 hours away and I'm still in awe of many things.

I very much regret my move and am trying to get out ASAP.

Just something to think about.

Agreed. People coming from areas that offer more, whether it be culturally, environmentally (oceans, mts., etc) tend to regret their move here. The people I knew that moved here from CA for a job were quick to move back.

This is very much a box store, chain restaurant type of place where people talk about what's on tv more than any other place I have ever lived. More overweight people than I have ever seen.

Make sure you have done ample research. Saving money is not everything, and that is all people can say about this place.

[PixiStix]

BC, Well, I appreciate you trying to help but.... I've lived in Indiana all my life & the last 10 years on west side suburbs of Indy. It's what I call home & we have never had trouble finding things to do. Maybe the activites aren't what you're interested in & that's fine. I do like car racing- ever been to the Indy 500?! I do like car shows- 'blue collar?' yes, but I grew up in southern Indiana. My family is 'blue collar'- good, decent & hard working. My dad has a '55 Chevy Bel Air show car that's been featured in magazines & my brother has a Monte Carlo super sport- which was a monthly feature car in an automotive calendar. It's a big deal in my family & I enjoy sharing that with them- and not sounding pretentious but my husband & I are very successful professionals.

We have 2 small kids so maybe that's the difference. Our activites often include them. I love the Childrens Museum, the Zoo, the State Fair, Colts games, White River Gardens, Eiteljorg museum, the great parks & trails in the area. Great camping is close. It's a nice place to raise a family. We have a great group of friends here- all young professionals-- none of us are out of shape or lazy.

I love Indy for what you don't- 'the city that feels like a suburb'. I'll take it

We have lived in Florida for the past year & I cannot wait to get out of here. I always thought I wanted to live by the ocean. Trust me, the negatives here outweigh the positives, but that's another story-

Sorry Indy didn't work out for you & good luck. I would probably be saying the same thing about Chicago that you are about Indy- it's not my thing.

PS> there really are things to do
Things to do in Indianapolis on AroundIndy.com™

[domergurl]

People who have snooty attitudes when moving here will be miserable. I hate to sound cliche, but we, as midwesterners, are what some refer to as salt of the earth. Not fancy, straight forward, unpretentious and can spot a poseur from a mile away and will dispose of them immediately. I like that.

BTW faina ... are you on your way to Tampa yet?