Has anyone moved from CALIF to Indiana? INPUT PLEASE (Indianapolis: apartment, how much)

[PixiStix]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yes, Exactly

[TraderJack]

Some folks can afford to live where ever they choose. Other folks are pretty much forced by economics to live right where they are.

But, people are the same everywhere. Some snobs, some down to earth, some rich, some poor. Some friendly, some not so friendly.

Places... well every place is different. But to put a place down just because it doesn't suit you is not only narrow-minded, it's downright offensive to the rest of us that live there, by choice or by circumstance.

I have some bad things I could say about all the places I have lived... But I seldom say anything because I wouldn't want to offend any body that still lives there. That's their home town! For instance, I hated the humidity in Florida, but I still have friends there and visit when I can, in the spring or the fall when the humidity is low.

If a place doesn't suit you, move away. It's a free country with open borders between states, go ahead. We won't mind if you leave.

[alov0303]

I moved from LA in 2006 and can honestly say that you will notice the difference in outdoor activity. Spring to fall is great with alot of outdoor activities, provided you search hard enough, but winter is dreadful. Hoosiers will not go out and there is very little winter activites save going to restaurants or the mall.

[BU191433]

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.

I have lived in Indiana or Indianapolis my whole life. I have a "really good friend" who has recently moved here from the Bay area in California. This person is not impressed. But I am curious as to what part of town you live. Sounds like you lived in downtown Chicago - well you won't find anything like that here (you won't find a downtown like that almost anywhere).

I gues it comes down to what you are looking for. I tend to think if you have some good friends, a good job, maybe some family - I could live anywhere. Winter never bothers me at all. Lack of culture - I guess I don't really know any better

[PixiStix]

The problem is... Don't move here expecting Indy (or Indiana) to be like California/Chicago or wherever- it isn't. It doesn't pretend to be either. And I have to chuckle when people move here from a warm climate & complain about winter weather. You're moving to the midwest- Indiana 101 will tell you we have snow & ice. It's not like Minneapolis though. Yes, people do stay inside alot during winter. Why would you want to drive around in crappy road conditions when you don't have to? It's 10 degrees? Yes, I think I'll stay inside. Watch a movie, light a fire & crack open some wine! Plus, it's fun to play in the snow (at least I do)

Again, if it's not the place for you- move on & be happy. Don't sit around mumbling how 'it sucks'- not everyone agrees with you.

I'm officially a boomerang Hoosier now. We moved to a larger city in Florida, full of culture & nightlife & it's done nothing for me. I fight traffic, tourists & the most incredibly bad drivers known to man. You know what, I'm not sitting around constantly moaning about it to the people who live here- we're planning our move date back home to Indiana as I speak. Florida wasn't for us & now we know the grass isn't always greener- To each his own.

[PhillyIndy]

[quote=domergurl;3708762]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.

QUOTE]


For the Chicago, West Coast, or East coasters moving to Indy and worried about culture, things to do, "non-chain" options

Look at Meridain Kessler.

It is pricey for Indy; but not pricey comparred to where you came from. Distinct homes, non-chain places to eat and shop, a walking bike trail, and what seems to be a well educated population (by Indy, West Coast, East Coast, or any other standard).

It also has a nice private pool that is cheap and seems to attract people from the immediate MK area.

If you have kids, you might need to suck it up and do private school, but you will probably be able to afford it.

If you are single, it takes an effort. But join the young museum group, do the downtown happy hour events, etc.

The trick in Indy is that there might be one really cool thing to do a week (where as NYC would have 3 things each day). So find the cool thing that week and do it. In the winter; vacation where it is warm.

[Rochellepotter]

How cold does it get? We used to live in Buffalo, NY and I know it's a bit warmer/less snow.
I don't mind staying inside for a day or two. I have two small children, so I'm busy inside. I do like to take walks 2-3 times a week. I'll have to think about the winter a little more.
At this point, with small children, I'm not too concerned with 'nightlife' and all that. I'm more concerned with having sports for the kids and a museum/zoo/playgrounds/parks.
How are the parks in the northern subburbs (Zville, Carmel)? Is there a fun science museum for the kids? Also, I know that Cincinatti and Louisville are within 2 hours, so that's an option if I get really bored right? Driving an hour or two is no biggie, here in CA we do it all the time, (day trip to Monterey).
One or two of you mentioned camping. Are there a few nice places? What kind of animals do you have. Here we have... RATTLESNAKES (SCARY), Black widows, mountain lions, bears, cayotes and all kinds of really scary animals. What kinds of creatures have you run into? I'm terrified of poisonous snakes and spiders, and, well mountain lions. There was one in downtown pleasanton a few years ago. Scary!!
Also, I'm planning on homeschooling. Anyone know any groups or friends who enjoy/don't enjoy homeschooling in Indiana? Is it common? It's quite common out here bcs our schools are soo liberal, so if you want a God centered education, well homeschooling is your cheapest option.
Meridian Kessler- Is there any crime down there? Just wondering, how big of a piece of land, nothing? Backyards? How big?

[PixiStix]

Honestly, the winters here aren't that bad... if you've never experienced winter weather before & have nothing to compare it to, then it might be a big deal. Usually a couple ice events in a season & a few inches of snow at a time. Of course this can vary from year to year but overall, it's tolerable. I've never been 'snowed in' more than a day. The streets are cleared pretty quickly & if you aren't driving your kids to school in the early mornings, you find it's even easier to manage. If you've lived in Buffalo, Indy will be a piece of cake

No worries, there are plenty of things to do with kids. The area is more family friendly & I think that's why alot of single young professional who move here dislike it so much. Downtown does have some nightlife but it's not L.A. or Chicago by any means.

Camping is the best here. There are many areas to choose from- In central Indiana alone there are these:

Brookville Lake, Fort Harrison State Park, Lieber State Recreation/Cagles, Mill Lake,Mccormicks Creek,Mounds State Park,Raccoon Sra,Shades State Park,Summit Lake State Park,Turkey Run State Park,Whitewater Memorial State Park

And a little farther south you have Lake Lemon, Brown County State Park & Monroe Lake-& a few more. About the worst critter I've ever encountered is a raccoon. Nothing like you've had- Copperheads are the most common poisonous snakes but they are mostly in southern Indiana (where I grew up)& I haven't seen one in over 15 years-

Can't tell you alot of info about northside kid's parks etc.. We lived on the west side in Avon but we are moving back from Florida soon & are going to relocate to Zionsville.

Good luck! I think you'll fit in just fine here

Originally Posted by Rochellepotter

How cold does it get? We used to live in Buffalo, NY and I know it's a bit warmer/less snow.
I don't mind staying inside for a day or two. I have two small children, so I'm busy inside. I do like to take walks 2-3 times a week. I'll have to think about the winter a little more.
At this point, with small children, I'm not too concerned with 'nightlife' and all that. I'm more concerned with having sports for the kids and a museum/zoo/playgrounds/parks.
How are the parks in the northern subburbs (Zville, Carmel)? Is there a fun science museum for the kids? Also, I know that Cincinatti and Louisville are within 2 hours, so that's an option if I get really bored right? Driving an hour or two is no biggie, here in CA we do it all the time, (day trip to Monterey).
One or two of you mentioned camping. Are there a few nice places? What kind of animals do you have. Here we have... RATTLESNAKES (SCARY), Black widows, mountain lions, bears, cayotes and all kinds of really scary animals. What kinds of creatures have you run into? I'm terrified of poisonous snakes and spiders, and, well mountain lions. There was one in downtown pleasanton a few years ago. Scary!!
Also, I'm planning on homeschooling. Anyone know any groups or friends who enjoy/don't enjoy homeschooling in Indiana? Is it common? It's quite common out here bcs our schools are soo liberal, so if you want a God centered education, well homeschooling is your cheapest option.
Meridian Kessler- Is there any crime down there? Just wondering, how big of a piece of land, nothing? Backyards? How big?

[ocexpo]

I find some of these posts to be hard to believe. Hamilton County has an average household income EXCEEDING Orange County, the epitome of culture/the beach. I seriously doubt Hamilton County residents are "blue collar" considering how affordable the housing is and how much their average income is. For some reason, I cant picture some hillbillie scratching his hairy belly on the front yard of his majestic Carmel estate. It just...doesn't seem like a true representation. I was looking through some very nice subdivisions (Lakeside Park, and others) because I am moving from California (Newport Beach) and I saw a lot of activity...moreso than I see in my Newport Beach neighborhood. Kids are playing in their driveways or at the park, the community pool was bustling, some women (and men) were talking, garages were open....it just felt like a neighborhood...not an abandoned graveyard filled with cooped up poor people like the posters suggest.

Yes, it will be a culture shock, we know that. However, what we use is here. They have a supermarket, they have a mall, they have parks, they have everything we do except water. I mean seriously, most of those people who are moving from a beach community live in a culturally dull SUBURBAN community; much like Indianapolis. They dont come from bustling cities. And honestly, I can do without a few museums or theaters. I dont visit those anyways. Im fine with a city where the streets roll up at 5pm, in LA you only wish the streets rolled up at 5pm because thats when the gangs come out.

I am excited about moving to the region. I love snow....I love weather. I love people, and am hoping the people will be more approchable than they are here. I love a laid back lifestyle....I dont like running and running without a break. A slower pace can be good for everyone. It shows you whats really important....your family. And I am ok with giving up diversity. Most of the people who are "diverse" here live in their own communities in distinct areas so I dont interact with them much anyways.

I dont see why people have such negative views of such an amazing place. Indianapolis seems to be a place where people truly realize what matters....something the phony people of OC seem to forget.

[domergurl]

If you can deal with Buffalo, it's not as bad here!

I had a conversation with a lady from Atlanta on Friday afternoon and she went on and on and on about "schools lacking this", and "schools lacking that". Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta. I finally said "get Atlanta out of your head, you're in Indiana, if you want Atlanta, go back to Atlanta". I was expecting huffy and she thanked me for being so straight with her, apparently people in Indiana are kind of passive (not here!). I miss Chicago desperately, I wish the food was better in Indiana, but it's not and kvetching about it ad nauseum isn't going to make anything change. It just unnerves me to no end how much outsiders will whiz and moan about what is lacking in this state ... ugh!!! STOP!!! If anyone moves here thinking that they are going to get Bay Area, mountains, non humid weather ... someone sold them a bill of goods because anyone with half a brain and half decent research capabilities will KNOW THIS BEFORE THEY DECIDED TO MOVE HERE!!! One word ... DUH!!!

Like I told the Atlanta lady, Indiana is what it is. I will say that we've made leaps and bounds from what it was like when I was growing up in podunk.