Has anyone moved from CALIF to Indiana? INPUT PLEASE (Lafayette: sick, homes)

[Colts]

Jesus, some of you act like you're moving to a different planet when you come here. Is it really that huge of a transition? Seriously--I'd like to know.

To be the fastest growing big city in the Midwest, there has to be something about Indianapolis that's drawing in more people than moves out. There's always adjustments to be made wherever you go, but honestly, it isn't that different. It just isn't. I'd say 90 percent of people will do perfectly fine in greater Indianapolis after moving here.

As for the other ten percent, there are always those people who move here uninformed and without doing their homework first, and then there are the people who just like complaining for whatever reason without making the most of it.

[Stubbzilla]

We've been here for five years and love it.

Indy is not for everyone. I recommend you prioritize your desires and compare which cities match what you want.

We wanted:
1. Very low crime
2. Affordable housing
3. Decent wages
4. A big enough city so that a job loss wouldn't mean we'd for sure have to move (I'm looking at you, Boise)
5. Low taxes
6. Politically fairly conservative
7. Decent universities in the state
8. Low traffic
9. Family friendly
10. Smallish town feel, but close to shopping. A sense of "community."

Pretty much in that order. Noblesville was #1. We are so happy.


Other people might care about "culture" and "diversity" but those are the kind of people who would not fit in here very well. Personally, I will not shrivel up and die without seeing an art museum. I laugh when people say there is no diversity here...in California there was no diversity. It was 90% hispanic where I was living. That's not diverse. In California everyone is so isolated according to race. Everyone talks about wanting diversity there, but they sure don't want it next door. Even if they did, "diverse" people can't afford to move into the nice neighborhoods. I am from Torrance and I knew two black people the entire time I grew up. Here, I know many.

Here, everyone has a chance to get themselves an education and afford to live in a nice place to raise a family, with decent schools.

I used to be a teacher, by the way, and the suburban school I taught at in California was MUCH WORSE than Indianapolis Public Schools, which is pretty much the worst school system in the state besides whatever school system is in Gary.

Don't come here and expect to Californicate us. I just tried to forget about where I came from and acclimate myself to what it means to be a Hoosier. I witnessed New Yorkers come to California with their ideas and it is part of the tragedy of what happened to California.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by Stubbzilla

We've been here for five years and love it.

Indy is not for everyone. I recommend you prioritize your desires and compare which cities match what you want.

We wanted:
1. Very low crime
2. Affordable housing
3. Decent wages
4. A big enough city so that a job loss wouldn't mean we'd for sure have to move (I'm looking at you, Boise)
5. Low taxes
6. Politically fairly conservative
7. Decent universities in the state
8. Low traffic
9. Family friendly
10. Smallish town feel, but close to shopping. A sense of "community."

Pretty much in that order. Noblesville was #1. We are so happy.


Other people might care about "culture" and "diversity" but those are the kind of people who would not fit in here very well. Personally, I will not shrivel up and die without seeing an art museum. I laugh when people say there is no diversity here...in California there was no diversity. It was 90% hispanic where I was living. That's not diverse. In California everyone is so isolated according to race. Everyone talks about wanting diversity there, but they sure don't want it next door. Even if they did, "diverse" people can't afford to move into the nice neighborhoods. I am from Torrance and I knew two black people the entire time I grew up. Here, I know many.

Here, everyone has a chance to get themselves an education and afford to live in a nice place to raise a family, with decent schools.

I used to be a teacher, by the way, and the suburban school I taught at in California was MUCH WORSE than Indianapolis Public Schools, which is pretty much the worst school system in the state besides whatever school system is in Gary.

Don't come here and expect to Californicate us. I just tried to forget about where I came from and acclimate myself to what it means to be a Hoosier. I witnessed New Yorkers come to California with their ideas and it is part of the tragedy of what happened to California.

So happy to see you like it here! Don't see any Californicatin' in the Hoosier (oops, did I just write that?) state.

[spudmom]

4. A big enough city so that a job loss wouldn't mean we'd for sure have to move (I'm looking at you, Boise)

This is exactly why we are moving to Indy next month. We wanted to go to Indy in the first place, but took a chance here in Boise. And trust me, we are paying dearly.

[Stubbzilla]

So sorry that it didn't work out for you in Boise. Idaho is so beautiful, and Boise is such a nice town. If we hadn't been so concerned about layoffs at the time, we would have moved there, too. I think so many Californians have moved there over the years.

We were so close to moving there. I had heard from several people who had been laid off from big companies like Hewlett Packard and not been able to find work. We were leaving CA because of a layoff, and that made us very concerned about more possible layoffs (we could have found work in CA, but we didn't want to!) We drove out to Boise from CA and looked around, but when we got there it seemed so small. Before we visited, I thought the people were just exaggerating the lack of professional jobs. After we got there we could see that it was a real danger.

In the event of a layoff if you are willing to hustle you can find decent jobs here quickly, but you still may have to be flexible. It's better than having to be flexible and living in SoCal, where "flexibility" meant a 5 hour daily round trip commute.

I hope you have better luck here in Indy, and welcome!

[spudmom]

Exactly. I could've moved back to So Cal but the commute for my hubby would've been atrocious. BTDT, not up for that again!! His job here in Boise was fine until a shake up by new upper management. Though not laid off yet, we decided to get out while we can, the writing is on the wall.
If I'd been smarter, I would've rented here at first instead of buying, but we thought we were here for good.
Thank goodness he was able to find a job quickly, now if only I could get my house rented out!

Thanks for the welcome, I appreciate it!!

[suzemd70]

We moved from Orange County, Cal, to Chicago to Indianapolis. We somehow thought this would be a better place to raise a family...which might be true if you want to raise kids with a high propensity to be overweight, experience no culture, and receive a mediocre (at best) education. There is not much happening in Indy from what I can tell, except some car races and professional basketball and football. If you enjoy the outdoors, not alot going on...no water sports (unless an algae-ridden brown swamp/reservoir appeals to you) and no snow sports. The museums, etc., are what you'd find in a mid-size town at best. This is definitely a driving town - you drive everywhere - and it is not pedestrian or bike friendly at all. There are a few unique restaurants but mostly chains. People in California are more outgoing and friendly although people in Indiana may be more genuine once you get to know them. I'm still looking for the silver lining or redeeming factor of living here...let's see...the corn is really good. They do have professional sports and tickets are much easier to get and cheaper than anywhere else...that's about it. Housing is not easy to find if you like any character in a more residential yet safe neighborhood. good luck!!

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by suzemd70

We moved from Orange County, Cal, to Chicago to Indianapolis. We somehow thought this would be a better place to raise a family...which might be true if you want to raise kids with a high propensity to be overweight, experience no culture, and receive a mediocre (at best) education. There is not much happening in Indy from what I can tell, except some car races and professional basketball and football. If you enjoy the outdoors, not alot going on...no water sports (unless an algae-ridden brown swamp/reservoir appeals to you) and no snow sports. The museums, etc., are what you'd find in a mid-size town at best. This is definitely a driving town - you drive everywhere - and it is not pedestrian or bike friendly at all. There are a few unique restaurants but mostly chains. People in California are more outgoing and friendly although people in Indiana may be more genuine once you get to know them. I'm still looking for the silver lining or redeeming factor of living here...let's see...the corn is really good. They do have professional sports and tickets are much easier to get and cheaper than anywhere else...that's about it. Housing is not easy to find if you like any character in a more residential yet safe neighborhood. good luck!!

If your kids are overweight, it's not the state's fault and if you are talking about other people's kids, you're just not a very nice person. Boo to you.

And it's funny ... someone from the land of interstate driving telling Hoosiers that our state isn't bike friendly ...HA! That's something you could have found out before you CHOSE to move here. Save the drama for yer mama.

Sorry our houses aren't good enough. I like affordable housing, but that's just me ... maybe.

People who get into my face upon meeting me make me think they are weird. Midwesterners are known for playing it close to the vest at first. We like to make lifelong friends, not fairweather friends. Find a friend here and they will be a friend for life.

Sorry, I just get so annoyed when people come here thinking it's going to be something it's not. Indiana isn't perfect, it's not California, it's not Chicago (and I love Chicago). But that's fine with me. In my town, I bike everywhere, our housing is a little more expensive, but it holds it's value, it's called stability ... and I like that.

[makeme]

Originally Posted by suzemd70

We moved from Orange County, Cal, to Chicago to Indianapolis. We somehow thought this would be a better place to raise a family...which might be true if you want to raise kids with a high propensity to be overweight, experience no culture, and receive a mediocre (at best) education. There is not much happening in Indy from what I can tell, except some car races and professional basketball and football. If you enjoy the outdoors, not alot going on...no water sports (unless an algae-ridden brown swamp/reservoir appeals to you) and no snow sports. The museums, etc., are what you'd find in a mid-size town at best. This is definitely a driving town - you drive everywhere - and it is not pedestrian or bike friendly at all. There are a few unique restaurants but mostly chains. People in California are more outgoing and friendly although people in Indiana may be more genuine once you get to know them. I'm still looking for the silver lining or redeeming factor of living here...let's see...the corn is really good. They do have professional sports and tickets are much easier to get and cheaper than anywhere else...that's about it. Housing is not easy to find if you like any character in a more residential yet safe neighborhood. good luck!!

Somehow it's the state's fault your kids are overweight? Puh-lease. Simply look at any recent study and it will tell you that we are not a healthy state.

Culture? Well, there's the Indiana State Museum, Military Park, Eitlejorg (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) downtown. Also, Soldier's and Sailor's Monument. Lion King is coming in November. Murat Theater has good shows and the IRT recently revamped itself. Chicago, St Louis and Cincy are not far away. Chicago could even be a day trip if you wanted (LOVE that town).

During the summer there's Symphony on the Prairie at Connor Prairie. If you have kids, they will enjoy Connor Prairie, although to warn you, it's not the beach and it's set in the 1800's. Also, the lawn at White River State Park plays classic movies during the summer. Check out the website. It's free.

You moved to the Midwest. Guess what?? There's corn and beans and wheat and all those things that feed us and cattle so you can eat that steak at Elmo's! My sil, who grew up in the city made a comment about corn when she visited my parent's house: "man, that's a lot of corn for popcorn!" We had to tell her that not all of it was for human consumption. I grew up in SE Indiana near the hills and there is skiing down there. Can't remember the name of it but it's near Lawrenceburg.

Have you tried the Monon? The Canal? White River State Park? My favorite is walking around IUPUI's campus.

If you want character, try the Old Northside if you can afford it. Beautiful homes with character.

I'm not familiar with ISP as I attended a private school in a smaller town but I felt and my parents agree, that my brother and I got a great education.

I'm sorry, I'm with domergurl. Do your research, maybe spend a week or two here before moving to get a feel for the place.

[Stubbzilla]

I'm the first to say that no town is for everyone. That's why it's so important to do your research before moving to someplace new.

I think it's laughable that someone moving from "The OC" is complaining about Indy's lack of culture. There's a reason people in OC live "behind the orange curtain." I grew up in the South Bay and worked in OC, I KNOW. You're hardly getting "culture" at South Coast Plaza. Unless you want your children to learn to be materialistic and shallow. Ok, I'm being a little harsh, but we all know that there's some truth to it.

Going to museums/attractions in LA was always a huge chore - you have to fight traffic all the way there and back, drive through the ghetto, and deal with ghetto once you're there. We went to the Shrine once - it's in South Central, fer cryin' out loud. I'd never go there again. Indy has small types of museums, but they're easily accessible. Let's be real, anyway, who visits museums often in their home town? You go when guests are visiting.

I was an elementary school teacher and the schools in California are ranked 49th for a reason. 49th, people. Indy is ranked in the middle, and in my teaching experience the low schools in Indy beat the pants off the "good" schools in California.

There's not a lot that goes on outdoors here in the winter. You are kind of stuck. The skiing will not satisfy anyone who actually knows how to ski. I'm sorry, it's just not the Sierra Nevadas, or even Big Bear. It's better than Wrightwood, though.

In the summer, we've found a LOT to do. Hoosiers take their good weather seriously, and all my neighbors are outside from Spring through Fall. We have bike paths all around us, so wherever you live it's not near me. The path near my house is one of many that connects to the Monon. We hook up the bike trailer, pop my son in the back, and go for a ride. We see so many other people out there, too. We have some awesome parks that are actually SAFE to take the children to. My local park and local mall both show free movies at night during the summer. The kids love it. There are also free music concerts at my local park during the summer and fall. There are day camp activities put on by the cities and counties during the summer, which my neices really enjoy. Our local park also has a free spray park, free frisbee golf, free skate park, and a big stream running through it, which as an ex-Californian I think is awesome. I used to have to drive to Yosemite to see an actual stream.

Housing with character? You could do what tons of other people do. Buy a lot, and have your house custom built, brand new, with whatever character you want. It's still far cheaper than living in Compton in California. Also, there are many houses with character in several towns near me, within a half hour of Indy, that are in good neighborhoods. These houses are a hundred years old, big, etc, some fixers and some not, and mostly under $250k.

Friendly people - in my experience Hoosiers are MUCH friendlier. I know most of my neighbors and everyone waves to each other. I love that. We didn't know our neighbors in CA, except when I had to ask them if they had heard anything while our house was being robbed. Yes, they'd heard something and seen a strange car drive up and people come out with stuff in bags - but didn't bother to write down a license plate or call the cops!

Yes, Hoosiers like to eat in chain restaurants and are more likely to be fat. I love us anyway. And Red Robin's fish and chips are heavenly.

In summation, basically if you want to look on the down side of anywhere, you will find it. If you look for the good things, you will find those, too. If you're unhappy with Indy, do some research and move someplace that suits you better. From your criticisms of Indy, I don't think you've looked at the situation very realistically. Unless you methodically go through your factors, you won't find a place that suits you. Maybe you still miss "home" too much to ever settle in some place else. It happens.