Does anyone think Indy is the best city in the midwest besides people who live in the city? (Covington: homes, good schools)

[Avengerfire]

Indy has lots of <adult> bars and smoking is allowed in bars still. For those reasons alone Indy cannot be among the worst.

[bum fugly]

I've lived in Indy for the past seven years. The people are nice, it's laid back and there are a lot of stores, I do think it's a good place to raise a family, but for entertainment or things to do, it just doesn't have much IMO.

Case in point, go downtown INdy on a weekend and you won't find much liveliness after 11pm. Contrast that with Cincinnati, Milwaukee and especially Minneapolis. Minneapolis has a lively downtown area, many buildings connected with skyways and it feels young. Milwaukee has a plethora of summer festivals, there's always something to do there in the summer. Indy, not so much, a couple of festivals downtown and that's it.

I think Indy would rank on the list, but not at the top...it's really a boring conglomeration of suburbs. Downtown has no real draw and no real life. It does seem that the primary focus around here is sports, as it even dominates the evening news.

It's ok, but I am being relocated again and can honestly say, I don't think I'll ever come back to visit just because there's nothing to do other than shop at your major chains. And lacking mass transit doesn't help. For the seven years that I've been here, the first year was spent trying to "have fun" in Indy...the past six have been just sitting home realizing how boring it is here...just one large suburb.

Again, the people are great, some of the nicest I've met...

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by Works Aero

oh yeah im talking about Chicago, world series 05 ring a bell?

Wow, one World Series in about 90 years or so for the city of Chicago. When you have as many pennants and World Series titles as St. Louis and Cincinnati, then you can talk about being a REAL baseball town. Most supposed Cubs "fans" are actually Wrigley fans (i.e. the baseball game is merely an excuse to congregate and drink).

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by bum fugly

Case in point, go downtown INdy on a weekend and you won't find much liveliness after 11pm. Contrast that with Cincinnati, Milwaukee and especially Minneapolis. Minneapolis has a lively downtown area, many buildings connected with skyways and it feels young. Milwaukee has a plethora of summer festivals, there's always something to do there in the summer. Indy, not so much, a couple of festivals downtown and that's it.

So, nothing ever happens downtown at the downtown clubs (Tiki Bob's, Ike and Joneseys, Slippery Noodle)? How about Indians' games? Concerts at the Lawn at White River??

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by bum fugly

Case in point, go downtown INdy on a weekend and you won't find much liveliness after 11pm. Contrast that with Cincinnati

Have you ever been to downtown Cinncinnati? My apologies, but with this statement, you lost all credibility in my mind.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by DC 38

Have you ever been to downtown Cinncinnati? My apologies, but with this statement, you lost all credibility in my mind.

Thanks, DC, I meant to point that out. Other than games at GAPB, there is NOTHING happening in downtown Cincy in the evenings.

[Works Aero]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Thanks, DC, I meant to point that out. Other than games at GAPB, there is NOTHING happening in downtown Cincy in the evenings.

this is true, even convenient stores close up at 9 pm in cinci, you have to go across the river for after 9 entertainment.

oh yeah im talking about Chicago, world series 05 ring a bell?
Wow, one World Series in about 90 years or so for the city of Chicago. When you have as many pennants and World Series titles as St. Louis and Cincinnati, then you can talk about being a REAL baseball town. Most supposed Cubs "fans" are actually Wrigley fans (i.e. the baseball game is merely an excuse to congregate and drink).

but even if that is so, Indy STILL doesn't have a baseball team to even speak of, let alone any world series EVER.
hey dood if Indy is your kind of place more power to you! its just not mine.

[BCLead]

I've lived in Indy and or it's suburbs for the past 35 years. Is it the best in the Midwest? That's certainly debatable. Excluding Chicago, which is in a completely different league, I think Indy competes very well with other midwestern cities of similar size.

Indy is very suburb oriented, but that was been changing for the past 10-15 years. More and more condo conversions and restoration of downtown neighborhoods all the time, are making downtown a more desirable place to live. When I was a kid in the 70's, downtown was nothing short of scary.

As far as culture, there is always a festival of some sort going on downtown. The Indianapolis Symphony is one of the best in the nation and an evening listening to beautiful music at the Circle Theater followed by a cocktail makes for a great evening. During the summer, an evening spent at Symphony on the Prairie relaxing under the stars can't be beat. However, that is in Hamilton County (Gasp! Heaven Forbid!) White River State Park offers the zoo, The Indiana State Museum and the Eitlejorg; or just a walk along the canal.

By and large, I agree that the architecture is boring, but there are some historic gems. The Monument, the Circle Tower and The Circle Theater are beautiful buildings, as is Union Station. The Scottish Rite Cathedral, and the War Memorial would also qualify.

There is a shortage of Ethnic restaurants, but I would look for that to change as more people move downtown. We have been able to find Indian, Middle-Eastern, Thai, Japanese, Italian, and lots of interesting place to eat in Indy.

The housing is among the most affordable anywhere. Our home in Fishers would cost up to 100K more in other midwestern cities.

Indy is a great city for driving, but the mass transportation sucks. Maybe the powers that be are waking up now.

One of the things that continues to amaze me is the attitude we get from others because we chose to live in Hamilton County. Guess what? Most of the people in Hamilton County are down to earth, hard-working people. Are there snobs? Of course. You'll also find them in the heart of downtown, Meridian/Kessler, Lawrence, Center Grove and Avon. We chose Fishers because it was close to work, great schools and we had friends here. Nothing wrong with suburban life, especially when downtown and a concert, or festival or a sports event is about 20 minutes away.

[bum fugly]

Sorry but the times I've been downtown Cincy on the weekends there were plenty of people out and about and much more activity, it has more of a big-city feel than Indy. Indy has the circle and once you get more than 6 blocks in any direction from that there's nothing.

And DC38, you have your opinion, I have mine...based upon my experiences. Again, the personal attacks that were noted in earlier posts are evident in your statement. You think Indy is at the top, that's your opinion...I do believe the purpose of this thread is to ask individuals their varying opinions. Maybe it's you who should step outside Indy and experience what other cities of comparable size have to offer. Go to Minneapolis. Try Milwaukee in the summer.

Again, the people (most of them who are big enough to accept another's opinions without some petty slam) here are really nice. It's a laid back city, with a suburban feel.

[bum fugly]

BCLead - totally agree on the affordable housing! That's what bumps Indy up the list for me. The last of mass transit knocks it back down some. I was really surprised when I moved here that there weren't any park-n-rides. I also agree with you on the Hamilton County thing, I live there myself, after moving out of Marion Co.