Does anyone think Indy is the best city in the midwest besides people who live in the city? (Indianapolis: 2009, loft)

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by stx12499

See, this is the problem I have with Indy, its media, and its people. It overhypes itself in general.

and Louisville doesn't?

I have no problem with Louisville, but if another Kentuckian hypes up 4th Street Live and the Highlands as though I can't do any of that stuff in any other large city I am going to go nuts.

4th Street Live is EASILY the most over-hyped project I have even visited. The Highlands and Old Louisville are nice; newsflash, Indianapolis has comparable neighborhoods.

As far as people ripping us apart during super Bowl week; I don't care. Angry money spends the same as happy money. However, Indianapolis has a lot of experience hosting big events, and plans a big show for the Super Bowl. We will see how Indy does; but it is good to know the haters are already lining up!

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by DC 38

4th Street Live is EASILY the most over-hyped project I have even visited.

Amen.

[tpayne75]

Originally Posted by domergurl

Personally, I think that Cincinnati and St. Louis are better cities than Indianapolis, but my favorite city is Chicago ... just no comparison there.

CINCINNATI?! HAHA! I've been Cincinnati for 11 yrs and unless you're making $60,000 a year or more, live in one of the following neighborhoods: Olde Montgomery, Hyde Park, Indian Hill, West Chester etc. Then Cincinnati's the place for YOU! Domergurl what did you like about Cincy?

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by tpayne75

CINCINNATI?! HAHA! I've been Cincinnati for 11 yrs and unless you're making $60,000 a year or more, live in one of the following neighborhoods: Olde Montgomery, Hyde Park, Indian Hill, West Chester etc. Then Cincinnati's the place for YOU! Domergurl what did you like about Cincy?

The food is better. It's similar to Milwaukee in that it was settled by German immigrants and it has an old history to it ... I feel the same way about St. Louis. It has a distinct character to it ... sorry folks, but Indy doesn't.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by DC 38

and Louisville doesn't?

I have no problem with Louisville, but if another Kentuckian hypes up 4th Street Live and the Highlands as though I can't do any of that stuff in any other large city I am going to go nuts.

4th Street Live is EASILY the most over-hyped project I have even visited. The Highlands and Old Louisville are nice; newsflash, Indianapolis has comparable neighborhoods.

As far as people ripping us apart during super Bowl week; I don't care. Angry money spends the same as happy money. However, Indianapolis has a lot of experience hosting big events, and plans a big show for the Super Bowl. We will see how Indy does; but it is good to know the haters are already lining up!

4th St Live sucks. Its like Meridian st in Indy....a tourist bar haven. That said it is substantially better nightlife on a saturday night at 3 AM on 4th st than anywhere in Indy (oh yeah, the bars are closed then). 4th St live has a reputation for being a fun bar district all over this region, and is the most bars you will find on one block in any city in the region. Like Meridian St, 4th St is neccessary for tourists, conventioners, and clueless suburbanites. Same with Washington and Illinois St, and the Circle Center Mall. If you think 4th st Live that represents downtown Louisville even, you haven't seen a fraction of the city. Also, the fact that both of you from Indy have been to 4th St live justifies its existence.

Seriously, Indy has NOTHING like the Highlands in Louisville. Dont even say Broad Ripple. Fountain Square? Come on, thats like Louisville's Butchertown. If anything, the only area in Indiana comprable to Louisville's Highlands is the area around Kirkwood in Bloomington. Its no wonder the kids in B-town are always knocking Indianapolis. Again, a very NICE city, but not really for lovers of counter-culture, urbanity, and good food.

And you are right let's forget Louisville for now, as it is arguably a southern city. Also, lets exclude Chicago, my hometown, where one neighborhood has more vitality and urbanity than OH, IN, and KY combined.

Cincinnati, even Cleveland, have so many more urban neighborhoods than Indy it makes my head spin. Milwaukee. Check. Minneapolis. Ditto. It isn't even comparable. Pittsburgh anyone? Cincy and St Louis are the St Elmos Steakhouse (if I hear Indy residents overhype that and Broad ripple one more time ) of the Midwest, and Indy is the Ruth's Chris. Indy is not a bad town, but it is diametrically different than its river city or more neighborhood oriented peer cities.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by domergurl

The food is better. It's similar to Milwaukee in that it was settled by German immigrants and it has an old history to it ... I feel the same way about St. Louis. It has a distinct character to it ... sorry folks, but Indy doesn't.

I actually really like Cincy, but the cuisine is not one of it's strong points. In fact, some of it is just weird, like Skyline Chili (gross).

As for the "distinct character" comment, that's an empty statement. All cities have a "distinct character." You may not like that character, but it has one. I once had a professor in college (I went out of state) who spent some of her childhood in Indiana, and she made the observation that everything in Indiana seemed like a Norman Rockwell portrait. She meant that as a criticism. I don't see anything wrong with that picture.

It's to each his own. I like most all of the Midwestern cities, usually for varying reasons. I prefer not to try to tear other cities down (other than a few select places that I like to ridicule). It gets tiresome, however, to hear folks criticize Indy using points that can be directed at the homes/faves of the critics.

[Toxic Toast]

If any of you get a chance, visit Camp Washington Chili in Cincinnati; great food! OF course, I love Cincy style chili, so if you are not a fan, Camp Washington is not for you.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by DC 38

If any of you get a chance, visit Camp Washington Chili in Cincinnati; great food! OF course, I love Cincy style chili, so if you are not a fan, Camp Washington is not for you.

Sadly, Camp Washington, along with Over the Rhine, is dubbed th ghetto by locals and most people have never been! All in all, I think the ghetto parts of most Midwest city are not as bad as people make them out to be. Over the Rhine, and on over to Camp Washington, has some of the best architecture in the Midwest.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by stx12499

Sadly, Camp Washington, along with Over the Rhine, is dubbed th ghetto by locals and most people have never been! All in all, I think the ghetto parts of most Midwest city are not as bad as people make them out to be. Over the Rhine, and on over to Camp Washington, has some of the best architecture in the Midwest.

The area of Over the Rhine around 12th and Main has some nice units. The architecture is nice throughout. Northside/Cumminsville also is a nice urban neighborhood. Cincinnati is a beautiful city. Newport, KY across the river has always been one of my favorite cities as well, even the silly levee.

[Colts]

I can't believe some of the BS I've read in this thread.

How are you gonna take a shot at someone for having pride in their city just because you don't care for it very much? That's the stupidest thing I've read, and would be akin to "I only respect your opinion IF I agree with it."

Every city has chains, sprawl, white people, etc. So what? There's a reason why Indy is the fastest growing metro in the Midwest. It's no New York by any means, but if you want culture, you can find it, even if it means looking a little harder.