What do you think of Indianapolis? (South Bend, Fishers: relocate, lease, job)

[gimme snow]

We lived there for 10 years. If we had the opportunity we'd consider going back.

[REM]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

I love Indy, but even I have to admit that it's a regional draw. Indy is not a "destination" city. It's a great place to be from and to live in. Otherwise, it's only a destination for sports nuts, of which I am one, therefore it works for me.

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[domergurl]

Originally Posted by REM

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[ShadowCaver]

Originally Posted by domergurl

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[babyjeep21]

I feel like I've really lucked out because I've had so many experiences early on in life... I've lived in Small Town, USA, I've lived in Indianapolis, and I've lived and worked in NYC. I'm now back in Indy.

I'll admit, it doesn't have an overly large cultural community and, more recently, the economy and job market has suffered; but that is happening everywhere. As far as entertainment, I've learned that if you know where to look, you can always find something to do (and usually for a decent price).

Curious about housing? The city is filled with small pockets of historical areas that have absolutely BEAUTIFUL and amazing places to rent and buy. Want to be closer to the city? Check out places like Broadripple and Woodruff. If you're okay being outside of the interstate, more affordable housing (and better schools) are available.

Curious about schools? I admit, IPS can be a little scary. I'm finishing up my teaching license and have done a bit of work there. It's rough, but the key learning communities are great in terms of cultural diversity. Look to the north and south of the city and you will find more communities with great schools.

I know it's not perfect... but overall, I love my town.

[dasmarian]

I lived in Indy all my life until about a year ago (besides college), and moved to Chattanooga, TN for a new position. I can honestly say that there are a few places in Indy that I miss a lot, but in general it is a good-sized Midwestern city that has some nice areas and some bad.

Here's what I miss:
Broad Ripple Tow Path, Holcomb Garden, Art Museum Grounds, Meridian-Kessler (where we lived). If you have never walked or biked in these areas you have missed out on a wonderful part of Indy. Also miss some non-chain restaurants, Oakley's, Mama Carolla's, Bazbeaux. Liked the minimal traffic, low low cost of living, accessible downtown. Indy has some fine museums for the size, and a reasonable amount of stuff to do if you look. The Indiana State Fair. The Italian Fest, Zoobilation. Well done downtown revitalization.

Here's what I don't miss:
Bland, sprawling sea of vinyl suburbs and stripmalls in all directions . . . take your pick . . . Fishers, Greenwood, Avon etc, flat topography, long gray winters, outrageous property taxes in Marion county. Not a lot of independent restaurants for the city size. The humidity in summer. Taxes going to build new stadiums that never get repealed, yet this is coupled with a terrible school system (IPS) and no public transport to speak of.

I guess the last thing is my biggest beef with Indy . . . always enough money for sports and teams, yet skyrocketing taxes for homeowners . . . Stop Indianapolis Tax Hikes

I would say that in general I enjoyed living in Indy pretty much my whole life. Never felt unsatisfied enough to leave. While I get nostalgic and miss some things, they don't outweigh some of the really great things we've found in our new location. I remember Indy fondly, and look forward to visiting in the future.

[spyder1375]

Ok so I was born and raised here but left back in 1993 for the Army and came back in 1997 for college and left in 2000 due to my first job out of school. I have stepped foot on every continent except antarctica and australia. Anarctica not missing much maybe someday I will see Aussie. Anyways I have lived in Savannah, GA, Annapolis, MD, San Fran, LA, Richmomd, VA, and Portland, OR...with some short stints in NYC, NJ, and Philly. Home is home and I love Indy for what it is. Gracious, down home, friendly people, a good economy, good cost of living, and a good place to raise a family. Indy has very good public schools maybe not all of the IPS schools but the burbs do. Out here in Portland I hear what co-workers are paying for private and catholic schools...OUCH!!!! Tuition is what uncle sam paid for me to go to Purdue!!!! Indy is growing and has excellent restaurants, bars, entertainment, etc. Maybe it doesn't get all of the broadway shows but Chicago, Louisville, Cincci, etc are just a few hours away. Indy hosts what is equal to 3 super bowls a year...the Indy 500, Brickyare 400, and now the MotoGP, and used to Have F1 which I hope comes back soon!!!! No other city in the US has ever pulled that off before and that is not from my mouth but from a lot of sports writers. I am a race fan so I am a little prejudice there but I have friends from all of the world that come in every year for the races and to visit....thanks Mom and Dad for putting up with all of our antics and wild moments!!!!! Some of these guys are high rollers and I have never dropped a friend off at the airport and not have them tell me they had the time of their life and thank you. they all love Indy.Indy is not on the coast, it is not NYC or LA, it doesn't have the cascade mountains or MT Hood or Mt St Helens that sits in your backyard. It doesn't have mountain climbing, good white water rafting, or a fancy amusement park. What it does have is good, down home culture that welcomes everyone and the city is growing. We have a top notch Zoo, a beautiful canal system, great summer concert series, 3 major leage races with maybe a 4th, A super bowl team, NBA team and a great AAA baseball team, a gorgoues and clean down town, lots of history, great restaurants, bars, and clubs, and neighborhoods and areas that fit every lifestyle, and a fantastic school system (compared to cities that I have lived in). So maybe you have to look beyond the LA NYC look but down deep Indy has it all. Sometimes a little road trip or weekend getaway gives us that time to experience what Indy cannot offer, but she is close to all of that and the quality of life that we have here cannot be beat hands down unless you want to buy swamp land in florida but then again you might have to fight Disney for it :-) LOL!!!!!!

I am happy t0 be back home and my wife that has lived all over the world and many a large city in the US says Indy is growing on her and she is having a blast!!!!!

[forcedtomove01]

I hope I don't offend anyone, but it sucks to me! I just moved here from Chicago two months ago ..I live near Carmel and honestly it's just the deadest city life I've ever known. I love upbeat city life having travelled quite frequently to L.A and Miami over the past 10 yrs. My husband was relocated because of his job and I just can't wait to leave ...I take it for what it is ...a pit stop...now I know why they named it "Naptown".

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by forcedtomove01

I hope I don't offend anyone, but it sucks to me! I just moved here from Chicago two months ago ..I live near Carmel and honestly it's just the deadest city life I've ever known. I love upbeat city life having travelled quite frequently to L.A and Miami over the past 10 yrs. My husband was relocated because of his job and I just can't wait to leave ...I take it for what it is ...a pit stop...now I know why they named it "Naptown".

Didn't you know this before you moved? Sorry. You just have to work a little harder in Indianapolis. Fun isn't presented to you on a silver platter like in major cities. I don't mean disrespect because I felt the same way you do when we left Chicago for NW Indiana and NW Indiana for Fishers. But again, we had kids, so that introduces an different dimension and actually makes the Indianapolis area better.

[Naptowner]

You also have to consider the friend element. You (forcedtomove) lived in Chicago for ten years, and I would assume that in that time you made some friends that you would do things with. Is it possible that part of what 'sucks' about being here is that you haven't met many people yet?

I'm not saying Indianapolis holds a candle to Chicago in the 'things to do' department, but it's a lot easier to have fun if you're going out and meeting people. And since you're stuck here anyway . . .