How are "foreigners" treated in Indy? (Indianapolis, Fishers: neighborhoods, elementary school)

[Alien!]

Hi everyone,
My wife and I are considering to move to Indy (because of job), we have a 2nd grader daughter. We're "foreigner" but professional. I've heard nice areas are Zionsville and Carmel (also Fishers, Noblesville). I've heard generally people in Indy are not used to see people from other countries! We're not necessarily looking for a particular community from our country, we're very happy with Americans (now have lived in the US for 6 years), but in some areas people are not very "foreigner friendly"! Can you tell me how are foreigners treated in Indy in general? I mainly appreciate input from people from other countries who have definitely had similar concerns/challenges in the US.
Thanks

[X-Greensboro Resident]

I am an American of foreign descent, been in the USA for 18 of 31 years. Never had any problems in areas you mentioned, you may get looks here and there but it's due to curiosity for the most part. Avoid the South side (Greenwood, Franklin, Martinsville, Mooresville etc...) no matter how cheap it is, that's where it got wierd for me. For the most part, Indy is a very nice city and the people are very kind, whether you're white, black, blue, foreign, alien or whatever.... as long as you're respectful. Good luck.

[sweetana3]

We have a diverse population of people from other countries. Very large Indian and Chinese and Japanese groups. Have attended some wonderful cultural activities. Just found out we have a large Russian and Latvian population.

Part of this is due to professional employees of some larger employers. Many hospitals, Lilly, etc. Also professors from the local schools.

We know a professor from Burma and met several Thai dental PHD candidates who were finishing their education.

Many other groups have festivals and there is an International School. Many of our friends and corporate fellow employees do tend to live on the north side or in the larger established close in neighborhoods. The activities we attended were all on the north side. This may be due to income and school locations for their kids.

[indy317]

that the areas you mentioned would be the most accepting of diverse cultures. I'm in Fishers and noticed the other day at least 5 different ethnicities in the grocery store. No problem at all...

[Zig'sbird]

Indy317, are you also from ls2?

Anyways, I think Greenwood is fine now. It's grown alot lately. I live on the Southside now and everything appears fine. My son goes to school at a elementary school and his two best friends are not white.

However, I might add that I'm white so I might be oblivious to some undercurrent.

[INQueenie]

I too live in Greenwood, and I have had no trouble. I am bi-racial (African-American and Caucasian) and I am also in an interracial relationship. I moved to the south side (Southport/Greenwood area) and have had no problems in the past 2 years.

I have had some issues in Zionsville and Noblesville, but not enough to tell anyone to avoid living there. I would avoid Martinsville, Mooresville and Brownsburg.

[scottie]

Originally Posted by Alien!

Hi everyone,
My wife and I are considering to move to Indy (because of job), we have a 2nd grader daughter. We're "foreigner" but professional. I've heard nice areas are Zionsville and Carmel (also Fishers, Noblesville). I've heard generally people in Indy are not used to see people from other countries! We're not necessarily looking for a particular community from our country, we're very happy with Americans (now have lived in the US for 6 years), but in some areas people are not very "foreigner friendly"! Can you tell me how are foreigners treated in Indy in general? I mainly appreciate input from people from other countries who have definitely had similar concerns/challenges in the US.
Thanks

Im going to copy and paste what I said on another thread about someone asking if Indy was friendly to minorities and stuff. Hope it helps

I wouldnt draw you away from Indy or anything because I dont know alot about it. Im in Ohio and if youre not completely set on Indy , I would HIGHLY suggest Cleveland. It is one of the most diverse cities in America. The city is kind of going downhill, but like I said in terms of diversity, it is like a Chicago or New York. Blacks (close to majority in city and suburbs), Italians, Chinese, Japanese, Greeks, Korean, Vietnamese, Hispanics, Cubans, Russians, Polish, you name it and Cleveland has it. Just a suggestion in case your not totally set on Indy

[Alien!]

Thanks guy for comments.
It doesn't hurt if you're looked at as a stranger or whatever in street by a lay person, it's understandable. It hurts though if in a professional environment they treat you differently, and I've seen this happened. When in a region, the trend or the culture is not to be open to others, you can see this even among professionals, because they don't have experience of seeing other people. I have seen sometimes people (probably unconsiously, not really by intention) think you are stupid if you speak with accent, they can't imagine the reality that you are speaking in a language totally different to your mother tongue, and if you have been able to learn that totally different language to a level to compete in this society with people who've been speaking that language since they were born, then it means you're at least not stupid, if not smarter!... Now, when they look at you like a stupid, this affects their behavior toward you, their decision making and etc.
These are things I'm a little afraid of when I hear here and there that people in Indianapolis are not that familiar with other cultures/people.
Yes, I've heard that Carmel or Zionsville are nice areas to live, more multicultural and more open to other people, so and so... but in reality you have to be in contact with all different people (mainly when you go work in downtown every day), not just your few neighbors in a fancy neighborhood.
This is what I'm trying to find out about people in Indy... that how do they look at foreigners generally?

[domergurl]

If you want "generally", well, you'll be treated fine. Just keep in mind, you will be spending more time in your neighborhood than at work. Work is where you earn your money so you can live in your chosen neighborhood.

[domergurl]

If you want "generally", well, you'll be treated fine. Just keep in mind, you will be spending more time in your neighborhood than at work. Work is where you earn your money so you can live in your chosen neighborhood.