My take on Indy (Indianapolis, South Bend: crime, transferring to, schools)

[gallygrad08]

I've lived in several places in Indiana. I lived in Carmel when I was young (age 3-7). I moved around to Cedar Rapids IA and Rochester NY. I came back to Indiana at age 13, except this time up in Granger (near South Bend). I graduated HS there and went to college at UIndy for several years before transferring to Purdue in West Lafayette. I went to grad school at Gallaudet out in DC, and now I live and work in Cincinnati.

Of all of these places, Indianapolis/Carmel is my favorite. Housing is affordable, and if you avoid IPS there are decent schools. The city is very clean compared to DC and Cincinnati. While you may have to search a little more to find cultural activities, there ARE things to do. The zoo is great, there's museums, downtown is well kept up and easy to navigate. It's also not overwhelming like other larger cities are. Yes, it's flat, but every city has SOME drawbacks.

South Bend area is ok. Seems the crime/murder rate is going up, and aside from the College Football Hall of Fame and Notre Dame (who I do not support, but will admit that the campus is gorgeous) there's really nothing there. Granger is a nice little suburban type town though.

Sure, DC has some cool things to see and do. It also has a horrendous crime and poverty rate, and aside from the National Mall/other popular touristy areas, is dirty and not well kept up. Not to mention the high cost of living.

West Lafayette in a college town in the middle of nowhere. Nuff said.

If I decide to stay in the midwest for long term, I will likely look into moving back to Indy. Cincinnati is FILTHY and dangerous in comparison in my opinion. Indianapolis is a good place to set down roots and raise a family. Gotta love those friendly Midwestern people too. One gripe about Indianapolis though is the inaccessible public transportation. A few decades ago Indianapolis supposedly had one of the best systems in the nation, but now it is lousy.