Where do collage students hang out? (Indianapolis, Bloomington: appointed, houses, construction)

[Samdu23]

Where do collage students hang out?
I am preparing to move to Indianapolis from Nashville TN. As I was Vanderbilt student I use to like hanging out around 21st avenue where many coffee house, restaurant and bar are present. It is a place where a lot of students hang out. I’m wondering if there is a similar place in Indianapolis.

[domergurl]

What college are you going to in Indianapolis?

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by Samdu23

Where do collage students hang out?
I am preparing to move to Indianapolis from Nashville TN. As I was Vanderbilt student I use to like hanging out around 21st avenue where many coffee house, restaurant and bar are present. It is a place where a lot of students hang out. I’m wondering if there is a similar place in Indianapolis.

The closest thing to 21st Ave in Indy is Broad Ripple Ave.

[sweetana3]

The students usually are found in the spots in Broad Ripple. Coffee houses, bars, restaurants, music and comedy clubs, etc. are all located in about a 4 block square area. Nothing with that much density anywhere else.

There are probably other small spots for the other universities but many come to Broad Ripple for the atmosphere.

[stx12499]

Bloomington. No, seriously, they do. Indy doesn't have too many indie, college type areas, but I would say the West End of Nashvegas and Broad Ripple Village are similar.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by stx12499

Bloomington. No, seriously, they do. Indy doesn't have too many indie, college type areas, but I would say the West End of Nashvegas and Broad Ripple Village are similar.

I know a lot of Butler folks who hang out in Broad Ripple. I know people who travel to B-town and Lafayette. I also know people who come to Broad Ripple from Bloomington.

Broad Ripple attracts a wide spectrum of people, not just college students. 21st Ave seemed as though it was fueled by Vanderbilt, which is different from Broad Ripple. Indianapolis does not have a giant university to fuel something like 21st Ave; we have to settle for Broad Ripple which caters to more diverse interests. I of course use settle sarcastically; Broad Ripple is great.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by DC 38

I know a lot of Butler folks who hang out in Broad Ripple. I know people who travel to B-town and Lafayette. I also know people who come to Broad Ripple from Bloomington.

Broad Ripple attracts a wide spectrum of people, not just college students. 21st Ave seemed as though it was fueled by Vanderbilt, which is different from Broad Ripple. Indianapolis does not have a giant university to fuel something like 21st Ave; we have to settle for Broad Ripple which caters to more diverse interests. I of course use settle sarcastically; Broad Ripple is great.

This is true. Indy's large university is downtown (IUPUI). I believe this is the biggest boon to some of the shopping and nightlife downtown.

I still think Broad Ripple and Nashville's West End are pretty similar, but Nashville's West End probably is a bit more active (and dense too, with more infill and midrise construction). That area is not just Vandy kids, but rather made up with lots of young professionals, hipsters, and young families. Broad Ripple Village is similar in makeup, but being part of the north side, it tends to be surrounded by conservative old families in places like Meridian-Kessler.

Even still, I think both areas are lacking the indie, college vibe you see on Kirkwood in Bloomington. Frankly, Broad Ripple is pretty lacking in pedestrian culture, and shines best for Indy frat boys getting drunk on a saturday night.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by stx12499

Even still, I think both areas are lacking the indie, college vibe you see on Kirkwood in Bloomington.

I would say that is a fair statement. Bloomington is, in essence, the quintessential college town; whereas Indianapolis and Nashville are not. I think if anyone came here hoping for the scene you'll find in places like Bloomington or Ann Arbor will be sorely disappointed.

However, as far as lacking in pedestrian culture, I think the BR Ave strip and Westfield Blvd are both very pedestrian in nature by Indianapolis standards. Of course, by Chicago standards it is lacking; but all in all there is small scale pedestrian culture along the strip. Broad Ripple may attract drunken frat boys, but it also attracts shoppers, diners, coffee drinkers, office workers, and crooks. Broad Ripple is certainly perceived as a drunken frat party on the weekends (and I won't dispute that it isn't, we all know it is), but there is much more to offer those who don't drink.

I would say the lack of major pedestrian culture in Broad Ripple is an Indianapolis problem not exclusive to Broad Ripple. This has its roots in several factors we can not discuss without taking this thread way off topic.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by DC 38

I would say that is a fair statement. Bloomington is, in essence, the quintessential college town; whereas Indianapolis and Nashville are not. I think if anyone came here hoping for the scene you'll find in places like Bloomington or Ann Arbor will be sorely disappointed.

However, as far as lacking in pedestrian culture, I think the BR Ave strip and Westfield Blvd are both very pedestrian in nature by Indianapolis standards. Of course, by Chicago standards it is lacking; but all in all there is small scale pedestrian culture along the strip. Broad Ripple may attract drunken frat boys, but it also attracts shoppers, diners, coffee drinkers, office workers, and crooks. Broad Ripple is certainly perceived as a drunken frat party on the weekends (and I won't dispute that it isn't, we all know it is), but there is much more to offer those who don't drink.

I would say the lack of major pedestrian culture in Broad Ripple is an Indianapolis problem not exclusive to Broad Ripple. This has its roots in several factors we can not discuss without taking this thread way off topic.

Ha, I wont go there...but imagine if the Monon Trail were light rail, surrounded by a green pedestrian strip like it is now! Indy would have sweet density and it would open more pedestrian culture.