What to do?

[MandyBlue]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I didn't realize the social culture was still 1955 in NW Indiana. Back when I was in my early 20s, I didn't know anyone who already had kids.

I just moved here from Seattle and most of my freinds and family had children in their 20s. Now getting married, most of them waited to be in their 30s unless they were in the military.

[magik]

hydatt's, club 83, try people from work if you have a job, chicago has everything.

[cd771]

Actually Indiana and the midwest seem to be about the same as the rest of the US according to the chart (which I hope shows up) from the cdc website. This is average age of the mother. However I do personally notice a big different between cities. I grew up in Hammond but after highschool I worked in Whiting so most of my friends were there. When I was 19 my 3 closest friends all had a kid or kids which was part of the reason I ended up moving (plus I got sick of people asking me when I was going to get married - I was 21). One actually had 3 by the time she was 20. One of them is a grandma already (we are 38). My friends in Chicago had kids much later if at all. Of course this could have a lot to do with cost. Chicago is substantially more expensive to live in. Also there is a lot more to do in terms of night life so maybe people hold out longer. I got married when I was 27. I was the youngest of my Chicago friends and oldest of my Indiana friends. I do not have kids which is not a big deal to my Chicago (4 of our Chicago friend couples are childless) friends but a very big deal to all of my Indiana friends but two. I don't know what the deal is since most people I met in Chicago are from the burbs or somehwere else in the midwest. I guess people who move there go for a reason and children aren't it. I don't know. Just a guess. Interesting topic though.

Well the chart didn't up correctly so here is the link (chart is on page 3). FYI avg age of woman at first birth in the US is 25. Indiana is 24. IL is 25.4. The south appears to be the lowest age and the east coast the highest.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db21.pdf

[NicknJaci]

Originally Posted by MandyBlue

Let me know if you hear of anything. I’m kinda in the same situation except that I am married, a home owner, but only 23. Everyone my age has kids, but I’m not even close to that stage in life! I just moved here from WA.

My wife is 22 and I am 29 and we have been looking for people as well to hang out with. Its not easy when your not in school and all your work friends are single. We have no kids either and we are not ready for that as well and homeowners as well. Indiana people are not the friendliest we are finding out since moving here a couple of years ago from Peoria, IL.

[LIS123]

Originally Posted by NicknJaci

My wife is 22 and I am 29 and we have been looking for people as well to hang out with. Its not easy when your not in school and all your work friends are single. We have no kids either and we are not ready for that as well and homeowners as well. Indiana people are not the friendliest we are finding out since moving here a couple of years ago from Peoria, IL.

There are a few factors to keep in mind in this situation. First off, a lot of people in NWI still live at home well beyond the ages that people in urban areas and other places live with their parents. It's not rare to find people 30+ still living at home. This will limit their social options. Also, a lot of people in NWI as adults grew up there so they have their social circles and are not really looking to expand them. That's why so many people all know each other, b/c they have been in the area so long and, once you meet one group of people, they can introduce to many others.

I know one person who has only been in the area 5/6 years and knows a ton of people. As a non-local, he has his own place which helps. I think he just met a couple people here and there and started hanging out with the regularly. Through them, it seems like he knows everyone in the region now.

[MandyBlue]

Originally Posted by LIS123

First off, a lot of people in NWI still live at home well beyond the ages that people in urban areas and other places live with their parents. It's not rare to find people 30+ still living at home.

I have found this to be very true and found it quite strange. Where I grew up the day you turn 18, or even 17 your move out. Most of the people I have met in their 20s live and home and have no problem with it.