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Small town feel, farming background, largest cities in their states, state capitals, notable southern influences, conservative, Native American settlements, flat topography, blue collar feeling, stable economies, low cost of living, nice suburbs, etc.
This is generalizing somewhat.
Little Rock is hardly flat other than the airport and maybe a couple other small areas. It’s not very blue collar either. More medical and state government workers than anything.
It is the most crime ridden of the three by a good margin, and in spite of having decent healthcare, the overall health of the population is dismal and obesity is just the tip of the iceberg. I don’t know that OKC fairs much better.
Indianapolis is the outlier here and feels like a typical midwestern city. Rough areas in the core, but good otherwise. The crime rates are on par with Nashville, which means it’s still pretty bad but gets a pass for at least not being the worst. Whatever southerness it has is no different than any other city along I-70. Which is to say, it has some but not enough to be terribly noteworthy.
Little Rock is surrounded by rolling hills. The downtown is flat.
Have you explored Little Rock much? The hills start not very far west of downtown. Hillcrest and the heights or two of Little Rock's best neighborhoods and they are hilly.
This is generalizing somewhat.
Little Rock is hardly flat other than the airport and maybe a couple other small areas. It’s not very blue collar either. More medical and state government workers than anything.
It is the most crime ridden of the three by a good margin, and in spite of having decent healthcare, the overall health of the population is dismal and obesity is just the tip of the iceberg. I don’t know that OKC fairs much better.
Indianapolis is the outlier here and feels like a typical midwestern city. Rough areas in the core, but good otherwise. The crime rates are on par with Nashville, which means it’s still pretty bad but gets a pass for at least not being the worst. Whatever southerness it has is no different than any other city along I-70. Which is to say, it has some but not enough to be terribly noteworthy.
I agree with this.
OKC does have a more blue collar feel overall than Little Rock does. One thing about Little Rock is it's suburbs have a very different feel to them than the core city. The suburbs of Little Rock are more blue collar and more conservative. Most of Little Rock's most important suburbs are also disconnected from the core city. Places like Benton, Bryant, and Conway are commuter towns for Little Rock but are also separate and have separate identities. Little Rock's best traditional suburb is probably Maumelle, which has an upscale, white collar feel.
OKC does have a more blue collar feel overall than Little Rock does. One thing about Little Rock is it's suburbs have a very different feel to them than the core city. The suburbs of Little Rock are more blue collar and more conservative. Most of Little Rock's most important suburbs are also disconnected from the core city. Places like Benton, Bryant, and Conway are commuter towns for Little Rock but are also separate and have separate identities. Little Rock's best traditional suburb is probably Maumelle, which has an upscale, white collar feel.
I agree with this too. It is not a negative thing at all to feel more blue collar or conservative. In fact, it is safe to say that it adds a more welcoming down to earth feel, especially as a tourist. I think Little Rock is underrated on CD for its offerings. Maumelle is simply gorgeous.
Looks like Indy has won this one by a landslide... granted, when I started this poll I didn't realize how much larger (population wise) Indy was compared to the other two cities.
RE: city amenities I don't see OKC or LR being in the same tier as Indy.
Weather-wise I prefer OKC and LR to be better.
IMO Indy's amenities, economy and urban landscape put it well above the others.
Weather wise I'd say LR > Indy > OKC.
Little Rock may have similar climactic averages to OKC, but in my opinion less extreme arctic fronts during the winter, less wind, and fewer EF3+ tornadoes make the difference for me. I think Little Rock feels more like the southeastern United States than the plains in terms of the climate. There is a feel in the air there you don't have as often in the plains.
RE: city amenities I don't see OKC or LR being in the same tier as Indy.
Weather-wise I prefer OKC and LR to be better.
IMO Indy's amenities, economy and urban landscape put it well above the others.
Indianapolis rises above them easily in amenities. It is too bad that some of the downtown retail has failed in recent years, as the retail apocalypse continues to shutter stores. Indianapolis has the most potential imo if they could get their crime under control and possibly land some headquarters/major operations. Btw Little Rock's Arthurs steakhouse is really good for local fare.
Indianapolis rises above them easily in amenities. It is too bad that some of the downtown retail has failed in recent years, as the retail apocalypse continues to shutter stores. Indianapolis has the most potential imo if they could get their crime under control and possibly land some headquarters/major operations. Btw Little Rock's Arthurs steakhouse is really good for local fare.
Indy has a cool downtown area (granted it's been a while since I visited). When I was in college I visited many times and always enjoyed the area. I just wish they could continue to improve the area and try and move away from the stigma of being a "boring" city. OKC seems to really be making waves in that way.
Indy has a cool downtown area (granted it's been a while since I visited). When I was in college I visited many times and always enjoyed the area. I just wish they could continue to improve the area and try and move away from the stigma of being a "boring" city. OKC seems to really be making waves in that way.
Yeah! Liquor stores are now allowed to open on Sunday in Oklahoma City!
Indianapolis rises above them easily in amenities. It is too bad that some of the downtown retail has failed in recent years, as the retail apocalypse continues to shutter stores. Indianapolis has the most potential imo if they could get their crime under control and possibly land some headquarters/major operations. Btw Little Rock's Arthurs steakhouse is really good for local fare.
Retail complexes all over United States are being clobbered by closures. Malls aren't as fashionable today as they once were in the past. Indy isn't alone in this regard. Today more and more people are shopping online it seems. Indianapolis' downtown is thriving. Anyone who says it's not has obviously not been the on quite some time. Also, economically Indy punches well above its weight.
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