Indiana...a depressing place to live?? (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne: school district, income tax, restaurant)

[UKWildcat1981]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

For better or worse, I think Indiana is a middle ground on a lot of things.

The scenery isn't the worst around, but it's nor great either. The weather isn't the worst in the country, but it's no selling point. It's not complete devoid of outdoor activity, but there's little great outdoor activity here. Indiana is like this in a lot of ways.

I wouldn't call Muncie progressive at all. It's another beaten down Rust Belt city where the best days have come and gone.

Unfortunately, small towns are hurting throughout most of the country. The economy has shifted in such a way to make most of these places nonviable. Still, even towns in Indiana that aren't thought of as nice, like Anderson and Muncie, are in nowhere near as bad of shape as small towns throughout Appalachia.

Indiana is okay, but it can't change the weather or lack of natural beauty. It is what it is.

Indiana is average at best at everything much like Kentucky, Indiana reminds of a Midwest version of Kentucky except in the Northern part of the state.

[Graywhiskers]

Most of Indiana is not depressing, just blighted areas of certain cities.
The nicer parts of the US were discovered a long time ago. The really nice areas like the central coast of California are too much $ for many of us. That is the reality and the problem. For those of us who cannot afford million dollar homes, Indiana (or Kentucky) is a reasonable alternative. Even for modern cities that are affordable, like Phoenix (Valley of the Sun), you end up with air pollution and massive traffic. Phoenix of today and the future, is not the same Phoenix of the 1960s-1980s. Neither is LA. Whatever is nice is discovered, and then either becomes out of reach based on cost, or is damaged with overpopulation. Which is like regression to the mean, nothing good lasts forever.

[PacificWest]

Originally Posted by Interpol76

A new study shows that Indiana is one of the most depressed states in the nation. So, what do you people think? What makes this place so depressing to people??

Indiana called more depressed than most states

Don't know if you seen this Indiana ranked low depressed, but miserable too.
The 10 most miserable states in America
Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index 2014 - Business Insider

[UKWildcat1981]

Originally Posted by PacificWest

Don't know if you seen this Indiana ranked low depressed, but miserable too.
The 10 most miserable states in America
Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index 2014 - Business Insider

I don't into these polls you can be miserable or happy anywhere.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by PacificWest

Don't know if you seen this Indiana ranked low depressed, but miserable too.
The 10 most miserable states in America
Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index 2014 - Business Insider

If I were to believe these silly lists; I would believe everyone in Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky hate life while everyone in the sparsely populated mountain west; along with Nebraska and Texas and North Dakota love life.

The internet is full of these psuedo-science polls and lists. They are not worth the paper they are printed on.

[UKWildcat1981]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

If I were to believe these silly lists; I would believe everyone in Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky hate life while everyone in the sparsely populated mountain west; along with Nebraska and Texas and North Dakota love life.

The internet is full of these psuedo-science polls and lists. They are not worth the paper they are printed on.

LMAO these lists make me laugh. Why do people waste their time making a list, nobody cares about that. They have happy and miserable people in all 50 states I could have told them that and saved them some time and money lol

[roadhogHR]

For what it's worth: My family moved to Indiana when I Was 5 yrs. of age. I lived there from age 5 until age 18+. I went back to our southern roots, family stayed. Said that, to say...I still travel (often) between SW Tn. & NW Ind. Anyone who thinks living in Indiana is depressing may live in what is left of NW Indiana. It depresses me just to go back & visit family for a few day. I would love for them to relocate! Anywhere! But, in my travels thru, I use the old routes 41 & 63. I find middle & south Indiana more scenic. Have no idea of the economics, as my only experiences there are of the touristy sort. But I have stayed the Evansville & Turkey Run area frequently. As well as the Santa Claus area. I find myself thinking that those areas wouldn't be near as gloomy or depressing as NW Indiana. Seems to be more jobs opportunity, slightly more pleasant weather, more scenic surroundings ( I am not totally discounting the Lake & Dunes area of NWI).

[popcorn247]

Lafayette, IN is a booming town with lots of industry, agriculture and Purdue University. There are lots of festivals, farmers markets, 250+ restaurants, cultural activities connected with Purdue, sports activities, a state park nearby. It is between Chicago and Indianapolis.

[Graywhiskers]

Originally Posted by popcorn247

Lafayette, IN is a booming town with lots of industry, agriculture and Purdue University. There are lots of festivals, farmers markets, 250+ restaurants, cultural activities connected with Purdue, sports activities, a state park nearby. It is between Chicago and Indianapolis.

That is all very true. Lafayette/West Lafayette has won new manufacturing plants, as well as having successful older manufacturing companies. Such as the GE plant to assemble large aircraft engines. Chicago and Indianapolis are accessible. I live in Brownsburg, but work in Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette.

Lafayette is the civilized city, as one can still smoke cigars outside, or in certain bars.

[jeepman91919]

Originally Posted by wankel7

I am always impressed with the folks that can be happy in Indiana. Honestly, it is any town America. There are fast food restaurants, chain restaurants, Walmarts, and Targets. It is safe to live in, has clean drinking water, and the cost of living is low. It is better than most places on this Earth. But I am unsure to what there is in this state that makes me jump up and down and want to go see more than any other place?

But my @%@#$#@^@^@#^#@$#@$#@ the roads are HORRIBLE! You drive into this state you immediately think the state doesn't charge income tax, property tax, sales tax, and turns down Federal road money. It is that bad. And then comes winter. I could not believe how bad they cleared the Interstate during a storm. I saw a pot hole in a city while riding my bike. I couldn't believe how deep it was. I was surprised there was still pavement at the bottom of the hole. I thought it would be gravel, dirt, or China at the bottom of the hole it was so deep.

Maybe most of Indiana has clean drinking water, but Indianapolis water quality ranks in the bottom 10% of the top 100 cities in terms of water quality. And I wouldn't consider Indianapolis safe, it has 10x the murder rate of many other larger cities (ex. Seattle 16, Indianapolis 150+.)