Indianapolis vs. Columbus, Ohio (Fishers, Greenwood: crime, hotel, taxes)

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by colonelsmiley75

While Indy Go bus service is a joke, the roads are hardly a disaster. Just cramped because of traffic and suburban sprawl. Otherwise, its a decent place and if you stay in the burbs you will like it. The inner city is nasty especially E. Washington and anywhere East Side. 150 murders a year though, yikes. Stay away from the near Northwest side and the East Side an it is a lot better.

I completely disagree. There is not reason I should have to dodge so many potholes on an interstate exit ramp; not to mention all the potholes in my neighborhood. The infrastructure in this city needs work.

[krock1dk]

Originally Posted by LiptonGuy

Anybody have an opinion, about what metro area is a better place to live ?

Indianapolis or Columbus, Ohio ?

I'm considering a move to Indianapolis, from Toledo, Ohio.

Although I've read some negative comments about Indianapolis already, I'm starting to think it would be a great alternative to other higher priced / more congested areas of the country. Forbes magazine just listed Indianapolis as 1 of the TOP 10 cities for business in 2008.

IMO, although Indianapolis isn't a Tier 1 city (if I can use that expression), like San Francisco, Miami, Seattle or N.Y. City.....it's definately a great Tier 2 city. Close to other major metro areas, plus some sports entertainment. A city with 1 of the best cost of living rankings in the country, for any metro area its size (1.6 million).

I like people with mid-western values. I attended the Repperts Auction School (affiliated with Kruse International) in Auburn, Indiana a couple years ago. I thought the people in Indiana were great.

Since I'm already in Ohio, people tell me I should consider Columbus, Ohio, since it is not too far away. Columbus is 1 of the few bright spots in Ohio these days. I'm not quite sure I want to live in the epicenter of the Ohio State Buckeye Football Frenzy, 6 months out of the year.

It seems like both cities would be great alternatives to living in Toledo, Ohio. Perhaps someone could tell me what the major differences are, between the 2 cities. --Thanks

Although I'm an Indianapolis native and lived there until I was 21, having to choose between those 2 cities is like having to choose between chopped liver and cow's tongue. I'd rather have to choose between Chicago and Washington DC or between Dallas and Houston. Nonetheless, both cities are amazingly similar and have their advantages and disadvantages. Indy is slightly larger in population, has 2 pro sports teams, constant downtown redevelopement, the country's most affordable city to live, safer, and more of a "family" community compared to Columbus. On the other hand, Columbus is more 'hip'/diverse/liberal and young, a bit more 'good' jobs, and has more of a nightlife than Indy (due to Ohio State University). However, Columbus has a higher rate of violent crime, and the state of Ohio is in rapid economic decline, even compared to Indiana. Both are state capitals and have the advantage of such. You will have to determine which city is best for you. What they both lack is public transportation. You will have to drive just about everywhere you go. Good luck in your decision.

[krock1dk]

Originally Posted by colonelsmiley75

While Indy Go bus service is a joke, the roads are hardly a disaster. Just cramped because of traffic and suburban sprawl. Otherwise, its a decent place and if you stay in the burbs you will like it. The inner city is nasty especially E. Washington and anywhere East Side. 150 murders a year though, yikes. Stay away from the near Northwest side and the East Side an it is a lot better.

That is ablsutely not true! Indianapolis has never had that many murders. The most they had was 140 in 1998. The past 2 or 3 years, the city has averaged about 90 a year. Last year was like 80 and the lowest in quite a while.

[krock1dk]

Originally Posted by NicePolishBoy

I lived in Columbus for a handful of years and would gladly move back if work enabled me to relocate. And having lived in Bowling Green and visited Toledo often, I wouldn't hesitate in choosing Columbus over Toledo. The Ohio State football grew on me after awhile and now I follow them from afar.

I can't say much about Indianapolis, but could Fort Wayne be an alternative? Closer to Ohio, and you might even be able to live in Ohio still.

Fort Wayne is in no way an 'advantage' to Indianapolis. Although its a nice city for its size and growing for some reason, its only a quarter the size of Indianapolis, has way fewer jobs, totally lifeless, is further north and colder, and worst of all is closer to Michigan. No way on this earth would I choose Fort Wayne over Indy. Not a chance!

[BUSHDOG14]

Hey man this is what I would recommend, go south of the city to Greenwood, Indiana or maybe Carmel. The jobs are easy to come by and it is suburban living. The city of Indianapolis is awesome I think. I am in the Army and have been to about 50 cities across the country and Indy still ranks in my top 5. There is an insane amount of entertainment, museums and the downtown is awesome. Indy ranks #1 in affordability. If you want to live in the heart of Indy live on the South or Northside, unless you can afford downtown. These people speaking on this page sound like they have lived here their whole life and not experienced any other cities. In the long run its your choice.

[BUSHDOG14]

Also another thing Indianapolis is planning a light rail system slated to go up in 2012 from the North Suburbs to Downtown. In case you were wondering they are revamping the city and moving it into the 21st century. Columbus however is not doing anything for rail!

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by BUSHDOG14

Also another thing Indianapolis is planning a light rail system slated to go up in 2012 from the North Suburbs to Downtown. In case you were wondering they are revamping the city and moving it into the 21st century. Columbus however is not doing anything for rail!

Not so fast.....Things are still only in the talking stages. I'd like to see it happen, but I'll believe it when I see it.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Not so fast.....Things are still only in the talking stages. I'd like to see it happen, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Unless the line is payed for using HamCo or state money, it won't get approved in Marion County. We should not have to pay for your commuter line (which is in effect all it will be).

Marion County should take the money HamCo wants us to spend and invest in something beneficial to Marion County, ie better roads or street car lines.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

Unless the line is payed for using HamCo or state money, it won't get approved in Marion County. We should not have to pay for your commuter line (which is in effect all it will be).

Marion County should take the money HamCo wants us to spend and invest in something beneficial to Marion County, ie better roads or street car lines.

1. You're assuming there would be no stops in Marion County. That's not my understanding of the proposed line.
2. Good public transit is comprehensive in that it allows for movement between city and suburbs, for both reasons of business and pleasure (think Metra in Chicagoland). Otherwise, you have MARTA, which I admit never expanded to the Atlanta suburbs due to opposition from the suburbs, not the city.

The fairest way to fund this thing, IMO, is by having a gas tax of X-cents per gallon that would be charged in Marion and all of the donut counties. The proceeds would fund the development and maintenance of light rail, as well as road maintenance throughout the metro area.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

1. You're assuming there would be no stops in Marion County. That's not my understanding of the proposed line.
2. Good public transit is comprehensive in that it allows for movement between city and suburbs, for both reasons of business and pleasure (think Metra in Chicagoland). Otherwise, you have MARTA, which I admit never expanded to the Atlanta suburbs due to opposition from the suburbs, not the city.

The fairest way to fund this thing, IMO, is by having a gas tax of X-cents per gallon that would be charged in Marion and all of the donut counties. The proceeds would fund the development and maintenance of light rail, as well as road maintenance throughout the metro area.

I am assuming there will be plenty of stops in Marion County. However, a line running from Fishers to downtown is going to serve one primary purpose, shuttling people in Fishers to and from downtown. I can not imagine enough traffic within Marion County to justify the cost of that single line if Marion County is shouldering the tax burden. Marion County has other things to spend money on that are more important than shuttling suburbanites.