Moving from East Coast to Midwest (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne: best schools, universities, tax)

[Mdevera2]

I'm a 22 year old graphic designer from New Jersey and am looking to relocate to Indianapolis to be closer to my boyfriend who goes to school at Purdue. I just wanted to know how the design field is over there in Indy and if there are many jobs available. Will they be hard to find or will my east coast background make it easier for me to obtain a job? How is the city life there/safety/things to do? I'd really appreciate it if anyone could help me.

[plaidmom]

Thought I'd reply since no one else has...wouldn't want you to think you were being ignored.

Perhaps there are no other Hoosiers on-board who are in your field?

I have a few friends in the graphics biz. The pay rates in the state are not exceptionally high. Most of them supplement with PT freelance gigs.

I assume you've checked the local craigslist plus the indystar?

If nothing there, the Chicago area may have more openings in your field. The commute is a bit longer to Lafayette, but not unbearable.

Good luck

plaidmom<----lives w/ a Purdue grad

[Mdevera2]

Thanks for responding! I keep checking everyday bc I'm desperate for help. It's such a big change from east coast life to midwest so I just want to be sure I'll be well off when I go there. I know the design field is not very big there and I'm just a little scared I won't be able to find a full time job.

[belovenow]

Originally Posted by Mdevera2

Thanks for responding! I keep checking everyday bc I'm desperate for help. It's such a big change from east coast life to midwest so I just want to be sure I'll be well off when I go there. I know the design field is not very big there and I'm just a little scared I won't be able to find a full time job.

I can speak directly to part of you're asking about... having moved from East Coast to Midwest (Fort Wayne though, not Indy - though my cousin from Massachusetts moved to Indy shortly I arrived in Fort Wayne about 6 years ago). You're going to find that pay and cost of living is similar for most things, and that there are lots of jobs and growth in the Indy vicinity. You will find that your money probably goes a little further due to lower housing and tax costs, but really it won't be all that noticable. Personally, I miss the ocean and take my family on vacations back east to visit other family and friends frequently - but the midwest has a lot to offer and after 6 years I feel connected to this area and am really impressed about what it has to offer (just as much as the east coast in actuality).

Regarding Graphic design opportunity - I would hypothesize that you will not have as much opportunity in Indy as you would in one of the larger cities like NYC or Chicago - but it's not like you'd be moving to a small city at all so I doubt that there would be a serious lack of jobs and money. Indy and the surrounding burbs for all intents and purposes is huge and well populated with wealth and business. It's not backwater, and indeed since it is a major city you have an airport there with direct flights to a lot of other big cities in the US. A key thing I would do in your position is 1) check monster.com and jobster, and see what jobs are posted there today 2) visit Indy before you decide to move there - if you have to, visit for a good length of time. Inquire at different online places too - not just this one... to see what others have to say about life there. 3) consider identifying where the major and/or top ranked graphic design universities are located in the US overall... it is typically in vicinity of the best schools for a Major that the most opportunities can be found... is IU known for Graphic design? might be worth checking into to find out.

Alright I don't know how valuable this will be for you but I hope it is somewhat useful.

[Mdevera2]

Originally Posted by mbuszu

I can speak directly to part of you're asking about... having moved from East Coast to Midwest (Fort Wayne though, not Indy - though my cousin from Massachusetts moved to Indy shortly I arrived in Fort Wayne about 6 years ago). You're going to find that pay and cost of living is similar for most things, and that there are lots of jobs and growth in the Indy vicinity. You will find that your money probably goes a little further due to lower housing and tax costs, but really it won't be all that noticable. Personally, I miss the ocean and take my family on vacations back east to visit other family and friends frequently - but the midwest has a lot to offer and after 6 years I feel connected to this area and am really impressed about what it has to offer (just as much as the east coast in actuality).

Regarding Graphic design opportunity - I would hypothesize that you will not have as much opportunity in Indy as you would in one of the larger cities like NYC or Chicago - but it's not like you'd be moving to a small city at all so I doubt that there would be a serious lack of jobs and money. Indy and the surrounding burbs for all intents and purposes is huge and well populated with wealth and business. It's not backwater, and indeed since it is a major city you have an airport there with direct flights to a lot of other big cities in the US. A key thing I would do in your position is 1) check monster.com and jobster, and see what jobs are posted there today 2) visit Indy before you decide to move there - if you have to, visit for a good length of time. Inquire at different online places too - not just this one... to see what others have to say about life there. 3) consider identifying where the major and/or top ranked graphic design universities are located in the US overall... it is typically in vicinity of the best schools for a Major that the most opportunities can be found... is IU known for Graphic design? might be worth checking into to find out.

Alright I don't know how valuable this will be for you but I hope it is somewhat useful.

Oh wow..this is some great help! Yah, I've been to Indiana several times but spent most of my time in W. Lafayette so I know it would probably be key to spend some time in Indy to see what life is like there. I liked the fact that cost of living there is not as expensive as NJ considering NJ is I believe the 4th most expensive place to live in the nation. Basically I'm just moving to Indy temporarily until my boyfriend graduates so I'd say it'd be a 2 year stay so I just want to make sure that I'll be alright and not a fish out of water. Do you know of any other sites that have forums such as these so I can see what other people have to say?

Thanks again for the response! You're a big help!!