Overall impression of Indianapolis? Trying to find a place to move. (Columbus: transporting, amusement parks)

[tounces7]

To start - I currently own a house in Tacoma, WA. From what I can tell, just the proceeds from selling one of the stupidly overpriced houses in this area will be enough to buy one in Indianapolis outright, the housing is obviously far more reasonable there.

The question is, how's the rest of the place?

Such as -

The people - Western WA/Seattle is known for having the most cold-hearted monsters who call themselves people in pretty much the whole USA. So, short of moving to North Vietnam, I couldn't do worse, but how friendly are people in Indianapolis? And how easy is it to make actual friends?

The Employers - Now obviously anyone can look at the unemployment rate and see Indy is doing well(under the circumstances), but how are the employers themselves? I'm used to working for something like Mr. Burns. Are Indy employers any more ethical or better? The key here seems to be the right balance between too many unions like NY and too few like here.

The Employment - Another thing you can't really tell with data, how hard is it to actually FIND a job in Indy? Do most employers use Craigslist there? Our unemployment rate is like 10.2%, which doesn't seem very high, until you consider this area is expensive to live in - so 10.19% of those are desperately looking for a job.

The Food - Now if I don't get poisoned several times a year like I am here, I'll be happier(and healthier - I wish I was kidding about this). But what sort of food predominates Indy? I like North-eastern food - Buffalo has some of the best of places I've lived in, and Chicago has good food from what I hear thats not too far from Indy.

The Mafia - How bad is crime overall? Can I walk safely down the street in Indy? If Indy is run by the Mafia, are they hiring at least? I've got good aim with a rifle.

The Brat Pack - Is Indy family-friendly? I heard the schools are good. How about places to take kids to such as playground-style parks, buildings with tons of things for kids to do, and amusement parks?

"Ate Sed Era" - Anything else good or bad that might be worth mentioning? Traffic, too crowded, interesting places to see, et cetera.

[domergurl]

holy cow ... with your self deprication and sarcasm ... you'll love it here.

I always say that there's much to be desired food wise, but I half mean that ... you just need to do some digging and find the gems.

Schools ... overall, the north suburban schools have the best test scores. IPS isn't highly desireable, but from what I understand there are a few schools and at least 1 gifted and talented magnet school within IPS that's outstanding. There are all sorts of private school options as well.

Family friendly ... yep. But I'll toot Columbus's horn right now ... we were just named one of the top 10 towns to raise a family. We're an hour south of Indy.

I always say that Indiana is a make your own bliss kinda place. If you are moving here expecting an ocean, mountains and LA weather ... you'll hate it. Indiana is a bucolic, conservative ... come in with your eyes wide open on that one ... sports crazy state. I'm one of 12 liberals in the entire state (kidding ... there's really 20 ... ha!) and I get along just fine.

Employers ... can't help ya there.

[tounces7]

Well since I'm not originally from Washington state, it's not really self-depreciation. I simply hate it here. I've lived in 5 different states across the country, and this is by far the worst one.

Just to give an example - after I got severe food poisoning from an IHOP here, I had to miss 1 day at both the jobs I was working at the time - the only day I ever missed. Despite calling the moment I got sick - at least a day before either of my shifts started, and offering to provide proof, both my jobs fired me.

Another one - working for a different employer, I called at night to let him know my 1 year old daughter had a very high fever and I'd be taking her into the hospital and may not make it in in the morning, but would provide the hospital documents as proof. He said if I didn't make it to work to just turn all my stuff in and not come back.

This is what nearly ALL the people are like here, it's just most obvious in those 2 cases.

So yeah...if you ever consider moving to Washington state/Puget sound area...consider shooting yourself and going to hell first, because you'll enjoy hell better.

That

[domergurl]

wow ... of course I want to say that you'd never be treated that way here ... but I'll just say that I would certainly hope you wouldn't be treated that way out here.

[ntg1980]

The people - hit or miss. Some very nice people here. They hold the door for you. Sometimes people can be very cold here also. The closer you get to the suburbs the nicer people are. It's not southern hospitality here, but it's better than a lot of places in the midwest.

The employement/employers - or lack there of...lol. There's just not many good jobs here anymore. The jobs that are readily available with no previous training are low paying. I wish I could tell you different, but it's a tough economy right now. Logistics/shipping type jobs growing somewhat, but that's really it. I unemployment is over 10 percent.
And the employers know it's a tough job market, so you gotta play by their rules if wanna keep the job.

Schools - Stay away from Indianapolis Public Schools. They aren't anything to brag about. I'll leave it at that. Try an outer township or suburb schools instead.

The food - Not bad, I guess. If you wanna eat at a nice place and have a decent meal, their is plenty good places to go.

Crime - Stay away from the east side at night. Don't go looking for trouble and you'll be fine. Just don't hit up the ATM at 2 AM, don't leave your car running with the keys in it. Common sense.

Family - all kinds of family stuff to do here. world's largest children's museum, lots of city parks...ect...

Traffic can be bad, but I can think of other cities with worse traffic. Downtown is very nice with many things to do/see.

[Michelle Morris]

LOL!! Your post cracked me up!! If you bring your sense of humor and smile, you'll be just fine. I pretty much agree with everyone else's posts on the other stuff.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by ntg1980

The people - hit or miss. Some very nice people here. They hold the door for you. Sometimes people can be very cold here also. The closer you get to the suburbs the nicer people are. It's not southern hospitality here, but it's better than a lot of places in the midwest.

True dat

At night I wander the neighborhood looking for cars with out of county plates and take the appropriate action

Hamilton County - chalk on the windows, "I wish my cohabitant was as dirty as the vehicle in which I am transporting myself"

Johnson County - silly string all over the place

Hendricks County - duct tape cleverly placed over the tail lights

Morgan County - stick of deodorant and directions on its use

Hancock County - hide in the bushes, wait for them to return to their car, when they get in their car, chase them down the street barking like a dog

Monroe County - N/A

Boone County - SARAN WRAP!!

You best believe we non-suburbanites ain't no joke, we rude, we mean, and aint skeered to show dat

[LifesPeachy]

Originally Posted by tounces7

To start - I currently own a house in Tacoma, WA. From what I can tell, just the proceeds from selling one of the stupidly overpriced houses in this area will be enough to buy one in Indianapolis outright, the housing is obviously far more reasonable there.

The question is, how's the rest of the place?

Such as -

The people - Western WA/Seattle is known for having the most cold-hearted monsters who call themselves people in pretty much the whole USA. So, short of moving to North Vietnam, I couldn't do worse, but how friendly are people in Indianapolis? And how easy is it to make actual friends?

The Employers - Now obviously anyone can look at the unemployment rate and see Indy is doing well(under the circumstances), but how are the employers themselves? I'm used to working for something like Mr. Burns. Are Indy employers any more ethical or better? The key here seems to be the right balance between too many unions like NY and too few like here.

The Employment - Another thing you can't really tell with data, how hard is it to actually FIND a job in Indy? Do most employers use Craigslist there? Our unemployment rate is like 10.2%, which doesn't seem very high, until you consider this area is expensive to live in - so 10.19% of those are desperately looking for a job.

The Food - Now if I don't get poisoned several times a year like I am here, I'll be happier(and healthier - I wish I was kidding about this). But what sort of food predominates Indy? I like North-eastern food - Buffalo has some of the best of places I've lived in, and Chicago has good food from what I hear thats not too far from Indy.

The Mafia - How bad is crime overall? Can I walk safely down the street in Indy? If Indy is run by the Mafia, are they hiring at least? I've got good aim with a rifle.

The Brat Pack - Is Indy family-friendly? I heard the schools are good. How about places to take kids to such as playground-style parks, buildings with tons of things for kids to do, and amusement parks?

"Ate Sed Era" - Anything else good or bad that might be worth mentioning? Traffic, too crowded, interesting places to see, et cetera.

Can I just say that, from someone who lives in Seattle, that you sound like the kind of person who wont be happy anywhere. Your description of Seattle couldnt be further from the truth. Ive lived several places in the US and have to say Seattle has the friendliest people (I cant stop telling people how NICE everyone is here), the best selection of restaurants, outstanding schools and parks (there are SO MANY parks here that I have yet to find one that is overcrowded), a plethera of family friendly activities, and low crime overall. If you're worried about making actual friends, perhaps you should change your outlook. Besides less rain- what more could you want out of Seattle? It has everything you're already looking for right under your nose. And overpriced houses? Tacoma is cheap. I just bought a 4,000 sq ft home in Shoreline for 335K. Overpriced? I think not. Its all relative. Just lurking here and had to pipe up. Good luck finding what you're looking for, I think you're going to need it.

[LifesPeachy]

Originally Posted by tounces7

Well since I'm not originally from Washington state, it's not really self-depreciation. I simply hate it here. I've lived in 5 different states across the country, and this is by far the worst one.

Just to give an example - after I got severe food poisoning from an IHOP here, I had to miss 1 day at both the jobs I was working at the time - the only day I ever missed. Despite calling the moment I got sick - at least a day before either of my shifts started, and offering to provide proof, both my jobs fired me.

So yeah...if you ever consider moving to Washington state/Puget sound area...consider shooting yourself and going to hell first, because you'll enjoy hell better.

That

I think you just have your own personal storm cloud over your head. Please people, head over to the Seattle board to see how MOST people LOVE it here. This is honestly the very first time I have heard anything bad about Seattle. Every time I told someone I was moving to Seattle (which was just two months ago), their Seattle stories were only good ones. There's so much to love here, open your eyes and look around- its all around you. And food poisoning, from an IHOP? Please, that probably happens in EVERY IHOP in EVERY STATE. Ew. Why not trying going to a proper restaurant?

[KatieNK]

I do agree those are the silliest reasons to move! Food poisoning from Ihop? Most people would just boycott Ihop, not the entire state they got sick in!