Indianapolis - a place i will soon call home (Columbus: apartment, to rent)

[Dorsaiian]

I have read with fascination many of the threads on this site concerning Indianapolis and its people, especially the negative posts describing living in the area as boring, dead and the conservative, boring people. I have lived all over the United States and I want to share with those who read this the perspective I bring comparing Indianapolis to other cities in the U.S.
I currently live in Renton, WA, which is a suburb of Seattle. I have been here since April of 2011 and can't wait to leave. Despite so many great things written and said about Seattle, I can tell you that this is the most overrated city I have ever lived in.

The road and bridge infrastructure is absolutely horrible. There are only two N-S interstate options. I-5 and I-405. They cover the Seattle and east side of Lake Washington. The section of 405 near me has only 3 lanes in each direction, one of which is an HOV lane. Because of Boeing and its many varied work shifts, I-405 experiences an afternoon rush hour that begins at 3pm and lasts until 7pm. The state government refuses to allocate any money for highway expansion, but they continue to add bike lanes. I guess they believe that if things get bad enough, everyone will start riding bikes in the rain (it rains here over 200 days per year). Also, Seattle is the fourth most expensive city for parking. And, amazingly, despite the large asian population, I can't believe how many bad asian restaurants this area has. But I was spoiled, growing up in the NYC area where the chinese, italian, deli food, and pizza is better than anywhere else in the U.S. And in case that's not enough, 99 percent of the housing in the metro Seattle area has no central air conditioning (today, July 15th, the high temp was 86 degrees)

Housing here is very expensive, with the average 2 bedroom apartment in Seattle and the better suburbs averaging 1,700 dollars a month. I am 55 and have lived in NYC, Phoenix, Kansas City, Nashville, Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Columbus and now Seattle. In my opinion, if you live where the cost of living is very high and driving is constantly stop and go, you eventually grow tired of it and end up hating it, regardless of how much these cities have to offer in the way of the arts, entertainment, nightlife and restaurants.

I chose Indianapolis primarily because my mother is elderly and frail and needs to live with me. For $1200 per month, we will be able to rent a large house that will allow both of us space and privacy. I own an enterainment related business that I hope can succeed in the Indy area. I am concerned about comments made regarding Indianapolis people being provincial and close minded. However, it took me a long time to realize that if you are not happy with the home you live in, most of everything else doesn't matter. And, trust me when I tell you that there are far worse places to live in than Indianapolis. I personally lived in several of them.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by Dorsaiian

I have read with fascination many of the threads on this site concerning Indianapolis and its people, especially the negative posts describing living in the area as boring, dead and the conservative, boring people.

I own an enterainment related business that I hope can succeed in the Indy area. I am concerned about comments made regarding Indianapolis people being provincial and close minded. However, it took me a long time to realize that if you are not happy with the home you live in, most of everything else doesn't matter. And, trust me when I tell you that there are far worse places to live in than Indianapolis. I personally lived in several of them.

If you peruse any of the other city threads for any amount of time, you'll find no shortage of people who hate whatever city for a bevy of various reasons. Some legit, some complete nonsense. We have a guy that pops into this forum maybe once a month just to post a link to his own whiny rantings.

Welcome to the interwebs.

[W & C]

Good luck !!

Personally, as someone who's lived in Seattle for almost 8 years now and prior to Indy for 15, you couldn't pay me to ever move back. I could write a book about all the ways I think Seattle is preferable to Indy. Then again, I've never had to live in Renton.

Quick note - if you think Seattle's asian food is subpar, I shudder what you'll think of Indy's selection.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by W & C

Good luck !!

Quick note - if you think Seattle's asian food is subpar, I shudder what you'll think of Indy's selection.

Based on the original post, I'd think their expectations would be lower based on Indy's small Asian population.

[wh15395]

Well thank god we have good Mexican food to make up for the terrible asian food here. I have hope that the new Thai place opening up Downtown will be good.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by wh15395

Well thank god we have good Mexican food to make up for the terrible asian food here. I have hope that the new Thai place opening up Downtown will be good.

What new Thai place would that be?

The best Thai food in my opinion would by that place by Greenwood Park Mall (Thai Spice?), followed by Siam Square.

[WoodyWW]

Originally Posted by Dorsaiian

I have read with fascination many of the threads on this site concerning Indianapolis and its people, especially the negative posts describing living in the area as boring, dead and the conservative, boring people. I have lived all over the United States and I want to share with those who read this the perspective I bring comparing Indianapolis to other cities in the U.S.


Housing here is very expensive, with the average 2 bedroom apartment in Seattle and the better suburbs averaging 1,700 dollars a month. I am 55 and have lived in NYC, Phoenix, Kansas City, Nashville, Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Columbus and now Seattle. In my opinion, if you live where the cost of living is very high and driving is constantly stop and go, you eventually grow tired of it and end up hating it, regardless of how much these cities have to offer in the way of the arts, entertainment, nightlife and restaurants.

I chose Indianapolis primarily because my mother is elderly and frail and needs to live with me. For $1200 per month, we will be able to rent a large house that will allow both of us space and privacy. I own an enterainment related business that I hope can succeed in the Indy area. I am concerned about comments made regarding Indianapolis people being provincial and close minded. However, it took me a long time to realize that if you are not happy with the home you live in, most of everything else doesn't matter. And, trust me when I tell you that there are far worse places to live in than Indianapolis. I personally lived in several of them.

As far as: "trust me when I tell you that there are far worse places to live in than Indianapolis." I hear Bangladesh is worse than Indianapolis......is that true? (attempt at joke)

I'm from Indianapolis, but I agree with the the opinions of "Indianapolis and its people" that you related in your first paragraph. Also, I've been to Seattle a grand total of once, for a week, & loved it. One of the most beautiful areas I've ever been to.

However: You've already lived in several mid-size mid-western cities, & did OK there (?). And you make very convincing points about the COL, & to be able to rent a large house for $1200 per month?? That's awesome. And having the fortitude to move 2000 miles at age 55, & take care of your mother, I think is admirable.

I think you'll do fine in IN, & I wish you the best......Oh & check out Shapiros Deli if you can.....

[WoodyWW]

[quote=WoodyWW;30530320]As far as: "trust me when I tell you that there are far worse places to live in than Indianapolis." I hear Bangladesh is worse than Indianapolis......is that true? (attempt at joke)

I'm from Indianapolis, but I mostly agree with the the opinions of "Indianapolis and its people" that you related in your first paragraph. Also, I've been to Seattle a grand total of once, for a week, & loved it. One of the most beautiful areas I've ever been to.

However: You've already lived in several mid-size mid-western cities, & did OK there (?). And you make very convincing points about the COL, & to be able to rent a large house for $1200 per month?? That's awesome. And having the fortitude to move 2000 miles at age 55, & take care of your mother, I think is admirable.

I think you'll do fine in IN, & I wish you the best......Oh & check out Shapiros Deli if you can.....

[mike0618]

Originally Posted by WoodyWW

As far as: "trust me when I tell you that there are far worse places to live in than Indianapolis." I hear Bangladesh is worse than Indianapolis......is that true? (attempt at joke)

I'm from Indianapolis, but I agree with the the opinions of "Indianapolis and its people" that you related in your first paragraph. Also, I've been to Seattle a grand total of once, for a week, & loved it. One of the most beautiful areas I've ever been to.

However: You've already lived in several mid-size mid-western cities, & did OK there (?). And you make very convincing points about the COL, & to be able to rent a large house for $1200 per month?? That's awesome. And having the fortitude to move 2000 miles at age 55, & take care of your mother, I think is admirable.

I think you'll do fine in IN, & I wish you the best......Oh & check out Shapiros Deli if you can.....

Not the shapiros in carmel... That one just closed.

[wh15395]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

What new Thai place would that be?

The best Thai food in my opinion would by that place by Greenwood Park Mall (Thai Spice?), followed by Siam Square.

I don't remember the name, but it's going into the old Charley and Barney's location on Ohio Street. They have a sign on the door.