Is my impression of Indianapolis accurate? (Columbus, Marion: middle-class, crime, theatre)

[curiousgeorge5]

I haven't heard or read much about the Indianapolis metro area in recent times. In the past I acquired the impression it is a good place for middle-class Americans. Reasonable people. Reasonable taxes. Not as exciting as some places, but not as flawed as many places.

Is the above accurate of Indianapolis and it's suburbs?

[Toxic Toast]

Metro Indianapolis is as ordinary and extraordinary as any other similar metro area. Based on your original post and subsequent clarification, I don't really know what the point of this exercise is. We have an IKEA and a comedy club. We even have Starbucks. We have "red blooded Americans" whatever Mod cut. that is supposed to mean.

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by curiousgeorge5

I haven't heard or read much about the Indianapolis metro area in recent times. In the past I acquired the impression it is a good place for middle-class Americans. Reasonable people. Reasonable taxes. Not as exciting as some places, but not as flawed as many places.

Is the above accurate of Indianapolis and it's suburbs?

I lived there for several years before moving back to TN, and I’d say this is largely accurate. I always thought it was a great value for what you get. Other than outdoor recreation, there is a hell of a lot more going on in Indy than my neck of the woods.

[sheerbliss]

Originally Posted by curiousgeorge5

I haven't heard or read much about the Indianapolis metro area in recent times. In the past I acquired the impression it is a good place for middle-class Americans. Reasonable people. Reasonable taxes. Not as exciting as some places, but not as flawed as many places.

Is the above accurate of Indianapolis and it's suburbs?

Yes, people tend to be courteous and reasonable and taxes aren't onerous. We have a variety of shopping, entertainment and sports here, including national acts.

Mod cut.

[MortonR]

Mod cut: Quoted post deleted.

For the most part Indianapolis is what you make of it. There has always been plenty of cultural activities, sports, art, whatever you want. I don't think there's anything backward about it, nor has there been for many, many years. I can recall going to the 500, Raceway Park, Pacers, Racers (remember them?), ballet, symphony, Clowes Hall, (what was the outdoor venue near Clowes Hall that did broadway shows outdoors in the summer?), Indiana Theatre, concerts at the clay courts, the zoo, Herron Art museum, etc., etc.

Sure, there is racism, but nothing like there was say 30-40 years ago. I've experienced it in the last decade, but it was people who lived in the rural areas surrounding Marion County, not people who lived in the county.

It's all what you make of it. I think it's improved a great deal since I was growing up there.

RM

[Kluch]

I've always associated Indy as a sister city to Columbus, OH (where I grew up). No they're not exactly the same but they have similar mid-sized midwestern city feels. The geography surrounding both cities is largely pretty flat. Lots of park space. Some issues with crime in both and some definite gentrification/growth in different areas of both. Indy has the Colts, Cbus has the Buckeyes. They are a little different but I've spent quite a bit of time in both cities and feel like if you visited columbus you hated it you might also really dislike Indy (and vice-versa). Could just be me though.

[valpofan11]

Indianapolis Metro has much more diversity than people not from the 317 believe. The Hispanic population continues to grow and grow, the Burmese population in Perry Township on the south side keeps growing, and of course the sizable black population throughout the old city and townships.

[valpofan11]

Originally Posted by Kluch

I've always associated Indy as a sister city to Columbus, OH (where I grew up). No they're not exactly the same but they have similar mid-sized midwestern city feels. The geography surrounding both cities is largely pretty flat. Lots of park space. Some issues with crime in both and some definite gentrification/growth in different areas of both. Indy has the Colts, Cbus has the Buckeyes. They are a little different but I've spent quite a bit of time in both cities and feel like if you visited columbus you hated it you might also really dislike Indy (and vice-versa). Could just be me though.

Columbus is nicer overall IMHO. Just me though. Feels like poverty and crime are spread out more in Indianapolis.

[curiousgeorge5]

Originally Posted by valpofan11

Columbus is nicer overall IMHO. Just me though. Feels like poverty and crime are spread out more in Indianapolis.

Are populations of Columbus or Indianapolis decreasing?

[ischyros]

Originally Posted by curiousgeorge5

Are populations of Columbus or Indianapolis decreasing?

No, both city populations are increasing, though Columbus is growing faster. The Indy metro area, though, seems to be growing at about the same rate as Columbus' metro area. Both city populations and metro populations Columbus has the edge, but not really by much.