Comparing the walkability of Indianapolis and the Phoenix metro area

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by timothyaw

Plus, Indy is a dump. The quality of life here compared to there, well there is no comparison.

I was in Indy last October and was pleasantly surprised. I don't know what youre talking about it being a "dump"? Just like any city it has its good and bad, just like Phoenix (which is ranked #2 for poverty). I suggest you go visit and take a look for yourself.

[wizdum]

It really depends on which neighborhood you are in. Here in south Scottsdale you are very close to shops, restaurants and have access to a FREE trolley that will take you all over Scottsdale! Look up Ollie the trolley in Scottsdale for the routes. As you are blind, you could qualify for section 8 apartments and a really good place is Hacienda de Los Arcos.

Address: 7529 E Culver St # 501, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Phone: (480) 945-4991

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

I was in Indy last October and was pleasantly surprised. I don't know what youre talking about it being a "dump"? Just like any city it has its good and bad, just like Phoenix (which is ranked #2 for poverty). I suggest you go visit and take a look for yourself.

I used to live there, so I had an insiders view. It's a DUMP.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by new2colo

Unlike Indy, most suburban areas of Phoenix still have sidewalks. Cities are very good about requiring sidewalks with new development.

I agree.

Sidewalks increase a neighborhood's appeal and I have yet to see a single neighborhood in the Phoenix MSA without sidewalks.

Phoenix has some of the best suburban neighborhoods because many of them are newer, cleaner, safer, and family-friendly compared to cities with older suburbs.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by cjseliga

I think pretty much everything outside of the DC to Boston megalopolis is "car-dependent, and even in that corridor there are still plenty of people who still love driving their cars and sitting in traffic!

This is very true.

Every large metropolitan area has sprawling suburbia and vehicle dependency, even dense eastern areas like New York, Washington-Baltimore, and Boston.

[adriver]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

I agree.

Sidewalks increase a neighborhood's appeal and I have yet to see a single neighborhood in the Phoenix MSA without sidewalks.

Phoenix has some of the best suburban neighborhoods because many of them are newer, cleaner, safer, and family-friendly compared to cities with older suburbs.

Yes, this. I can't think of a single road I have seen ANYWHERE in the metro area that doesn't have a sidewalk. I am not sure if you are completely blind, and would be able to use, but our canals and trail but the trail system here is outstanding. We have biking/jogging/walking trails all through the city. There are parks and golf courses all over with miles of trails. IMO for business and pleasure as for being walkable, I would give the metro area 9 out of 10, but can't think of a reason its not a 10.

Originally Posted by rmrobinson1988

Hello all,

So I'm new to this forum, been lurking a while but haven't ever posted. Finally registered today.

So a little background about me before I post my question. I'm totally blind, and live in Indianapolis. As a disabled person, I find myself very interested in researching and comparing different cities and their options for people with disabilities. For instance, how walkable are they? How is the public transit? Is the weather decent?

It's always kind of been my dream to move away from Indianapolis. I hate the winters here as the snow piles up and makes walking to bus stops and such very difficult. Also, as many of you probably know, Indianapolis is not only spread out and car-dependent, but there are many parts of the city with no crosswalks or sidewalks whatsoever. I won't even venture to these parts of the city without a ride from someone.

I am not wanting to move right now, and I may never be able to do so financially. However, if I could live anywhere, given my research, I think I'd like to live in either Tempe or Phoenix, AZ. I love heat, and despise cold. Also the public transit there seems great. Not New York or Boston great, but compared to here, stellar. Phoenix has the light rail, and it seems that most buses run 30 minutes or better, even on weekends, and many run until 11 or 12 at night. Here in Indy, 60 minutes is the headway for many bus routes on non-peek hours, and we don't have any kind of rapid or rail service. As a blind person who relies on public transit, this makes things difficult. I am fortunate to live in a part of town where buses come relatively often and it's pretty walkable and safe, but elsewhere in the city, it's not easy.

However, in my research, I've discovered that most people consider Phoenix and Tempe to be incredibly car-dependent. There's a lot of talk about the difficulties for pedestrians and a lackluster transit system. But when I've searched things such as, "phoenix, lack of sidewalks," I don't really get any hits, whereas the same search regarding Indianapolis will bring up page after page of results on the topic of not enough sidewalks here. So what do you all think? Don't compare Phoenix to a well-known pedestrian city, like D.c., New York, or Chicago. I'm trying to compare it to Indianapolis and which one is easier to navigate as a totally blind person who walks and relies on public transit. I'm aware of the sprawl issue, and that you can't walk to most places, you'd have to either drive or take transit. But how is the Phoenix metro area with regards to sidewalk coverage? Are there a lot of crosswalks?

Ya know, just in case I ever get out of the rather inaccessible, weather-bipolar Midwest.

Our light rail and bus system is great. The buses usually run about every 20 minutes, and every stop has a number you can text to find out when the next 3 will arrive. The light rail is going to be expanding for a while, and is much quicker than driving during rush hour if you are close enough to the stops.

Just a thought, Any chance you are over 50, and could consider Sun City? (the retirement suburb). Less public transportation, but would definitely have more services available to assist.