Why Indiana?

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Williams on October 19, 2009 at 8:26am

Bill, I'm originally from the South as well (Georgia and all my extended family is in Alabama) and though I've lived in the Midwest through high school and college, I thought I'd really enjoy getting back down south. I lived in Atlanta for a couple years after graduation, and although I loved being around other SEC fans, it really made me appreciate the Midwest. I forgot how hot the south is and how long it stays hot down there in the spring/summer/fall.

I used to hate the winter when I lived in Cincinnati, but when I moved to Indy, after being in Atlanta, I began to LOVE having all four seasons again, including winter. I actually ended up coming to Indy because of how much I enjoyed the city during my college years at Taylor University.

I do echo your comments about Indy having big city amenities and small town comforts, it's a great balance. Not to mention the fact that Indy's no more than about 4 hours from Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Cincy & Columbus, Louisville and Nashville.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Bean on October 19, 2009 at 4:56pm

I've had a connection to Indianapolis all my life that I can remember, so I'll wrap Indianapolis in with my view of the state as a whole. It seems I've always had family in Indiana and we visited the state regularly as I was growing up. I moved here permanently from Nashville, TN, which I loved, to get married. I couldn't convince my wife to move south so I moved north.

The recent change in the weather reminds me of why I love Indianapolis. I like the change of the seasons and fairly nice balance of all four. In a couple of months I'll be ready for Spring again, but the change is what it's all about for me.

I also like that Indianapolis has so much to offer on a variety of levels. If you're coming here for professional reasons, there are plenty of great companies during some great things in Indiana. If you're looking for entertainment we've got great concerts and special events in some great venues both large and small around the city. Professional sports are available of course if that's your thing. Even if you're interested in just buying a nice house and staying home all the time, you're going to be able to buy that house for a great price compared to other large cities.

As stated earlier, we've got all the amenities of a big city, without many of the headaches.

The topic reminds me of one of the reasons the I Choose Indy website was setup. Plenty of great reasons to be heard there, and we're always interested in hearing more. You can register as an author there and share your own stories and continue to write as you would like about Indianapolis. I continually find more things of interest and value as I live here each week.

Thanks to Robby for asking the question and bringing it back into discussion. It's always nice to hear more from our neighbors and find out what brings us all together.

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Permalink Reply by Michael R. on October 20, 2009 at 9:35am

All of the talk about 'great climate' has me baffled, but, I agree with most of the other sentiments. I used to want to get out of Indiana SO bad, but now that I've gotten older, I've become more accustomed to it. I still would like to live in some other places in the U.S. but I really can't complain too much about Indiana.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda Gordon on October 30, 2009 at 11:12am

Well I have to say that I see allot of Indianapolis posts and I really DO love Indy but I have a different perspective. I moved here from Orange County, CA and am originally from South Texas. Houston is where the entire family is so you might say I'm a big city girl. My husband is from San Francisco so he too is a big city guy. We came her 13 years ago with a job move and we have fallen in love with our community.

We live in West lafayette and have become Purdue fans. Boiler Up! We love season tickets and football tailgating. Is there anything better than football and brauts?!? I had never even eaten a braut until I came to Indiana and who in the rest of the world ever heard of euchre??? I still can't play that game.

We love all 4 seasons. From watching the crocus gracefully push its way out from under the snow covered beds in the yard to the blazing landscape of red and gold autumn leaves that slowly melts to the ground anxiously awaiting the sparkling white blanket of winter, each season holds it's own unique allure.

In other places I have lived, I would never have considered going to the mall alone and certainly not ever at night. Here, I would go to Walmart at 2AM if I needed something and was awake which is not likely. We feel so much safer here.

We have raised two boys here and are so thrilled with the combination of outstanding educational opportunities combined with midwest values. How can you miss with that? Where else in the world could you go on a hay-ride and shoot a corn cannon in the morning and in the afternoon tour a technology facility where they are developing cures for cancer and other cutting edge technologies right in your own back yard?

Our community is so diverse and is overflowing with art, culture, good restaurants, entertainment, history and so much more that we think it is truly a hidden treasure. When we need a big city fix we can shoot down to Indy or run up to Chicago for a day trip. Then we can come back to historic downtown and all the charm of the place that has become our home. How can you loose?

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Permalink Reply by matthew w. wilson on November 10, 2009 at 3:25pm

They shouldn't.

Bottom line.

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Permalink Reply by Robby Slaughter on November 10, 2009 at 5:49pm

That's cold. So flip it around, what are the ten worst aspects of Indiana which you will tell people so they don't come here?

(Then, we can get to work on fixing them. Hope you're okay with that!)

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Permalink Reply by Anika Hutchinson on November 23, 2009 at 1:59pm

The lack of diversity.
Lack of culture.
No real opportunity.
Indiana is not as progressive as other places.
People tend to be standoffish and "clickish".
Uneventful.

I was raised here but have lived in metropolitian since college. I'm glad I was able to expand and experience a different way of life.

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Permalink Reply by Robby Slaughter on November 23, 2009 at 3:16pm

What would be your criteria for diversity?

According to the New York Times the diversity index in Indiana has gone from 23% in 1987 to 35% in 2006. That means that if you pick two students at random from Indiana schools, there is a 1 in 3 chance that they will not be from the same ethnic group.

What is your criteria for culture? World class art museums, symphonies, universities? Indiana has all of these. Or is a thriving independent art or Independent music community?

I know that Indiana is not the most progressive state in the country. But if you look at the election history, there is a pretty solid balance of red and blue.

According to one study (PDF link), Indiana is pretty average when it comes to friendliness.

And there's plenty happening in Indiana! It's home to the largest single day spectator event in the world. There's events and festivals all over the state.

Sure, Indiana is not New York City. But it's not boring. And we won't make it any better by complaining.

Help improve Indiana! Plan something fun to do.

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Permalink Reply by Anika Hutchinson on November 23, 2009 at 4:00pm

My criteria for diveristy is not based on statistics, but what I see and encounter. I like people from all different groups. Being out and conversing with someone who is Dominician or Egyptian or Indian, ect. Not just from one or two ethnicities. It makes things interesting and you're able to gain a new insight into how other people live and see the world.

I like people who are open to people who are different from themselves. Openness. When I see a group of people out, they are all alike. I love to see a group of people that you would never associate with each other out together having fun as friends. And being a part of that.

Indiana does have some culture and it's great, but it's not diverse. It only appeals to a certain demographic. There are so many things out there and so many different types of people to enjoy them.

About the election - I worked for the Obama Administration with a lot of out-of-staters. We couldn't believe some of the things we heard and experienced when we campaigned. It was not about his politics, either. That gave them a very bad impression about Indiana. But, there were a lot of people who were open to Obama, which I applaud.

There is a lot going on in Indiana, but if you're not a sports fan, you are out of luck.

Also, I wasn't complaining. But you posed the question what are the worst things, so I just responded. Sure, Indiana is not for everyone. But it is great for some people.

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Permalink Reply by Robby Slaughter on November 23, 2009 at 4:17pm

I understand that your criteria for diversity is based on practical experience. If you go into the average church, you are likely to see people from the same race, religion and socioeconomic status. But if you go into a classroom at IUPUI, you will see the opposite. So I think it really depends on where you go to look. Perhaps you're just looking in the wrong place!

It's true that there were some very negative things said in Indiana during the campaigns. But there were very negative things said EVERYWHERE during the campaigns. Indiana is not alone in this regard.

Indiana is home to lots of non-sporting events. It hosts The Heartland Film festival. It's the RV Capital of the world. Indiana is a major leader in biotechnology and Indianapolis is a top destination for several important annual conferences.

I think Indiana has great potential. I would love to know what one thing you would change---or one event you would bring to the state?

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Permalink Reply by Anika Hutchinson on November 24, 2009 at 3:36am

The classroom may be true. However, are they together in the classroom interacting or is it because they all just happen to be taking the same class? Are they together outside of the classroom?

I do enjoy the Heartland Film Festival and think it's a step in the right direction to different forms of entertainment and recreation. And I really think that Indiana is trying to expand.

One thing that I hear a lot is that Indiana lacks energy. Meaning, it's kind of hum drum. That the "vibe" or "passion" is not there. And I think that goes back to lack of diversity, not just racial but all forms.

One thing that I think should be done is take a look at different forms of entertainment and recreation. Is everyone being represented? Being more eccletic in all ways would be very beneficial.

There are a lot of events that I would suggest, but I don't think demographics would accomodate them.

The orjange event is a great start! That was a great event. Eccletic art, music and people.

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Permalink Reply by Michael R. on November 24, 2009 at 4:35am

Meh. I moved to Indy in 1988 and it most certainly lacked a lot of cultural diversity back then. In 1988, I believe the Black population was around 10% and now it's over 25% I think. Plus, you have a very strong Latin influence here, among others. So, Indy, at least, has seen a major cultural shift over the past 20 years. It's evident in restaurants, culture festivals, and even if you just go out shopping. And, opportunity isn't just found. If you want something, in any walk of life, you have to work for it and make it happen. I don't know how an entire state can be labeled as "clickish". Maybe you just need to get out more.

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