Don’t Believe the PR Hype
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2/21/2015
I am a native Hoosier that left once but didn’t have the good sense to stay away after living in Atlanta and Pittsburgh. I came back to Indianapolis 16 years ago and have increasingly regretted it ever since. Begrudgingly, I will admit there are a few pluses to the place: cheap housing, low traffic for a city this size, a few nice parks, the downtown canal/White River Park area, good hospitals and a moderate amount of cultural activities (museums, theaters, concert halls). There are lots of sports if you’re into that, but the city consistently spends money on subsidies and new stadiums before they spend it on things I’d rather my taxes pay for, like schools, first responders, sewers, roads and (heaven forbid) the arts. The negatives: 1) Crime is awful. The per capita murder and violent crime rates are as bad as Chicago. There are a few really terrible pockets on the East and North sides, but random assaults, shootings and home invasions are rapidly spreading to previously “safe” neighborhoods. 2) Public transportation is useless. Almost every bus route goes straight north/south or east/west, requiring a downtown transfer, resulting in trips of 20 minutes taking 2+ hours. Taxi service is limited. 3) The weather is depressing. Hot, humid, cloudy summers and cold, gray, snowy winters (with very poor road maintenance). 4) Insanely conservative. This is basically a northern extension of the Bible belt. Close-mindedness, racism, misogyny and homophobia galore. 5) Dismal public education and lack of interest in funding or managing it properly. 6) The city and state are run by despot Tea-party politicians. Forget any type of forward-thinking or reasonable discourse on any issues, but it doesn’t really matter because 110% of people here complain while only 20% vote. 7) Don’t even think about coming here if you’re LGBT, especially if you’re single. Despite some feel-good resolutions by the city council, this is a highly discriminatory and lonely place. There is no visible community, social activities or places to date unless you want to go to one of a few dank bars. After trying to talk myself into making do with what I have, I am seriously making plans to get out of here. Some people do find it an OK place, but do some extensive homework. This city is not what the marketing say it is.
Alex | Indianapolis, IN