Not a tourist destination
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12/30/2020
I feel the need to write a review after reading so many blasts on Indianapolis.
Some background - I grew up in Fort Wayne, IN, lived in Indy for 2 years post college, and have lived in Nashville, TN for 4 years. I plan on moving back to Indy next year to be closer to family and for the more affordable housing.
Indianapolis is not a tourist city, but it is a pretty good place to live. Let me break down some positives and negatives.
The Good:
- It's still affordable. I am a teacher and my partner is an OT. We cannot afford a decent house in Nashville but have many options in Indy. This is a big one.
- Great restaurants, seriously. Better than Nashville in my opinion, and I am a foodie. Also - more affordable options.
- Somewhat of an arts scene. I haven't lived there in almost 5 years but Fountain Square and South Broad Ripple both have mild artsy vibes. The IMA is a great museum and has an awesome beer garden area. I am not an artist so I cannot truly attest - but as an appreciator of the arts I felt there was a decent amount to see. There is a music scene. It pales in comparison to Nashville, but I think most places would.
- Trails and Parks - I walked/biked the Monon every day when I lived there. Most cities have some good trails. I personally am a fan of how flat Indiana is for biking. In Nashville it is often way too hilly/hot to want bike anywhere far.
- A good amount to do - Pre-Covid - It's a big enough city that there is usually something new to explore.
- Jobs / Growth
- It's not a touristy place - After living in Nashville, I find this to be a bonus. I am tired of bachelorette parties.
The Bad:
- Nature - The Broad Ripple area is kinda pretty landscaping wise. Meridian Hills area is woodsy and bougie. Other areas lack natural beauty. It's Indiana. It can't compare to places that are mountainous or coastal. Even Nashville is much prettier than Indy. However, it is CHEAP so you can save some money and travel.
- Crime - Indy has a high violent crime rate. When I taught there, several of my students suffered from this. That being said, this high crime rate it impacting low-income communities far more than others. In terms of my lived experience - I have never felt unsafe when out in Indianapolis. The violent crime is a big problem but is unlikely to have any real effect on a person who isn't living in an area with high crime. The "cool" areas - Mass Ave., Fountain Square, Broad Ripple, Irvington - are fine.
- Schools - As mentioned above, I taught high school English in IPS. It's a troubled system, underfunded and struggling to get by. Voucher programs and the abundance of charter schools have hit it hard. This is an issue that comes from living in a red state where "school choice" runs rampant. I do not see this turning around in the near future - but I also know that this is an issue in most larger cities. The suburban schools are great. The township schools system are better and diverse.
- Abandoned stuff - The city is large in terms of land. Driving through some areas is pretty bleak. Others are more aesthetically pleasing.
- The climate - It gets pretty cold in the winter.
Many of the reviews I read said that "the people" in Indy are awful. I find this claim bizarre because there are almost a million people in the city, and so I am sure there is a true mix.
I grew up in Indiana, so maybe the "reserved" nature of hoosiers is normal to me. In general I have found people in Indianapolis to be friendly, hard working, and helpful. Some of the best people I know live there, but there are probably some bad apples as well. There were some reviews that claimed that people with "different opinions" were ostracized. Honestly, most people I've met in Indy are true hippies or punky artist types or sweet retirees. In terms of viewpoints - within the city most people are liberal - other parts of Indiana are more conservative.
Indianapolis is not a great place for a vacation. It's worth a visit if you have a friend to show you around or if you are coming for something specific. I think it's a better than average place to live! Sorry h8rs!
Stephanie | Nashville, TN