The Vibe: Indianapolis Is A Big City That Still Feels Like A Small Town
All you have to do is be near
Indianapolis to feel its vibe. This rapidly growing city gets bigger and better every year and if you haven’t been here in the past 10 years or so, you probably won’t even recognize it. You’ll be hard pressed to find someone around here who will talk bad about Indy because the folks here know what everyone else doesn’t yet: Indianapolis is one of the greatest cities on earth.
Easily commutable, big on traditions, close-knit communities that are loyal to and passionate about their sports teams, and filled with all-around good people who would give you the shirt off their backs if you needed it. If you’re not here yet, you’re missing out.
Local Flavor: Indianapolis Corners Likes It’s On Rails
You can’t talk about Indianapolis without talking about the Indianapolis 500, an event which has long-since been hailed as The Greatest Spectacle In Racing. This event has been one of the city’s biggest draws for over 100 years now.
The track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened in 1909 and is the world’s largest spectator facility. It’s so large, the Roman Coliseum, Vatican City, Wimbledon Campus, Rose Bowl, Yankee Stadium, and Churchill Downs could all fit inside.
Not everyone who lives in Indianapolis is a racing fan. But there’s no getting around that racing are some of the strongest roots of this city and it’s not going anywhere any time soon.
Cuisine: Mouthwatering Surprised From Tenderloins To Craft Beer
The food scene in Indianapolis has become so good, it’s going to start giving the sports here a run for their money. Since the beginning of time, Indianapolis has been doing fried pork tenderloin sandwiches better than anyone else. And if you can’t find someone’s grandma to make you one, then try the garlic tenderloin at Chantham Tap. But the food scene has grown well beyond those awesome sandwiches.
You can also find one of the best milkshakes of your life The Loft at Trader Point’s Creamery. The Batali Sandwich from Goose The Market is like heaven between two slices of bread. And the craft beer scene has exploded, too, with multiple breweries like Bent Rail Brewery, Sun King Brewery, Black Acre Brewing, and Bier Brewery among many others that keep Indy hopping.
Nightlife: Indy Keeps The Lights On
If you come to Indianapolis expecting the night life of
Los Angeles, you’re going to be disappointed. But that’s what most of the locals around here love about it.
There are plenty of things to do when the sky gets dark but never so much to ruin the laid-back vibe.
The White Rabbit Cabaret is one of the most popular spots in town for anyone looking for a lounge-style nightclub that features everything from burlesque nights to comedy hours. The city is also brimming with taverns and taprooms to highlight that amazing craft beer scene. And in a sports city like this, never doubt that there’s a great sports bar nearby.
Weather: Expect All Four Seasons… And Expect That To Change
In a nutshell, Indy is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. You can expect a moderate amount of snow in the winter months along with a thick blanket of humidity that will create an endless string of ponytail days in the summer.
Other than that, though, there is only one word to describe Indianapolis weather accurately and that is: unpredictable. No matter what the averages might say, you might wake up to something 20 degrees different. As a rule, though, spring and autumn are the best months to enjoy the temperate Indy weather and get outdoors.
Safety & Crime: Bridgeport Shines Where Other Neighborhoods Fall Flat
You won’t hear anyone bragging about Indianapolis’ crime rate any time soon. It’s an issue that everyone is aware of and that the city is working on to improve. But just remember that the neighborhood where you live will largely reflect the crime rate of the city and will determine what your Indy experience will be.
The Indy Star reports that Bridgeport is the safest neighborhood in Indianapolis to live, with all of the crimes that were committed between January and September of 2014 being property related. Don’t assume that you can’t walk around the city without being scared either. You’ll see families throughout Downtown and all different neighborhoods at all hours of the day.
Commute: Expect To Drive Unless You Live Downtown
With the city as spread out as it is, Indianapolis is in general a car-dependent city with a Walk Score of 29, Transit Score of 23, and Bike Score of 41. However, there are sections where you won’t need a car unless you’re planning to leave.
For instance, Downtown Indy has easy access to everything you need including shops, restaurants, and entertainment, which is why that area has a Walk Score of 75, Transit Score of 53, and Bike Score of 87. So, definitely do your research on the neighborhood you’re moving to before ditching your wheels. And make sure you like your car because your commute could average upwards of 41 minutes.
Cost Of Living: Indy Keeps Money In Your Pocket
One of the best things about living in Indianapolis is the ability to have access to such a great city for such an affordable price. On an index of 100, the average cost of living in the city is an 88, bringing it in 11.8 percent below the national average.
The housing is one of the biggest perks to this cheap price tag with a median home value coming in around $119,000. That’s 33.9 percent cheaper than the national average for a home, helping to make the dream of homeownership come true for a lot of people.
Sports: Indy Is Where Hoosiers Are Born And Colts Go Wild
There is no getting around the fact that Indianapolis is, by and far, a sports town. While largely tied to basketball for generations (they are Hoosiers, after all), the birth of The Colts has also turned this city into a football-loving madhouse. Attending a game at Lucas Oil Stadium at least once should be on everybody’s bucket list. Victory Field is home to the Triple-A team, the Indianapolis Indians where locals love sitting out on the lawn to overlook the game in the warm, sunny weather.
But, yes, basketball is still a major artery of Indianapolis. In fact, it’s possible that the locals blood type is Pacers Positive. Reggie Miller is and always will be a local hero. And the town has even grown super proud of the
Indiana Fever, the city’s WNBA team who took the 2012 Championship all the way for the win, making every Hoosier puff their chests out just a little bigger.
Indy Pride Never Ends
Indianapolis might not be perfect, but it’s pretty darn close. Just ask anyone who lives here. For better or worse (mostly better), the city is an amazing place to live and the people here are as proud as could be of their little city turned big.
The affordable cost of living, the friendly people, the vibrant energy, the excitement on game days—it’s an amazing thing to be a part of and very easy to understand why Forbes ranked it 10th on its list of Fastest Growing Cities. Even hometown boy turned literary legend John Green cherishes his youth in Indianapolis and is always proud to return. So, if you want a city that you love and can be proud of, just follow John Green’s lead and head to Indy.
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