Random thought, Military spouse here. Average temperature is around 55°F, so the weather is moderate. Household incomes average around $62,995 in Indianapolis. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
28 upvotes
26 Replies
Nevaeh Roberts
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
indy_carson
yep
35 upvotes
mountain_kaylee69
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
loving_sophie40
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is decent in most areas.
33 upvotes
Oliver Gomez
I've lived in Highland for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The healthcare scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Hannah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Joshua R.
Moved here from LA about 1 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to weather but Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Zoey Hernandez
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Italian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
31 upvotes
Nevaeh Adams
Bought a house here in 2022 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
29 upvotes
Allison Murphy
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The school system is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Harper Walker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Austin Howard
I've lived in Fairview for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The public transit scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Emily Jones
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
22 upvotes
Aaron Lewis
couldn't agree more
21 upvotes
Hazel Cook
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Olivia P.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Gabriella Morris
been saying this for years
18 upvotes
Addison
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Gabriella
Totally agree!
16 upvotes
Allison
interesting, hadn't considered that
14 upvotes
Zoe D.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
nolan_mind
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely pretty good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
11 upvotes
Joyce R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 45, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
10 upvotes
Waylon Martinez
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much manageable but now it's excellent.
8 upvotes
Grace Bennett
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
4 upvotes
Theodore B.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
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