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Living in Indianapolis, Indiana:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

25 local experts
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If you've been wondering what it's like to live in or visit Indianapolis, the Crowdsourced Explorer community can help. We asked 25 people living in Indianapolis what someone who is considering moving to or visiting there should know. Here are their pros and cons, tips, and advice:

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25 comments on “Indianapolis”

Downtown Indianapolis has a lot of one-way streets. I would also tell them that downtown has a lot of nice museums. There is also a lot of good restaurants and nice places to shop. The biggest place is downtown at “Circle Centre Mall.”

Erayna, says: 2020

Indianapolis is most known for the indy 500 and our football team, the colts. Most people here love one or the other, but most love both. Here in indy We are hoosiers and known for hospitality as well. We love to make others feel welcome, so we are inviting and love to host.

Michelle, says: 2020

Road maintenance leaves much to be desired. Potholes are not only common, but they are patched more often than they are permanently repaired. the condition of our roads seems to get worse from one year to the next. This effect is especially noticeable in spring, after ice and snow have penetrated cracks in the road surface, frozen, and then thawed again, leaving the cracks from previous years that much wider.

Shondra, says: 2020

Indianapolis has many fabulous venues and restaurants that you’ll find quite enjoyable. If not, I’d be shocked, because most visitors have found Indianapolis to be a fun, and intriguing place. In addition to, possibly becoming a future resident. Due to the many wonderful things that the city of Indianapolis has to offer.

If you are planning a move to the city of Indianapolis, know what kind of lifestyle you are looking for and which neighborhood offers that kind of lifestyle. Within a 30 mile radius of downtown you can find anything from rural farmland, to small town living, to high-end suburbia, to urban culture. Indianapolis has a lot to offer, but your experience will be vastly different depending on the part of town you choose to set down roots.

Hubert, says: 2020

Living in Indianapolis has many perks. We have professional sports teams, active downtown nightlife, and many family friendly activities. I love to cheer for the Colts and watch the Fuel Hockey team dominate the ice. My family and I love to spend time at the Indianapolis Zoo and the Children’s Museum. Fountain square had many pubs that we enjoy as well.

William, says: 2020

There are three important things you need to know. The Indianapolis 500 really is the most exciting spectacle in racing. People from all over the world visit our city to see to this sporting event. These visitors frequent local bars, restaurants, and hotels increasing our city’s revenue and reputation. The race is so important that you’ll find many major roadways throughout the city closed, so plan ahead if traveling that weekend. Speaking of roadways, the second thing you need to know if you decide to move to Indy is I-465 is insane. I mean no matter what time, day or night you will never be on the road alone. It is a literal circle around Indianapolis and for fun teenagers often spend weekend nights driving around it. The third and final thing you need to know if there is a lot of corn in Indiana. You don’t have to travel far to find it. It is planted in spring and come fall it can make intersections dangerous because you’re unable to see around it.

Jordan, says: 2020

Indianapolis is known for its heavily fluctuating weather and metropolis area full of unique boutiques, restaurants, second-hand shops, and bar/grill spots. Indianapolis, due to being a big city, is also known to have a high crime rate and precautions should be noted when out late into the evening. Indy traffic can also be extremely hectic and difficult to navigate, usually during the Indy 500 and other large annual events.

Rosali, says: 2020

Indianapolis is the perfect city. It’s not so big that you feel overwhelmed by the size of it, but it’s also not too small. There are so many family-friendly options including many restaurants, a cultural trail walking path that extends the length of the city, and even a canal many people enjoy that runs through the heart of downtown. My favorite part about Indy though, is if you take a 30-40-minute drive south of central downtown, it will put you right in the middle of beautiful country Indiana fields, farmlands, and backroads. Driving through rural Indiana at sunset is one of my favorite things in all the world.

Indianapolis is referred to as both the Circle City and “Crossroads of America”. It is geographically in a very convenient location for domestic travel, both by air and automobile. Featuring a splendid downtown which many consider a top rust belt destination for conventions and trade show events, “Indy” is enjoying increased national attention for drawing huge events throughout the entire year! the city is enjoying a renaissance of foodie establishments, as both franchise and mom ‘n pop restaurants are opening every month.

Brittany, says: 2020

Indianapolis has a lot of fun things to do. The nightlife here is awesome. People in Indianapolis are very welcoming. Indy has a great zoo and several museums for adults and children.

Indianapolis has great things to do with family or friends. There is the zoo, Children’s Museum and so much more. The cost of living is also affordable. The job demand in Indy is pretty consistent, always seeing local stores hiring. I have also heard that local school districts are great. Providing excellent resources and learning for children.

Alyssa, says: 2020

Public transportation in Indianapolis only runs downtown and not to the suburbs. There are no subway systems but the IndyGO bus system is new. If you enjoy walking, running, or biking, I suggest the Monon Trail which runs from Downtown to Carmel, Indiana.

Dionna, says: 2020

Indianapolis is a city that appears rather plain to first time visitors. The high-reaching skyscrapers and massive city parks we associate with Chicago or New York are almost nowhere to be found. Under the surface, however, one can find a wide variety of unique locations and natural beauties. There is a small town charm, despite its stilted metropolitan veneer.

Deanna, says: 2020

If you move to the city of Indianapolis, you will be glad you did. We have engaging events and activities that give residents a nice break from their daily routines. Additionally, the city nestles near state parks and hiking trails if you want to take a short vacation with minimal traveling. Indianapolis is a wonderful place.

Indianapolis is nondescript to those who don’t know it, but is surprisingly charming when one looks closer. Indianapolis is filled with pockets of art and culture, and food from almost every corner of the globe can be found. It fuses the opportunities of a big city with the charm of a small town. Best of all, Midwest hospitality permeates the very bones of the city.

Jonathan, says: 2020

Indianapolis is a hidden gem! If you’re looking for an approachable and affordable city, Indy is the place. With miles of downtown biking trails, unique restaurants, and a hip art scene, Indianapolis has a little bit of something for everyone. Take a romantic stroll on the canal, catch a Colts game, or experience the famous Indy 500 race weekend.

Jocelyne, says: 2020

They might like to know Indianapolis is a decent sized city with a booming restaurant scene. The downtown of the city is very compact and most businesses are within walking distance. Our suburbs are also top notch one has been named as the best city in America We have many sporting events and expos at the convention center. The schools are great and the jobs plentiful.

Danielle, says: 2020

Indianapolis is a beautiful and overlooked city in the heart of Indiana. With a rich history, multiple National parks, and many locally-owned businesses, “Indy” (as the natives call it) is a city with something for everyone. Whether you prefer a bustling metropolitan setting or a laid-back suburban environment, this city has living accommodations at comfortably low costs compared to other major cities in the US. Indianapolis has a thriving local arts scene, three major universities, and many thriving organizations offering a variety of career opportunities in any field one can imagine.

Christie, says: 2020

Indianapolis is a beautiful city, and has many thriving communities to choose from. Most families feel at home right away. Indianapolis, Indiana, has a beautiful downtown. Downtown Indianapolis is full of culture and delightful restaurants.

Indianapolis, IN is a big city known for hosting the Indy 500 yearly. If you don’t know what that is, you should look it up because Indy residents take it very seriously. For fun, many people hang out at bars and pubs or enjoy concerts and late night entertainment. The people here are friendly, but don’t be surprised if they choose not to engage in conversation with you. Indy residents tend to shy away from people they don’t know.

Arielle, says: 2020

Indianapolis is a melting pot. Indianapolis is known as the crossroads to the United States. Therefore, companies choose us for their test subjects for new products. We have activities here year-round. It is a beautiful city.

Dorothy, says: 2020

Indianapolis is comparable to Chicago in that it is the largest city of its state. However, it would be more apt to describe Indianapolis as, “Chicago if Chicago was spread out over about 150 more miles.” Someone moving to this city should crave the ability to order Chinese food at any time of night, but not the ability to walk everywhere. It still has the allure of a bustling downtown and college-aged bar area. Yet, the downtown is only a few blocks, and the houses surrounding it have room for yards.

Indianapolis is the capital of the US state of Indiana. On a map, it appears to lie almost exactly geographically centered between north and south, and east and west. This makes all other locations within the state easy enough to get to, with a drive of no more than about two and one-half hours. I like that about the location because I frequently meet clients in other Indiana cities and towns. Indianapolis is also a more modern city in the last 30 years than at any time before, having a revived downtown (which was once a social hub, then declined for many years) and an enriched reputation for sports, and the arts. The city is governed as part of a unified city-county system, having a City Council that works very closely with the mayor. Indianapolis is called “The Crossroads of America” because major Interstates 65, 69, 70, and 74 crisscross the city, along with multiple US and state highways. From this Indiana hub, one can go in any of the major geographic directions and reach almost any destination.

William, says: 2020

The main highway in our city is I465. It runs in a large circle around Indianapolis and some of the surrounding small towns. There are lots of one way streets, which can be confusing to those not accustomed to city life. If you can successfully navigate the city you can find plenty of restaurants, bars, comedy shows, sporting events or places to go on nice walks.

Katherine, says: 2020

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Names of respondents may have been changed.

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