Moving to Indianapolis, IN

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Thinking about moving to Indy?

Congrats! You’ve found the goldmine of the midwestern cities. Indianapolis was recently named one of the best cities to live in if you’re a millennial — the high job market and low housing cost make this an easy move. Your dollar will go farther here and you can be on the ground floor of transforming neighborhoods and culture.

The Circle City has the Chicago feel — of neighborhood enclaves and districts — without the price. Indy neighborhoods have a distinct feel that make this city easy to get to know and carve out a home for yourself. Whether it’s the international corridor, the historic near Northside, or being a heartbeat away from the 500 Mile Race, Indy has a speed for everyone.

Let this guide to Indianapolis be your true north during this move, whether that’s where to live or what relator to use, we have you covered.

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Traffic

Indy is a growing city, and with that comes some rush hour traffic. However, Indy is still small enough that there is never more than about an hour commute to any part of the city — even at rush hour (between 7 a..m. and 9 a.m. for the morning and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the eventing). The most problematic area is where I-65 and I-70 meet downtown. During rush hour avoid the downtown cross by taking the I-465 beltway that wraps around the Circle City.

The best way to avoid traffic all together is to bike. Aside from Crown Hill, Indianapolis is almost entirely flat; making a bike commute super easy. Nearly all major north-south and east-west streets have bike lanes. There are three main biking trails that run through Indy — The Monon (which runs all the way through Carmel, one of Indy’s northern suburbs), Pogues Run, and the Cultural Trail downtown. For a commute from any northern neighborhood in Indy take the Monon down to the Cultural Trail for a scenic view past some of Indianapolis’ best public art.

Weather

Like most cities in the midwest Indy has some scattered weather, but the silver lining is that there is a full range of seasons without any of them being overbearing. The winters tend to get about 17 inches of snowfall total — which is far better than the national average of 25 inches. Summer time storms are known for their beauty and lending to some of the most colorful skies in the country, and they result in about 41 inches of rain per year.

Summer average (June — Aug): 85.6°F.
Winter average (Dec — Feb): 18.5°F

Economy

Indianapolis economy is an example of what our politicians have done well. Indiana has one of the most balanced budgets in the nation and with that there has been a surge of job growth. In fact, the future job growth is estimated to be nearly ten percent above that national average.

Some of the biggest employers in the area are health care, education and finance. Tourism has also given Indiana a big jump ahead. Being — what could be considered — the sports capital of the country, Indianapolis events like the Big 10, Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400. Not to mention the cult following of college sports. NCAA, Angie’s List, IU Health and Cummins are all based in Indiana lending to thousands of jobs. Inc. 5000 also named 21 Indiana tech companies as the fastest growing in the country. The Indiana unemployment rate was 4.6% in July 2016.

With the surge in jobs there has been an astronomical demand for housing, and Indianapolis neighborhoods are developing as fast as reality companies can buy them. According to the Indianapolis Business Journal existing-home sales in central Indiana rocketed up to “12.4 percent in April as average sale prices rose slightly and inventory dropped significantly.” Sale price rose about one percent and the number of newly listed homes in 2015 dropped 3.9 percent. Meanwhile closed sales rose to 11.4 percent. Moving sooner than later (and buying) is in tandem with the way Indiana housing markets are growing.

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Nightlife

One of the benefits of Indianapolis is the close proximity to everything. From Carmel (a great bet for young families who want to be in a safe neighborhood) to downtown it’s a 20 minute drive. If you want a classic cocktail, music in a modern industrial setting Union 50 on Mass. Ave. is your best bet. Named for the year the building was built, this 7,000 square foot, 200 seater bar has a huge selection of liquor and draft lines. You can also hear live music.

If classical or jazz is more your alley then the Chatterbox is where you want to go. Some of the best musicians in the state (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra members play there regularly) in addition to some Indy legends in Jazz. Indianapolis has a long history of jazz music — head to the Walker Theater for a rundown. The Jazz Kitchen in South Broad Ripple is also a great bet, and is annually one of the hosting locations of Indy Jazz Fest.

For dancing go to Subterra Lounge or Metro. Subterra is an underground martini bar with DJ’s and a VIP lounge. Metro is an LGBT bar with some of most talented local musicians as house DJ’s. Club Blu has the feel of a large metropolis nightclub, complete with a house photographer and constant DJ spun dance floor. Once a month block out a few hours to attend Real Talk — a hipster dance party at The White Rabbit Cabaret in Fountain Square (Indy’s art district) where DJ Action Jackson spins well past closing.

Food

In the last few years Indy has given birth to a burgeoning food scene–one that has been noted nationally by magazines like Conde Nast Traveler and Bon Appétit. Chefs like Jonathan Brooks of Milktooth — one of the best brunch bets in Indy — have been noted as national chefs to watch. Bluebeard, a Kurt Vonnegut centered restaurant with a rustic take on Italian food, has given birth to chefs around the city.

For a great date night bet go to Tinker Street. It’s a very small space with the best service in Indy, and beautifully plated vegan and veggie options (for example, if you sit outside and the night turns chilly, the manager will likely come out and offer a blanket for your lap). They also own one of the best coffee roasters in town of the same name. For a romantic night, Momma Corollas is a family owned Italian house turned restaurant and wine bar in South Broad Ripple.

Sports

Indianapolis professional sports are not the most noteworthy in the country, but they might be the most loyal. Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck, is a bearded Indiana darling. The Pacers boast players like Olympian Paul George. The Indianapolis Indians are the minor league team with a stadium set downtown. The WNBA team, the Fever, will give a home to internationally noted players like Tamika Chatchings through the end of the 2016-2017 season. The Indy Fuel hockey team plays between Lucas Oil (which houses one of the best skyline views of downtown) and the Indianans field. And created in 2013, the Indy Eleven soccer team plays on Indiana University-Purdue University’s downtown campus.

For those who aren’t inclined to typical sports, the Naptown Roller Girls are one of only around 100 flat track derby teams in the country that are all-female, skater-owned and operated. And of course, you can’t forget the famous 500 mile Indy car race that attacks around 300,000 attendees and is one of the most well attended sporting events in the country.

Events

Here is where Indy will really win you over. Festivals get started early here and run all summer. With events like Irish Fest, Pride, Penrod and the Brewers Guild, Indy has over 17 festival that run all summer. Not to mention concerts at outdoor locations like White River on the Lawn (with a downtown view in the background), Klipsh in Noblesville and the historic Rathskeller beer garden. Space out which one you attend with Indianapolis booming art scene and First Friday free gallery showings.

Culture

Indianapolis is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, but it hasn’t gotten that way without it’s history. Starting as an industrial town — and now the largest city in the country not based on a large navigable body of water — Indianapolis has a resounding work ethic and an open friendliness that makes this metropolitan easy to claim as your own and network. Here are few facts about Indy cultural life. Also, follow the hashtag #loveindy to get a glimpse from the inside.

  • The city design was created by Alexander Ralston, who apprenticed under Pierre L’Enfant, the French architect who designed Washington D.C.
  • Indianapolis’ Crown Hill Cemetery is the third largest in the United States of America with graves of some of the most notable poets and literary minds throughout history.
  • Indy hosts the largest children’s museum in the world.
  • Abraham Lincoln was from Indiana.
  • The first professional basketball game was played in Indiana.
  • Indianapolis has more interstate per square mile than any other city in America; hence the name the crossroads of America.

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