Fun fact about living in Indianapolis, Indiana: residents don’t have a nickname based on the city.
For example, it would be appropriate to refer to residents of Tampa as Tampanians. Residents of Cleveland can be called Clevelanders, and Chicago people could be Chicagoans. The same rule does not apply to Indianapolis, however. Residents do not, repeat, DO NOT refer to themselves as Indianapolitans, Polisters, Indianapolites, or Napsters. Anyone looking to relocate to Indianapolis should take heed of this information, just in case some tourist trap tries to sell them shirts with any of those phrases emblazoned on them. Don’t fall for it; real Indianapolis residents only answer to the nickname “Hoosier.”
Just don’t ask what a Hoosier is, because nobody can tell you. Officially, it means “resident or native of Indiana.” Unofficially, it sounds like an owl with a drinking problem. Also, do not buy any shirts or sweaters with “Hoosier Daddy” written on them; those salespeople aren’t doing you any favors.
Fun nickname aside, moving to Indianapolis means moving to an area with a fantastic music and literary culture and a plethora of war memorials to go along with the hiking trails, craft beer, and Indianapolis Colts.
So let’s talks about what moving to Indianapolis would look like.
Living in Indianapolis
Indianapolis has been described as a big city with the ambience of a small town. As the most populous city in the state, Indianapolis boasts a family-friendly environment, mostly because of the combination of the city’s relatively low cost of living (more on that in a minute) and the diverse living options.
While downtown Indy enjoys a healthy popularity due to its proximity to events, the Bates-Hendricks neighborhood attracts the professionals while Broad Ripple has the single-family bungalows and older housing units. Fountain Square and Garfield Park supply direct access to the downtown area and multiple parks, and Fishers and Zionsville offer some of the best family centers and schools within city limits.
Picking the right neighborhood will not stop any resident from taking advantage of the nearby travel destinations; Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati all sit within a three-hour drive of Indianapolis. But make sure you check the weather reports before making any travel plans, because…
Weather Conditions In Indianapolis Can Be Wild
The state of Indiana has been classified with a humid continental climate, which means the winters get very cold and the summers get hot and wet like nobody’s business, although most of the precipitation stays in the southernmost point of the state boundaries.
Moving to Indianapolis means preparing for long summers characterized by humidity and rainfall, which should look familiar for anyone moving to the city from below the Mason-Dixon Line. However, the winters respond to the summer by doubling down on the cold and the wind. If there was ever a city that demanded the use of parkas and balaclavas, it would be Indianapolis. Just don’t let Green Bay tell you otherwise.
In terms of travel preparations, the weather of Indianapolis demands new residents to have a solid winter wardrobe to match a diverse summer wardrobe. In other words, anyone relocating to Indianapolis from the south needs to pick up some heavy winter gear, and anyone coming in from the north should invest in a good pair of sandals.
Working in Indianapolis
The Census ACS 1-year survey reported the median household income for the Indianapolis-Carmel Indiana metro area was $59,566 in 2017, the median household income sitting at $5,385 higher than the median Indiana household income and $770 less than the US median household income. The current median household income for Indianapolis ranks at $59,566. Additionally, the ACS 1-year data shows the median family income for Indianapolis was $74,956 in 2017. Compared to the median Indiana family income, Indianapolis median family income was $6,871 higher.
What does all that mean? Essentially, the cost of living in Indianapolis is well below the national average, good housing can be found at affordable prices, and the local economy has enjoyed steady growth in the last few years thanks to the industry trifecta of health care, tourism, and sports performing well.
Anyone looking for work in Indianapolis can take confidence in the area’s offerings, with more than 80 national chains keeping their company headquarters somewhere within the Indianapolis city limits. And once you’ve found a job, you’re ready to…
Do Stuff Once You’ve Moved to Indianapolis
First things first; yes, there are sports, especially if you like football (the Colts) or college basketball (Hoosiers). But if you’re looking for something a little more hands-on, consider the bicycling trails of Pogue’s Run and the Cultural Trail. The geography of Indianapolis leans to the flat, making it ideal for anyone looking for running space but, possibly, not so appealing to competitive mud runners. The NCAA national headquarters can be found downtown, and Olympic swimmer train at the Natatorium.
Also, fun fact: because Indianapolis serves as the intersection of six major interstates, the city gets to host big events including the Superbowl, NCAA championships, the NFL scouting combine, and a live-action role play event called GenCon. Even the physical activities get diverse in Indianapolis.
If you like beer, the city has over 100 breweries including the Indianapolis Brewing Company and the Broad Ripple Brewpub. If you’ve got kids, take advantage of the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and the International School.
The Culture of Indianapolis
Culturally speaking, the Midwest has a reputation for being hospitable and family-friendly. Sports play a big role, especially high school basketball, which seems to generate as much passion in area residents as football does in Texas or Florida.
Music and art play a big role in local culture, too. Start at Fountain Square or take advantage of the First Fridays. Farm to table dining also gets prized here, thanks in no small part to ready access of food supplies from state farmers and green spaces in and around the city.
Get Moving to Indianapolis
Alright, seriously, tell that guy trying to sell you the “Hoosier Daddy” shirt to get lost. You want to be a Hoosier, and a real Hoosier wouldn’t wear that. Ready to relocate but not sure where to start. We’ve got you covered. At Colonial Van Lines, we have the experience and the expertise to make sure your moving experience will be straight forward and stress-free.
Call a Colonial Van Lines professional and find out how to start your journey to Indianapolis.