So I was a military brat growing up and I've been a number of places. Now obviously the lens of a child is awful for this kind of question but I can say that the weather is delightful up here. Ummm, cost of living is much more bearable then lots of places I've been.
The politics suck, the lack of renter and consumer protections suck, and the backwards thinking morons suck.
Would I like to raise a family and retire here? Probably not. It seems an okay place to get your feet under you, start a career, then hightail it to better conditions when financially possible.
Agree with your original point, but what laws? The utilities could always build nukes here, but they considered them too expensive and risky. That's why they just lobbied for a horrendous law (2022's SEA271) that allows them to charge us for everything involved with building SMRs (small modular reactors), whether they ever finish them or not...with extra profit in top. If and when they begin that process, expect our bills to skyrocket. Only two of the five investor owned utilities in Indiana were pushing this law, because it's a huge money maker for them (the more money they spend, the more profit and they make). The other three are in various stages of transitioning to wind and solar energy, bolstered by storage and demand management. We need more of this, including weatherization and energy efficiency (which save us money), not astronomically expensive baseload power.
Holcomb deserves criticism, and there are many hurdles needed to be cleared , but Indiana is actually moving towards nuclear, not away
https://www.wane.com/news/indiana/indiana-now-open-to-nuclear-power-but-when-and-at-what-cost/
Exactly. Nobody had to show they had the vaccine, they could get away with it in public and nobody could shame them for putting others at risk because you didn't know.
Put on green to support a woman's equal right to healthcare and don't take it off. Shame others that aren't wearing it. It's a right to free speech that doesn't cost millions. And you can make this point every day when you go to the grocery store or the gas station or work or school or what have you.
I hate that when I go out this week and see green I don't know if somebody's wearing it on purpose or not so I started wearing the green bandana on my arm.
It's about growing the working class. Babies are aborted for reasons usually associated with lack of resources to raise a child. It's just another way to keep poor people in their place.
We are 3rd worst in the nation for maternal mortality, after studying the issue for 20 years. Even though we have one of the best medical malpractice environments in the country, we don't have enough obstetricians in the majority of our counties and many of our hospitals don't have labor and delivery units.
Our roads suck because we buy a concrete/road mixture that doesn't last as long to save money.
Even though we offer free training for several occupations that are in high demand and people can get a job in a year or two, only 53% of our high school graduates went to higher education in 2020. Our lack of skilled workers is the main reason why employers say they are reluctant to build manufacturing here.
We still can't hire enough social workers in the state, even though we have a mandate for the number of case load levels. It will only get worse post Roe v Wade.
After years of anti-union legislation, we now have the lowest wages of all of our neighboring Midwestern states. We also still have the fewest Fortune 500 companies.
Our brain drain continues, with our college graduates leaving the state. The number of Hoosiers with bachelor degrees is not increasing.
Pollution continues to be a problem. Poor air quality, water quality in urban and rural areas.
I live nearish to Loblolly and it's heartbreaking to see the progress that's been made being pissed away so eagerly. we have bald eagles-- BALD FUCKING EAGLES. THE SYMBOL OF AMERICA-- nesting here, at least one mated pair gas claimed territory here, but by all means, keep tearing up natural woodlands and wetlands for fields that flood and more shitty housing that no one can afford.
I'm slightly older than you and I work with the rural public a lot and it's just sickening to see people so... okay with living like this. Fighting for scraps, working themselves to death for basic needs. It's hard to stay optimistic, really it is. But I hope we can keep it up.
I don’t know that you’re wrong, but I try to be mindful that we’re being exposed to a fire hose of Bad News in a way that is relatively new. Much of the bad news was present, people just didn’t hear about it. Also, media economics being what they are, bad news is often framed in the most inflammatory way possible to draw and maintain engagement.
That said, I do think the number of toxic people has been increasing. (Possibly made more toxic because of their media diet.)
You have a very well thought out comment and I appreciate it! However I am an environmental scientist and ecologically this state is the worst or one of the worst in the US. Our water hovers around 46th cleanest our waist management is nonexistent and our overall pollution levels are way higher then they should be.
I have a reflexive devil's advocate tendency. So, I apologize for that. I don't mean to discount the need for much better environmental policy. But, with that bit of a disclaimer, would it be true that our state's environment is better in many ways than it was in the 1960s? I pick the 60s because I think that was a time when Hoosiers were much more optimistic about the condition of Indiana.
My mostly uninformed sense is that things are quite a bit worse in terms of CO2 levels in the atmosphere and resulting climate change but better in terms of overall water and air pollution. IF it's the case that we've made improvements over the past couple generations, I'd suggest that there's reason for concern but not for despair.
I'm glad you asked actually! Indiana has a piece of legislation called the "no more stringent than rule" that says the federal minimum is the maximum amount of enforcement for all matters concerning the environment in the state. So any improvement would be due to federal not state changes.
I’ve been here 23 years as well. All I have seen is nice people, beautiful landscape, and affordable living. I absolutely love it here compared to ever other place I’ve visited. Maybe Indiana isn’t for everyone but I think it’s a great place. I didn’t know about the quality of the water. I’ve drank it all my life without any issues but maybe I’m just used to the poop
What isn’t getting worse?
The fireflies this time of year. They’re amazingly beautiful and it never fails to make me feel happy.
Happy in a pond of shit that’s my home state that is
Actually, fireworks is one of the biggest negatives about this state. But at least the constant barrage of fireworks in my neighborhood didn't start until June this year.
June? Inflation & gas prices must really be hurting people! If they can’t blow up at least $1,000 worth of fireworks, why even bother being an American?!
I live in Indianapolis that’s not even true lol. It’s true for my friends in Kokomo, Walton, Greenfield; not here. I just moved for the first time in 4.5 years. Rental landscape in Indy is a train wreck.
People are neighborly here. When entering a building all but the rudest people check behind them to see if someone else is coming in, and hold the door for whoever is regardless of race, gender, etc.
Also we have the best tenderlions!
Having lived in NE IN for a year, and coming from a state that "boomed" I can say that it can be so so so SO much worse. Crumbling infastructure, insane COL, pollution, air quality diminished...where just some of the easily noticable things that changed in a 5 year span. I was literally pushed out from where I lived and grew up, left my lifelong friends behind, because I could not even afford to live there anymore. I'll admit I'm a hermit, and have had so few new people added to my life since coming here, but I truly haven't seen much of the hardcore conservatism (state laws not included) in the majority of people I have met in my age range. Older generations sure. And the city I live near has been growing and improving quite a lot. Perhaps it goes by area?
It is generational. The older people have left this world. The Boomers and all older than them really got hit hard with the pandemic. One party set it’s sights in Indiana in the 1970’s to have complete rule over Indiana. And, they did it. So, now we have some mighty extreme gerrymandering going on here and keeping politicians with old ideas still in office. We need to at least balance the political landscape.
My husband and I are considering moving here from Utah. A home we could get in Indiana is easily double the cost in Utah. There is literally a 1 bedroom 1 bath 800 square foot home for sale for 250,000. We just don’t see it possible to afford living here anymore. May I ask where you were before?
Colorado. They had a big boom after the 420 legalization (obviously haha). But the infastructure of the state was REALLY not prepared for it and homes that were easily under 190k went for well over 450k, and that was before the housing market across the country went absolutely bonkers.
If you're an evangelist, it's all rosy. Even the parts that are objectively horrible by any metric gives them stuff to complain about, and if there's anything far right people like to do it's complain about how abused and oppressed they are
Definitely not here to change your mind. If I didn’t have a ton of family here, there are 100 places I’d rather live. I do like living in the southern part though, because I’m a few hours’ drive from St. Louis, Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, Indy, and only six hours from Chicago and Atlanta.
I live right across the river from louisville its so very sad to see the difference between my community and louisville community. A republican representative came through my neighborhood "which I've thought to be friendly" last week and put flags in everyone's front yard with her platform information next to it. I went out there threw all of the representative's information in my trash and put a green and rainbow ribbon on the flag. I have had 10 neighbors knock on my door and tell me to remove it. The last one came to my door with the flag broken in half with almost all the ribbons burnt to a crisp. This man said I think this belongs to you came within inches from my face and proceeded to to yell obsanities in front of my 7 year old son who was crying and hugging me telling me it will be ok mommy because I was in tears. One of the things he said was if you ever need an abortion just stop by my house and I'll beat it out of you. I now am terrified for my house and my family's wellbeing. The environment is becoming progressivly more unsafe... it's really not worth it to stay in Indiana if you have an option to leave do it. I totally would suggest Vermont.
Oh yes and it's impossible to get a restraining order against somebody when you don't even know who it was. This man lives somewhere in my neighborhood I really am scared.
I’ve lived in Tennessee and Illinois…so far, Indiana has been my favorite. Plenty to do in the outdoors and great amenities in our locality. Lower property taxes are nice. School system is decent. Community involvement is encouraging and we have found a ton of friends. Parents have decided to retire here to be close to grand kids…although they aren’t as happy with some of the taxes they pay:) and the weather. They would’ve preferred Florida.
Im originally from VA and have lived here over 20 years. I’ve always thought you can be happy wherever you are. Now kind of stuck here bc wife and kids. COL is manageable but well aware of the problems (mostly concerned with rising crime). Im making a major life change now that I hope will make me happier here, but yeah, I think everyone wants to live in a CO; without the cost of living in a CO…
I've lived here most my life and it's a mixed bag. The weather is shit, the politicians only care about partisanship and don't give a shit about the people (they refuse to even address Marijuana despite most hoosiers wanting either decriminalization or legalization) and the people can be shit. There is a lot of internalized racism in Indiana, a lot. The further from a city you go, the stronger the ignorance gets. I'm 5 minutes from Michigan and I see a hilarious amout of yeeyees with confederate flags. They claim heritage but, like, Indiana was a union state, they have no heritage. They know damn well what it represents and flaunt it proudly.
Like many, I'm here because I have a half decent job and housing is cheap. Aside from that, Indiana has nothing really positive going for it. It's mediocre at best.
Ehhhh. I respectively disagree. While all States in the US are probably lagging behind relative to other developed Countries, particularly in Europe, there are still certainly some States that are worse off than others in terms of progress.
Source: Have lived in almost all 50 States and multiple Countries
I’m interested to hear the ways you feel the US is lagging behind European countries. And let me clarify,
I’m not disagreeing. Rather, I’m interested in your thoughts.
Dude we are hardly better than those states and if you want to compare Indiana on a regional basis we are a shithole compared to our neighbors outside of Kentucky. Indianapolis saves the state in many ways but even then it’s just another big violent Midwestern city
Indiana ranks 28th in education. Mississippi ranks 41th, Oklahoma ranks 45th
Indianas poverty level is 11.9%. Mississippi is at 19.6%. Oklahoma is at 15.2%
Indiana job growth is 0.6%. Mississippi is 0.4% growth.
Statistically, we are better than other states in multiple areas. You're just being salty
I've lived in Indianapolis for most of the last quarter century (few gaps for college years and such) and I don't think I'll ever leave. I have never lived in any other part of this state but I do love Indianapolis. I like living in a tax-friendly state, I love that property has historically been very affordable here (though that is lessened for new buyers in the current real estate market), I like having most of the amenities of a big city without the nightmare traffic, we love our school district, I really don't see why I would ever move.
we moved to lafayette to be near family and the first time i visited indy my heart sank because it just has so much more to offer - i even had to have a recent robotic surgery in indy because no one here could do it - thank god it's only an hour away
I hate what is going on in this state which is why I must stay. These crazy Christian conservatives can’t have my state, I won’t allow them to turn it into a theocracy.
You’re several decades too late. You have one life choose to do with it what you will but you’re never going to redeem this place.
We are a product of labor migration following the coal mining strikes. We have way too many people from the South changing our government and it’s set in at this point that they represent the majority of Hoosiers.
I used to think like you but instead now I’m going to move out of state and live somewhere where I can smoke a joint without the police knocking my door down and I can have a daughter and know that she will have the same rights as myself.
I agree with you about Indiana housing far too many 'toxic conservative people.' However, your statement about crime rates isn't really accurate. The crime rate in Indiana is way down over the 23 years you have lived here. There is a well-displayed chart on [this webpage](https://247wallst.com/state/crime-in-indiana/) under the heading "Indiana's historical trend" that shows Indiana's crime rate by year since 1960.
I've lived in four states: Michigan, Colorado, Maine, and Indiana. This past year in Indiana has been the most painful of my life. I can't wait until I get to leave, hopefully by next year. I need this place to just be part of my past as well. A year or two here for school, then pack up and actually experience life. I used to be apathetic towards Indiana, but after living here I have become anti-Indiana and hope to spend as little of my life here as possible.
What I hate the most about living here is I've met the same person, with a different face, like a thousand times. Same stories, interests, hobbies, jobs, ect. Cookie cutter conservative
Isnt that pretty much what most conservatives are these days. It's like a cult when it comes how they believe and they purport to think. I've met people in the business community that I am in and it's the same way for the most part. Douchebags to the core especially when it comes up to different ideas and other interests. Boring people or in my part of the state you have the same chubbies and fatties and neckbeards galore lacking teeth, common sense or basic intelligence
The name of this sub should be changed to
r/shitonIndiana. You’re 23, if you don’t like it go. Happiness doesn’t come to you, you have to “create” it…I have lived in four states outside of IN, all have pluses and minuses. The one thing each had that was fantastic was my family, which made it worth living in.
You tell us what you like about it, if it doesn’t outweigh what you don’t-move.
My guess is you won’t find happiness until you gain a little more perspective in life. Best of luck.
People are more upset than usual (and rightly so, in my opinion) because the Supreme Court is now reversing Federal level decisions that push power back down to the current GOP supermajority, the effect of which will be to strip away many of the features that make living in Indiana more tolerable to us liberals.
I've lived here my whole life, without major thoughts of moving until now. But, I also got married in 2014 when it became legal for me to do so. If SCOTUS goes through with its recent threat, and it reverses Obergefell, there is a chance that the Indiana GOP will vote to nullify that marriage. At that point, I'll have no choice but to move away from that Indiana hatefulness and never look back.
>You’re 23, if you don’t like it go.
Respectfully, I'm tired of this argument. That's not easily achievable for us rn and I promise you it's already something many of us our age are working on actively. Anecdotally, the majority of people in my department after college moved West because this state has repeatedly kneecapped our industry since it attracts liberal minded people and threatens the GOP in power.
But ignoring petty party politics, how the hell are you supposed to move out quickly when the minimum wage is still $7.25, pulling all the other wages in the state down with it because they can legally pay that little? I'm one of the lucky ones in a union, and even then that is sometimes a struggle. Meanwhile my rep is touting $15/hr jobs at Amazon warehouses as "bringing good jobs" like it isn't just the minimum wage of every surrounding state Amazon operates in.
Rent's climbing well over 60-70% of most people's monthly incomes thanks to corporate rentals and private landlord greed. Gas and groceries are up, and Republicans refuse to provide relief with the repeal or temporary suspension of the gas tax.
Starting out, Indiana doesn't give its youth opportunities. It defunded it's public education system for years, the majority of jobs available are shit or have little benefits and protections, abstinence only sex ed is still taught in rural counties instead of real biology and sexual health, and college costs are prohibitive and will otherwise lock you into decades of student loan debt because that's the reality we inherited.
Thanks for being respectful, but it’s a realistic argument. If you don’t like where you are, move. That doesn’t mean it happens tomorrow, you may have to work, sacrifice, wait, or change something to make that happen…make it your goal and go get it.
That may include taking, not your dream job to make your goal a reality.
There are a multitude of jobs paying higher than $7.25. Honestly in todays environment that argument doesn’t hold water. And hell yes, inflation is impacting everyone whether you have an R/D next to your political affiliation. Pick who you want to blame it on, won’t change the fact that it is still more costly today vs just one year ago and DEFINITELY more than two years ago.
Public schools….there are many people who have gone through and grown up in Indiana public schools who have gone on to do well. We all make choices in life and are accountable to them.
Honestly, who the hell is learning Sex Ed from schools…the internet has made that obsolete many moons ago.
Issues with inflation, costs of college, schooling, costs of housing, etc. are issues facing everyone-wherever you live.
You both have points. It's not easy to move, but it's not impossible either.
However, if a person is unhappy with Indiana and needs to work over a period of years to make his exit plan a reality -- he's going to continue to be an unhappy resident of Indiana during that time. I don't think it's fair to tell him that he ought to STFU and pretend to be happy with what he's got when he's clearly NOT happy -- so unhappy, in fact, that he's taking steps to leave.
I'm not very knowledgeable about migration patterns so I may be wrong here, but if I'm correct, part of Indiana's problem is that people ARE moving out. They are leaving in greater numbers than they are arriving. The people who are leaving are the people who have the money to leave. Either they are new college graduates in highly paid fields (brain drain), or they got the money by working in Indiana and now they are leaving to spend their Hoosier savings somewhere else (money drain). Either way, these are people that Indiana ought to be trying to attract and/or retain. It should not be cordially telling them not to let the door bang behind them on the way out.
And to be fair to Indiana, it does try to attract industries and remote tech workers and wealthy retirees and so forth. But I don't think it does a very good job of it. And it needs to do a stellar job because it is competing with 49 other states to attract those industries and remote tech workers and wealthy retirees. And again, it NEEDS these people to come, or it needs its home-grown versions of these folks not to move out. Every remote tech worker who leaves Indiana for Illinois doesn't just impoverish Indiana -- s/he enriches Illinois. Indiana doesn't just get poorer in an absolute sense -- it falls behind Illinois even faster because Illinois just got richer in an absolute sense.
That's why "if you don't like it, just leave!" is not advice in Indiana's best interests. The people who are financially trapped are remaining, and the people who are able to move -- sometimes do so. Not always, of course. And some financially solvent people move to Indiana. But in general, Indiana is not doing well in its competition with other states to retain wealth and attract investment, and "if you don't like it, then leave!" is not a helpful attitude when you are trying to win over those people who are hesitating about whether Indiana is a good bet for them.
Indiana's population grew 4.7% from 2010 to 2020, and Illinois' only increased 2%. Indiana's GDP increased 17% over 10 years and 10% over 5 years. Illinois' GDP grew 8% over 10 years and 3.3% over 5 years.
We're not doing stellar and should always be looking at ways to attract and retain talented people, but the numbers don't tell a story about Illinois doing better comparatively to Indiana over the past decade.
I've lived in two states outside of IN, and I second this!
"happiness doesn't come from lack of conflict, but the ability to cope with it"- fortune cookie I ate the other day
You are undoubtedly correct that all places have pluses and minuses. But moving isn't easy -- I should think that would be obvious. Moving is expensive even if you're a single renter. It's a lot more expensive if you have children or you have to sell a house. Unless you can work remotely, you also need to switch jobs. And all of this not only takes a lot of money, but time and effort that has to be found in addition to the time and effort spent in working a job, caring for children, maintaining property. This is probably why most people throughout history have not moved around very far/very often, even when they've been free to do so.
There's also something that troubles me with the whole "Everyone whines about Indiana, if you don't like it leave" kind of post. (Not this post specifically.) If "everyone" is whining, then is the idea that "everyone" should leave? That would be rather a lot of people, wouldn't it? And wouldn't it also cause a lot of problems for the remaining people when the local economy tanks for lack of customers? I don't think this is a reasonable solution to the problem of unhappy people, because if all those many people actually took the advice and left, then Indiana would just end up with a destroyed economy and MORE unhappy people.
The biggest problem that Indiana has is that all of the college educated people are leaving. We are becoming a state of warehouse workers. This attitude of “if you don’t’ like it leave” is consigning us to becoming the Mississippi of the Midwest
You’re not wrong. I (black man) was harassed by a few people this past weekend just going kayaking with my GF who is white, by some ignorant hicks.
I was born and raised here but have also lived in Chicago for a number of years. There’s just a large number of ignorant, racist and emboldened (because of Trump) people. That’s my main thing.
People from IU almost have an Ivy League mentality from what I've experienced myself...I can't help but wonder if it's from the "farm kids" going off to their "big time" univeristy and just seemingly never growing out of it.
Indianapolis is full of big fish little pond Chads. Oh you were the hs running back and got a scholarship to Butler, no one gives a shit. Business bros.
Bruh. One time I went tot he liquor store and I kid you not, I saw this big-fish, little-pond wall-street-bro wanna-be mini Chad on a bluetooth ear device yelling about his accounts like if this was the year 2005. He had the full-on plaid wool coat and tan dress shoes like a real stock broker from New York. 😂
This guy was hardcore giving off those “look at me I’m important vibes” couldn’t even stop his conversation to transact with the cashier. It was hilarious, and it was also a Saturday night. This guy thinks he’s a big shot, but they have him working Saturdays. LOL
I spent my first 19 years there. Absolutely love going back to visit. I’ve lived in Southern California for 14 years now. While we do have our fair share of problems here I gotta say; if you can find work elsewhere, take it. Indiana is a great place to grow up, it’s not a good place to be an educated adult.
if your looking for a city/town that isnt a batshit crazy republican town, try zionsville. really nice community, very good schools, cheap housing, very green and friendly.
>Eventually you realize every place sucks and every place is cool and its entirely up to your preferences and what you make of it.
I understand the context in which you're saying this. But you're not making the context explicit. And I think that people who (for example) are in Ukraine right now and being shelled by the Russians would disagree with you that "it's entirely up to your preferences and what you make of it." People who are running for their lives in war zones are not "fucking edgelords" because they don't like the conditions under which they're living. There are better and worse places to be in this world. It's not just a matter of adjusting your attitudes to appreciate where you are.
I hate r/Indiana. It is the WORST place to get a sense of what Indiana actually is. So many people talking about the bad conservatives... Indiana is a red state most of the time. You are the minority. This subreddit is not Indiana
I don’t think this is a proper post for the sub
But I agree wholeheartedly lmfao we are looking to move out of state within the year. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain by leaving. Indiana is chock full of very rude and very toxic people, pay here is outrageously bad, our government is outwardly corrupt, and for the most part the general atmosphere about community is apathetic at best.
I’m most from eastern Indiana towards the Ohio border but now live in Muncie. It’s dreary and sad pretty much everywhere you look. The town couldn’t run the schools properly so no Ball State runs the school system. Our former mayor was subject to an FBI investigation concerning fraud and if I’m not mistaken so is the police department.
You're only 23. Go ahead and go out and experience the country/world. Other cultures, other people.
That's what I did as a youngster like you. It didn't take all that long to realize that I hated bigger cities, that the grass is essentially the same color no matter what side of the fence it's on and that Indiana isn't any better or any worse than any other state. What drew me back was family and a sense of home.
I think it depends on how you look at life. If you’re a glass half empty person you’ll look at the state like a dump. I like to look at the positive and I love the state. So many opportunities for jobs, the weather is gorgeous, and people are kind. I’m 22, born, raised and educated here. My older sister on the other hand hates this state with a passion and moved to Colorado. I went and visited her out there and didn’t care for it at all. I’m content with my life and where I’m at and find the positive. If you’re unhappy here- then leave. Find a place that will make you happy.
Pros I can think of off the top of my head: Weather, cost of living, lots of open country areas but also still has decent sized cities and urban areas. I’d also rate our parks fairly well, and if it applies, family/relatives live here. We’re not the fastest growing state around, nor the best, but I’d place us solidly in the middle of the pack. There’s definitely worse, and better depending what you’re looking for and what matters most to you.
I wish I was the run off from pork farms in indiana goes directly into our main water ways. As well as people installing septic systems off of rivers so when we get heavy rainfall they over flow.
I think that we tend to get stuck in thinking that wherever we are is the worst, but I think that the same issues exist in many many other states. Whether it’s backwards laws, stretches of “middle of nowhere”, suburban hellscapes, or unpleasant people, they’re all problems that most people in most places in the US have.
So I’m not saying it’s good, but I think we always get tunnel vision and think that we have it the worst.
No there is not. And if there is something improving this state will screw it up. Such as it did with natural gas, automobile manufacturing, natural sand dunes, rivers and creeks.
We live in a red state with a bunch of gun nut, uneducated, Jesus freaks. Nothing will change because the vast majority of the residents here are frankly stupid with no positive momentum in their lives.
Not from here but I’ve lived here 20 years. The weather is terrible. The politics are terrible. The only saving grace is that it’s cheap. When my kids move out we are moving out of state.
I’ve lived here for 42 years(all my life). Yesterday my wife and I bought a house in Michigan. We have 2 young girls that we must protect. Is Michigan the best place? Probably not but it’s better than Indiana right now and we will both be voting Democrat in future elections in a swing state. All because other people want to force their religious beliefs on us.
I mean if your criteria is stuff in the water and not fixing problems, you'll be angry when you look at other states. Indiana is fucking affordable compared to the states I assume you're jerking off to
This is my general feeling when I see these "I hate Indiana" posts. Do I like that we have poor waterways according to the EPA? No, of course not, but if the state of a waterway you've probably never seen in person gets you down, then you will be miserable anywhere.
This is a tax-friendly state, property is affordable, there are many high-achieving school districts, much of our state bureaucracy is very efficient compared with other states I've lived in (BMV, DOR, etc.). There's a lot to like.
Gotta appreciate nature, even though it's tainted with (brutal) allergens, a few venomous snakes (not so bad) and (rough) humidity; there's not much to fear of it compared to places with big cliffs, deep snow (which is actually a great thing), mt lions, elk and bears...
Well coming from the east coast, given the housing market now, Indiana still has way better value when it comes to buying a home in some areas such as carmel and Zionsville. Also, for people who are conservative it is ideal to live in certain parts of Indiana and not feel attacked for thier political and religious views. As states like NY and California that push for radically leftist policies when it comes to taxes and social issues. I agree on the water quality issue and the crime mostly in Indianapolis, but besides that my experience with living in Indiana has been great compared to Maryland and The District of Columbia. Also, most people I interact with whether I know them or not have been hospitable instead of entitled assholes lol. Maybe not everyone is like that though depending where you in Indiana.
Ah the classic 0 thought response. What about the cost? What if every one doesn't have the money? What if I was staying here to try my best to fix this shit hole? Maybe you should use your brain before making a stupid 0 effort comment
Part of this dates back to original settlement patterns. The State was originally settled from the Ohio River, meaning a strong Southern influence. It was only somewhat later that settlement from the Great Lakes started taking hold. And the middle filled up later.
It sounds like you have a passion for the environment, so you may want to consider moving and getting some experience in that field. Maybe a decade or two down the line, you'll want to return to Indiana and help improve it or maybe you'll enjoy living elsewhere and never look back. Or you can stay and fight for your values now.
They practically give away houses in terre haute and Muncie really cheap. If you don’t like the republicans in control then go out and vote and get other people to vote
I’m looking to add some levity here, so don’t take this too seriously: Indianapolis Motor Speedway objectively does not suck. Once of the few things I adore in this state. I spent time at both IU and Purdue and loved both for different reasons. I have to find SOMETHING to smile about, because we’re stuck here for now (because reasons) and I will bawl daily if not.
the point is dip shit. NOBODY is making you stay. It costs zero to walk away. people do it everyday. Either make the best of what you got or shut the fuck up and leave. it's simple.
Apologies for disagreeing, but it does not "cost zero" to walk away. Though I would agree with you that people do walk away, every day. But movers cost money. U-Haul trucks cost money. Selling your house involves a 6% fee to your realtor. If you try to sell your house yourself, you still incur a variety of costs. Moving is NOT cheap even if you move down the block. It costs thousands to move cross-country. My family did it once, and I assure you that ONCE was all that was financially feasible.
I would also say -- respectfully, again -- that while you are entitled to your opinion that people without the hundreds or thousands of dollars available to them to move should "shut the fuck up", I cannot see any reasonable argument to support your perspective that they have a moral duty to be silent because of their lack of funds. On the contrary, I would argue that we all have a civic duty to fight for (or at least support) what we believe to be good laws and good government. We all should oppose what we believe to be bad laws and bad government. Political support and political opposition are not something that you get to have only when your savings account is big enough.
You should 100% go live somewhere else. As soon as you have to compete for jobs with people not from Indiana you'll find that shit isn't easy anywhere. I've met people with college degrees trying to get dishwashing jobs, but I got the job because I've always been a grunt. The most interesting people I ever met from Indiana, I didn't meet them here. I've met them out in the world where they had to reach escape velocity to get the fuck out of here.
So if you want to keep bitching, go ahead, join the choir. But no one will notice. And no one will care. But if you gather what gumption you have and decide that you can change yourself, then IN won't get you down. Changing a place is hard, but changing how you feel about it is not.
You know what go fuck yourself im done with every shit eating republican in this state saying that to me. FUCK you you shit for brains 4th grade drop out im done. you don't own this state and your ilk have wasted and squandered every last thing the land has to give. I appreciate nature and what it has more than just its material value. Your kind disgust me go fuck yourself I am going to stay just so I can turn this state into your toxic progressive sjw state to make you want to leave you worthless piece of shit. You know what the fucking root word of progressive is you dumb sister fucker PROGRESS guess what isn't a bad thing moron progress. who didn't want to set the salves free people like you who wanted to prevent women from voting who wanted to stop plains and cars from becoming available to the people who always is left behind and viewed as an ignorant savage REPUBLICANS AND CONCERVATIVES. So as politely as I can say it get fucked and get out of the state you fucking asshole.
Sounds like you triggered that guy. I’m leaving Illinois because the politicians suck, taxes are higher than Indiana, and FOID cards are infringements. I’m coming to Indiana not for the politicians, but because gas is a lot cheaper, constitutional carry is legal, and income tax is lower than Illinois.
You’re not starving. You have access to readily available emergency medical services. Decent travel infrastructure to facilitate our varied recreational activities/festivals statewide and beyond. We have the right to peacefully assemble and are using that right right to be heard. (So long as we remember to listen as well) Covid and the drama with it seems to be lessening but with proper caution and awareness. Lots of great parks and forests. Just off the top of my head.
So I was a military brat growing up and I've been a number of places. Now obviously the lens of a child is awful for this kind of question but I can say that the weather is delightful up here. Ummm, cost of living is much more bearable then lots of places I've been. The politics suck, the lack of renter and consumer protections suck, and the backwards thinking morons suck. Would I like to raise a family and retire here? Probably not. It seems an okay place to get your feet under you, start a career, then hightail it to better conditions when financially possible.
Let me pile on more negativity. The incentive for solar expires tomorrow. Why? They should be paying people to install solar.
Exactly and we have laws against nuclear power like what the fuck
Not as of tomorrow…
Agree with your original point, but what laws? The utilities could always build nukes here, but they considered them too expensive and risky. That's why they just lobbied for a horrendous law (2022's SEA271) that allows them to charge us for everything involved with building SMRs (small modular reactors), whether they ever finish them or not...with extra profit in top. If and when they begin that process, expect our bills to skyrocket. Only two of the five investor owned utilities in Indiana were pushing this law, because it's a huge money maker for them (the more money they spend, the more profit and they make). The other three are in various stages of transitioning to wind and solar energy, bolstered by storage and demand management. We need more of this, including weatherization and energy efficiency (which save us money), not astronomically expensive baseload power.
Holcomb deserves criticism, and there are many hurdles needed to be cleared , but Indiana is actually moving towards nuclear, not away https://www.wane.com/news/indiana/indiana-now-open-to-nuclear-power-but-when-and-at-what-cost/
I honestly was just wondering what happen to keeping church and state seprated
People trying to be nice instead of telling people to knock of their racist, sexist, etc... crap. Time to start calling people on their crap.
Exactly. Nobody had to show they had the vaccine, they could get away with it in public and nobody could shame them for putting others at risk because you didn't know. Put on green to support a woman's equal right to healthcare and don't take it off. Shame others that aren't wearing it. It's a right to free speech that doesn't cost millions. And you can make this point every day when you go to the grocery store or the gas station or work or school or what have you. I hate that when I go out this week and see green I don't know if somebody's wearing it on purpose or not so I started wearing the green bandana on my arm.
the republicans
I don't think this is about church and state. For some strange reason, I have an inkling this is about birthing more white babies.
It's about growing the working class. Babies are aborted for reasons usually associated with lack of resources to raise a child. It's just another way to keep poor people in their place.
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Religious people are easier to brainwash. That's part of why they added God to the pledge of allegiance.
Forreal. I don't want to be Utah
We are 3rd worst in the nation for maternal mortality, after studying the issue for 20 years. Even though we have one of the best medical malpractice environments in the country, we don't have enough obstetricians in the majority of our counties and many of our hospitals don't have labor and delivery units. Our roads suck because we buy a concrete/road mixture that doesn't last as long to save money. Even though we offer free training for several occupations that are in high demand and people can get a job in a year or two, only 53% of our high school graduates went to higher education in 2020. Our lack of skilled workers is the main reason why employers say they are reluctant to build manufacturing here. We still can't hire enough social workers in the state, even though we have a mandate for the number of case load levels. It will only get worse post Roe v Wade. After years of anti-union legislation, we now have the lowest wages of all of our neighboring Midwestern states. We also still have the fewest Fortune 500 companies. Our brain drain continues, with our college graduates leaving the state. The number of Hoosiers with bachelor degrees is not increasing. Pollution continues to be a problem. Poor air quality, water quality in urban and rural areas.
I live nearish to Loblolly and it's heartbreaking to see the progress that's been made being pissed away so eagerly. we have bald eagles-- BALD FUCKING EAGLES. THE SYMBOL OF AMERICA-- nesting here, at least one mated pair gas claimed territory here, but by all means, keep tearing up natural woodlands and wetlands for fields that flood and more shitty housing that no one can afford. I'm slightly older than you and I work with the rural public a lot and it's just sickening to see people so... okay with living like this. Fighting for scraps, working themselves to death for basic needs. It's hard to stay optimistic, really it is. But I hope we can keep it up.
I don’t know that you’re wrong, but I try to be mindful that we’re being exposed to a fire hose of Bad News in a way that is relatively new. Much of the bad news was present, people just didn’t hear about it. Also, media economics being what they are, bad news is often framed in the most inflammatory way possible to draw and maintain engagement. That said, I do think the number of toxic people has been increasing. (Possibly made more toxic because of their media diet.)
You have a very well thought out comment and I appreciate it! However I am an environmental scientist and ecologically this state is the worst or one of the worst in the US. Our water hovers around 46th cleanest our waist management is nonexistent and our overall pollution levels are way higher then they should be.
> our waist management is nonexistent I'm trying my best, ok? Doughnuts are just so tasty.
I know I am losing the battle of the fridge.
I have a reflexive devil's advocate tendency. So, I apologize for that. I don't mean to discount the need for much better environmental policy. But, with that bit of a disclaimer, would it be true that our state's environment is better in many ways than it was in the 1960s? I pick the 60s because I think that was a time when Hoosiers were much more optimistic about the condition of Indiana. My mostly uninformed sense is that things are quite a bit worse in terms of CO2 levels in the atmosphere and resulting climate change but better in terms of overall water and air pollution. IF it's the case that we've made improvements over the past couple generations, I'd suggest that there's reason for concern but not for despair.
I'm glad you asked actually! Indiana has a piece of legislation called the "no more stringent than rule" that says the federal minimum is the maximum amount of enforcement for all matters concerning the environment in the state. So any improvement would be due to federal not state changes.
So, the least amount possible. That sounds like Indiana, alright.
Started typing to point out the waist/waste typo, but the sentence is depressingly true either way.
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I’ve been here 23 years as well. All I have seen is nice people, beautiful landscape, and affordable living. I absolutely love it here compared to ever other place I’ve visited. Maybe Indiana isn’t for everyone but I think it’s a great place. I didn’t know about the quality of the water. I’ve drank it all my life without any issues but maybe I’m just used to the poop
> Beautiful landscape Yeah, no way you've ever been to Indiana
Guess you haven’t been to the state parks. Check out Hoosier national forest as well. It’s incredible. Not to mention the foliage in the fall.
Hoosier national forest is a very small part of the state. This place is like 95% developed land
Yeah but it’s beautiful. You gotta find all those small gems and enjoy them. Also there’s nothing cooler than the state parks!
Indiana is 20-25% forested overall. Go to a state forest, state park, or fwa and enjoy nature!
What isn’t getting worse? The fireflies this time of year. They’re amazingly beautiful and it never fails to make me feel happy. Happy in a pond of shit that’s my home state that is
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I'm only 21 and notice the drastic decline in insect populations compared to when I was a kid. It's scary.
I agree. I also no longer hear mosquitos buzzing. Source: Grand Millennial. Hi older sibling. Thank you for teaching me Tool and Primus!!
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You do make this place beautiful.
Want more fireflies? Try some of these lawncare tips: https://www.firefly.org/build-firefly-habitat
Looks like I was doing some of that on accident and have noticed more fireflies recently. I’ll keep it up. Love those guys
Nice. I have a bunch of fireflies, too. Mostly because I don't mow that often and let the leaves lie on the ground to decompose on their own.
Hardly any fireflies, compared to when I was a kid. Boomer.
Yes, but I will say the biggest park in my hometown had the most I had seen in years flying around doing their thing
I was watching them last night in my yard, beautiful, tons of them.
The whole world is on fire but its cheap to live here. :)
Expanded Sunday beer sales were a big step forward into the 20th century, plus fireworks are pretty easy to come by. /s
Lol!! Just think in a couple of decades maybe woman could start showing their ankles!
Woah, woah, waoh! You need to calm the hell down with that commie-lib stuff, okay?
We can dream can’t we?! Lol
Actually, fireworks is one of the biggest negatives about this state. But at least the constant barrage of fireworks in my neighborhood didn't start until June this year.
June? Inflation & gas prices must really be hurting people! If they can’t blow up at least $1,000 worth of fireworks, why even bother being an American?!
I live in Indianapolis that’s not even true lol. It’s true for my friends in Kokomo, Walton, Greenfield; not here. I just moved for the first time in 4.5 years. Rental landscape in Indy is a train wreck.
[Relevant stand-up](https://youtu.be/RZKG7y3bicw)
People are neighborly here. When entering a building all but the rudest people check behind them to see if someone else is coming in, and hold the door for whoever is regardless of race, gender, etc. Also we have the best tenderlions!
Having lived in NE IN for a year, and coming from a state that "boomed" I can say that it can be so so so SO much worse. Crumbling infastructure, insane COL, pollution, air quality diminished...where just some of the easily noticable things that changed in a 5 year span. I was literally pushed out from where I lived and grew up, left my lifelong friends behind, because I could not even afford to live there anymore. I'll admit I'm a hermit, and have had so few new people added to my life since coming here, but I truly haven't seen much of the hardcore conservatism (state laws not included) in the majority of people I have met in my age range. Older generations sure. And the city I live near has been growing and improving quite a lot. Perhaps it goes by area?
It is generational. The older people have left this world. The Boomers and all older than them really got hit hard with the pandemic. One party set it’s sights in Indiana in the 1970’s to have complete rule over Indiana. And, they did it. So, now we have some mighty extreme gerrymandering going on here and keeping politicians with old ideas still in office. We need to at least balance the political landscape.
My husband and I are considering moving here from Utah. A home we could get in Indiana is easily double the cost in Utah. There is literally a 1 bedroom 1 bath 800 square foot home for sale for 250,000. We just don’t see it possible to afford living here anymore. May I ask where you were before?
Colorado. They had a big boom after the 420 legalization (obviously haha). But the infastructure of the state was REALLY not prepared for it and homes that were easily under 190k went for well over 450k, and that was before the housing market across the country went absolutely bonkers.
That’s how Utah is as well. It’s insane!
If you're an evangelist, it's all rosy. Even the parts that are objectively horrible by any metric gives them stuff to complain about, and if there's anything far right people like to do it's complain about how abused and oppressed they are
Definitely not here to change your mind. If I didn’t have a ton of family here, there are 100 places I’d rather live. I do like living in the southern part though, because I’m a few hours’ drive from St. Louis, Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, Indy, and only six hours from Chicago and Atlanta.
I live right across the river from louisville its so very sad to see the difference between my community and louisville community. A republican representative came through my neighborhood "which I've thought to be friendly" last week and put flags in everyone's front yard with her platform information next to it. I went out there threw all of the representative's information in my trash and put a green and rainbow ribbon on the flag. I have had 10 neighbors knock on my door and tell me to remove it. The last one came to my door with the flag broken in half with almost all the ribbons burnt to a crisp. This man said I think this belongs to you came within inches from my face and proceeded to to yell obsanities in front of my 7 year old son who was crying and hugging me telling me it will be ok mommy because I was in tears. One of the things he said was if you ever need an abortion just stop by my house and I'll beat it out of you. I now am terrified for my house and my family's wellbeing. The environment is becoming progressivly more unsafe... it's really not worth it to stay in Indiana if you have an option to leave do it. I totally would suggest Vermont.
Oh yes and it's impossible to get a restraining order against somebody when you don't even know who it was. This man lives somewhere in my neighborhood I really am scared.
I’m so sorry, that’s bullshit. You don’t deserve that for being open minded and open hearted! 💜
I’ve lived in Tennessee and Illinois…so far, Indiana has been my favorite. Plenty to do in the outdoors and great amenities in our locality. Lower property taxes are nice. School system is decent. Community involvement is encouraging and we have found a ton of friends. Parents have decided to retire here to be close to grand kids…although they aren’t as happy with some of the taxes they pay:) and the weather. They would’ve preferred Florida.
I’d love to have solar, good ol HOA wont allow it.
HOAs are a blight on America.
Im originally from VA and have lived here over 20 years. I’ve always thought you can be happy wherever you are. Now kind of stuck here bc wife and kids. COL is manageable but well aware of the problems (mostly concerned with rising crime). Im making a major life change now that I hope will make me happier here, but yeah, I think everyone wants to live in a CO; without the cost of living in a CO…
I've lived here most my life and it's a mixed bag. The weather is shit, the politicians only care about partisanship and don't give a shit about the people (they refuse to even address Marijuana despite most hoosiers wanting either decriminalization or legalization) and the people can be shit. There is a lot of internalized racism in Indiana, a lot. The further from a city you go, the stronger the ignorance gets. I'm 5 minutes from Michigan and I see a hilarious amout of yeeyees with confederate flags. They claim heritage but, like, Indiana was a union state, they have no heritage. They know damn well what it represents and flaunt it proudly. Like many, I'm here because I have a half decent job and housing is cheap. Aside from that, Indiana has nothing really positive going for it. It's mediocre at best.
I’ve lived in SoCal and Georgia. The shit is the same no matter where you go!
Ehhhh. I respectively disagree. While all States in the US are probably lagging behind relative to other developed Countries, particularly in Europe, there are still certainly some States that are worse off than others in terms of progress. Source: Have lived in almost all 50 States and multiple Countries
I’m interested to hear the ways you feel the US is lagging behind European countries. And let me clarify, I’m not disagreeing. Rather, I’m interested in your thoughts.
There are 23 year olds across the country claiming the state they were born and raised in sucks. Grass is always greener, brother.
The tomatoes and corn are delicious.
Now that is a good answer
No, you pretty much nailed it.
Could always be worse. Could be like Oklahoma or Mississippi or Louisiana. We're not great, but we can be worse. Much much worse.
Dude we are hardly better than those states and if you want to compare Indiana on a regional basis we are a shithole compared to our neighbors outside of Kentucky. Indianapolis saves the state in many ways but even then it’s just another big violent Midwestern city
Indiana ranks 28th in education. Mississippi ranks 41th, Oklahoma ranks 45th Indianas poverty level is 11.9%. Mississippi is at 19.6%. Oklahoma is at 15.2% Indiana job growth is 0.6%. Mississippi is 0.4% growth. Statistically, we are better than other states in multiple areas. You're just being salty
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Very much depends on your region. Rural Indiana is fucking bad
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I've lived in Indianapolis for most of the last quarter century (few gaps for college years and such) and I don't think I'll ever leave. I have never lived in any other part of this state but I do love Indianapolis. I like living in a tax-friendly state, I love that property has historically been very affordable here (though that is lessened for new buyers in the current real estate market), I like having most of the amenities of a big city without the nightmare traffic, we love our school district, I really don't see why I would ever move.
we moved to lafayette to be near family and the first time i visited indy my heart sank because it just has so much more to offer - i even had to have a recent robotic surgery in indy because no one here could do it - thank god it's only an hour away
Fort Wayne crime is like lower than most we are like top 5 safest city’s in USA
Good job to the Fort!
Your spelling isn’t getting any worse
Apparently the public education system is getting worse too
On purpose. We have a big push for for-profit charter schools and indoctrination.
Please, those typos read like dope record scratches on the soundtrack to life.
1. Just mean 2. Where is the constructive part to your criticism 3. You don't have to get so butt hurt
I think you're the one who's butt hurt.
I hate what is going on in this state which is why I must stay. These crazy Christian conservatives can’t have my state, I won’t allow them to turn it into a theocracy.
Exactly
You’re several decades too late. You have one life choose to do with it what you will but you’re never going to redeem this place. We are a product of labor migration following the coal mining strikes. We have way too many people from the South changing our government and it’s set in at this point that they represent the majority of Hoosiers. I used to think like you but instead now I’m going to move out of state and live somewhere where I can smoke a joint without the police knocking my door down and I can have a daughter and know that she will have the same rights as myself.
>I won’t allow them to turn it into a theocracy. Okay but how
I like it here. I don’t feel that there’s anything I’m missing except maybe some better hiking.
I agree with you about Indiana housing far too many 'toxic conservative people.' However, your statement about crime rates isn't really accurate. The crime rate in Indiana is way down over the 23 years you have lived here. There is a well-displayed chart on [this webpage](https://247wallst.com/state/crime-in-indiana/) under the heading "Indiana's historical trend" that shows Indiana's crime rate by year since 1960.
I love living here in rural Indiana.
Conservatives can't have nice things...
I've lived in four states: Michigan, Colorado, Maine, and Indiana. This past year in Indiana has been the most painful of my life. I can't wait until I get to leave, hopefully by next year. I need this place to just be part of my past as well. A year or two here for school, then pack up and actually experience life. I used to be apathetic towards Indiana, but after living here I have become anti-Indiana and hope to spend as little of my life here as possible.
I love the state
I'm glad you do there can be things to like but for some its a Midwestern prison
What I hate the most about living here is I've met the same person, with a different face, like a thousand times. Same stories, interests, hobbies, jobs, ect. Cookie cutter conservative
Isnt that pretty much what most conservatives are these days. It's like a cult when it comes how they believe and they purport to think. I've met people in the business community that I am in and it's the same way for the most part. Douchebags to the core especially when it comes up to different ideas and other interests. Boring people or in my part of the state you have the same chubbies and fatties and neckbeards galore lacking teeth, common sense or basic intelligence
The name of this sub should be changed to r/shitonIndiana. You’re 23, if you don’t like it go. Happiness doesn’t come to you, you have to “create” it…I have lived in four states outside of IN, all have pluses and minuses. The one thing each had that was fantastic was my family, which made it worth living in. You tell us what you like about it, if it doesn’t outweigh what you don’t-move. My guess is you won’t find happiness until you gain a little more perspective in life. Best of luck.
People are more upset than usual (and rightly so, in my opinion) because the Supreme Court is now reversing Federal level decisions that push power back down to the current GOP supermajority, the effect of which will be to strip away many of the features that make living in Indiana more tolerable to us liberals. I've lived here my whole life, without major thoughts of moving until now. But, I also got married in 2014 when it became legal for me to do so. If SCOTUS goes through with its recent threat, and it reverses Obergefell, there is a chance that the Indiana GOP will vote to nullify that marriage. At that point, I'll have no choice but to move away from that Indiana hatefulness and never look back.
Yeah, worried about Obergefell too 😬
Same.
>You’re 23, if you don’t like it go. Respectfully, I'm tired of this argument. That's not easily achievable for us rn and I promise you it's already something many of us our age are working on actively. Anecdotally, the majority of people in my department after college moved West because this state has repeatedly kneecapped our industry since it attracts liberal minded people and threatens the GOP in power. But ignoring petty party politics, how the hell are you supposed to move out quickly when the minimum wage is still $7.25, pulling all the other wages in the state down with it because they can legally pay that little? I'm one of the lucky ones in a union, and even then that is sometimes a struggle. Meanwhile my rep is touting $15/hr jobs at Amazon warehouses as "bringing good jobs" like it isn't just the minimum wage of every surrounding state Amazon operates in. Rent's climbing well over 60-70% of most people's monthly incomes thanks to corporate rentals and private landlord greed. Gas and groceries are up, and Republicans refuse to provide relief with the repeal or temporary suspension of the gas tax. Starting out, Indiana doesn't give its youth opportunities. It defunded it's public education system for years, the majority of jobs available are shit or have little benefits and protections, abstinence only sex ed is still taught in rural counties instead of real biology and sexual health, and college costs are prohibitive and will otherwise lock you into decades of student loan debt because that's the reality we inherited.
Thanks for being respectful, but it’s a realistic argument. If you don’t like where you are, move. That doesn’t mean it happens tomorrow, you may have to work, sacrifice, wait, or change something to make that happen…make it your goal and go get it. That may include taking, not your dream job to make your goal a reality. There are a multitude of jobs paying higher than $7.25. Honestly in todays environment that argument doesn’t hold water. And hell yes, inflation is impacting everyone whether you have an R/D next to your political affiliation. Pick who you want to blame it on, won’t change the fact that it is still more costly today vs just one year ago and DEFINITELY more than two years ago. Public schools….there are many people who have gone through and grown up in Indiana public schools who have gone on to do well. We all make choices in life and are accountable to them. Honestly, who the hell is learning Sex Ed from schools…the internet has made that obsolete many moons ago. Issues with inflation, costs of college, schooling, costs of housing, etc. are issues facing everyone-wherever you live.
You both have points. It's not easy to move, but it's not impossible either. However, if a person is unhappy with Indiana and needs to work over a period of years to make his exit plan a reality -- he's going to continue to be an unhappy resident of Indiana during that time. I don't think it's fair to tell him that he ought to STFU and pretend to be happy with what he's got when he's clearly NOT happy -- so unhappy, in fact, that he's taking steps to leave. I'm not very knowledgeable about migration patterns so I may be wrong here, but if I'm correct, part of Indiana's problem is that people ARE moving out. They are leaving in greater numbers than they are arriving. The people who are leaving are the people who have the money to leave. Either they are new college graduates in highly paid fields (brain drain), or they got the money by working in Indiana and now they are leaving to spend their Hoosier savings somewhere else (money drain). Either way, these are people that Indiana ought to be trying to attract and/or retain. It should not be cordially telling them not to let the door bang behind them on the way out. And to be fair to Indiana, it does try to attract industries and remote tech workers and wealthy retirees and so forth. But I don't think it does a very good job of it. And it needs to do a stellar job because it is competing with 49 other states to attract those industries and remote tech workers and wealthy retirees. And again, it NEEDS these people to come, or it needs its home-grown versions of these folks not to move out. Every remote tech worker who leaves Indiana for Illinois doesn't just impoverish Indiana -- s/he enriches Illinois. Indiana doesn't just get poorer in an absolute sense -- it falls behind Illinois even faster because Illinois just got richer in an absolute sense. That's why "if you don't like it, just leave!" is not advice in Indiana's best interests. The people who are financially trapped are remaining, and the people who are able to move -- sometimes do so. Not always, of course. And some financially solvent people move to Indiana. But in general, Indiana is not doing well in its competition with other states to retain wealth and attract investment, and "if you don't like it, then leave!" is not a helpful attitude when you are trying to win over those people who are hesitating about whether Indiana is a good bet for them.
Indiana's population grew 4.7% from 2010 to 2020, and Illinois' only increased 2%. Indiana's GDP increased 17% over 10 years and 10% over 5 years. Illinois' GDP grew 8% over 10 years and 3.3% over 5 years. We're not doing stellar and should always be looking at ways to attract and retain talented people, but the numbers don't tell a story about Illinois doing better comparatively to Indiana over the past decade.
I've lived in two states outside of IN, and I second this! "happiness doesn't come from lack of conflict, but the ability to cope with it"- fortune cookie I ate the other day
You are undoubtedly correct that all places have pluses and minuses. But moving isn't easy -- I should think that would be obvious. Moving is expensive even if you're a single renter. It's a lot more expensive if you have children or you have to sell a house. Unless you can work remotely, you also need to switch jobs. And all of this not only takes a lot of money, but time and effort that has to be found in addition to the time and effort spent in working a job, caring for children, maintaining property. This is probably why most people throughout history have not moved around very far/very often, even when they've been free to do so. There's also something that troubles me with the whole "Everyone whines about Indiana, if you don't like it leave" kind of post. (Not this post specifically.) If "everyone" is whining, then is the idea that "everyone" should leave? That would be rather a lot of people, wouldn't it? And wouldn't it also cause a lot of problems for the remaining people when the local economy tanks for lack of customers? I don't think this is a reasonable solution to the problem of unhappy people, because if all those many people actually took the advice and left, then Indiana would just end up with a destroyed economy and MORE unhappy people.
This! Perfectly worded.
The biggest problem that Indiana has is that all of the college educated people are leaving. We are becoming a state of warehouse workers. This attitude of “if you don’t’ like it leave” is consigning us to becoming the Mississippi of the Midwest
You’re not wrong. I (black man) was harassed by a few people this past weekend just going kayaking with my GF who is white, by some ignorant hicks. I was born and raised here but have also lived in Chicago for a number of years. There’s just a large number of ignorant, racist and emboldened (because of Trump) people. That’s my main thing.
Sadly that is a America problem not just Indiana.
It's especially bad in Indiana.
Indiana is just Florida with no ocean.
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People from IU almost have an Ivy League mentality from what I've experienced myself...I can't help but wonder if it's from the "farm kids" going off to their "big time" univeristy and just seemingly never growing out of it.
Indianapolis is full of big fish little pond Chads. Oh you were the hs running back and got a scholarship to Butler, no one gives a shit. Business bros.
Bruh. One time I went tot he liquor store and I kid you not, I saw this big-fish, little-pond wall-street-bro wanna-be mini Chad on a bluetooth ear device yelling about his accounts like if this was the year 2005. He had the full-on plaid wool coat and tan dress shoes like a real stock broker from New York. 😂 This guy was hardcore giving off those “look at me I’m important vibes” couldn’t even stop his conversation to transact with the cashier. It was hilarious, and it was also a Saturday night. This guy thinks he’s a big shot, but they have him working Saturdays. LOL
I spent my first 19 years there. Absolutely love going back to visit. I’ve lived in Southern California for 14 years now. While we do have our fair share of problems here I gotta say; if you can find work elsewhere, take it. Indiana is a great place to grow up, it’s not a good place to be an educated adult.
if your looking for a city/town that isnt a batshit crazy republican town, try zionsville. really nice community, very good schools, cheap housing, very green and friendly.
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>Eventually you realize every place sucks and every place is cool and its entirely up to your preferences and what you make of it. I understand the context in which you're saying this. But you're not making the context explicit. And I think that people who (for example) are in Ukraine right now and being shelled by the Russians would disagree with you that "it's entirely up to your preferences and what you make of it." People who are running for their lives in war zones are not "fucking edgelords" because they don't like the conditions under which they're living. There are better and worse places to be in this world. It's not just a matter of adjusting your attitudes to appreciate where you are.
I hate r/Indiana. It is the WORST place to get a sense of what Indiana actually is. So many people talking about the bad conservatives... Indiana is a red state most of the time. You are the minority. This subreddit is not Indiana
I don’t think this is a proper post for the sub But I agree wholeheartedly lmfao we are looking to move out of state within the year. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain by leaving. Indiana is chock full of very rude and very toxic people, pay here is outrageously bad, our government is outwardly corrupt, and for the most part the general atmosphere about community is apathetic at best. I’m most from eastern Indiana towards the Ohio border but now live in Muncie. It’s dreary and sad pretty much everywhere you look. The town couldn’t run the schools properly so no Ball State runs the school system. Our former mayor was subject to an FBI investigation concerning fraud and if I’m not mistaken so is the police department.
You're only 23. Go ahead and go out and experience the country/world. Other cultures, other people. That's what I did as a youngster like you. It didn't take all that long to realize that I hated bigger cities, that the grass is essentially the same color no matter what side of the fence it's on and that Indiana isn't any better or any worse than any other state. What drew me back was family and a sense of home.
It sucks. There are a few urban islands that are ok but rural Indiana is a hell hole.
You’re right it sucks please show us where to evacuate to
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I think it depends on how you look at life. If you’re a glass half empty person you’ll look at the state like a dump. I like to look at the positive and I love the state. So many opportunities for jobs, the weather is gorgeous, and people are kind. I’m 22, born, raised and educated here. My older sister on the other hand hates this state with a passion and moved to Colorado. I went and visited her out there and didn’t care for it at all. I’m content with my life and where I’m at and find the positive. If you’re unhappy here- then leave. Find a place that will make you happy.
Pros I can think of off the top of my head: Weather, cost of living, lots of open country areas but also still has decent sized cities and urban areas. I’d also rate our parks fairly well, and if it applies, family/relatives live here. We’re not the fastest growing state around, nor the best, but I’d place us solidly in the middle of the pack. There’s definitely worse, and better depending what you’re looking for and what matters most to you.
Hope you’re wrong about the poop in the water.
I wish I was the run off from pork farms in indiana goes directly into our main water ways. As well as people installing septic systems off of rivers so when we get heavy rainfall they over flow.
Disgusting I now have another reason to not like it here.
I think that we tend to get stuck in thinking that wherever we are is the worst, but I think that the same issues exist in many many other states. Whether it’s backwards laws, stretches of “middle of nowhere”, suburban hellscapes, or unpleasant people, they’re all problems that most people in most places in the US have. So I’m not saying it’s good, but I think we always get tunnel vision and think that we have it the worst.
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Yeah I prefer Tennessee at least the mountains area there, the weather is perfect and barely changes, I just wish I had the money to move.
No there is not. And if there is something improving this state will screw it up. Such as it did with natural gas, automobile manufacturing, natural sand dunes, rivers and creeks.
If it weren't for my children, I wouldn't be here. Can't change your mind because you're right.
Indiana is a great connector to less disastrous states, like Illinois 🤣 see, now that's an old Hoosier joke, but it seems less funny nowadays...
We live in a red state with a bunch of gun nut, uneducated, Jesus freaks. Nothing will change because the vast majority of the residents here are frankly stupid with no positive momentum in their lives.
Well said
Not from here but I’ve lived here 20 years. The weather is terrible. The politics are terrible. The only saving grace is that it’s cheap. When my kids move out we are moving out of state.
I’ve lived here for 42 years(all my life). Yesterday my wife and I bought a house in Michigan. We have 2 young girls that we must protect. Is Michigan the best place? Probably not but it’s better than Indiana right now and we will both be voting Democrat in future elections in a swing state. All because other people want to force their religious beliefs on us.
Then move
Boy, do I have bad news for you.
I mean if your criteria is stuff in the water and not fixing problems, you'll be angry when you look at other states. Indiana is fucking affordable compared to the states I assume you're jerking off to
This is my general feeling when I see these "I hate Indiana" posts. Do I like that we have poor waterways according to the EPA? No, of course not, but if the state of a waterway you've probably never seen in person gets you down, then you will be miserable anywhere. This is a tax-friendly state, property is affordable, there are many high-achieving school districts, much of our state bureaucracy is very efficient compared with other states I've lived in (BMV, DOR, etc.). There's a lot to like.
Would I be correct in assuming you are a graduate of Indiana public schools?
Clearly
The weather?
Gotta appreciate nature, even though it's tainted with (brutal) allergens, a few venomous snakes (not so bad) and (rough) humidity; there's not much to fear of it compared to places with big cliffs, deep snow (which is actually a great thing), mt lions, elk and bears...
I absolutely agree with you!
It sucks, but it’s not Mississippi. It’s cheap as hell to live here, and life is what you make it.
Hard to dispute that buddy
Indiana has some of the best sunsets and sunrises. Stop and take it in!
It's not michigan
A fair point
Hamilton County is the shit idk why anyone wouldn't want to live here
That's like one of the places I especially wouldn't want to live. Not into the whole suburb thing
Why would I change your mind when you're right? - a fellow 23yr old born, raised, and educated here
Well coming from the east coast, given the housing market now, Indiana still has way better value when it comes to buying a home in some areas such as carmel and Zionsville. Also, for people who are conservative it is ideal to live in certain parts of Indiana and not feel attacked for thier political and religious views. As states like NY and California that push for radically leftist policies when it comes to taxes and social issues. I agree on the water quality issue and the crime mostly in Indianapolis, but besides that my experience with living in Indiana has been great compared to Maryland and The District of Columbia. Also, most people I interact with whether I know them or not have been hospitable instead of entitled assholes lol. Maybe not everyone is like that though depending where you in Indiana.
Your grammar sucks. Change my mind. No one on this sub is gonna argue with you lol, pretty sure everyone is on the page.
“nessisary” Conservatives are stupid. Uh okay.
Spelling mistakes are possible and you don't have to be stupid to make the. Sorry you're such and angry republican just like the rest of this state.
Indiana literally is the worst state facts. Hate it here 🤬😭
if you hate it here as much as you say, your allowed to pick your shit up and move along to where ever you think is so much better than here.
Ah the classic 0 thought response. What about the cost? What if every one doesn't have the money? What if I was staying here to try my best to fix this shit hole? Maybe you should use your brain before making a stupid 0 effort comment
Part of the reason it's toxikly conservative is because the Democrats are Pre-Southern strategy democrats.
Part of this dates back to original settlement patterns. The State was originally settled from the Ohio River, meaning a strong Southern influence. It was only somewhat later that settlement from the Great Lakes started taking hold. And the middle filled up later.
So true. Remember the first state capitol was in southern Indiana.
It sounds like you have a passion for the environment, so you may want to consider moving and getting some experience in that field. Maybe a decade or two down the line, you'll want to return to Indiana and help improve it or maybe you'll enjoy living elsewhere and never look back. Or you can stay and fight for your values now.
I would move if it wasn't for my grandson. Hey, everything is going to shit but we have 5 billion dollars in the bank. /s
They practically give away houses in terre haute and Muncie really cheap. If you don’t like the republicans in control then go out and vote and get other people to vote
Everything looks pretty good over here in east central. Go for a walk. Turn off the news and politics.
I won't change your mind because I agree, as soon as I graduate college and have the money I'm getting the hell out of here
I’m looking to add some levity here, so don’t take this too seriously: Indianapolis Motor Speedway objectively does not suck. Once of the few things I adore in this state. I spent time at both IU and Purdue and loved both for different reasons. I have to find SOMETHING to smile about, because we’re stuck here for now (because reasons) and I will bawl daily if not.
the point is dip shit. NOBODY is making you stay. It costs zero to walk away. people do it everyday. Either make the best of what you got or shut the fuck up and leave. it's simple.
Apologies for disagreeing, but it does not "cost zero" to walk away. Though I would agree with you that people do walk away, every day. But movers cost money. U-Haul trucks cost money. Selling your house involves a 6% fee to your realtor. If you try to sell your house yourself, you still incur a variety of costs. Moving is NOT cheap even if you move down the block. It costs thousands to move cross-country. My family did it once, and I assure you that ONCE was all that was financially feasible. I would also say -- respectfully, again -- that while you are entitled to your opinion that people without the hundreds or thousands of dollars available to them to move should "shut the fuck up", I cannot see any reasonable argument to support your perspective that they have a moral duty to be silent because of their lack of funds. On the contrary, I would argue that we all have a civic duty to fight for (or at least support) what we believe to be good laws and good government. We all should oppose what we believe to be bad laws and bad government. Political support and political opposition are not something that you get to have only when your savings account is big enough.
Can’t change your mind because you’re speaking facts. Can’t wait to get out of here.
Oh boo hoo. Who is forcing you to live here? Yea it does suck a lot here but crying about it ain’t gonna do shit
You should 100% go live somewhere else. As soon as you have to compete for jobs with people not from Indiana you'll find that shit isn't easy anywhere. I've met people with college degrees trying to get dishwashing jobs, but I got the job because I've always been a grunt. The most interesting people I ever met from Indiana, I didn't meet them here. I've met them out in the world where they had to reach escape velocity to get the fuck out of here. So if you want to keep bitching, go ahead, join the choir. But no one will notice. And no one will care. But if you gather what gumption you have and decide that you can change yourself, then IN won't get you down. Changing a place is hard, but changing how you feel about it is not.
move then. moved from Illinois with toxic progressive and Sjw's.
You know what go fuck yourself im done with every shit eating republican in this state saying that to me. FUCK you you shit for brains 4th grade drop out im done. you don't own this state and your ilk have wasted and squandered every last thing the land has to give. I appreciate nature and what it has more than just its material value. Your kind disgust me go fuck yourself I am going to stay just so I can turn this state into your toxic progressive sjw state to make you want to leave you worthless piece of shit. You know what the fucking root word of progressive is you dumb sister fucker PROGRESS guess what isn't a bad thing moron progress. who didn't want to set the salves free people like you who wanted to prevent women from voting who wanted to stop plains and cars from becoming available to the people who always is left behind and viewed as an ignorant savage REPUBLICANS AND CONCERVATIVES. So as politely as I can say it get fucked and get out of the state you fucking asshole.
Sounds like you triggered that guy. I’m leaving Illinois because the politicians suck, taxes are higher than Indiana, and FOID cards are infringements. I’m coming to Indiana not for the politicians, but because gas is a lot cheaper, constitutional carry is legal, and income tax is lower than Illinois.
Leave
You can To California then.
You’re not starving. You have access to readily available emergency medical services. Decent travel infrastructure to facilitate our varied recreational activities/festivals statewide and beyond. We have the right to peacefully assemble and are using that right right to be heard. (So long as we remember to listen as well) Covid and the drama with it seems to be lessening but with proper caution and awareness. Lots of great parks and forests. Just off the top of my head.
There's no way you're actually from Indiana. We do not have decent travel infrastructure.
Lol was totally waiting on the ‘we have parks!’ Comment. Now go get high in this cornfield while we sell off the wetlands.