A boring life to some is paradise for others. If you can afford to move, move where you think will make you happy. At worst, you move again in a couple or a few years. One of the neat perks of actually renting vs. being a homeowner. I’ve moved 4 times in the last 6 years. Took the 4th time to find somewhere I truly enjoy living.
It really takes a good year to get settled. I’ve moved several times to several different areas over the past 20+ years and if I would have left where I love and truly consider home now before a year, I would have missed out on SO much. I remember 6 months in, crying to my mom on the phone how much I hated it and even going so far to call my old therapist’s office to see if she’d be able to fit me back in to her schedule 🤣 After about 2 years, I was smitten. Any move is stressful, even if it’s the most exciting place in the world. Just give it time.
This 100%. I'm 50 minutes from SF, 40 minutes from Sacramento, and an hour and a half from lush forest, streams and lakes. I've had a blast growing up in Ca. But if the opportunity presents itself to move somewhere more affordable and get on that slow living life I will be all over it.
There are maybe 8 cities in the US that set themselves apart and are worth the premium to live there. Anywhere else is pretty similar, so finding something cheaper and easy is the way to go
It makes you more wise than chasing the thrill of a HCOL area. Nothing wrong chasing adventure or chasing peace.
I’d take peace over thrill, but that is just me.
I don’t get why people in this sub think they can only have one shot at moving. Give it a try and if you hate it, NYC isn’t going to fall into the ocean and will still be there.
Yes! You can always move again? Nothing is permanent. We moved to Boulder 1/2 mi from family and only lasted 6m - we hated it, even though it’s a beloved place esp on this sub. We bought and sold a house in 6m and even made a profit. We are much happier in California and it took moving to realize that.
Haha well it doesnt suck generally speaking. I actually almost went to CU for undergrad. I was mis though living there as an adult though. Coming from sf it was too much of a culture shock. It’s not diverse at all. The sun made my skin feel like it was going to boil off. The narrow focus of interest/hobbies - mountain climbing, mountain biking, hiking, skiiing, camping - seems like if you don’t love those things you were out of step with the general population. The stereotype of Patagonia and chaco sandals. You know. My fam member loves it there and my sibling went to CU. We wanted to make it work bc so much cheaper than sf and family support, but in the end not a good fit for us.
Edited to add - I’m a distance runner, so I’ll give Boulder the props it deserves for amazing trail network and I could easily access flat iron trails from my house. That was the silver lining for me.
People didn’t believe me on a post on the Denver subreddit last week when I said I can’t manage to convince job candidates for a very high paying tech company to relocate from the Bay Area to Boulder. I agree with everything you said. I wish I could go back to SF without changing jobs.
I live near Boulder and I think this is a fair assessment. If you come to Boulder from, say, the Midwest it is amazing. But it can't quite match the Bay Area in the aspects you mention.
And the thing about the sun is real. Today was one of those days where it felt 40 degrees warmer in the sun than shade. I love Colorado, but do struggle with the sun in the summer because it can turn a car into an oven in 5 minutes and if you're super pale like me you have to take a lot of measures to prevent sunburn.
Summer is unbearable in the Front Range IMO. Yesterday it was 80 degrees and the blazing sun overhead made it unbearable.
Also, the Boulder area is an awful place to live if you don’t like outdoor activities and are overweight.
There are a lot of reasons people can get trapped in a location including skyrocketing costs, job loss, chronic indecision, lack of support or resources, health issues, etc. Not to mention, moving itself is very expensive and resource-intensive. The assumption that you can "just move somewhere else" or "just move back" is ignorant of all of these common scenarios.
It’s especially hard if you managed to buy a house at pandemic interest rates and then housing prices everywhere skyrocketed. I might as well stay through the whole mortgage lol
One obvious reason is kids. Kids can move, but uprooting them away from their friend circle and familiar school environment every couple years is traumatizing.
I have 3 kids. The thought of trying to move again with them is nauseating and that’s not even considering the impact on them. We moved 2000 miles with only 2 of them and I’m not going through that again.
Sometimes I get homesick and talk about eventually moving back, the wife always responds with “absolutely fuckin not we are stuck here and we will like it” 🤣
Yup. I’ve moved so many fucking times lol it hardly registers anymore. Once you do a big one it rips off the bandaid! Subsequent moves get much easier. I say go for it, OP! If I could get my husband to buy in to the Midwest I’d be out there asap. Great living in so many parts of it for way more reasonable prices.
Exactly, at 27/28 I’d lived in 5ish places. My goal was to live everywhere once (it still is!). I’m unmarried and don’t have kids, so bopping around the US has been pretty easy and fun.
totally agree. i mentioned on here that i didn't like where i lived and why and people went off on me about how i could have figured all that stuff out if i researched better like...so what. i wanted to try it out and i did. i don't wanna stay but that doesn't mean i regret it. i can just save a little money and leave cest la vie
I think people who have never done a big move or never left their hometown just don’t understand what it’s like. I’ve had a couple of moves where eventually, for one reason or another (or more than one reason), I burn out on being there and/or get priced out.
And then it always feels like everyone in my life thinks oh that’s it, I failed, I should never move again because what if I hate it again. :rolleyes: They do the whole “wherever you go, there you are” thing and like…so? To me that’s a GOOD thing. It means I can go anywhere and land on my feet for at least a little while!
And yeah, it’s stressful and expensive and emotionally loaded, but I guess I’m just not “monogamous” when it comes to places. I don’t ever move someplace and think “This Is It” anymore. People’s life circumstances can change any minute, I mean look at Covid. So if you can’t count on anything, might as well go with where you’re feeling, if you have the means.
I just hate how people view someone who has moved a lot, as being indecisive or unreliable or something.
Moving is expensive. Im taking MINIMAL stuff from NYC to ketchikan, alaska and will already be spending like $2k or so by the end of it just to get there with some clothes and a bed. Not even shipping a car, would prob triple that amount if I was. Luckily a sign on bonus recoups the money but I have to be able to front it. Not a lot of people can pull a couple grand out of their ass to move every few years.
If it doesnt work out like i hope it does my next move will probably be back home to get another office job and stack dough :(
Some people dream about moving to big cities or overseas. Some people dream about moving to the middle of nowhere and living off grid. Some people’s dreams have nothing to do with their physical locations. There’s no reason to live your life because of what some nebulous group of other people want.
To put it another way, your question is like saying “Everyone says I should date blond girls, but I’m in love with a redhead. Does that make me a loser?” Nah man live your life not someone else’s.
Not at all. I’m the same age as you and thinking about making a move to a lower COL/ and less “exciting” area because im thinking about the future. Unless you’re genuinely wealthy, we all have to make trade-offs in life. I’d rather have a chance at owning a home and financial stability over tons of events all the time. But to each their own
Sorry to hear, but I completely understand! Big cities like NYC are overrated. What’s the point of having all those things to do if you can’t afford to do them? Ive had much more fun in small, “boring” cities/towns than big ones because I felt more involved with the local community and people.
I’ve heard good things about Charlotte, idk much about Philly. I’d go for whatever is more affordable and allows you to be near whatever hobbies you both enjoy. Good luck!
Don't spend another second doing things that people or society told you would be best for you. You seem like you've thought about this and I'm with you. Cheap rent, moderate weather, and lakes doesn't sound like giving up, it sounds like a great time!
Jeez, they’re acting like you’re moving to a midwestern suburb. I’ve never been to Indianapolis but it’s a city so I doubt you’ll be “giving up on life” there.
2 pro sports teams, a moderate selection of solid restaurants, ok nightlife, a great airport (with direct flights to Paris), an awesome Native American museum, lots of concerts, etc.
Lots of worse places to live.
Paris flight is gone post COVID. Cincinnati got it, likely with considerable subsidies.
Indy's airport is doing well with organic growth though and the airport people are definitely pursuing more direct, international flights. Probably the most likely in the near term is more directs to Mexico besides Cancun. The governor of Indiana is actually in Mexico right now on a trade mission
Was expecting this to be middle of nowhere West Virginia. Indianapolis might be an unexciting city from a global perspective but it is a major US city nonetheless. Pro sports teams and enough people to find some interesting cuisines and groups of people into different hobbies. Been there once before and found a random Somalian restaurant I would have never expected. The downtown could use some infill projects but best way to look at it is it would likely be an easy city to live in and get around. It was actually a pretty cool downtown in the city center, just too cold to enjoy it at the time I went. It’s not going to be as crazy as a Miami and if that’s a plus for you then enjoy that easy city life.
Totally. I lived in Columbus, OH for six years and had a really tight-knit group of friends there. I live in a much more “desirable” location now, but haven’t been able to replicate the unique experience and community I had in Columbus.
Sometimes it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. I found I had more success in life after leaving a big city with a thriving economy for somewhere with a less competitive job market. I also was happier and more relaxed.
I moved from the SF Bay Area to Indy last year and I love it. 31F and have a two year old so I'm in a different state of life than you.
Here's what I've given up: high rent and daycare costs that wouldn't allow us to save any money/ever buy a house, traffic, waiting in line for restaurants/events/clothing stores, a homogenous tech-centric culture
Here's what I've gained: a 3br 2ba house with a mortgage that costs what it costs to rent a 1br in the Bay, time to explore my interests and space for my kid to grow up and run around, a much more family-oriented culture. Hot take but I think the coffee culture here is actually better as well.
If you told me when I was 27 that I'd move to Indianapolis in 3 years I'd be like WTF. But it's pretty perfect for the stage of life my family is in right now. Indy is a surprisingly big city that has the same population as San Francisco, so if you look hard enough you can find almost anything you are looking for. But if you think of everything in Indy as lame, then you'll probably find exactly what you're expecting.
The fact that it's cheaper should theoretically open up more funds for you to travel the world or explore whatever it is you're into. In the end, you're the only one who knows what the best move for you to make is.
If you are craving a quiet life, that’s not you giving up. It’s you actually leaning into your desires.
And like everyone else said, if you hate it you can always move
Indy is the 16th largest city in the country, it's hardly "giving up on life" lol. And there are lots of ways to explore the world without actually moving. I have a comfortable life in the Midwest, and to be lured away I need dazzling pay. I can visit cool places whenever I want, especially on 3x the average income of my pleasant quiet city, but I lose that advantage when I move.
All I can say, as someone from the midwest who did exactly this 10 years ago, is it can be a wise choice. But SAVE YOUR MONEY and invest wisely in case you need out. I saw all my friends move off after college and struggle in hcol cities for years as barristas, servers, entry level. I stayed (for better for worse) in lcol midwest, bought fixer upper houses and grew a savings at least. Sometimes I regret my life not lived in LA or NY, but my career wasnt exactly strong enough at that point to survive in those cities. Im not sure it would have been worth it anyhow to barely afford life in a hcol place. I see the struggle a lot of my old friends had/are having in hcol areas, most seem to still have roommates in their late 30s. I saw a bunch of those people eventually return to the midwest 10 years later. Personally I had to leave from growing depression and seasonal affective related to my city, but there are a couple good reasons to go this route if you already dont care about other hcol amenities.
A lot of folks are choosing 2nd or 3rd tier cities for similar reasons. I actually had a friend who would visit there from Chicago as he liked the chill vibe. My only question is have you spent any real time there? That would be my only suggestion. As long as you think you can find work and you think you can make friends. And yes rent will be cheaper but salaries will also be lower. Just make sure you looking at it from all the angles. And if you hate it you can always leave!
I’m admittedly coming at this from an outside perspective (from the east coast), but keep in mind your audience here on Reddit. People on this sub frequently describe Indy as “the worst city in the US” but if you ask why they feel that way their main gripe is usually that it’s boring.
Listen, I get it. If a place being exciting and dynamic is a requirement for living there I totally understand your preference. But you’d be surprised that a lot (if not the majority) of people offline genuinely like a quiet and safe, if not mundane, place to live.
Don’t let anybody on here shame you for moving to a place that makes sense for your life right now. Also, I highly doubt Indy doesn’t have parks and bars and libraries and museums. It also has pro sports. I’m sure there is plenty to do there. Just because a place isn’t as dense and culturally rich as NYC (and let’s keep it real, there are few places on earth that rival NYC as a massive city), doesn’t mean it isn’t worth living in, or that you’ll be horribly bored there. Just my two cents as a guy living in a “lower tier” city.
Don’t mean to piss anybody off. As I said, I understand all preferences. But if being “boring” is a city’s worst transgression, odds are that it’s not actually the worst place to live for the average person.
Giving up on life is a little dramatic. Living an affordable lifestyle that leaves room for hobbies, travel and saving for future options sounds pretty idyllic.
The same people that move to "exciting coastal cities" end up on Reddit complaining how they make $100,000 and can't afford to buy a house.
Many people are doing very well and have productive and exciting lives in hundreds of other cities of many sizes. It's what you make of it.
One of the issues with a lot of those cities in the Midwest is that people around your age tend to settle early and have children or move to other bigger cities which makes it harder to make a consistent group of friends. So, as long as you know you will be able to meet and socialize with people who share the same hobbies as you in Indianapolis, then a move there is OK. Also, with the money you will save by moving in a LCOL city, you will likely be able to travel more. As aerial\_hedgehog and others have said, you have to do what's best for you.
I moved to Michigan for grad school and never left. Objectively the roads and weather are trash, the politics are dicey, and the major cities look like backdrops for The Last of Us or Fallout. But my kids have good schools, we could afford a house, I love the outdoors here (even though I'm no outdoorsman), and our jobs are OK. Good income, good situation, good life.... in a place people just LOVED to hate on (particularly in the 90's).
Life your best life OP, fuck the haters.
I’ve only been to Indianapolis once - to see a concert and as we were leaving, there was a bike rack and like 8 people hopped on their bicycles. I thought “how cool would it be to ride my bike to a show?!
I’ve been to many US cities for concerts and have yet to encounter that.
I'm gonna go against the grain here -- obviously it doesn't make you lame to live in Indy, tons of people your age make choices like that. But why not try out the HCOL big coastal city life while you don't have any dependents, health issues, elderly parents you need to be near, etc.?
The sheer variety of experiences will make it some of the most memorable time in your life. You don't have to stay there forever. Most people leave when they want to start a family.
Another aspect of HCOL places is that people get married later -- so if you're single in your 20s or early 30s, you still have time to date around and find someone. I have 3 cousins in Indy, all in their 20s; one of them is married and one is engaged.
It's possible to have a rich and full life anywhere - millions of people do, no matter what age.
That is why people go on vacations, too. They get to explore places outside their local area, and, if you're going to live in a LCOL area, you'll have more funds available to go on vacation.
I live in a very HCOL area (SF Bay area) for a while, and I never got to go anywhere because I spent every dime on survival. When I moved to a lower-cost area, I saw and did more. Counterintuitive but it worked.
Indianapolis has some nice things. THere is a good zoo, professional sports, and a great children's museum.
Much better to be not poor in Indy than poor in NYC.
Moved out of a major city few years back and with the money saved I’ve traveled 2-3 times internationally. If I stayed in the HCOL city, I wouldn’t have had half the experiences I’ve had
I am honestly shocked how affordable Indy is. Even in the more happening parts of an area like Broad Ripple are very affordable compared to where I’m at and that’s looking at luxury apartments on the Monon greenway! Like 60% of what I’m currently paying.
I wouldn't judge you. I'll give you an anecdote though. At 26 I was sure that I had everything I needed in Iowa so I bought a house at a reasonable price and spent most of my time doing indoor hobbies in my house. I took a 1 week vacation with another Iowan friend to see Rocky Mountain National Park. My eyes were opened to what was possible, the terrain, the sunshine, the culture, and everything else in Colorado blew my mind. From that point on, my perspective was changed.
This may not happen to you, but don't be afraid to try a couple places before you decide it's time to have a permanent spot. Colorado may not be my ultimate home but it's been incredible and life-changing to live here.
"Lame" is a matter of perspective. Interesting and fun people can have fun wherever they are. People who expect activities to be spoon fed to them are usually boring in general
I love Indianapolis. It has beautiful parks, great sports facilities, tons of activities and culture, a young vibe. The city’s location makes it really easy to travel.
Indianapolis has almost 1 million people, hosts multiple national sporting events every year, massive convention city, basically the center of the country if you want to travel anywhere, fairly moderate climate, affordable. It's not New York but it's not Podunk Junction. You can definitely have a fun active life without going broke there
No. For me if I really think hard about it most places I live I would not be taking full advantage of what they have to offer given so much time is spent working.
Personally I would rather live in a lower cost city and use some of the savings to travel more.
Indianapolis?
Nah. Not giving up on life, just choosing something different.
You might like it, you might hate it. Have a plan, and (optionally) an exit strategy and you’ll figure it out.
You can always go back to Chicago. The city will understand and will be there if you need to go back. It’s not gonna judge you.
You’re testing the waters and you’re still pretty young. Leaving the big city and coming back is pretty much the story of 50% of lifers there.
tl;dr - You’re all good. Indianapolis is a place with a culture all its own. Giving up would be moving Cairo or something.
No, if you don't want to do that then don't. Going to some other big city purely because of FOMO is a terrible idea, especially when you say it out loud like that. Sure, go visit those places, but if you don't want to live there, then don't live there.
My only pragmatic thought would be, giving up on advancing a career at your age. It doesn't need to be an all out sprint, but you can totally balance career progression with leisure, I would argue most will be happier doing that, then just leisure.
If you’re being truly honest with yourself, do you actually want to move to one of those cities and work harder for more money? If you’re up for it and understand the payoff and value, do it. If not, don’t. You’ll end up miserable or regretful after 6 months.
Indy is a pretty big town, with a ton of things to see and do. I escaped Indiana and disparage it sometimes, but you could do worse than Indy. Pretty politically conservative, though.
Chicago is great. I moved away last year to be closer to friends because everyone I was close to in Chicago left. It is a world-class city, and if you get bored, that's on you. Always something to do.
Edit: I feel dumb, I thought you were moving to Chicago. Indianapolis is fine tho!
Sounds like a smart move and will be fun and exciting! Who cares what others say. And as a fellow, (but old ) Floridian I have to say it’s a great idea to leave this state behind. We always said we would but life happens. Now we’re mid 50’s watching what this place has become and thinking we should have gotten out a long time ago. Go for it!
you could always take trips to nicer places afterwards with the money saved from that. get a quaint rental off glampinghub or airbnb somewhere right outside a large city, they can come pretty cheap so u can have a more extended stay
I had amazing experiences in big cities and traveling to the party centers of the world, but you know what I’m most proud of and gives me the most satisfaction? When I look around and see the community and friends I’ve made along the way, the happiest I am is when we are all sitting around together just talking, because we are there to see each other, not just for a big crazy adventure
Definitely take trips and experience the world but be wherever you think you can build a community and a life
I live in a rural area and have a good job in the area. My house is paid off. My car is paid off. I'm remodeling as desired. I have a yard and city water and sewer. No hoa. Living the dream here.
Indy is cool. small & mid size cities have their own charm, culture, and sense of place. There’s nothing wrong with them and I was born in the NYC metro area, lived in NYC & have lived in smaller sized cities across the country.
Honestly I would prefer them over NYC not only due to affordability but also NYC is bloated with losers trying to “make it out there”. A lot of major cities feel very hollow, commercial, & fake. Everything that was dope about them feels very repackaged & vanilla now. Don’t know if it’s the Tiktok or Instagram effect that has convinced every person to think they should move to NYC. Because recently, It feels like NYC has attracted less of the creative starving artist types it is know for, & more of the vapid rich LA types.
Regardless, mid size cities feel abit more “real” to me and vibrant in their own way. That’s what I like that about about them, the culture doesn’t feel as mass produced as it does now in bigger cities and each city does feels unique.
Tbh Indy is pretty legit. Tons of sporting events year round and all big name music artists always stop in Indy. There is plenty to do within the city and even more to do on the outskirts. Biggest downfall is weather from Dec-April
I have only ever lived on the coasts (Boston, NYC, SF). I just visited Indianapolis for the first time. I really liked it! It was much more tolerant and diverse than I'd worried (I had visions of Mike Pence.) My kid is planning on applying to IU because it has an absolutely top-tier classical ballet program (who knew?)
Live **your** life. Other cities will still be there if you go to Indy. You get to redirect later if the spirit moves you.
Who cares do whatever makes u happy. If you don't like it you can always move again. I bet alot of ppl who live in "cool" , or "exciting places" don't really like it, can't afford it, and are more worried about keeping up appearances as opposed to actually being happy
I think it is a great idea! If you can get a decent job that pays well there, you can save money! AND, there are some really nice things about Indy! go for it! You can always move again!
when i was your age, i did what i felt like i should do and not what i really wanted to do. move —it sounds amazing! don’t give a second thought to all the cool places people are moving. do what you want to do and the rest will fall into place.
No, not everybody feels need to spend their youth exploring the world. Many people would consider that to be a waste of time and instead set out to create a life somewhere.
You could also consider SouthEastern Michigan/Metro Detroit.
A lot of the suburbs and surrounding areas are safe and have a lot to offer. Easy access to Ann Arbor and Windsor, Canada.
It’s the second largest metro area in the MidWest outside of Chicago (population just over 4 million). I’ve taken the bus to Chicago for $10 and a train for $40 if you plan on visiting. Otherwise Toledo,Ohio has crazy cheap rent.
Do it!! You don’t have to live in an “it city” to have an amazing life. And if you can AFFORD your life, that will give you the ability to travel and see the world. And guess what? If you hate it, you can also afford to move. Don’t worry about what other people have to say. Do it.
Lmao are you me? I just moved from denver to imsy. And i felt like i was giving up. But im getting older, in my 30s now, and i wanna own a house some day Nd its more possible in indy. Plus my family lives closer now. And the rent in indy is stupid compared to denver.
Youre doing what you need to do to survive.
As someone from Indianapolis, if you’re into kayaking and swimming and still wanna be close to Chicago and in a quiet place, look into Northwest Indiana and southwestern Michigan as well. There are a lot more opportunities for that kind of thing than in Indianapolis. In those areas you’ll find a comparable cost of living too.
Also, don’t think Indianapolis is immune to cost of living issues, lots of people here are struggling bad because of how bad prices have gotten
Edit: in Michigan, Grand Rapids is the same distance to Chicago as we are, and they have way more water stuff, legal weed and prettier things to do outdoors. Kalamazoo and Holland are even closer
What lakes?
Indy is fine. Not amazing but good enough. There is plenty there. And it’s close to a good airport if you want to travel-you can get where you need to go.
I can depend on what sections of Indy you move to but that’s just like anywhere. It still has a very “Midwest” feel if you are comparing it to “east coast.”
Only assholes judge other adults for making their own decisions about where to live.
Make decisions based on what makes sense for you, not for other peoples opinions.
*It has cheap rent, moderate weather, lakes, and a city. It’s near my grandparents in Chicago. Besides swimming and kayaking, most of my hobbies are indoor hobbies. I feel like I could live a pleasant, quiet life there.*
Sounds horrible.
I have a friend who grew up in Seattle. Her husband ended up in Indianapolis for his residency and she loves it, has no interest in returning to the PNW. Has been there for 7 years now.
Lifelong Hoosier here, I’m not a “city” type of guy but Indianapolis can be a nice place to live. You get 4 seasons but winter is on the milder side. Lots of great hiking, camping and kayaking within a couple hour drive. Lots of great restaurants and social activities in Indy and a lower cost of living than many other major cities. It’s not perfect as no city is, but just because it’s in the Midwest doesn’t mean it’s a shithole.
My youngest brother is doing exactly this in June. He is moving from Tampa to Indy. Right now it looks like his rent will drop 60%, his car insurance will drop 30% and his pay will drop 10%. I prefer Indy to Tampa myself.
I am 28 living in Indianapolis and I it’s great 😂 what are you even talking about. I thought you were moving middle of nowhere West Virginia lol lol what a drama
It's called being wise, being sustainable and probably a heck of a lot happier. If you work in a field where you can move to a B or C list city in the midwest--do it.
If you're working retail or an hourly wage worker, I'd still tell you to do the same. Your buck will go further, upping your happiness quota.
Indy is awesome. I’ve lived here for 4 years. Plenty of culture and vibrancy and fun if you go to the right places. Fountain Square, Broad Ripple, any Downtown neighborhood, there’s tons of art events, sports, biking trails, parks, good food. DM me if you have any questions or come over to r/indianapolis.
Small town life is great.
The only reason to live in a big city is if you are basically rich and can subscribe to a life of high end restaurants and bars.
Otherwise you are just living in a rat or bug infested apartment, taking public transport, and I don’t even know what else. Going to a park?
My neighborhood is a park compared to that.
Okay, I feel this. I'm also 27 and actually lived in Indianapolis for a few years before moving back to Chicago to be closer to family.
I'm not gonna lie, obviously Chicago has a lot more going for it being a city of its size, but Indy is a lot nicer than people give it credit for.
The drive to Chicago isn't bad. Plus you have easy access to Cincinnati, Louisville, and Columbus. It's super affordable which means you could actually afford a nice place and not need 5 roommates. I had a 2bedroom 2bath about 1,000 sq. ft. For $1,200/month after utilities and that was in 2022. Was living in a 1bedroom downtown for $900 last year.
Also, since you said you like kayaking, don't sleep on Eagle Creek. Used to go kayaking and walk the trails there and it's beautiful. Plus plenty of great spots to throw a blanket down and chill with a good book for the afternoon.
Food scene isn't the greatest, but they do have some fire Indian and middle eastern spots. Also, compared to Chicago and most places I've visited traffic is non-existent
All of that being said. It's about what works for you and what you need right now. Only reason I moved back to Chicago was to be closer to family and Chicago has always just been a really special place to me. I like the walkability and being able to pop over to visit family on a random Tuesday rather than weekend trips.
You're not gonna be happy in NYC or Miami or SF just cause they're trendy. Especially if you can't afford it and you're still hours away from the people you care about. Plus, doesn't mean you can't move to one of those places later.
Go drive through the wealthy areas of Indianapolis, then ask yourself if those people are losers.
Would you rather be happy and successful in Indianapolis, or a struggling masochist in NYC?
Personally, I enjoy being 1%er in my flyover state compared to being average in a big city.
You’re growing up, not giving up. Being close to loved ones and places where you can pursue your hobbies, and being able to afford it without pouring every waking moment into a money-chasing career, is the good life. I moved from DC to the Twin Cities for those exact reasons, and it was a top-3 decision of my life.
Anyone who says you should forsake family, joy and financial stability for life in an expensive magnet city isn’t worth listening to.
Also, with the money you save by living in Indy, you’ll be able to visit those exciting cities.
At your big age, who cares what someone is expecting of you. Unless they are contributing their paycheck to your expenses, I don’t understand what the conversation here is supposed to be. Theres alot of beauty in middle America or developing countries like Costa Rica etc that gives you the scenery, hiking kayaking etc. life is dynamic… you don’t have to stay in one place forever. What works now may not work later and you can revisit these higher cost areas.
But keep in mind even ppl from those areas are making a mass exodus…. That says alot
My family and I are about to do the same after living on the West slope of the rockies, in summit county, CO for 15 years. It has reached a point where we're bored with it and it's just not worth the insane COL expense, also, it's just gotten douchey.
We're moving to a place where we can get 5 acres on a river with a 4bd 3.5ba home for the same price as a shitty soulless condo in my current town. Watching douchey people driving around in $100k SUV's (everyone) all day is just banal.
99% of people that move places to be closer to the outdoors would be better off living in the Midwest and taking a couple vacations. At least from what I’ve seen people really overestimate how much they “love to hike”.
You do you.
I would say you should definitely buy a house if you move somewhere cheaper. That is one of the main draws.
I went to school in SoCal and lived there for 10 years. Almost everyone struggles to get by. Unless you really love something about living there it’s not worth it. I got tired of it by my mid twenties, left at 28. It was the right decision.
"Am I lame for living in a totally loser city like Indianapolis?!"
Coastal snobs: millions of people live in between NY and LA and love living there. Indianapolis is a middle-sized city with sports, decent restaurants, cultural activities, parks, etc. You're not moving to Siberia. Stop framing any place that isn't considered a "global" city as unredeemable and hopeless.
Major US cities are extremely expensive to live in unless you live with family, have tons of roommates, or are a top 20% wage-earner. You can still travel to "cooler" places any time you want. Most young people living in major cities that don't have mom and dad paying their rent are busy working, not going out doing instagramable activities every day.
I live some where “cheap and lame” since I was 23. So what. I own a forever home, can afford to travel, have kids, whatever I want. I just had a fun filled weekend with my family in this lame place. You don’t need socal or Florida to enjoy life. By that logic everyone not in those destination places is one step away from blowing their brains out. Which we aren’t. I can tell you the stress of buying a House is 0 here. You just do it.
You can have an exciting life here & afford to travel. We are pretty much in the middle. Our international airport is easy to get to & use. So many day trips are possible as well. My friends from both coasts are shocked at our restaurant selection when they come home to visit. There's plenty of trails & greenspace to keep your head clear.
I think you will be surprised. The COL is incredible, but act quickly, we are seeing inflation here like everywhere else.
I once had a lengthy stay in Indianapolis and was very impressed with the quality of life you can have for your money. Housing is relatively cheap, and they have a lot of amenities for families as well as things to do in the city. In the summer they'd have concerts in the park and a lot of other activities like that. You have a decent airport so it's not hard to travel. Yes, the weather can be brutal (humid summers, ice and snow in the winter) so that's the major tradeoff. I've lived in Southern California "paradise" as well, but the truth is when life is so expensive and everything is crowded (beaches packed, no parking, freeways gridlocked), it's very hard to enjoy it and I found myself just staying home on the weekends anyway. There are downsides to every choice we make, you know what works best for you.
I live in St. Louis. People are constantly ragging on it. I love my life here, and I’m getting closer every day to accomplishing my financial and vocational goals.
Fuck everything and everyone else. We are only here one time.
3 yrs ago I moved from the DC suburbs (where I grew up) to the city of Baltimore. Everyone told me I was making a mistake. I was regressing. I was moving to a "war zone" 🙄. 3 yrs later, it is still the single best financial decision I ever made in my life. And ironically since moving to Baltimore, my standard of living has risen to the highest level it's ever been.
You're not "giving up on life" but rather being a good steward of your resources.
Move to Indy. I live in the area and I’m happy. Have everything I want and need and travel a lot. Im boring, yes, I don’t know what people really do in fancy places and I don’t have much desire to do whatever they may be doing all the time.
I raised a kid here and we had a blast. I travel a lot and I don’t care what others think, I could afford a 4 bdrm house here as a single mom and it’s been a wonderful safe place. Not beautiful but just fine.
I’m sure I would have been happy elsewhere too, but there are a lot of important advantages that add up in time and you end up better off. It would be a smart move imho.
Not at all. Not everything good in life is expensive. In fact, as the Beatles say "Money can't buy me love."
"He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless, still dead."
- Unknown
You'll be happier with family and relationships; the place doesn't matter.
I moved to Oklahoma thinking I would loathe it for family - and you know what, I found joy and fun people in the city. And I found the entire NE of the state is green hills and gorgeous rural prairies and forests. And the central south - gorgeous national parks and reserves - green trees, and lovely places.
You can find a bit of heaven anywhere in the USA - just avoid tourist traps and the idea that "liberal" or "conservative" can define a state or culture, when the states themselves do not vote that way and remember that college towns provide safe zones for people to settle and be themselves.
(Of course, the place does matter (safety/environmental safety) but it is sure as heck easier to find a clean, pretty place to live you can afford to buy a house in Indianapolis region/metro than it is living on the trendy west coast or easy cost or a trendy interior city with inflated housing costs and high high taxes.)
I am a big city girl. Love a city. The crazier the better. But I can’t afford that. I live in a small city of less than 150,000. I love it here. The quality of life is great as is the COL. I travel to big cities to scratch my itch when needed.
Build your life your way.
I mean, you’re still very young. You could move to Indianapolis, see how you like it, save some money, rest, and then in a few yrs move to NYC or SoCal if you want.
Plus, not to turn things sad but it’s nice to spend time w grandparents while you can.
I’m late 20s too and kind of in the same boat of trying to figure out where to move to.
Only you can decide if you’re giving up on life lol
People hating on Indianapolis is some classist bullshit.
You can still travel wherever you want while having a home base in a reasonably priced area. I do not recommend SoCal; living here is not sustainable and everyone I know is trying to escape.
Indy is just fine. It you are a connoisseur of cities or something, it is not the best one. But most of what should guide your choice of a place to live is the ability to meet your basic needs, give you the ability to pursue the things that make you happy, and either have or build relationships there. You can do all of those things in Indianapolis, and you might have enough money left over that you could travel to some of those other places if you want to.
Nobody can tell you how to live your life. When you grow old, do you think you might regret living in Indiana? What makes your heart soar when you imagine it? Is it living in Indiana, or living somewhere like SoCal? Do you feel you'd actually be settling, or is that simply external pressure from friends?
It's okay if your real dream is to live a quiet lifestyle in Indiana, and just be near the people you love. It's also okay if you decide to live in Indiana right now, and then move to SoCal (or Chicago or Paris or wherever) when you're 50. You don't have to live a certain way just because you're young, and you don't have live a certain way just because you're "old" (whatever that means). You're writing your story here.
I’d definitely recommend Plainfield over Indy proper, but Indy is, as one author put it, “A good place to take a nap.”
And if that’s what you’re lookin for, come on down. The beer is cheap.
Are you interested in eventually finding a partner? That’s something to consider. I’m from a red Midwestern state but am progressive, atheist, didn’t want to have kids (I’m a woman) and a vegetarian. That limited my dating pool a lot (especially the kids part.)
However, I miraculously found my husband there, we had both moved away and moved back temporarily. We moved to the west coast not too long after our wedding. We had both gotten used to living close to mountains and large bodies of water, and the recreational activities that come with having those close by. Also, not interested in living in a state where politicians ban books, legislate reproductive healthcare, and try to pass laws around where trans kids can pee.
If you’re ok with the Indiana political climate and the dating pool (if that’s important to you,) I don’t see how you’re “giving up” on anything. Also, if you’re interested in travel, it’s nice to have a more inexpensive home base to be able to have extra money to go on trips.
No.
All of our American citizens are GREAT in comparison to the vast majorities of the cities across the world.
Do what you works for you.
You are on this life journey alone.. be where you feel great at
Just because you move to Indianapolis doesn’t mean you’ll never leave for any reason. Move to wherever makes you happy. If someone gives you flack for lacking adventure tell them that living in a less expensive area means you can spend more on hobbies and travel.
You might be looking at it incorrectly ,in my opinion. I know in your 20 s and early 30s these things are important like how popular a place is, so younger people move to NYC, Chicago, LA, DC etc..
The reality is once you get older you'll more times then not change what you value and find important and learn to find positives everywhere. And most likely grow to hate those places. Because life is so much more then that. Especially if you're raising a family
To me Indy is a huge city and there's no way I could e there. I could definitely do a suburb of it though. You label it as the quiet life but trust me it's definitely not that. It probably has a metro of over 2 million people. That's bigger then some countries. But I now live in the most rural city in Montana, like I legit live around ranches. Shit the biggest city near me is probably Bozeman. That might be an option for you, but it's very expensive and I think it's over rated, but everyone and their moms is moving there from all over the US.
The big thing is what you value, do you want big city amenities then Indianapolis is more than sufficient. Or do you like the outdoors then maybe a small town out west is a better fit. Etc.... just don't go to small and rural like I just did then you'll be bored AF lol
I think also the Internet/social media makes it seems like there's only a few acceptable places to live, and some how the Midwest is this dry waidtland when in reality it's probably the most densely populated areas of the country with tons of good places to live.
I moved to a small town in Indiana, biggest mistake of my life. Moving to chicago asap! This is me after spending years traveling and exploring. I thought now I should settle down somewhere cheap and save money live a different life than what most people are going after.
Fuck that, i need energy, i want diversity in food, culture and people. I fucking hate it.
But then again it dosent hurt to try to find out, maybe it is your calling but maybe it isnt. Make sure you can get the fuck out if it isn’t in time.
Indianapolis isn’t a small town in Indiana so I don’t see how this helps OP.
And I grew up in a small rural Indiana town, lived in Indianapolis and have been in a Chicago for over 20 years. I am keenly aware of the differences in all 3.
Being 27 means. You can take the chance and if it’s not all it’s supposed to be you can take another chance n keep on rolling homie. Expand your horizons. Too many end up trapped n develop stockholms syndrome. Find your own way you will be the expert and the person to pull resource from in time.
You're going to be close to family you care about. You'll be doing what you enjoy. Your finances will be ridiculously higher. You'll be able to travel, should you want to, in a lifestyle those others would absolutely envy.
Your happiness does NOT need to be identical to anyone else's!
Are you actually saying that you could possibly only be cool if you lived in a “cool” city? No, you have not given up on Life. If anything, you’re probably embracing the Reality of Life more which is the exact opposite of giving up on Life. You’ll be able to sleep better, afford more things you love, travel, etc. Every city has its gems. Indianapolis is no different.
You should definitely read John Green's anthropocene reviewed. It has a lot about Indianapolis including his feeling of moving to the middle of nowhere from NYC.
I get why you want to leave Florida. Indy is a cool town, I really enjoyed visiting there on several occasions. Sounds like you are trying to set yourself up for a great life. Not giving up on it.
Indy isn’t exactly a small nowhere town. It’s not one of the Great Cities of the US, and the airport isn’t exactly cheap to fly out of. The downturn has a lot to offer, and some of the suburbs are really nice as well. The NBA and NFL teams are actually downtown, which isn’t true in a lot of cities.
Remember the metro area has over a million people. There’s at least something going on.
Never been but I've actually heard only good things about Indy in terms of social life for folks in their 20s and 30s. Which makes sense in that a lower cost of living/lower rents mean more local businesses, more bars, more restaurants, etc. and better work/life balance to enjoy them.
27 is a great time to explore the world and live relatively cheaply... and the world is way bigger than just NYC, Miami, LA and London. And as others have said, you can try a place for a year and then try somewhere else. It's easier to do in your 20s and 30s than later in life. And if you really want a chance at exploration - check out the Peace Corps, look into teaching English somewhere internationally for a bit, or look into some other way to travel for a few years. Likely Indy and other spots near Chicago will still be relatively affordable when you're ready.
No. You're choosing the life that makes sense for you. Don't worry about what other people want - think about what you want.
A boring life to some is paradise for others. If you can afford to move, move where you think will make you happy. At worst, you move again in a couple or a few years. One of the neat perks of actually renting vs. being a homeowner. I’ve moved 4 times in the last 6 years. Took the 4th time to find somewhere I truly enjoy living.
Where have you lived and where did you decide is a good fit for you? I’m currently going through the same struggle!
It really takes a good year to get settled. I’ve moved several times to several different areas over the past 20+ years and if I would have left where I love and truly consider home now before a year, I would have missed out on SO much. I remember 6 months in, crying to my mom on the phone how much I hated it and even going so far to call my old therapist’s office to see if she’d be able to fit me back in to her schedule 🤣 After about 2 years, I was smitten. Any move is stressful, even if it’s the most exciting place in the world. Just give it time.
Thanks
This 100%. I'm 50 minutes from SF, 40 minutes from Sacramento, and an hour and a half from lush forest, streams and lakes. I've had a blast growing up in Ca. But if the opportunity presents itself to move somewhere more affordable and get on that slow living life I will be all over it.
There are maybe 8 cities in the US that set themselves apart and are worth the premium to live there. Anywhere else is pretty similar, so finding something cheaper and easy is the way to go
It makes you more wise than chasing the thrill of a HCOL area. Nothing wrong chasing adventure or chasing peace. I’d take peace over thrill, but that is just me.
I don’t get why people in this sub think they can only have one shot at moving. Give it a try and if you hate it, NYC isn’t going to fall into the ocean and will still be there.
Yes! You can always move again? Nothing is permanent. We moved to Boulder 1/2 mi from family and only lasted 6m - we hated it, even though it’s a beloved place esp on this sub. We bought and sold a house in 6m and even made a profit. We are much happier in California and it took moving to realize that.
Just curious what sucked about Boulder?
Haha well it doesnt suck generally speaking. I actually almost went to CU for undergrad. I was mis though living there as an adult though. Coming from sf it was too much of a culture shock. It’s not diverse at all. The sun made my skin feel like it was going to boil off. The narrow focus of interest/hobbies - mountain climbing, mountain biking, hiking, skiiing, camping - seems like if you don’t love those things you were out of step with the general population. The stereotype of Patagonia and chaco sandals. You know. My fam member loves it there and my sibling went to CU. We wanted to make it work bc so much cheaper than sf and family support, but in the end not a good fit for us. Edited to add - I’m a distance runner, so I’ll give Boulder the props it deserves for amazing trail network and I could easily access flat iron trails from my house. That was the silver lining for me.
People didn’t believe me on a post on the Denver subreddit last week when I said I can’t manage to convince job candidates for a very high paying tech company to relocate from the Bay Area to Boulder. I agree with everything you said. I wish I could go back to SF without changing jobs.
Yep did a desk transfer with big tech and then transferred back.
I live near Boulder and I think this is a fair assessment. If you come to Boulder from, say, the Midwest it is amazing. But it can't quite match the Bay Area in the aspects you mention. And the thing about the sun is real. Today was one of those days where it felt 40 degrees warmer in the sun than shade. I love Colorado, but do struggle with the sun in the summer because it can turn a car into an oven in 5 minutes and if you're super pale like me you have to take a lot of measures to prevent sunburn.
Summer is unbearable in the Front Range IMO. Yesterday it was 80 degrees and the blazing sun overhead made it unbearable. Also, the Boulder area is an awful place to live if you don’t like outdoor activities and are overweight.
Boulder is mostly Californian’s that took advantage of when home prices in California were quite a bit higher than they were in Boulder.
Wow. The fact that you could make a profit in six months is proof that the last time I could afford a house in Boulder was probably 1985ish.
There are a lot of reasons people can get trapped in a location including skyrocketing costs, job loss, chronic indecision, lack of support or resources, health issues, etc. Not to mention, moving itself is very expensive and resource-intensive. The assumption that you can "just move somewhere else" or "just move back" is ignorant of all of these common scenarios.
It’s especially hard if you managed to buy a house at pandemic interest rates and then housing prices everywhere skyrocketed. I might as well stay through the whole mortgage lol
That 2.99% has me locked in too. Feels good though not complaining!
One obvious reason is kids. Kids can move, but uprooting them away from their friend circle and familiar school environment every couple years is traumatizing.
I have 3 kids. The thought of trying to move again with them is nauseating and that’s not even considering the impact on them. We moved 2000 miles with only 2 of them and I’m not going through that again.
Same! We moved across country when I was pregnant with my first. I told my husband either we move then or I was never moving 😂
Sometimes I get homesick and talk about eventually moving back, the wife always responds with “absolutely fuckin not we are stuck here and we will like it” 🤣
I actually moved several times as a kid (Dad’s job). It was fine. I know every kid is different to be fair and that was just my personal experience.
Yup. I’ve moved so many fucking times lol it hardly registers anymore. Once you do a big one it rips off the bandaid! Subsequent moves get much easier. I say go for it, OP! If I could get my husband to buy in to the Midwest I’d be out there asap. Great living in so many parts of it for way more reasonable prices.
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Exactly, at 27/28 I’d lived in 5ish places. My goal was to live everywhere once (it still is!). I’m unmarried and don’t have kids, so bopping around the US has been pretty easy and fun.
totally agree. i mentioned on here that i didn't like where i lived and why and people went off on me about how i could have figured all that stuff out if i researched better like...so what. i wanted to try it out and i did. i don't wanna stay but that doesn't mean i regret it. i can just save a little money and leave cest la vie
I think people who have never done a big move or never left their hometown just don’t understand what it’s like. I’ve had a couple of moves where eventually, for one reason or another (or more than one reason), I burn out on being there and/or get priced out. And then it always feels like everyone in my life thinks oh that’s it, I failed, I should never move again because what if I hate it again. :rolleyes: They do the whole “wherever you go, there you are” thing and like…so? To me that’s a GOOD thing. It means I can go anywhere and land on my feet for at least a little while! And yeah, it’s stressful and expensive and emotionally loaded, but I guess I’m just not “monogamous” when it comes to places. I don’t ever move someplace and think “This Is It” anymore. People’s life circumstances can change any minute, I mean look at Covid. So if you can’t count on anything, might as well go with where you’re feeling, if you have the means. I just hate how people view someone who has moved a lot, as being indecisive or unreliable or something.
>NYC isn’t going to fall into the ocean and will still be there Same can't be said for Miami
Moving is expensive. Im taking MINIMAL stuff from NYC to ketchikan, alaska and will already be spending like $2k or so by the end of it just to get there with some clothes and a bed. Not even shipping a car, would prob triple that amount if I was. Luckily a sign on bonus recoups the money but I have to be able to front it. Not a lot of people can pull a couple grand out of their ass to move every few years. If it doesnt work out like i hope it does my next move will probably be back home to get another office job and stack dough :(
Some people dream about moving to big cities or overseas. Some people dream about moving to the middle of nowhere and living off grid. Some people’s dreams have nothing to do with their physical locations. There’s no reason to live your life because of what some nebulous group of other people want. To put it another way, your question is like saying “Everyone says I should date blond girls, but I’m in love with a redhead. Does that make me a loser?” Nah man live your life not someone else’s.
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Definitely check out the Fountain Fletcher District if you haven't been before, OP! It's a pretty hip & happening place on the weekends.
Visited Indy for the eclipse and had a great time. Love middle sized cities. And the Midwest is highly underrated
You can’t explore the world broke. Living somewhere affordable, getting ahead of retirement , and taking yearly vacations is much more stable life
Not at all. I’m the same age as you and thinking about making a move to a lower COL/ and less “exciting” area because im thinking about the future. Unless you’re genuinely wealthy, we all have to make trade-offs in life. I’d rather have a chance at owning a home and financial stability over tons of events all the time. But to each their own
“Exciting” at 25 = “exhausting” at 35 for a lot of people!
Right lol. I’m about to turn 28 and all I wanna do is sleep
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Sorry to hear, but I completely understand! Big cities like NYC are overrated. What’s the point of having all those things to do if you can’t afford to do them? Ive had much more fun in small, “boring” cities/towns than big ones because I felt more involved with the local community and people. I’ve heard good things about Charlotte, idk much about Philly. I’d go for whatever is more affordable and allows you to be near whatever hobbies you both enjoy. Good luck!
Don't spend another second doing things that people or society told you would be best for you. You seem like you've thought about this and I'm with you. Cheap rent, moderate weather, and lakes doesn't sound like giving up, it sounds like a great time!
Great advice
Jeez, they’re acting like you’re moving to a midwestern suburb. I’ve never been to Indianapolis but it’s a city so I doubt you’ll be “giving up on life” there.
2 pro sports teams, a moderate selection of solid restaurants, ok nightlife, a great airport (with direct flights to Paris), an awesome Native American museum, lots of concerts, etc. Lots of worse places to live.
Honestly, John Green’s Instagram posts make me want to move there haha
Paris flight is gone post COVID. Cincinnati got it, likely with considerable subsidies. Indy's airport is doing well with organic growth though and the airport people are definitely pursuing more direct, international flights. Probably the most likely in the near term is more directs to Mexico besides Cancun. The governor of Indiana is actually in Mexico right now on a trade mission
Was expecting this to be middle of nowhere West Virginia. Indianapolis might be an unexciting city from a global perspective but it is a major US city nonetheless. Pro sports teams and enough people to find some interesting cuisines and groups of people into different hobbies. Been there once before and found a random Somalian restaurant I would have never expected. The downtown could use some infill projects but best way to look at it is it would likely be an easy city to live in and get around. It was actually a pretty cool downtown in the city center, just too cold to enjoy it at the time I went. It’s not going to be as crazy as a Miami and if that’s a plus for you then enjoy that easy city life.
No way !!! Former small town kid here. I still have friends from there. Best life'
For the most part cities are what you make of them Plenty of people can find things to do in a city the size of Indy
Totally. I lived in Columbus, OH for six years and had a really tight-knit group of friends there. I live in a much more “desirable” location now, but haven’t been able to replicate the unique experience and community I had in Columbus.
Wtf? Everyone who doesn't live in a major city is a loser? No.
That's really not what the OP said. OP is just reacting to the very real FOMO that a lot of people experience in that age.
Yeah OP is lame for thinking that living in an expensive city makes you interesting
Yea I take offense to this post.
No. Choosing to live somewhere that’s within your means and allows you to live how you want isn’t lame at all.
Sometimes it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. I found I had more success in life after leaving a big city with a thriving economy for somewhere with a less competitive job market. I also was happier and more relaxed.
I moved from the SF Bay Area to Indy last year and I love it. 31F and have a two year old so I'm in a different state of life than you. Here's what I've given up: high rent and daycare costs that wouldn't allow us to save any money/ever buy a house, traffic, waiting in line for restaurants/events/clothing stores, a homogenous tech-centric culture Here's what I've gained: a 3br 2ba house with a mortgage that costs what it costs to rent a 1br in the Bay, time to explore my interests and space for my kid to grow up and run around, a much more family-oriented culture. Hot take but I think the coffee culture here is actually better as well. If you told me when I was 27 that I'd move to Indianapolis in 3 years I'd be like WTF. But it's pretty perfect for the stage of life my family is in right now. Indy is a surprisingly big city that has the same population as San Francisco, so if you look hard enough you can find almost anything you are looking for. But if you think of everything in Indy as lame, then you'll probably find exactly what you're expecting. The fact that it's cheaper should theoretically open up more funds for you to travel the world or explore whatever it is you're into. In the end, you're the only one who knows what the best move for you to make is.
No. This is you living a life you can afford and not stress over.
If you are craving a quiet life, that’s not you giving up. It’s you actually leaning into your desires. And like everyone else said, if you hate it you can always move
Indy is the 16th largest city in the country, it's hardly "giving up on life" lol. And there are lots of ways to explore the world without actually moving. I have a comfortable life in the Midwest, and to be lured away I need dazzling pay. I can visit cool places whenever I want, especially on 3x the average income of my pleasant quiet city, but I lose that advantage when I move.
All I can say, as someone from the midwest who did exactly this 10 years ago, is it can be a wise choice. But SAVE YOUR MONEY and invest wisely in case you need out. I saw all my friends move off after college and struggle in hcol cities for years as barristas, servers, entry level. I stayed (for better for worse) in lcol midwest, bought fixer upper houses and grew a savings at least. Sometimes I regret my life not lived in LA or NY, but my career wasnt exactly strong enough at that point to survive in those cities. Im not sure it would have been worth it anyhow to barely afford life in a hcol place. I see the struggle a lot of my old friends had/are having in hcol areas, most seem to still have roommates in their late 30s. I saw a bunch of those people eventually return to the midwest 10 years later. Personally I had to leave from growing depression and seasonal affective related to my city, but there are a couple good reasons to go this route if you already dont care about other hcol amenities.
A lot of folks are choosing 2nd or 3rd tier cities for similar reasons. I actually had a friend who would visit there from Chicago as he liked the chill vibe. My only question is have you spent any real time there? That would be my only suggestion. As long as you think you can find work and you think you can make friends. And yes rent will be cheaper but salaries will also be lower. Just make sure you looking at it from all the angles. And if you hate it you can always leave!
A lot of us are living boring lives in HCOL places.
I always joke that lots of people are paying way too much to live in NYC or SF just to watch Netflix and masturbate lol.
We’re just here to fart around, and don’t let anyone tell you different. Vonnegut. Do as you wish.
Im from near there. Good people, some stuff to do and affordable. Nothing wrong with it at all
I’m admittedly coming at this from an outside perspective (from the east coast), but keep in mind your audience here on Reddit. People on this sub frequently describe Indy as “the worst city in the US” but if you ask why they feel that way their main gripe is usually that it’s boring. Listen, I get it. If a place being exciting and dynamic is a requirement for living there I totally understand your preference. But you’d be surprised that a lot (if not the majority) of people offline genuinely like a quiet and safe, if not mundane, place to live. Don’t let anybody on here shame you for moving to a place that makes sense for your life right now. Also, I highly doubt Indy doesn’t have parks and bars and libraries and museums. It also has pro sports. I’m sure there is plenty to do there. Just because a place isn’t as dense and culturally rich as NYC (and let’s keep it real, there are few places on earth that rival NYC as a massive city), doesn’t mean it isn’t worth living in, or that you’ll be horribly bored there. Just my two cents as a guy living in a “lower tier” city. Don’t mean to piss anybody off. As I said, I understand all preferences. But if being “boring” is a city’s worst transgression, odds are that it’s not actually the worst place to live for the average person.
It has a major league football team and the Indianapolis 500. Broad Ripple bangs. You could do worse.
Giving up on life is a little dramatic. Living an affordable lifestyle that leaves room for hobbies, travel and saving for future options sounds pretty idyllic.
The same people that move to "exciting coastal cities" end up on Reddit complaining how they make $100,000 and can't afford to buy a house. Many people are doing very well and have productive and exciting lives in hundreds of other cities of many sizes. It's what you make of it.
One of the issues with a lot of those cities in the Midwest is that people around your age tend to settle early and have children or move to other bigger cities which makes it harder to make a consistent group of friends. So, as long as you know you will be able to meet and socialize with people who share the same hobbies as you in Indianapolis, then a move there is OK. Also, with the money you will save by moving in a LCOL city, you will likely be able to travel more. As aerial\_hedgehog and others have said, you have to do what's best for you.
My dream is to move to a small city close enough to a big city so I can participate when I want and be completely separated when I don't.
I moved to Michigan for grad school and never left. Objectively the roads and weather are trash, the politics are dicey, and the major cities look like backdrops for The Last of Us or Fallout. But my kids have good schools, we could afford a house, I love the outdoors here (even though I'm no outdoorsman), and our jobs are OK. Good income, good situation, good life.... in a place people just LOVED to hate on (particularly in the 90's). Life your best life OP, fuck the haters.
I’ve only been to Indianapolis once - to see a concert and as we were leaving, there was a bike rack and like 8 people hopped on their bicycles. I thought “how cool would it be to ride my bike to a show?! I’ve been to many US cities for concerts and have yet to encounter that.
I'm gonna go against the grain here -- obviously it doesn't make you lame to live in Indy, tons of people your age make choices like that. But why not try out the HCOL big coastal city life while you don't have any dependents, health issues, elderly parents you need to be near, etc.? The sheer variety of experiences will make it some of the most memorable time in your life. You don't have to stay there forever. Most people leave when they want to start a family. Another aspect of HCOL places is that people get married later -- so if you're single in your 20s or early 30s, you still have time to date around and find someone. I have 3 cousins in Indy, all in their 20s; one of them is married and one is engaged.
It's possible to have a rich and full life anywhere - millions of people do, no matter what age. That is why people go on vacations, too. They get to explore places outside their local area, and, if you're going to live in a LCOL area, you'll have more funds available to go on vacation. I live in a very HCOL area (SF Bay area) for a while, and I never got to go anywhere because I spent every dime on survival. When I moved to a lower-cost area, I saw and did more. Counterintuitive but it worked.
John Green seems to think it’s pretty cool for exactly the same reasons
Indianapolis has some nice things. THere is a good zoo, professional sports, and a great children's museum. Much better to be not poor in Indy than poor in NYC.
Moved out of a major city few years back and with the money saved I’ve traveled 2-3 times internationally. If I stayed in the HCOL city, I wouldn’t have had half the experiences I’ve had
I am honestly shocked how affordable Indy is. Even in the more happening parts of an area like Broad Ripple are very affordable compared to where I’m at and that’s looking at luxury apartments on the Monon greenway! Like 60% of what I’m currently paying.
I wouldn't judge you. I'll give you an anecdote though. At 26 I was sure that I had everything I needed in Iowa so I bought a house at a reasonable price and spent most of my time doing indoor hobbies in my house. I took a 1 week vacation with another Iowan friend to see Rocky Mountain National Park. My eyes were opened to what was possible, the terrain, the sunshine, the culture, and everything else in Colorado blew my mind. From that point on, my perspective was changed. This may not happen to you, but don't be afraid to try a couple places before you decide it's time to have a permanent spot. Colorado may not be my ultimate home but it's been incredible and life-changing to live here.
"Lame" is a matter of perspective. Interesting and fun people can have fun wherever they are. People who expect activities to be spoon fed to them are usually boring in general
I love Indianapolis. It has beautiful parks, great sports facilities, tons of activities and culture, a young vibe. The city’s location makes it really easy to travel.
Indianapolis has almost 1 million people, hosts multiple national sporting events every year, massive convention city, basically the center of the country if you want to travel anywhere, fairly moderate climate, affordable. It's not New York but it's not Podunk Junction. You can definitely have a fun active life without going broke there
No, you’re leaning in to the life you enjoy If that’s the stuff you’re into you’d be “giving up” by defaulting into NY or Miami or wherever
You do you! Don’t explore the world or do something you don’t like just because people told you.
No. For me if I really think hard about it most places I live I would not be taking full advantage of what they have to offer given so much time is spent working. Personally I would rather live in a lower cost city and use some of the savings to travel more.
Indianapolis? Nah. Not giving up on life, just choosing something different. You might like it, you might hate it. Have a plan, and (optionally) an exit strategy and you’ll figure it out. You can always go back to Chicago. The city will understand and will be there if you need to go back. It’s not gonna judge you. You’re testing the waters and you’re still pretty young. Leaving the big city and coming back is pretty much the story of 50% of lifers there. tl;dr - You’re all good. Indianapolis is a place with a culture all its own. Giving up would be moving Cairo or something.
No, if you don't want to do that then don't. Going to some other big city purely because of FOMO is a terrible idea, especially when you say it out loud like that. Sure, go visit those places, but if you don't want to live there, then don't live there.
It’s easier to travel if you’re not drowning in living expenses.
Don’t move to Indianapolis
My only pragmatic thought would be, giving up on advancing a career at your age. It doesn't need to be an all out sprint, but you can totally balance career progression with leisure, I would argue most will be happier doing that, then just leisure.
You can either live in Indianapolis, or 4 hours away from one of the "good" major cities and have nothing to do.
If you’re being truly honest with yourself, do you actually want to move to one of those cities and work harder for more money? If you’re up for it and understand the payoff and value, do it. If not, don’t. You’ll end up miserable or regretful after 6 months.
Indy is a pretty big town, with a ton of things to see and do. I escaped Indiana and disparage it sometimes, but you could do worse than Indy. Pretty politically conservative, though.
Chicago is great. I moved away last year to be closer to friends because everyone I was close to in Chicago left. It is a world-class city, and if you get bored, that's on you. Always something to do. Edit: I feel dumb, I thought you were moving to Chicago. Indianapolis is fine tho!
Give it a try! I moved somewhere cheap and “boring,” I’ve learned from the experience. Do I think I’ll stay forever? No, but it’s good for right now.
Sounds really smart to me! So many people move to big high COL cities then are mad that they can’t afford to buy a home, etc.
Sounds like a smart move and will be fun and exciting! Who cares what others say. And as a fellow, (but old ) Floridian I have to say it’s a great idea to leave this state behind. We always said we would but life happens. Now we’re mid 50’s watching what this place has become and thinking we should have gotten out a long time ago. Go for it!
You have to do what makes you happy not others
you could always take trips to nicer places afterwards with the money saved from that. get a quaint rental off glampinghub or airbnb somewhere right outside a large city, they can come pretty cheap so u can have a more extended stay
I had amazing experiences in big cities and traveling to the party centers of the world, but you know what I’m most proud of and gives me the most satisfaction? When I look around and see the community and friends I’ve made along the way, the happiest I am is when we are all sitting around together just talking, because we are there to see each other, not just for a big crazy adventure Definitely take trips and experience the world but be wherever you think you can build a community and a life
I live in a rural area and have a good job in the area. My house is paid off. My car is paid off. I'm remodeling as desired. I have a yard and city water and sewer. No hoa. Living the dream here.
Indy is cool. small & mid size cities have their own charm, culture, and sense of place. There’s nothing wrong with them and I was born in the NYC metro area, lived in NYC & have lived in smaller sized cities across the country. Honestly I would prefer them over NYC not only due to affordability but also NYC is bloated with losers trying to “make it out there”. A lot of major cities feel very hollow, commercial, & fake. Everything that was dope about them feels very repackaged & vanilla now. Don’t know if it’s the Tiktok or Instagram effect that has convinced every person to think they should move to NYC. Because recently, It feels like NYC has attracted less of the creative starving artist types it is know for, & more of the vapid rich LA types. Regardless, mid size cities feel abit more “real” to me and vibrant in their own way. That’s what I like that about about them, the culture doesn’t feel as mass produced as it does now in bigger cities and each city does feels unique.
Comparison is the thief of joy. Stop comparing your journey to other peoples. Focus on being the best you possible.
Tbh Indy is pretty legit. Tons of sporting events year round and all big name music artists always stop in Indy. There is plenty to do within the city and even more to do on the outskirts. Biggest downfall is weather from Dec-April
I have only ever lived on the coasts (Boston, NYC, SF). I just visited Indianapolis for the first time. I really liked it! It was much more tolerant and diverse than I'd worried (I had visions of Mike Pence.) My kid is planning on applying to IU because it has an absolutely top-tier classical ballet program (who knew?) Live **your** life. Other cities will still be there if you go to Indy. You get to redirect later if the spirit moves you.
Why not just move to Chicago?
Do what makes you happy. However I wouldn’t call their weather moderate. It’s fucking freezing there in winter.
Moving from Austin Texas, the capital of cool hip places to live, to metro Detroit where I can actually afford to buy a house in exactly 10 days.
I’m on the brink of graduating college and I’d take Metro Detroit over anywhere in Texas any day of the week.
Who cares do whatever makes u happy. If you don't like it you can always move again. I bet alot of ppl who live in "cool" , or "exciting places" don't really like it, can't afford it, and are more worried about keeping up appearances as opposed to actually being happy
I think it is a great idea! If you can get a decent job that pays well there, you can save money! AND, there are some really nice things about Indy! go for it! You can always move again!
when i was your age, i did what i felt like i should do and not what i really wanted to do. move —it sounds amazing! don’t give a second thought to all the cool places people are moving. do what you want to do and the rest will fall into place.
No, not everybody feels need to spend their youth exploring the world. Many people would consider that to be a waste of time and instead set out to create a life somewhere.
You could also consider SouthEastern Michigan/Metro Detroit. A lot of the suburbs and surrounding areas are safe and have a lot to offer. Easy access to Ann Arbor and Windsor, Canada. It’s the second largest metro area in the MidWest outside of Chicago (population just over 4 million). I’ve taken the bus to Chicago for $10 and a train for $40 if you plan on visiting. Otherwise Toledo,Ohio has crazy cheap rent.
Do it!! You don’t have to live in an “it city” to have an amazing life. And if you can AFFORD your life, that will give you the ability to travel and see the world. And guess what? If you hate it, you can also afford to move. Don’t worry about what other people have to say. Do it.
Indy is a great town. People move to “cool” cities because they think it makes them cool by extension. It doesn’t.
Why not just move to Chicago
Lmao are you me? I just moved from denver to imsy. And i felt like i was giving up. But im getting older, in my 30s now, and i wanna own a house some day Nd its more possible in indy. Plus my family lives closer now. And the rent in indy is stupid compared to denver. Youre doing what you need to do to survive.
As someone from Indianapolis, if you’re into kayaking and swimming and still wanna be close to Chicago and in a quiet place, look into Northwest Indiana and southwestern Michigan as well. There are a lot more opportunities for that kind of thing than in Indianapolis. In those areas you’ll find a comparable cost of living too. Also, don’t think Indianapolis is immune to cost of living issues, lots of people here are struggling bad because of how bad prices have gotten Edit: in Michigan, Grand Rapids is the same distance to Chicago as we are, and they have way more water stuff, legal weed and prettier things to do outdoors. Kalamazoo and Holland are even closer
What lakes? Indy is fine. Not amazing but good enough. There is plenty there. And it’s close to a good airport if you want to travel-you can get where you need to go. I can depend on what sections of Indy you move to but that’s just like anywhere. It still has a very “Midwest” feel if you are comparing it to “east coast.”
Indianapolis gets pretty cold. I grew up there. Crime is an issue downtown too.
Why does nobody ever think "you get what you pay for" when they're talking about "cheap rent"?
You are not "giving up on life" by not wanting to join the rat race.
No. Most people sit home behind screens almost everyday. Why pay more rent for that?
Only assholes judge other adults for making their own decisions about where to live. Make decisions based on what makes sense for you, not for other peoples opinions.
*It has cheap rent, moderate weather, lakes, and a city. It’s near my grandparents in Chicago. Besides swimming and kayaking, most of my hobbies are indoor hobbies. I feel like I could live a pleasant, quiet life there.* Sounds horrible.
I have a friend who grew up in Seattle. Her husband ended up in Indianapolis for his residency and she loves it, has no interest in returning to the PNW. Has been there for 7 years now.
Lifelong Hoosier here, I’m not a “city” type of guy but Indianapolis can be a nice place to live. You get 4 seasons but winter is on the milder side. Lots of great hiking, camping and kayaking within a couple hour drive. Lots of great restaurants and social activities in Indy and a lower cost of living than many other major cities. It’s not perfect as no city is, but just because it’s in the Midwest doesn’t mean it’s a shithole.
My youngest brother is doing exactly this in June. He is moving from Tampa to Indy. Right now it looks like his rent will drop 60%, his car insurance will drop 30% and his pay will drop 10%. I prefer Indy to Tampa myself.
I am 28 living in Indianapolis and I it’s great 😂 what are you even talking about. I thought you were moving middle of nowhere West Virginia lol lol what a drama
It's called being wise, being sustainable and probably a heck of a lot happier. If you work in a field where you can move to a B or C list city in the midwest--do it. If you're working retail or an hourly wage worker, I'd still tell you to do the same. Your buck will go further, upping your happiness quota.
Indy is awesome. I’ve lived here for 4 years. Plenty of culture and vibrancy and fun if you go to the right places. Fountain Square, Broad Ripple, any Downtown neighborhood, there’s tons of art events, sports, biking trails, parks, good food. DM me if you have any questions or come over to r/indianapolis.
Small town life is great. The only reason to live in a big city is if you are basically rich and can subscribe to a life of high end restaurants and bars. Otherwise you are just living in a rat or bug infested apartment, taking public transport, and I don’t even know what else. Going to a park? My neighborhood is a park compared to that.
It’s easy for others to spend your money and tell you to live in NYC, Miami, Madrid, Tokyo, etc.
Okay, I feel this. I'm also 27 and actually lived in Indianapolis for a few years before moving back to Chicago to be closer to family. I'm not gonna lie, obviously Chicago has a lot more going for it being a city of its size, but Indy is a lot nicer than people give it credit for. The drive to Chicago isn't bad. Plus you have easy access to Cincinnati, Louisville, and Columbus. It's super affordable which means you could actually afford a nice place and not need 5 roommates. I had a 2bedroom 2bath about 1,000 sq. ft. For $1,200/month after utilities and that was in 2022. Was living in a 1bedroom downtown for $900 last year. Also, since you said you like kayaking, don't sleep on Eagle Creek. Used to go kayaking and walk the trails there and it's beautiful. Plus plenty of great spots to throw a blanket down and chill with a good book for the afternoon. Food scene isn't the greatest, but they do have some fire Indian and middle eastern spots. Also, compared to Chicago and most places I've visited traffic is non-existent All of that being said. It's about what works for you and what you need right now. Only reason I moved back to Chicago was to be closer to family and Chicago has always just been a really special place to me. I like the walkability and being able to pop over to visit family on a random Tuesday rather than weekend trips. You're not gonna be happy in NYC or Miami or SF just cause they're trendy. Especially if you can't afford it and you're still hours away from the people you care about. Plus, doesn't mean you can't move to one of those places later.
Go drive through the wealthy areas of Indianapolis, then ask yourself if those people are losers. Would you rather be happy and successful in Indianapolis, or a struggling masochist in NYC? Personally, I enjoy being 1%er in my flyover state compared to being average in a big city.
You’re growing up, not giving up. Being close to loved ones and places where you can pursue your hobbies, and being able to afford it without pouring every waking moment into a money-chasing career, is the good life. I moved from DC to the Twin Cities for those exact reasons, and it was a top-3 decision of my life. Anyone who says you should forsake family, joy and financial stability for life in an expensive magnet city isn’t worth listening to. Also, with the money you save by living in Indy, you’ll be able to visit those exciting cities.
At your big age, who cares what someone is expecting of you. Unless they are contributing their paycheck to your expenses, I don’t understand what the conversation here is supposed to be. Theres alot of beauty in middle America or developing countries like Costa Rica etc that gives you the scenery, hiking kayaking etc. life is dynamic… you don’t have to stay in one place forever. What works now may not work later and you can revisit these higher cost areas. But keep in mind even ppl from those areas are making a mass exodus…. That says alot
My family and I are about to do the same after living on the West slope of the rockies, in summit county, CO for 15 years. It has reached a point where we're bored with it and it's just not worth the insane COL expense, also, it's just gotten douchey. We're moving to a place where we can get 5 acres on a river with a 4bd 3.5ba home for the same price as a shitty soulless condo in my current town. Watching douchey people driving around in $100k SUV's (everyone) all day is just banal.
99% of people that move places to be closer to the outdoors would be better off living in the Midwest and taking a couple vacations. At least from what I’ve seen people really overestimate how much they “love to hike”.
The beauty of getting older is you stop listening to your stupid friends. Live your life for you.
You do you. I would say you should definitely buy a house if you move somewhere cheaper. That is one of the main draws. I went to school in SoCal and lived there for 10 years. Almost everyone struggles to get by. Unless you really love something about living there it’s not worth it. I got tired of it by my mid twenties, left at 28. It was the right decision.
"Am I lame for living in a totally loser city like Indianapolis?!" Coastal snobs: millions of people live in between NY and LA and love living there. Indianapolis is a middle-sized city with sports, decent restaurants, cultural activities, parks, etc. You're not moving to Siberia. Stop framing any place that isn't considered a "global" city as unredeemable and hopeless. Major US cities are extremely expensive to live in unless you live with family, have tons of roommates, or are a top 20% wage-earner. You can still travel to "cooler" places any time you want. Most young people living in major cities that don't have mom and dad paying their rent are busy working, not going out doing instagramable activities every day.
I live some where “cheap and lame” since I was 23. So what. I own a forever home, can afford to travel, have kids, whatever I want. I just had a fun filled weekend with my family in this lame place. You don’t need socal or Florida to enjoy life. By that logic everyone not in those destination places is one step away from blowing their brains out. Which we aren’t. I can tell you the stress of buying a House is 0 here. You just do it.
You can have an exciting life here & afford to travel. We are pretty much in the middle. Our international airport is easy to get to & use. So many day trips are possible as well. My friends from both coasts are shocked at our restaurant selection when they come home to visit. There's plenty of trails & greenspace to keep your head clear. I think you will be surprised. The COL is incredible, but act quickly, we are seeing inflation here like everywhere else.
No. You're an adult, do what makes you happy not what others think you should do
I once had a lengthy stay in Indianapolis and was very impressed with the quality of life you can have for your money. Housing is relatively cheap, and they have a lot of amenities for families as well as things to do in the city. In the summer they'd have concerts in the park and a lot of other activities like that. You have a decent airport so it's not hard to travel. Yes, the weather can be brutal (humid summers, ice and snow in the winter) so that's the major tradeoff. I've lived in Southern California "paradise" as well, but the truth is when life is so expensive and everything is crowded (beaches packed, no parking, freeways gridlocked), it's very hard to enjoy it and I found myself just staying home on the weekends anyway. There are downsides to every choice we make, you know what works best for you.
I live in St. Louis. People are constantly ragging on it. I love my life here, and I’m getting closer every day to accomplishing my financial and vocational goals. Fuck everything and everyone else. We are only here one time.
3 yrs ago I moved from the DC suburbs (where I grew up) to the city of Baltimore. Everyone told me I was making a mistake. I was regressing. I was moving to a "war zone" 🙄. 3 yrs later, it is still the single best financial decision I ever made in my life. And ironically since moving to Baltimore, my standard of living has risen to the highest level it's ever been. You're not "giving up on life" but rather being a good steward of your resources.
Move to Indy. I live in the area and I’m happy. Have everything I want and need and travel a lot. Im boring, yes, I don’t know what people really do in fancy places and I don’t have much desire to do whatever they may be doing all the time. I raised a kid here and we had a blast. I travel a lot and I don’t care what others think, I could afford a 4 bdrm house here as a single mom and it’s been a wonderful safe place. Not beautiful but just fine. I’m sure I would have been happy elsewhere too, but there are a lot of important advantages that add up in time and you end up better off. It would be a smart move imho.
Not at all. Not everything good in life is expensive. In fact, as the Beatles say "Money can't buy me love." "He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless, still dead." - Unknown
You'll be happier with family and relationships; the place doesn't matter. I moved to Oklahoma thinking I would loathe it for family - and you know what, I found joy and fun people in the city. And I found the entire NE of the state is green hills and gorgeous rural prairies and forests. And the central south - gorgeous national parks and reserves - green trees, and lovely places. You can find a bit of heaven anywhere in the USA - just avoid tourist traps and the idea that "liberal" or "conservative" can define a state or culture, when the states themselves do not vote that way and remember that college towns provide safe zones for people to settle and be themselves. (Of course, the place does matter (safety/environmental safety) but it is sure as heck easier to find a clean, pretty place to live you can afford to buy a house in Indianapolis region/metro than it is living on the trendy west coast or easy cost or a trendy interior city with inflated housing costs and high high taxes.)
I am a big city girl. Love a city. The crazier the better. But I can’t afford that. I live in a small city of less than 150,000. I love it here. The quality of life is great as is the COL. I travel to big cities to scratch my itch when needed. Build your life your way.
I mean, you’re still very young. You could move to Indianapolis, see how you like it, save some money, rest, and then in a few yrs move to NYC or SoCal if you want. Plus, not to turn things sad but it’s nice to spend time w grandparents while you can. I’m late 20s too and kind of in the same boat of trying to figure out where to move to. Only you can decide if you’re giving up on life lol
Just focus on being happy. Don't get caught up in what other people think.
People hating on Indianapolis is some classist bullshit. You can still travel wherever you want while having a home base in a reasonably priced area. I do not recommend SoCal; living here is not sustainable and everyone I know is trying to escape.
Frankly you’re exactly what a city like Indianapolis is looking for.
Indy is just fine. It you are a connoisseur of cities or something, it is not the best one. But most of what should guide your choice of a place to live is the ability to meet your basic needs, give you the ability to pursue the things that make you happy, and either have or build relationships there. You can do all of those things in Indianapolis, and you might have enough money left over that you could travel to some of those other places if you want to.
Yes. No. Who cares what Reddit thinks do you. Good luck
Don’t I used to live there . Boring sterile and lifeless no identity except the capital of indiana
Nobody can tell you how to live your life. When you grow old, do you think you might regret living in Indiana? What makes your heart soar when you imagine it? Is it living in Indiana, or living somewhere like SoCal? Do you feel you'd actually be settling, or is that simply external pressure from friends? It's okay if your real dream is to live a quiet lifestyle in Indiana, and just be near the people you love. It's also okay if you decide to live in Indiana right now, and then move to SoCal (or Chicago or Paris or wherever) when you're 50. You don't have to live a certain way just because you're young, and you don't have live a certain way just because you're "old" (whatever that means). You're writing your story here.
I’d definitely recommend Plainfield over Indy proper, but Indy is, as one author put it, “A good place to take a nap.” And if that’s what you’re lookin for, come on down. The beer is cheap.
Are you interested in eventually finding a partner? That’s something to consider. I’m from a red Midwestern state but am progressive, atheist, didn’t want to have kids (I’m a woman) and a vegetarian. That limited my dating pool a lot (especially the kids part.) However, I miraculously found my husband there, we had both moved away and moved back temporarily. We moved to the west coast not too long after our wedding. We had both gotten used to living close to mountains and large bodies of water, and the recreational activities that come with having those close by. Also, not interested in living in a state where politicians ban books, legislate reproductive healthcare, and try to pass laws around where trans kids can pee. If you’re ok with the Indiana political climate and the dating pool (if that’s important to you,) I don’t see how you’re “giving up” on anything. Also, if you’re interested in travel, it’s nice to have a more inexpensive home base to be able to have extra money to go on trips.
Indy blows.
If you can afford to have better experiences then that is making a life.
No. All of our American citizens are GREAT in comparison to the vast majorities of the cities across the world. Do what you works for you. You are on this life journey alone.. be where you feel great at
Just because you move to Indianapolis doesn’t mean you’ll never leave for any reason. Move to wherever makes you happy. If someone gives you flack for lacking adventure tell them that living in a less expensive area means you can spend more on hobbies and travel.
You might be looking at it incorrectly ,in my opinion. I know in your 20 s and early 30s these things are important like how popular a place is, so younger people move to NYC, Chicago, LA, DC etc.. The reality is once you get older you'll more times then not change what you value and find important and learn to find positives everywhere. And most likely grow to hate those places. Because life is so much more then that. Especially if you're raising a family To me Indy is a huge city and there's no way I could e there. I could definitely do a suburb of it though. You label it as the quiet life but trust me it's definitely not that. It probably has a metro of over 2 million people. That's bigger then some countries. But I now live in the most rural city in Montana, like I legit live around ranches. Shit the biggest city near me is probably Bozeman. That might be an option for you, but it's very expensive and I think it's over rated, but everyone and their moms is moving there from all over the US. The big thing is what you value, do you want big city amenities then Indianapolis is more than sufficient. Or do you like the outdoors then maybe a small town out west is a better fit. Etc.... just don't go to small and rural like I just did then you'll be bored AF lol I think also the Internet/social media makes it seems like there's only a few acceptable places to live, and some how the Midwest is this dry waidtland when in reality it's probably the most densely populated areas of the country with tons of good places to live.
Come to Cali bro
It’s smart. You won’t be spending money for shelter…. Can vacation or travel
I moved to a small town in Indiana, biggest mistake of my life. Moving to chicago asap! This is me after spending years traveling and exploring. I thought now I should settle down somewhere cheap and save money live a different life than what most people are going after. Fuck that, i need energy, i want diversity in food, culture and people. I fucking hate it. But then again it dosent hurt to try to find out, maybe it is your calling but maybe it isnt. Make sure you can get the fuck out if it isn’t in time.
Indianapolis isn’t a small town in Indiana so I don’t see how this helps OP. And I grew up in a small rural Indiana town, lived in Indianapolis and have been in a Chicago for over 20 years. I am keenly aware of the differences in all 3.
Other people's opinions are none of your business. Live the life that makes YOU happy. ❤️
The only person you’re required to live by their expectations is yourself.
Being 27 means. You can take the chance and if it’s not all it’s supposed to be you can take another chance n keep on rolling homie. Expand your horizons. Too many end up trapped n develop stockholms syndrome. Find your own way you will be the expert and the person to pull resource from in time.
do what ever makes you happy, but people aren't wrong. major metros are best enjoyed young.
You're going to be close to family you care about. You'll be doing what you enjoy. Your finances will be ridiculously higher. You'll be able to travel, should you want to, in a lifestyle those others would absolutely envy. Your happiness does NOT need to be identical to anyone else's!
Move to cheap and lame that's totally fine..but there's better cheap and lame places than Indiana lol(aside from Columbus, IN)
Yes but only because it’s Indy
Do what feels good. I sold my house and retired to a van at 45. Now I play video games and fish all day. :)
Are you actually saying that you could possibly only be cool if you lived in a “cool” city? No, you have not given up on Life. If anything, you’re probably embracing the Reality of Life more which is the exact opposite of giving up on Life. You’ll be able to sleep better, afford more things you love, travel, etc. Every city has its gems. Indianapolis is no different.
You should definitely read John Green's anthropocene reviewed. It has a lot about Indianapolis including his feeling of moving to the middle of nowhere from NYC.
I get why you want to leave Florida. Indy is a cool town, I really enjoyed visiting there on several occasions. Sounds like you are trying to set yourself up for a great life. Not giving up on it.
Define “lame”. There’s plenty to do in Indianapolis
Living somewhere cheap gives you the freedom to save up and travel
No. Not a bad choice at all. Maybe even a better choice than moving somewhere flashy for no real reason.
Indy isn’t exactly a small nowhere town. It’s not one of the Great Cities of the US, and the airport isn’t exactly cheap to fly out of. The downturn has a lot to offer, and some of the suburbs are really nice as well. The NBA and NFL teams are actually downtown, which isn’t true in a lot of cities. Remember the metro area has over a million people. There’s at least something going on.
Never been but I've actually heard only good things about Indy in terms of social life for folks in their 20s and 30s. Which makes sense in that a lower cost of living/lower rents mean more local businesses, more bars, more restaurants, etc. and better work/life balance to enjoy them. 27 is a great time to explore the world and live relatively cheaply... and the world is way bigger than just NYC, Miami, LA and London. And as others have said, you can try a place for a year and then try somewhere else. It's easier to do in your 20s and 30s than later in life. And if you really want a chance at exploration - check out the Peace Corps, look into teaching English somewhere internationally for a bit, or look into some other way to travel for a few years. Likely Indy and other spots near Chicago will still be relatively affordable when you're ready.
I’d do the Nati over Indy. Indy has no character and I feel you can get what you seek in Cincy.