Overview
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Indianapolis, IN is the capitol of Indiana. It's the largest city in the state and the 14th largest city in United States. About 798,000 people live in the city limits. Over a million live in the entire metro area. The median income is about $45,000 and the estimated median value of homes in 2007 was $122,800. The demographics are 67% white, 25% black, 2% Hispanic, and other groups under 1%. The White River and Fall Creek are two natural waterways that dissect the city. Miami and Delaware Indians lived here before European settlers came in the 1820's. The city experienced tremendous growth with the railroad in the 1880s. Indianapolis also became a major player in auto manufacturing. Factory and manufacturing jobs have diminished over the years and thus Indianapolis has had to diversify its economy. Now healthcare, education, and finance are large employment sectors.
In the 1950s, people began to move out to the suburbs and race relations deteriorated. However, after the death of Martin Luther King Jr., Indianapolis was one of the few cities that did not experience rioting. Robert F. Kennedy was in town the night his death hit the news. And his influence eased tensions. Nevertheless, urban decay continued in the 1970s and 80s until revitalization efforts in the 1990s.
As far as climate, you'll experience 4 distinct seasons. However, the winter is not nearly as brutal as Chicago or Detroit. Politically, Indianapolis has been conservative. But things changed with John Kerry and Barack Obama. Democrats have made significant gains and the city's support of Obama turned the state blue in 2008.
Indianapolis has numerous conventions and festivals including Tennis Championship, Black Expo, Star Wars Fans, Midwest Music Summit, Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, Indiana State Fair, Drum Core International, and Heartland Film Festival to name a few.
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Indianapolis is a city that is growing culturally and economically. It doesn't cost you an arm and leg to rent or buy a home. There are numerous educational opportunities. There's traffic, but nothing like Atlanta, L.A., or New York. The public supports culture and fine arts although on a smaller scale. Crime is a problem in certain neighborhoods and thus affects the overall crime rate. But there are many areas that experience very little crime. It's a clean city and well organized. They have a public bus system that works well. But there's not public rail system. Education levels are good for a large city with 81% having a high school diploma, 25% with college degrees, and 8% with graduate or professional degrees. Downtown has drastically improved with over 260 restaurants and new condos that are attracting more professionals to live in the area. There is great investment in parks, trails, and aquatic centers. For golf enthusiasts, you have many choices for beautiful green settings to spend your weekends. Overall, Indiana is a good city. Its biggest problems is that it doesn't have the multiculturalism enjoyed in so many large American cities. However, it's growing and expanding economically and seems to be working to boost the economy from the decaying manufacturing sectors. There's plenty of entertainment and it's not too expensive.
Males: 390,751 (48.4%)
Females: 416,833 (51.6%)
Median resident age: 33.5 years
Indiana median age: 35.2 years
White alone - 500,389 (62.7%)
Black alone - 206,651 (25.9%)
Hispanic - 58,794 (7.4%)
Two or more races - 16,220 (2.0%)
Asian alone - 13,614 (1.7%)
Other race alone - 2,163 (0.3%)
American alone - 761 (0.10%)
I'm a big fan of the Alcatraz Brewing Co. The menu is perfectly complemented by brewed-on-premise beers, it features an eclectic selection of first courses, salads, pastas, woodfired pizzas, sandwiches and main courses. Just about eveythong you could want. It's a fabulous setting for hanging out with family and especially friends.
Broad Ripple Village is the place to be for food fun and excitement. Twenty minutes north of downtown (give or take a minute), this neighborhood offers a lively mix of bars and clubs, as well as art galleries, restaurant and shopping. One-of-a-kind shops include the Indy CD & Vinyl record shop, Artifacts art gifts, and Big Hat Books (among many, many others).
The average price of a studio apartment in Indianapolis is $492. A one bedroom apartment has an average list price of $627. If you're interested in an apartment with several rooms in Indianapolis, then, on average, a two bedroom rental will cost you $742. Average rent for a three bedroom apartment is $818.
In Indianapolis, a two bedroom rental will on average cost $742. Maybe you'd rather live in Beech Grove, where the average price of a two bedroom apartment costs $640. Greenwood is another alternative. The average price of a two bedroom rental in Greenwood is $752. In Camby, the average price of a two bedroom rental runs $717. The neighboring community of Avon has an average rental price of $797 for a two bedroom rental. Also nearby is Plainfield. The average cost of a two bedroom rental property in Plainfield is $713. Another potential option is Brownsburg, where a two bedroom rental has an average cost of $824. You can also try Zionsville. The average price of a two bedroom apartment in Zionsville is $1,034.
Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park is it a hotel with a water park? Or a water park with a hotel? Holiday Inn North at the Pyramids is home to the Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park, whose 50,000 square feet offer three slides with a plunge pool; two whirlpool spas; a sports activity pool and a "leisure river" (complete with an island for kids). Elsewhere, the park offers a cafe, as well as an arcade.
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest (and, according to Child magazine, the best) children's museum in the world, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a huge, five-level playground where over one million kids and parents each year come to enjoy (seriously--it's that kind of museum) science, history, art and culture.
Among the interactive, hands-on attractions are the Dinosphere (featuring life-size, roaring dinosaur skeletons and simulated fossil digs), Fireworks of Glass (a 43-foot sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly), and a fully-restored, fully-rideable antique carousel--plus constantly rotating touring national exhibits.
One of the nation's largest city parks, Eagle Creek Park covers over 3,900 acres of land on the northwest side of town. As the park's trails beckon to hikers and birders, its 1,400-acre lake--a frequent host of U.S. Rowing's National Championship--welcomes fishermen and sailors.
As well as picnic areas and a swimming beach, the park offers rentals for canoes, kayaks, Hobie Cats, sailboats, pontoon boats, wind-surfing and pedal boats--as well as lessons for the aforementioned.
Broad Ripple Village had it ALL!!! Tons of stores restaurants and attractions for just about everyone. Check it all out on line at www.discoverbroadripplevillage.com
Biggest public high schools in Indianapolis:
* WARREN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 3,263; Grades: 09 - 12)
* NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 3,242; Grades: 09 - 12)
* LAWRENCE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 2,706; Grades: 09 - 12)
* PIKE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 2,695; Grades: 09 - 12)
* BEN DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 2,617; Grades: 10 - 12)
* LAWRENCE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 2,240; Grades: 09 - 12)
* PERRY MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,821; Grades: 09 - 12)
* SOUTHPORT HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,742; Grades: 09 - 12)
* FRANKLIN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,682; Grades: 09 - 12)
* DECATUR CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,486; Grades: 09 - 12)
Biggest private high schools in Indianapolis:
* HERITAGE CHR SCHOOLS INC (Students: 1,466; Grades: KG - 12)
* CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,064; Grades: 9 - 12)
* RONCALLI HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 924; Grades: 9 - 12)
* PARK TUDOR SCHOOL (Students: 914; Grades: PK - 12)
* BISHOP CHATARD HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 750; ; Grades: 9 - 12)
* BREBEUF JESUIT (Students: 750; Grades: 9 - 12)
* CARDINAL RITTER HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 393; Grades: 7 - 12)
* BAPTIST ACADEMY (Students: 392; Grades: PK - 12)
* COLONIAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 300; Grades: KG - 12)
* LUTHERAN HS OF INDIANAPOLIS (Students: 264; Grades: 9 - 12)
Biggest public elementary/middle schools in Indianapolis:
* ARSENAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 2,179; Grades: KG - 12)
* PERRY MERIDIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,655; Grades: 06 - 08)
* ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,619; Grades: KG - 12)
* NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,575; Grades: KG - 12)
* BROAD RIPPLE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,556; Grades: KG - 12)
* SOUTHPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,551; Grades: 06 - 08)
* EMMERICH MANUAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,510; Grades: KG - 12)
* THOMAS CARR HOWE ACADEMY (Students: 1,439; Grades: 06 - 12)
* BELZER MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,419; Grades: 06 - 08)
* DECATUR MIDDLE SCH (Students: 1,403; ; Grades: 06 - 08)
Biggest private elementary/middle schools in Indianapolis:
* ST SIMON THE APOSTLE SCHOOL (Students: 668; Grades: PK - 8)
* ST BARNABAS SCHOOL (Students: 599; Grades: KG - 8)
* ORCHARD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (Students: 583; Grades: PK - 8)
* TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN ACADEM (Students: 550; Grades: PK - 7)
* ST MATTHEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 536; ; Grades: KG - 8)
* ST JUDE CATHOLIC (Students: 513; Location:; Grades: KG - 8)
* HOLY SPIRIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 512;; Grades: PK - 8)
* ST THERESE/LITTLE FLOWER SCH (Students: 496; Grades: PK - 10)
* ST PIUS X ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 493; Grades: KG - 8)
* ST LUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 475; ; Grades: KG - 8)
Thw weather in Indy is just as you might expect. There are plenty of beautiful summer days, and we get our fair share of cold snowy days in the winter. Neither is too drastic. The average temps are the upper 70's to lower 80's in the summer, and in the winter months your looking at the upper 30's an d lower 40's.
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