Indianapolis, Indiana

What It Is Like to Retire in Indianapolis

Deliberately planned as a capital city, Indianapolis, Indiana, was established in 1820, and modeled after Washington D.C. with a grid of streets that radiate from the seat of government. With a population of 843,393 (2013 census), Indianapolis is the largest city in Indiana, and one of the largest in the midwest. It is known as a center for sporting events and athletic facilities, and is host to the largest single-day sporting event in the world-the Indianapolis 500. But it is also home to the Indianapolis Colts, Paces, and the WNBA’s Fever, along with the Indianapolis Indians, a triple A baseball team affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Indianapolis also boasts the only urban State Park in the country, and has an airport that is considered "Best Airport in America", according to Conde Nast Traveler. It is also home to several schools of higher education including Ivy Tech Community College, and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Livability named it as one of its Top 10 Best Downtowns in both 2014 and 2015, due to its arts, education, and thriving downtown scene, and Forbes named it as a top ten city for business and careers. Famous people from Indianapolis include President Benjamin Harrison, David Letterman, Jane Pauly, and Steve McQueen.  Picture of the Indianapolis Statehouse courtesy of Wikipedia and Daniel Schwen; picture of Indiana Central Canal and Eagle Creek Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the U.S., courtesy of Wikipedia and Serge Melki.

Where to Retire in Indianapolis and Home Prices

The city consists of several different neighborhoods in which prices will vary. The downtown area has grown into a popular place to live, with buildings being renovated into apartments and condos. The National Association of Realtors reports the median sale price to be $232,400, in the 1st quarter of 2021.

What Is Special about Indianapolis

Indianapolis is a very walkable town that features several parks, many cultural and sporting events, and has great medical centers.

What Is Not Special about Indianapolis

Indianapolis has a high crime rate; winters are cold with some snow.

Who Will Like Retirement in Indianapolis

Retirees who want to live in a walkable city with a low cost of living, medical centers, transportaion, many schools of higher education, and enjoy attending all types of sporting events may enjoy living here.

Local Economy Is Driven by

The economy is diverse with the main drivers involving education, health services, government, and tourism. Three Fortune 500 companies are based in the city: Anthem Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, and Calumet Specialty Products Partners.

Climate and Physical Environment

January's average temperature is 25 degrees, July's average is 75 degrees.  Indianapolis gets about 25 inches of snow during the winter months.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Indianapolis is a vibrant city offering residents and visitors over 200 restaurants and bars.  It is also home to America's only cultural urban state park, White River, that features green space, and the Central Canal; Cultural attractions in the city include the Indianapolis Zoo, White River Gardens, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the NCAA Hall of Champions, the IMAX Theater, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and an outdoor concert venue. Along with the Indy 500, the city also hosts the country’s largest half-marathon with over 35,000 runners, the Indiana State Fair, and many sporting events and festivals throughout the year.

Crime

The crime rate in Indianapolis is more than double the national average.

Medical facilities

Indiana University Health has been named among the "Best Hospitals in America" by U.S.News & World Report for 14 consecutive years.

Transportation

Nicknamed the Crossroads of America, Indianapolis is the junction for four Interstate highways and six U.S. Highways; The city is serviced by a bus system and has an Amtrak station; The first new international airport in America designed and built after 9/11, Indianapolis International Airport, has been named the best airport in North America for the last several years; since 2003, Indiana University Health has operated a people mover, which is an above street system that connects the medical centers of Indiana University Hospital, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, and Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis with related facilities on the IUPUI campus.  

Valuable Links

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