Top 5 Reasons You Should Live in Indianapolis

You probably have a rough draft in mind of what your retirement days will be like--blissful afternoons spent on the beachside with umbrella drinks in hand. Or a peaceful life in the mountains, surrounded by the sound of nature. Those scenarios are THE dream, right However, as you reach the age of 65, you will realize that those idealistic dreams are just that, dreams. Retirement plans entail a lot of considerations and realistic expectations, such as:

• The amount of savings or pension you have
• Proximity to your loved ones
• Environment and recreational activities available
• Quality of life

When you are deciding where to move, you have to look at the bigger picture. You need to be practical about your budget plans and resources. You also need to consider what you will do there for the rest of your retirement days, not just how it feels like being there. And for that, we have an ideal place in mind--Indianapolis! Living in Indianapolis might be one of the best decisions you will ever make. It is a family-friendly place dubbed by several articles as one of the best cities in the country and one of America's most favorite places. Below, you will find why the Crossroads of America is such a well-loved place by locals and tourists alike. Here are five reasons why you should consider moving and living in Indianapolis.    

1. Affordable Homes in Great Neighborhoods

  Forbes would not cite it as the second most affordable place to live in for nothing. According to statistics, Indy's average rent fee is only $806, which is only 17% of an average renter's household income. That amount is only a tiny fraction of the average rent fee in other cities in America, like Chicago and New York. Moreover, the city offers a 5.6% rent vacancy, so looking for a place to live would not be a problem. You can take a pick in the several neighborhoods available in the city. For a close-in neighborhood, you have Eagle Creek. You can situate yourself in downtown Indy if you want a place close to the hustle and bustle. Homebuyers are also in for a treat. The city has the second-lowest home value in the country, which is only at $118,300. It is easier to purchase a residence there for someone with a modest income or pension.    

2. Friendly Folks

  A friendly neighborhood would not be complete without pleasant folks living along with it. According to surveys, Indianapolis houses over a million older adults aged 65 and above. Experts predict that that number would climb up by 46% in 2030. You can also get along with the teeming number of Millennials in the city, who are most likely trying to make an impactful change to the world. Whether you decide on settling along with the Bates Hendricks or Broad Ripple neighborhood, you are sure to be greeted by the most tight-knit but welcoming residents you have ever had the pleasure to meet.      

3. Cheap Cost of Living

  Another perk of living in Indianapolis is you get to save much of your pension due to their affordable cost of living. Many people, even those in the workforce, decide to move to Indy for its abysmally low cost of living, which is 7.6% below the national average. These specific costs include:

• Housing
• Transportation
• Groceries
• Utilities and other bills
• Healthcare
• Miscellaneous (e.g., entertainment, food services, repair)

The city also boasts a pretty fair tax rate compared to others in the country, which will help you save every penny you have. Moreover, both the economy and job market had grown exponentially for the last couple of years. Indy had become the home of large and start-up companies alike, creating many jobs, and boosting the economy in the process. Moving to Indianapolis means you will be surrounded by the best hospitals, good colleges, and great tourist attractions. You also get to see national companies like NCAA and Simon Property Group.    

4. Road Trips and Adventures

  Living in Indianapolis puts you right in the middle of the country, which means you can visit other states without buying an airplane ticket. Being at the Crossroads of America means you get to visit your family members in Chicago, have drinks with your senior Amigas in Columbus and see the iconic baseball bat in Louisville. While on the topic of roads and transportation, Indy is also making massive innovation in their public transportation. Officials increased transit services by 70% while also encouraging everyone to adopt a sustainable means of transport. This makes it easier for locals and tourists to be wherever they want to be in the shortest amount of time possible. Moreover, biking, running, and ride-sharing are widely promoted to achieve the city's goal of becoming one of the country's greenest cities.    

5. Recreational Activities

  Retirement years should be spent with fun times doing activities you never got to do during your years in the workforce. Fortunately, living in Indianapolis gets you up close and personal to all the exciting senior-friendly activities you can think of.

1. For starters, you can enjoy the city's rich cuisine and exotic culinary by visiting some foodie destinations like:

• Public Greens
• Oca
• Beholder
• Ukiyo
• The Inferno Room

2. Spend your lazy afternoons exploring historical sites such as:

• Indianapolis Museum of Art
• Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
• Hook's American Drugstore Museum
• Morris Butler House
• The Indianapolis Propylaeum

3. Get a glance at the astounding flora species by visiting some of the most fantastic garden and parks in the city like:

• The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park
• White River State Park
• Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Garden
• White River Gardens

4. You also have plenty of outdoor activities to do here together with your visiting (or staying!) family and friends.

• Cycling or jogging in Downtown Indy or ride the Pickled Pedaler
• For the adrenalin junkies, you can visit the Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park.
• Complete the Indianapolis experience by watching car races at Rusty Wallace Racing Experience
• Golf enthusiasts can find a haven at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course.