[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by skullbucket

Whats funny is the more I reserarch and talk to people the more I find out how "intertwined" this lower Southern Indiana is to the "street outlaws racers" and the secret street racing scene is strong if you know who and where to look. By the way Big Chief is from Louisville KY! (Shively area). And "JJ da Boss' and some connections to some good ole boys in Kentucky!

Back in the late 70s and early 80s it was across the Sherman Minton Bridge.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by Ben M.

As someone who relocated from California to slightly further south, the one thing that's going to be the biggest shock is RUST. On EVERYTHING old unless it's garage kept. No more decent projects for cheap that don't require replacing every body panel.

And yeah, there's winter. And salt. LOTS of salt. 4WD isn't absolutely necessary. Driving a 'vette year round probably will not be something you want to do solely to keep it nice, traction issues in the snow notwithstanding. If you like driving it, by all means keep it, winter beaters are cheap enough. I drive a Lincoln Town Car and it does fine enough in the snow and ice.

What everyone else said about meth and "haves" and "have nots" is very relevant too. If you live outside the cities it will definitely be a "you do your thing, I'll do mine and never shall the two intertwine" situation. It's great for people who like to be independent and have a bit of solitude away from people.

No, not so much around here. INDOT uses brine most of the time. Local guys use coal slag or cinders instead of salt.

[skullbucket]

Originally Posted by hurryinhoosier62

Back in the late 70s and early 80s it was across the Sherman Minton Bridge.

Yes I got into one of "4cars" races, lots to watch out for!

[GTO68FXSTC98]

A lot of Indy car teams and drag racing teams based out of Indianapolis, so there is a big car culture. The terrain is relatively flat, no big hills to climb. A 4wd is not necessary once you learn to drive on snow, I drove a 2wd Ford Ranger for 6 years in Buffalo NY, never got stuck. The winters are mild compared to Wisconsin, Minn, Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland because there is no lake effect. Over a foot of snow on the ground is going to be rare, temps will be around the 20's for the most part. If you are from the desert, you will be overwhelmed on how green things are in the spring and summer and the fall leaf colors and awesome.

[RocktimusPryme]

I’ve lived in the desert for years between here and Las Vegas but I’m from Tampa. I miss green and clouds and water. In a perfect world I would be near salt water and have those things. Because fresh water fishing is a poor substitute (sorry bass fisherman) but we don’t get everything we want.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

I’ve lived in the desert for years between here and Las Vegas but I’m from Tampa. I miss green and clouds and water. In a perfect world I would be near salt water and have those things. Because fresh water fishing is a poor substitute (sorry bass fisherman) but we don’t get everything we want.

You’ve apparently never fished for smallmouth bass or walleye( Monroe Resevoir is a great spot for both).

[Simple Man]

Are you into fishing, or boating? There are some big reservoirs in the general area.

Bedford is known for the limestone quarries. Had a BIL with relatives in English, IN, in the middle of the Hoosier National Forest. French Lick is a resort town, I believe they have a casino. Nice area, wouldn't mind moving that way. Probably not Bloomington, but maybe Bedford, or some of the smaller towns.

[geeteeohguy]

Take a week or so and go visit. I have relatives in Indianapolis and in Valparaiso, and have been all over the state. For the most part it's green, clean, and the people are nice. Not fast paced like CA. The politics are more conservative, too. Mostly honest, hard-working family types. Winters are cold and snowy, but the rest of the year, pretty nice. I was really impressed with Indy. There are a lot of neat towns and cities, and a lot of interesting old buildings....the type CA tears down. It's a slower pace of life, the food is great, and costs are lower than CA as well. Try it....you may like it.

[skullbucket]

Forgot about French Lick, Mom went there this past weekend and won $8 bucks off the penny slots, A million dollars couldn't have made her happier!!!!
Overlook restaurant in Leavenworth, Squaire Boone Caverns and surrounding caves, Spring Mill State park and Gus Grishum astronaut museum in Mitchel, Patoka lake reservoir, Hemlock cliffs where the witches hang out!, lots of cars shows every summer all over. Really the area as a whole has a lot of nice easy going activities to do.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by Simple Man

Are you into fishing, or boating? There are some big reservoirs in the general area.

Bedford is known for the limestone quarries. Had a BIL with relatives in English, IN, in the middle of the Hoosier National Forest. French Lick is a resort town, I believe they have a casino. Nice area, wouldn't mind moving that way. Probably not Bloomington, but maybe Bedford, or some of the smaller towns.

The casino is at the French Lick resort, but the real gem in that area is the West Baden Hotel. The Cook family of Bloomington spent over $500 million to restore it to its former glory. Bedford is the home of Indiana Limestone Company. Lawrence and Monroe Counties are the only deposits of ooltic (Indiana) limestone in the world. One afternoon when I wasn’t rushed, I spent an hour watching the cutting of a limestone slab (roughly 50 tons) at one of ILC’s cutting sheds. It was fascinating.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by skullbucket

Forgot about French Lick, Mom went there this past weekend and won $8 bucks off the penny slots, A million dollars couldn't have made her happier!!!!
Overlook restaurant in Leavenworth, Squaire Boone Caverns and surrounding caves, Spring Mill State park and Gus Grishum astronaut museum in Mitchel, Patoka lake reservoir, Hemlock cliffs where the witches hang out!, lots of cars shows every summer all over. Really the area as a whole has a lot of nice easy going activities to do.

X2 on the Overlook. Best fried chicken in S. Indiana along with stunning views of the Ohio.

[RocktimusPryme]

Originally Posted by hurryinhoosier62

You’ve apparently never fished for smallmouth bass or walleye( Monroe Resevoir is a great spot for both).

I have a couple Walleye to my name. Honestly, its not so much about the fish themselves. Its the mystery. Fishing in fresh water you have a very good idea in a small range what you are going to catch. When you are fishing in open water in the gulf or one of those artificial reefs? You really dont have any idea whats on the other end of the line.

Here is one from a couple weeks ago when I was in FL visiting family. Queen Trigger. Ive fished in the gulf around Tampa for 25 years, never even heard of a queen being caught there. I dont eat anything that comes out of the water anyway, so its more about interesting photo opportunities for me.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Fished the reefs off of Stuart and Jupiter when we lived in S. FL. Lots of small sharks and various types of grouper and bluefish. Personally, I prefer black fin tuna in blue water. You should try smallmouth bass if you move to IN. They fight like tigers when caught.

[Zig'sbird]

I live in Indy and did some survey work at Crane. I have not seen anything wrong posted. It's a very beautiful area.

[Mr Anonymous]

John Mellencamp jammin' on the radio, cruising across route 50 from Cincinnati to Bedford in the fall, leaves changing colors, windows down, its a damn good way to spend to an afternoon. Worked in Bedford , stayed in Spring Mill state park, you'll "get" the Midwest thing.

Norwalk for the Pontiac stuff is easily doable from there.

[marxjunk]

John Mellencamp lives (or did) in Bloomington Indiana...

My buddy owns a body shop there and worked on his stuff, restored a vintage motorcycle for him etc..said he was a good guy, but was very picky, and wanted no star treatment, wanted to be treated like a normal guy..he avoided star struck fans..

the 14th Dali Lama also spent time here..its a huge college town......there was a small area fenced in with a few yurts and LOTS of security, and i asked my buddy and he said thats where he stayed when he was in the US...reported it was one of his favorite places in the US to stay, because of the people etc...

i miss that area a lot..damn..i miss everything about Indian, except the Katrina refugees...

[RocktimusPryme]

They are working on an offer letter for me. Its all but done. As soon as I have a signed offer letter I will put in my two weeks here and start the moving process. You never know if your making the right decision when you make a big move like this. Time will tell, Im excited about a new chapter in life at any rate.

The first month or two will likely be kinda weak. I have to sell my house here, not a quick process, and once that is done and a check in my hands I can start the buying process there, an equally slow process. So I will be looking for a month to month apartment or maybe an extended stay hotel for a while. That being said I have a good bit of equity in my California home, so I think I should be able to get something with a few acres there and an outbuilding or three with a big down payment courtesy of my current home. So I will end up with more house for a lower mortgage. Help offset the pay cut from quitting the deployment life.

Anyway, thanks for everyone who commented, the comments were overwhelmingly positive. You guys will likely have a new neighbor soon.

[coonhunter70]

Pontiac drivers are welcome !

[coonhunter70]

Bloomfield, Bedford, Loogootee, Jasper all decent towns. I believe quite few crane employees live in Jasper.

[coonhunter70]

Actually with the new I-69 one could consider any of the towns along that route from Evansville on north. Evansville only being maybe an hour or so from Crane.