Spent 24 hours in the state of Indiana - Literally made me depressed

This thread is a joke.

Why everyone is insulting only Indiana while describing 98% of Middle America, I don't get.

Indiana... wrote:

I could feel myself honestly becoming depressed from these areas. They are absolutely devoid of any semblance of history, character, color, geographical personality, and appeal. I have never been so grateful and excited to return home after such a short business trip.

Well, this is how a European feels when he is in the USA no matter where exactly.

I was born in Indianapolis and have extended family whom I visit on a somewhat regular basis.

I can't think of what the opposite of a Potemkin village is. But it would be like flying into Indiana and seeing nothing but Indianapolis and Lafayette. His statement might be accurate but even then its dwelling on nothing but the negative.

When I'm in Indiana I rent a car and drive on a lot of highways mainly in Northern Indiana. I see countless farms, old churches, old barns. No semblance of history? Are you freakin kidding me? Growing food for the nation and the world is not "geographically appealing?"

I'm not even a fan of Indiana, family aside. But you are a tool. I think your problem is that Indiana is a utilitarian kind of state. Its a place where work is done and family is important. It doesn't care much for people like you who apparently think the whole world should be some kind of art exhibit that caters to your tastes.

I'm not even from Indiana, but I was about to post something similar to ryan foreman. I've driven through Indiana several times, been there for cross country meets and stayed there on my way to and from vacation. (I'm from the mid-Atlantic).

I have found few things more relaxing than rolling through the Indiana farmlands at dusk. Or seeing the windmills producing energy. Or stopping at a diner for a bite to eat.

The people I have met there (albeit I've only met them in passing) have been friendly. I've never had experience with aggressive drivers or tailgaters outside of the big cities, but you'll find that in any densely populated place.

It's easy to stereotype an entire region. There are going to be nice people everywhere and there are going to be a**holes everywhere. The OP sounds like the latter.

Illini guy wrote:

Remember - Indiana is the northernmost Southern state...

People in Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia and Maryland say the same thing. There's nothing Southern about a state that touches a Great Lake.

there is no good scenery, save for the deep southern parts

unless you count miles upon miles of flat farmland and dumpy towns as "scenery"

You're right. There's nothing pleasant about the scenery at all.

http://www.rangetraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Indiana-Sunset

(pp_w900_h450).jpg

Thanks for your authoritative judgment. I'm not really sure what is cute about my previous statement, but ok.

Forgot my handle wrote:

You're right. There's nothing pleasant about the scenery at all.

http://www.rangetraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Indiana-Sunset

(pp_w900_h450).jpg

that's what we call a sunset, those happen everywhere.

Here are some examples of actual scenery

Indiana... wrote:

Please, if you can, avoid the state of Indiana. You've been warned. (Also, worst drivers I've ever seen.)

You've never been to Atlanta, have you?

Dude. You should have driven by Larry Bird's house. You might have caught him either mowing the lawn or shooting hoops on his back yard court. There's history for you!

one of my friends used to live in Indiana and said it was a perfect state for running/training because theres almost nothing else to do so you would never be distracted. Flat ground with some moderate/hilly terrain and an abundance of high school/college tracks. Winters can be pretty rough, though

I moved to Indianapolis in 1996 from Austin, TX. Prior to that I lived in Wisconsin. I THOUGHT I was moving back to a midwest state, but the guy who said this is more like the South is totally correct.

I pretty much hated it here until I met my wife (2000). I wouldn't have hung around if I hadn't gotten married, there's not much positive to say here. No way do I stay here after we're retired. Only reason we're still here is to be close to her family.

The whole "people are friendlier" thing is a joke. People here are suspicious, rude, and rarely friendly to outsiders. Texans were a helluva lot friendlier.

I'm a maniac driver so that may have been me tailgating you. SPEED UP.

The schools suck in many places (excepting Carmel, Fishers, etc), we have terrible air/water quality numbers, and a dunce born-again religious nitwit governor.

Pluses, the taxes are low, and home prices are very low. You can get a fantastic house for $200k with a huge yard.

I travel a lot, so living cheap is nice. I go overseas about every month. I can fly to NYC and get a "bigger city" fix for a few hundred bucks. Living cheap does have its advantages.

Ohioan here. Can confirm Indiana sucks

Is there really that much difference between Indiana & Ohio?

We have more things to do. We have Cleveland, Akron, Dayton, Toledo, Cincinnati, Columbus, ect... All Indiana has is Indianapolis and Gary, which is one of the worst cities in the country.

Columbus is home to the best college in the US, THE Ohio State University. Miami and University of Cincinnati are pretty good to. Ohio has much larger coastline than Indiana, more history, and better scenery (Southeast).

Like I said, Indiana sucks.

Cities blow chunks. What are you all like 19 years old still, and cruise bars???

FM wrote:

Is there really that much difference between Indiana & Ohio?

Spent tons of time in both. No.

Be grateful. At least you weren't figuratively or symbolically depressed.