Indianapolis: You Gotta Live Somewhere

[@johnchessant3012]

Where people get the confidence to say banger lines like that on the spot instead of boiler plate answers like "it's great" or "it's fine" will always be a mystery to me.

[@williandalsoto806]

They're built different than us, normal humans.

[@patrickdaitya7084]

it's an authentic answer, actually considered and spoke, instead of just a social nicety

[@capitalistraven]

Practice. Keep it up and you'll get there.

[@acorn_woman]

Omg bestie, you're back in the comments. It's been too long :')

[@zacrintoul]

It's reality. People ask "how's it going?" Usually respond with. "Eh... It's going" I mean 90% of the time it's not good it's not bad but it does keep on going.

[@Castlattice]

For a few years the slogan of Muncie Indiana was, “Muncie, we’re trying”, so there’s some Indiana energy for ya

[@kingkitryne]

me too muncie, me too

[@thowa1]

Did Muncie give up trying or succeed after "a couple of years"?

[@redblue9478]

​@@thowa1 Let's put it this way: last I checked its college had the highest STD rate in the region if not entirely. Needs burned down for more reasons than that.

[@thowa1]

@@redblue9478 not necessarily a bad sign with regards to college life 😄

[@redblue9478]

@@thowa1 Until you realize that college is a very tiny part of your life and the risk isn't worth it.

[@actuallyAtlas1989]

Imagine being that one guy in Indianapolis that convinced John Green to stay there by saying "You gotta live somewhere" lmao

[@tehpurplepills]

idk who john green is but joe hogsett our mayor seems to want to encourage criminals and the mentally disturbed to come and live and stay here.

[@exenx2995]

He would probably fit in better in the WOKE states, then he would be wishing "you got to live somewhere better". Nobody's got him confined here adios John if you don't like Indianapolis...see ya don't let the door hit you in the ...!!!

[@reaper147000]

I can already tell I dont like you​@@exenx2995

[@Cruznick06]

Nebraska's official tourism motto is "Nebraska: Honestly, it's not for everyone."

[@spellegren]

I thought it was: "You can watch your dog run away for three days."

[@deusexaethera]

​@@spellegren : That's Kansas.

[@butchasss]

im from nebraska and there is NOTHING HEREE

[@13danad]

My spouse went to Nebraska to visit a friend and came home with a shirt that has the slogan. It cracks me up.

[@lynziewithaz5491]

@@butchasss I mean… Omaha has some gangs? 😬

[@jessietheant1513]

My brother would try to race each other from a leg to an arm on funky bones. If you see this John, tell your wife thanks for so many memories.

[@alejandrorivas4585]

Wholesome af

[@goaway7891]

I did the exact same thing as a kid😭so glad that this is a shared experience

[@blaster1185]

I'm pretty sure John is the entirety of Indianapolis's tourism promotion.

[@Atomsk359]

We also have the world's best children's museum

[@zyrohnmng]

The funny thing is that Indianapolis's economy is built around tourism. Downtown is designed to provide services for the convention center, and a lot of events / conferences are held here all year / every year.

[@blaster1185]

@@zyrohnmng Wow that's great! I should visit sometime

[@MisterJackmanB]

We've also got the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

[@UltimateBreloom]

Pat McAfee too.

[@bobmcguffin5706]

Indianapolis: “you gotta live somewhere and this… this ain’t bad”

[@hartincmajor202]

Indianapolis- Because, let's admit it. You've had worse

[@froggy5748]

Indianapolis: at least it’s better than Chicago

[@its_a_lexus4569]

@@froggy5748yeah no. Place is dead

[@knightpal1545]

Indiana: we have zero clue what the hells going on but we are rolling with it

[@Ruth-tu9mu]

As a fellow resident of the great city of Indianapolis, your feelings resonate with me 😅 Also, I did not know Sarah helped bring us funky bones! So cool!

[@acorn_woman]

The midwest may not be the exciting life that society tells us to seek. There's no beaches, mountains, attractions at every corner. But it provides all four seasons and the cozy reminder that falling in love with the mundane is a life lived happily

[@williamhrivnak7345]

I love the midwest because I have no earthquakes, mudslides, megafires, water shortages, or hurricanes. The tornados here are not even close to what they get in Texas and Oklahoma. The weather here rarely gets dangerously cold or dangerously hot. In Ohio, we don’t get dangerous animals like alligators, bears, and venomous snakes. We have the best ratio of real estate price to median income in the country which means its the cheapest place anywhere to own a house. People love to hate on the midwest and specifically Ohio but I’m living like a king so it doesn’t bother me

[@psychsoma]

I don't live in the Midwest but I moved to western New York and the city I live in is quite similar. Four seasons and a quiet, cozy life. Couldn't ask for anything else.

[@Awesomeficationify]

​@@williamhrivnak7345 Indianapolis regularly gets -20°F in the winter. And it gets 100+ in the summer. Meh I prefer the PNW, but I may just be burned out on Midwest monotony. Too much nothing...

[@deusexaethera]

You don't get to decide whether you can be content with the mundane. Either your brain biochemically rewards itself properly for accomplishing minor everyday tasks, or it doesn't. Mine doesn't. There's medication for that, but medication is never quite as good as having a properly functioning brain to begin with. Or to put it differently: "Most men love lives of quiet desperation." - Henry David Thoreau

[@Awesomeficationify]

@@deusexaethera what medication is that? I might be on it... lol.

[@masonberlin5737]

Honestly the nature here in Indiana is soo pretty, i love that we have so many beautiful forests and trails

[@TerzaGuardia]

I moved around a lot as a kid, but we eventually settled down in Indianapolis when I was like nine. Then I moved around a lot as an adult, but we eventually settled down in Indianapolis. Love this place.

[@johannaverplank4858]

I've lived in a few cities, and Indianapolis is my absolute favorite. I grew up in Broad Ripple the 80's, and it was a trippy experience. I love this city and, other than the winters, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! ❤️❤️

[@mswitch936]

Born and raised just outside Broad Ripple in Glendale! (Which no longer exists and my parents house is considered “greater Broad Ripple” now... its not)

[@johannaverplank4858]

@@mswitch936 I used to ride my bike to the Glendale mall all the time. I miss it!

[@corpsehandler5321]

yeah, the winters are.....a thing. it's not that bad! until you get to february.

[@YaleWall]

Yep. I moved to Indianapolis for 6 months, and now I’ve been here for 13 years. I legit love it more than any other place I’ve been though. It grows on you :)

[@CheekieCharlie]

Indianapolis: We have tall trees

[@capitalistraven]

But not toooo tal like those ones on the northeast cost, those a freaky.

[@PosumPerson]

We also have crazy wether lol

[@CheekieCharlie]

@@twinnish don't forget the fall when it gets you again, or summer when it is all over....life sucks with allergies

[@remixtbh]

Indianapolis- where the weather has its own disorder, Bipolar disorder

[@CheekieCharlie]

@@remixtbh to be fair I love in Canada in a city like that lol

[@downriverprod]

Few things greater than Proper Autumn

[@DontRobMe13]

Yeah like, a sunny spring, sunny summer and a snowy winter day :)

[@oliviersavard8676]

literally anything else is better than autumn

[@raerohan4241]

Agreed. I miss Proper Fall. The place I'm living in right now only has Summer, Monsoon season, Second Summer, and Hoodie Season

[@Lil_Jonny]

​@@oliviersavard8676cap

[@mindyb1986]

I lived in Columbus, IN for a couple years as a kid (about 1995-1997). I was a kid so I have this kind of nostalgic feeling for that time. I haven't gone back since then, but I'd love to see it again and all the places I loved.

[@xSwordLilyx]

I feel the same way about Michigan. We get shit on a lot but it really is a decent place to live. I have always lived here and I have fallen in love with the crisp air and trees and sussurus at night, the lakes and the history. My bf's family is from New York and have not really set down roots here so he has taken more convincing. Interestingly, he's the hiker and also the city boy. I just cannot stand the noise and the people, though I like to visit. I think it is changing. His parents have a lovely house here we have been helping them fix. I want to take him on more MI trips to my favorite places. I was beside myself when he spoke of possibly moving for work. I love a familiar place. I love this state. My family is here. Also, his family is here and they are closer than my bf will admit.

[@erinstar141]

Indiana is an underrated state. I grew up going there in the summers to be with family and my god it’s so green and gorgeous in a lot of places!

[@ok_schlatter]

as a hoosier, “you gotta live somewhere” is the reason i’m probably gonna end up in Indy after i graduate 😅

[@TeaRanosaur]

It's so easy to hold opinions on places, and of the people who live in those places often without having visited those places, and having now lived for a decent amount of time in a place I didn't think I was going to ever live in, I've mostly come to the conclusion that prejudging places just makes it harder to enjoy those places and care about the people in those places.

[@draisu]

I sincerely miss Indianapolis! It's the only place where you can be in a downtown urban setting and drive 5-10 blocks and pass farmer Dave's tractor repair and co-op. You can get a slice of the urban and the rural all in one city.

[@cobaltsteele]

I really enjoy your writings about Indianapolis, it changed my opinion about the city and now I want to visit someday

[@airebnb]

Please do! I’m from in the Indy metro area, and it’s so lovely. The city is a lot cooler than people give it credit for. If you ever decide to visit you should also go to the Indy 500! Indianapolis is bursting with life during may because of the Indy 500

[@oliviersavard8676]

​@@airebnb i was gonna say that the only reason i'd go to indy is for the brickyard

[@airebnb]

@@oliviersavard8676 I think that’s most people’s feeling about Indy, which is fair lmao. My dad would take me to Indy 500 practice when I was a kid and I’ve been to the race the last 5 years (excluding 2020). It’s like nothing else in the world. Definitely come check it out sometime if you can, you’ll be blown away for sure

[@dominickjustave3558]

U got to be careful in some areas , alot of shootings drugs and tents everywhere

[@lukeholliger1517]

Waving hello from Fort Wayne.

[@abbiesmith8724]

As a fellow Hoosier, some of the people are wacky and it’s not exactly the most exciting place on the planet but it’s not too bad. Plus we have a whole town named Santa Claus so like… that’s cool right?

[@earthling_parth]

That's definitely cool you Hoosier!

[@mindyb1986]

That could honestly be said about most places. It's like that here in PA and there's a larger concentration of wacky people in like Florida for example 😂

[@thefallenmonk605]

I went to church camp with a kid/grandkid of the Holiday World owners. Damn she was a bitch at the time.

[@cryptid_lives_here6883]

Holiday world is the best!!!!!!

[@thebirdthatshtonyourcar8372]

how can a human being be so wholesome and wonderful

[@whiterabbit6148]

I grew up not too terribly far from Indianapolis in Dayton, Ohio, and that part of the country has a certain beauty to it that is beyond compare. Not just the nature, but the people too. I can’t wait to be able to move back home

[@limaechonumismatics]

I used to climb all over funky bones when I was little. The 100 acres park is very cool!!

[@saphiregirl90]

I have lived in many cities across America... And Indianapolis is surpassingly amazing...(I think i saw you in a coffee shop while I was there! I won't mention which one just in case you frequent it!)

[@tabularasa]

"You gotta live somewhere" 😄 this repeated line keeps cracking me up

[@ChaosRaych]

I have a friend from Indy who met John while she was working as a barista. She still talks about meeting him & how lovely he is in person

[@lynnefox4892]

I was charmed by Indianapolis when I worked there for couple of weeks. It is a vibrant little Midwest surprise. And the people are delightful.

[@osonhouston]

I've lived in quite a few places and Indianapolis is a nice city. It big enough to have all the amenities larger cities have but it's small enough to feel like a small town. It is within driving distance of a few larger cities Chicago, Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Nashville that make a nice weekend trip.

[@notesfrommrkangaroo4392]

I currently live about an hour north of Indy and I love Newfields and the IMA. It’s a special place that I can get away to for rest and a peaceful day. I went there first because I wanted to see Funky Bones and I fell in love with the rest of it. I love visiting that statue!

[@Tacospaceman]

And all of this goes along with the classic, Indiana response, paired with the question of *”how’s it going?”* in which they respond typically with only *“it’s going“* and how they say that is informative, instead of genuinely telling you what is going on

[@neainez6376]

I've been to Indianapolis twice and I loved it both times

[@bridgiesue7]

I've lived several places in the Midwest and I still remember the first time I went to Indianapolis I was shocked at how clean and lively it was! It has all the more metropolitan aspects of an east coast city with the warm hearted and homeyness of the deeper Midwest. I live in Europe now but if I ever went back to the US, Indianapolis would actually be high on my list

[@randyb.k.4018]

Lived in Fishers for 16 years and am now in Noblesville with my wife for the past 7 years. Love Indianapolis, the houses surrounding the city are wonderful and getting renovated everyday. Great place to see shows, lots of niche places to find, and overall is on the up and up. Could definitely see it becoming a staple for most.

[@peacelovetennis10]

Indianapolis is great! We have a family friend that has lived there forever and all the little towns are so cute! Went to a wedding there this summer for said friend’s daughter and I fell in love with Carmel. Adorable!

[@matthewcantrell5289]

I live and work in Northern California, but I got to go to Indy for a trip for my work. I really loved it tbh. And the City Barbeque across the street and free miller lite at the hotel helped lol.

[@calebbeever529]

I’ve been watching you for as long as I can remember and today is the first time hearing you live in Indianapolis. I too live in Indianapolis. Born and raised.

[@yuri-chunsakamaki1694]

Hay I'm from Indiana and I love it even if I'm in Louisville Kentucky I still love my home town

[@brettkeeler8822]

I graduated from Law School in Bloomington just an hour or so down the road from you guys. Lived there three years. Indiana is a gorgeous state and a very underrated place.

[@fungoose2195]

indiana lowkey sounds like my fav place in america, iv only watched parks and rec but it just seems awesome.

[@raloufen4292]

Where all have you lived that Indianapolis is so great to you

[@reidleblanc3140]

i always loved indianapolis. my grandparents lived there when I was little and we went once a year or so. great museums

[@jakethebasher]

I lived in Indy for a year. Probably the best year of my life. Never had more friends than at that time.

[@stardust.7507]

The "well you gotta live somewhere" and "all things considered, this ain't bad!" Is EXACTLY how I feel about living in New Mexico when anyone asks.

[@BluetheRaccoon]

Having originated in Baltimore and having lived in PA, Delaware, Virginia, southern NC, and now Oregon- I love Oregon. I can't imagine living anywhere else. And if you feel that way about Indiana, they're a better state for your being there.

[@DougJessee]

I used to live in Indianapolis, or near it, most of my life. I have lived on both coasts and in Korea, but have ended up in Bloomington.

[@AllTimeAmberx]

My uncle lived there for 20 years. I heard him say that the falls are the most beautiful ❤️

[@ahutch3835]

I live in Indy. It's just now getting good food and more things to do. It still has a way of holding everyone down and is Midwest as hell.

[@nahimgood2331]

FUNKY BONNEESSSS I literally gasped when it came on screen!!! My siblings and I have so much fun on that every time we go.

[@danielleo6855]

I lived in between Ft Wayne and Indianapolis my whole life until I moved to Austin recently... In the past half year I have seen more people move to the area. It's exciting to see growth in my stomping grounds and more recognition. It's definitely a place where people stay because of family

[@mikemccoy7932]

You pitched a snarky slogan for Indy but ended with what I feel is a much more fitting one. "All things considered, this ain't bad."

[@GSGHenrietta]

Hey John, I'm 34 and live in Utah, but I lived in Indianapolis from 2001-2003. Two of the best years of my life. I went to Fall Creek Valley Middle School, and would go skateboarding in Broad Ripple. I loved your stories about Indy in the Anthropocene Reviewed. Love ya, and love your work. ✌️

[@Shunbound]

Can attest. I lived in Indianapolis for a few months during the lockdown. I was living in my car. Some of the best views were of Indy completely empty in the middle of the day. Beautiful.

[@CosmicGardener]

The leaves changing reminds me of the trip I took before picking up my puppy. It was a very modest weekend in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The art town was so vibrantly colored during our trip in October and my favorite thing was the hike we went on and saw the vibrant colors. Additionally, my favorite thing was seeing Tula - the puppy - and her yelling at me first thing bc she was still damp from a bath and proceeding to snuggle with me the whole ride home.

[@writingtotortureyou]

I moved to Ohio in 2015 and despite everyone always talking bad about Ohio I really do love it here. The fall is beautiful everything is so close (this is in comparison to Virginia where you have to get on the highway to go anywhere and everything is 30 minutes away.)

[@lifeis4letters]

In Albuquerque, it's: "The Land of Entrapment" (The state motto is the Land of Enchantment.) Everyone comes for a few years and next thing you know, it's been 30 years. Half the state is transplants and very few people ever move here planning to stay and very few ever make it back out.

[@airebnb]

I’m from the Indy metro area, and I’ve been living in Savannah, GA for a couple of months now for college, and I miss home so so so much. Of course everyone misses home when they go off to school, but I really do miss Indiana. When I graduated high school, I was so ready to get out of the state, and now that I’m gone I realize how much I actually love living in the Midwest

[@waveofmist]

My brother and I were driving through Oklahoma, and decided to come up with a state slogan for them. His suggestion was "Oklahoma: Home of Oklahoma."

[@leisti]

How about: "Oklahoma: it's not completely rectangular"?

[@ArchCraftGaming]

My girlfriend and I took a road trip where Indianapolis was a stop because my grandparents live in gosport indiana. We went to a theatre show and it was amazing. Louvre that city.

[@motherofanarchy]

Coming from someone who was born here…. You have to live somewhere. Is the perfect motto for Indianapolis.

[@Michael-js6gp]

"You gotta live somewhere" is the level of enthusiasm I had the entire nine years I lived in Indy. It's a real love it or hate it city. I was part of the latter.

[@sammcgee6785]

Yup. I live here, and I share John's love for the city, especially as a car guy.

[@AmythefirstA]

I visited Indianapolis recently, and the part I saw was lovely!

[@FishyLookinLemon]

Seeing you in a new setting compared to the crash course videos is nice as it gets to learn a new side of some of the people I watch for eduction. Same goes with hank green as I watched which when I was younger as that stuff intrigued me

[@bluetoad07]

Indianapolis and its surrounding cities are incredible. Especially moving from Cali.

[@nathanashley623]

The north side cities are nice, at least

[@Shin3y]

I used to live in Fort Wayne, but I would go to Indianapolis every now and then, Indiana is better than you’d think

[@mattjohnson999]

As someone who moved to Indianapolis, after growing up in California. “You gotta live somewhere” is why I tell friends I’m here

[@nickbrick20]

Funky Bones has been an integral component in the development of my life. It’s simplistic beauty as an iconic monument is what really drives home its importance in many people’s lives.

[@garrettrountree9824]

Indianapolis is actually one of the most artisanal, boutique, super charming, undiscovered places left in the us. I actually hope people keep sleeping so it doesn’t get saturated & watered down by the trendies

[@user-pi5xo4og9d]

That museum is great and that sculpture is fantastic 😍

[@josie4835]

This warms my heart!!!

[@jaimelubrani4435]

I'm happy you live in Indianapolis, I've lived here all my life and you're one of the few Hoosiers that make me proud to be from here :)

[@um.oceana]

I love Indiana! I live in indiana, and its honestly such an awesome place

[@annnnnaaaaa8824]

I go to school at Butler, and I still feel like I’m constantly looking around 24/7 to see if I can randomly see you out

[@Pyroast]

Hoosier here loving that you guys love Indy ❤️

[@WigglyTuffStuff]

There's a little food place on 10th street near where the indoor go-cart racing place used to be. It had a ton of -I mean, hundreds of them- hot sauces and a lunch soup and salad bar. That, the speedway, and the horse and carriage you can ride downtown, to me pretty much sum up the charm of Indianapolis. It was great. The groundedness of the people is great, too.

[@inved4452]

That slogan could not fit indiana better it truly is one of the places to live ever

[@gnrkrystle]

I grew up here and moved back. It ain't perfect, but I still love living here.

[@amberlucille8445]

I didn't know you lived here, That's cool to find out. I think the guy might've paused because Indianapolis has gotten alot more dangerous over the years, but there's dangerous places everywhere in the world. I'm glad u guys fell in love with it & found all the beautiful & artistic spots Indianapolis has. Visit the fountain square area sometime :)

[@kayhaven4710]

Holy cow I didn’t know you guys once lived here! That super cool! It’s always nice to learn something new about my state.

[@trackee2024]

I’m from Santa Barbara, CA originally. We found a cute downtown neighborhood in Indianaplis that’s walkable and full of families like ours. We really love it here!

[@Eric_B1983]

I miss my home. Grew up outside of Indy. A town called Anderson.

[@Big_betty2]

Living in southern Indiana, I love this place. I couldn’t imagine a more neutral place. It’s not good it’s not bad. It’s not always hot, it’s not always cold. Don’t ever bash Indi till you try it.

[@EefjeSavelkoul]

‘You gotta live somewhere, and this ain’t bad’ seems like a pretty good slogan to me.

[@Labrli]

I live on the north side of Indy and absolutely love it. ❤❤❤

[@chumuheha]

Indianapolis: it's a city!

[@rubenbohorquez5673]

I've been binging your shorts for a few weeks now and just now I realized that you wrote The Fault in Our Stars lmao. Tbf I'm only familiar with the title in Spanish (which translates to "Under the Same Star") so I didn't make the connection until now xd

[@friendbesto_corey]

As a fellow Indianapolis resident, I agree. We’ve got a surprising amount of food options from many cultures. Great museums. Decent sports. Jazz clubs. It’s kind of nice.

[@NevTheDeranged]

Having visited Indy for years as a GenCon attendee, I think it's a great place! Nothing to be ashamed of.

[@reebster32]

When i lived in chicago in 2009, A Czech guy I knew from prague had to work in Indianapolis a lot. He told me Indianapolis was his favorite American city.

[@zayll4945]

As an Indy resident, "All things considered, this ain't bad" would also be a fine slogan.

[@funky.turtle.05]

As someone born and raised here. Best slogan ever. And so true too.

[@lindsayguare6603]

Do you ever check out DCI in August? It’s like major league marching band. Tons of performing arts right in Lucas Oil!

[@judeeeeeeeee]

High school marching band state finals were really recent too! Definitely not as cool but wayy cheaper and still a lot of really cool shows

[@name9304]

Holy carps she took part in the skeleton man this family is just filled with accomplishes that’s so cool

[@violetsnotroses3640]

I sprained my ankle on Funky Bones in October 2021, just a few hours before we had to leave for the airport to go home. I'm still upset that I didn't get to finish walking through the park it's in, there's some really incredible art there! It's worth going just for the swing set with seats that fit adult-sized butts.

[@bertley3818]

We've grown up in and have lived all over IN, except for Indy. Had no idea it was so fun.

[@Mrs_Guac_and_Glock]

I moved to Indiana three years ago and love it! Except for the winters 🥶