Moving to Indiana?
One of the Great Lakes states located in the continental U.S. west of the Appalachian Mountains,
Indiana is nicknamed the Hoosier State. It originated from an Old Saxon word meaning hill dweller. Others believe the
term originated from the Southern region of the U.S. as a derogatory slang term for a country bumpkin.
Indiana
has been inhabited by various indigenous Native Americans for thousands of years. The remnants of these ancient civilizations
are found at the Angel Mounds State Historic Site.
The Indiana state motto “Crossroads of America” stems from
the state having more miles of interstate highway per square mile than any other state. Indiana boasts of one of the
greatest annual spectacles in sports – the Indianapolis 500, a 500-mile-long race which is held every Memorial Day weekend
in the state's capital city of Indianapolis.
If you’re moving to Indiana, there are a lot of things you’re
going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Things to Know When Moving to Indiana
Indiana Climate
A humid continental climate with warm summers and cool winters is found extensively in the state of Indiana, while
the extreme southern portion of the state experiences a humid subtropical climate with maximum precipitation.
The range of snow is a phenomenon where cold winds pick up moisture while moving temperature between the maximum
and the minimum is very high in the state. Lake-effect across a large expanse of warm water such as a lake, which
then is deposited as snow on the shores. Half of the snowfall in northwest and north central Indiana is due to
this phenomenon. Although, Indiana is ranked sixth among the tornado-prone states in the country, it is not a
part of tornado alley. Geographically, the state consists of the central lowlands and the interior low plateau.
The Wabash River is the official river of Indiana.
Registering your Car
You have 60 days to register your car in Indiana from the date of the beginning
of your residency in the state of Indiana. For registering your vehicle, proof of your residency in the state
and proof of your social security number should be submitted at a BMV office. Vehicle Inspection Number inspection
by a law enforcement officer or at any local license office is also required.
Obtaining a Indiana Driver's License
A driver’s license should be obtained within 60 days of becoming a
resident of the state of Indiana. You are required to surrender your valid out-of-state driver's license before
applying for an Indiana state license. If you do not have a valid out-of-state driver's license, then you are
required to get an Indiana's learner permit for 180 days, before you can apply for the state's license.
Crime Rankings
As of 2011, Indiana was ranked 25th out of 50 states in violent crime, with a total of less than 25
violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.
Industries
The economy of Indiana is driven by agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and pharmaceuticals. The state
lies in the corn belt and has a feedlot system of raising corn to fatten hogs and cattle. Other major crops include soybeans,
melons, tomatoes, grapes, mint, and tobacco. The products of the manufacturing sector are steel, automobiles, electrical
equipment, transportation equipment, and chemical products. Indiana is one of the leading states in the U.S. in the area
of sales and shipments of pharmaceutical products. The state is the home of Eli Lilly's headquarters and research facilities.
Lawrence County is famous for decorative limestone mining. Coal mines and medium-operating petroleum fields are also
located in the state. CEO magazine in 2011 ranked the state sixth in the country for best places to do business.
Employment Statistics
As of early 2012, the state of Indiana had an unemployment rate of 8.4 percent, which is just slightly higher than
the national average of 8.2 percent.
Average Income
The median household income in the state of Indiana is $47,697, while the average per capita income
for the state is $24,058.
Moving and Storage
If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything,
you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or
with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Real Estate
The average listing price for homes in Indiana is $185,734, while the median sales price is just over $63,655. The Indiana Association of Realtors is the official real estate resource for the state of Indiana.
Major landmarks and attractions
John Dillinger Museum; RV Hall of Fame; Hall of Heroes Museum; Backyard Roller
Coasters of John Ivers; Ultraviolet Apocalypse; Joe Palooka Statue; Dan Quayle Center and US Vice Presidential
Museum; University of Notre Dame; Indianapolis Motor Speedway
State Capital: Indianapolis
Largest Cities: Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Gary, Indianapolis, Hammond
Schools
Indiana was the first state in the country to implement a state-funded public school system in 1816, but it was revoked
in 1851 as tax money was not available for its organization. The Indiana School Board Association (ISBA) is comprised
of 290 public school corporations that ensure the highest quality public education for all children. The ISBA
helps respective school boards in improving their governance through education, legislative advocacy, and services.
As part of higher education, Indiana University, Purdue University, and Indiana State University are some of
the most notable institutions in the state. Certain colleges and universities have religious affiliations like
the University of Notre Dame and the University of Saint Francis, which are Roman Catholic. Taylor University
has been ranked number one among Midwest regional colleges for five years in a row. The Rose-Human Institute
of Technology, one of the premier institutes in the undergraduate engineering program is in the state.
National Parks
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
State park System
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources maintains and operates the state's 25 parks.
Richard Lieber was responsible for the formation of the Indiana State Park System, with the intention of preserving
its natural environment. Mounds State Park, for its historical nature, and Shakamak State Park for recreational
purposes, are both an exception in deviating from the initial purposes of Indiana State Park system. The state's
extensive parks let you indulge in an array of outdoor activities such as golfing, swimming, boating, cycling,
fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, and camping.
Major Airports
Indianapolis International Airport
Fort Wayne International Airport
Evansville Regional Airport
South Bend Regional Airport
Gary-Chicago International Airport