Officially recognized as an "All American City" in the year 2004 by the National Civic League, Evansville is the third largest city in Indiana and it has also been voted as the best place to "Live, Work and Play" in 2008 by the readers of Kiplinger. In addition to being a great place to live, work and play, Evansville also happens to be the cultural, financial and medical hub of southwest Indiana, and one of the most commercially vital cities in the Illinois-Indiana-Kentucky tri-state area.
You'll find a little bit of everything in Evansville, from top-notch entertainment, culture and nightlife, to some of the best regional universities and institutions of higher learning in the Midwest, to large, publically traded corporations who call the city their home.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Evansville. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Evansville 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 temperatures between the maximum and the minimum is very high in the state.
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.
Evansville Neighborhoods
The south side of Evansville is bordered by the Ohio River, which creates a natural horseshoe-like bend along the border between Indiana and Kentucky. On the west side of Evansville, in Posey County, neighborhoods are built on rolling hills that surround the valley which lies towards eastern portion of the city. In this area of the city you can find Burdette Park, the Mesker Park Zoo and the Mesker Amphitheatre, among other notable landmarks and attractions.
In the east, the land in Warrick and Gibson counties is protected from the Ohio River by several levees and this area is home to the Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve and the Angel Mounds State Historic Site, a burial site that is believed to have been abandoned a few hundred years ago.
Living Costs in the City
The economy of Evansville has long been a stable one, and the many businesses and corporations that call the city home have contributed to the city's economy over the last few decades, even throughout the recent economic downturn. Evansville has endured its share of economic struggle since the recession, but has begun to recover since. The living costs in Evansville are relatively low when compared to the national average, and the median family income as of 2011 was $47,811. Also, the real estate prices are extremely low compared to the national average, with a median home price of only $76,336.
The cost of living is fairly low in Evansville, compared to other major cities, however this is characteristic of many moderately-sized Midwestern cities. When compared to the national average job growth of24.63 percent, Evansville's job market has been relatively stagnant as of late, despite the diverse economic base of the region and the city. With a job growth rate of -8.12 percent, the job growth is slower than the national average, and it may be a smart idea to secure employment before making your move to Evansville.
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. 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 examination by a law enforcement officer or at any local license office is also required.
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.
Evansville Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Evansville, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Indiana. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Evansville Schools
Evansville has several notable educational institutions located within the city limits. There is one unified public school district for the city of Evansville, which is the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. In this system are five public high schools, 11 middle schools and 20 elementary schools.
There are also five private and charter schools located in Evansville. One of them in particular, the Signature School, ranked 27th in 2009 and 7th in 2010 on the list of "Top 100 High Schools" in the entire nation by Newsweek. The school consistently attracts some of the brightest young students in the country.
Evansville is also home to several colleges and universities such as the University of Southern Indiana, the University of Evansville and campuses for Ivy Tech Community College, Harrison College, Oakland City University and the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Evansville Employment
Evansville is the major regional financial center for Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. The city's major industry sectors include – manufacturing, retail, healthcare, finance and warehousing. A number of large corporations are headquartered within the city of Evansville, including five that are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and several more that are traded on the NASDAQ. These companies include Mead Johnson, Shoe Carnival, SpringLeaf Financial, Atlas Van Lines, Old National Bank and more.
A large sector of the employment industry in Evansville is also centered on the healthcare and medical science industries, and the city is a healthcare hub for the tri-state area of Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. Some of the region's premier healthcare institutions are located in the city, including Deaconess Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center, as well as the Deaconess Gateway and Women's Hospital.
Evansville's strategic location on the Ohio River has made it a successful trade city and its status as a U.S. Customs Port of Entry has opened the doors for the city to become the financial and commercial hub that it's become over the past few decades. The city's location has also made it an ideal city for the transfer of international cargo.
Public Transportation
Evansville's location on the Ohio River and its proximity to several major interstate highways makes it easily accessible from just about anywhere. The city is also well connected with rail, bus, water and air transport systems that connect Evansville to other parts of the region.
Public transportation systems in the city include the Metropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) which provides Evansville residents with bus transportation to anywhere in the city. There are also several easily accessible bike trails and pedestrian trails and the city featured an extensive electric streetcar system well into the 20th century, like many other cities in the region.
The Evansville Regional Airport is the major airport that serves the Evansville metropolitan area. The airport offers over 30 flights a day to destinations all over the country.
Culture and Contemporary Life
Evansville is a culturally rich and diverse city, with a little something to fulfill everyone's needs and interests. There are several annual festivals held in the city throughout the year, from the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival held every October, which attracts over 150,000 people, to the Evansville Freedom Festival in July and the Germania Mannerchor Volksfest, a three-day German heritage festival held every August.
In addition to the lively and entertaining festivals, the city is also home to several museums like the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science, Reitz Home Museum and the Children's Museum of Evansville. For the sports fans, the Evansville Otters are the city's minor league baseball team and the Evansville IceMen are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL.
For animal lovers, the Mesker Park Zoo is one of the oldest and largest zoos in the state of Indiana and it features over 200 species and 700 individual animals spread out over 50 acres of land. Over 3 million visitors flock to the zoo each year between April and August. The Casino Aztar, the first riverboat casino in the state of Indiana is also one of the city's most popular attractions.
Moving to Evansville
Whatever your reasons for moving to Evansville, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Evansville is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.