Welcome to Anderson, prospective apartment hunter, and, more importantly, welcome to our apartment guide! Before we get into things, we should mention that Anderson’s had a tough row to hoe for well over a decade now, what with its manufacturing identity being torn to shreds. The closing of the automotive plants way back when certainly caused some economic damage, but the peeps here are a tenacious lot, and they love their town enough to hang in there 'till the good times return.
That doesn't mean things are particularly bad here by any means, so let’s get to the good parts about moving here
Welcome to Anderson, prospective apartment hunter, and, more importantly, welcome to our apartment guide! Before we get into things, we should mention that Anderson’s had a tough row to hoe for well over a decade now, what with its manufacturing identity being torn to shreds. The closing of the automotive plants way back when certainly caused some economic damage, but the peeps here are a tenacious lot, and they love their town enough to hang in there 'till the good times return.
That doesn't mean things are particularly bad here by any means, so let’s get to the good parts about moving here. First, the Indianapolis Colts train in this little city. The public is invited to watch, free of charge, at Anderson University. It might not be the real deal, but if you’re a die-hard Colts fan, the chance to get all those jerseys signed remains ever at your doorstep.
If you’re not a sports fan and more partial to the theatrical scene, Anderson has an amazing retro theatre – the Paramount Theatre and Ballroom. Built in 1929, it has architecture that just isn’t used any longer. The interior oozes 1920s opulence, and it’s truly a sight to see.
Oh, we almost forgot, here’s one more Anderson feature that just might seal the deal for you to move here - Hoosier Park Casino and Racing. You can play the slots, bet on the ponies, eat, drink and just be generally merry – as long as you're winning.
Now that we’ve enticed you into this little slice of the Hoosier State with some recreational activities, let’s get you up to speed on the rest of the story and find you some dynamite real estate.
You’ll find lots of historic buildings, especially downtown, in Anderson. Cheap apartments are fairly prevalent with the median rent falling around $622 a month, with prices sometimes dipping down to $485. Generally speaking, the overall cost of living is low in Anderson (assuming you’re not blowing all your cash gambling at the race track), and with the cheap rent being a staple here, you’ll be living like royalty off of a modest paycheck.
Locals in the know suggest the best parts of town are on the eastside up by the bowling alley (which sounds somewhat dubious). That part of town is a mix of good and bad, though, so avoid the area around Nichol Avenue and St. John’s Hospital.
In the west, check out Old Edgewood, and the area around Community Medical Center, further north.
Most cities that experience the kind of economic depression that Anderson has gone through experience a subsequent rise in crime. Anderson, according to FBI statistics, didn’t go that route. The crime rate is about average for the state and lower than nearby Muncie, but that doesn’t mean you should leave doors unlocked and your car windows down.
Other studies show that, while the violent crime rate is lower than the national average, the property crime rate is significantly higher. This shouldn’t scare you off, though, as every city has its fair bit of crime. When moving to an area of your choice, make sure to check out the neighborhood during the day and at night to gauge the feel. Make sure you’re comforatble with the area before signing the dotted line.
So, there ya have it, the entire skinny on a small town in the country’s rustbelt. If you’re looking for a quiet, Midwest lifestyle in a small city that has nowhere to go but up, you’ve found it in Anderson, Indiana. Welcome home.
