cities, part 2

Indianapolis is the 12 largest city in America. But like its location, it falls within the middle of the American cultural experience. Mostly, it might pat you on the shoulder.

We are diffident. (Move here from another state, muchless from a large city, and you will be repeatedly asked why you moved to Indianapolis). And yet self-conscious. (Our major cemetary is the third largest in the nation, we rank high in cigarette smokers -- these kinds of rankings are used in conversations with newcomers).

This is not a hard place to live. Until the last couple of years, driving around town was fairly easy. Most places have parking lots. There is an extensive greenbelt for public exercise. The cost of living is far below many other metropolitan areas.