If you’re considering moving to Bloomington, IN, you will first need to do a little research to determine whether this is the right city for you.
Bloomington is both exciting and diverse for those living here.
It can be even more appealing for new residents.
Currently, there are more than 80,000 people living in Bloomington.
However, not only does Bloomington offer high-quality education and a thriving job market, but there are also some downsides to living here.
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Pros of Living in Bloomington, IN
Here is a list of pros of living in Bloomington, IN.
1. Thriving Economy
One of the biggest pros of living in Bloomington is that the city has a strong economy.
The largest employer here is Indiana University, followed by the Cook Group.
Tech jobs are also big in Bloomington.
They also offer one of the best healthcare systems around.
Furthermore, Bloomington is the largest manufacturer of limestone in the United States.
2. Plenty of Festivals
If you enjoy festivals, you’ll love what Bloomington has to offer.
Plenty of annual festivals take place including the Limestone Comedy Festival that takes place at the Comedy Attic.
Some well-known guests who have appeared here in the past include Janine Garofalo, Tig Notaro, and Kevin Smith.
Additionally, the September Lotus World Music and Art Festival is a festival for all music lovers to enjoy.
Finally, The Taste of Bloomington takes place each year and serves up food from 40 local restaurants.
3. University Benefits
You don’t have to be a student at one of the local universities to enjoy the community benefits.
Fortunately, having a well-known, big university in town means that everyone is able to take advantage of various lecture series, shows, and films.
This enables all residents living in Bloomington to expand their knowledge.
The university consists of the Maurer School of Law, the Kinsey Institute, and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
4. Various Museums and Libraries
Bloomington offers plenty of libraries and museums.
The library in Bloomington offers various collections from Abraham Lincoln, Kurt Vonnegut, and Jack Kerouac.
There are also plenty of cookbooks and children’s books.
Additionally, the Wonder Lab Museum of Science, Health, and Technology is perfect if you have children.
It’s a great learning experience for children of all ages.
5. Variety of Cuisine Options
Monroe County has more than 350 restaurants. 110 of these are located downtown.
The majority of them are owned by locals. Additionally, there is a variety of international cuisine options in Bloomington.
You can find many types of cuisine options such as Asian, Japanese, Indian, Turkish, Middle Eastern, Thai, Tibetan, and much more.
In fact, Bloomington is the only U.S. city to offer a Tibetan cultural center.
So, if you’re looking for a city with plenty of diversity, it’s safe to say you found your match.
6. Outdoor-Friendly
If you are a huge fan of the outdoors, you will love knowing that Bloomington provides ample opportunity to enjoy some of your favorite outdoor activities.
Monroe Lake is located in town and enables fishing, swimming, hiking, and boating.
Additionally, Bloomington makes biking and walking relatively easy.
There’s a 3-mile trail, known as the Beeline Trail located within the city.
7. Sports Programs
Every year in April, the university in Bloomington hosts a bicycle race inspired by the 1979 film “Breaking Away.”
You can also take advantage of various basketball programs that were put together by the university.
So, if you consider yourself a sports fan, this is a great opportunity.
Furthermore, there are many sports, designed for both men and women, to participate in.
These sports range from football to track.
8. Easy Access to Indianapolis
Another pro of living in Bloomington is that it’s close to Indianapolis, the state’s capital.
The exact distance between Bloomington and Indianapolis is 51 miles, which equals out to 1 hour and 13 minutes.
This is a huge plus if you’re looking for more exciting things to do.
Indianapolis has a lot to offer including the Children’s Museum, Indianapolis Zoo, Lucas Oil Stadium, and various historic sites.
Cons of Living in Bloomington, IN
Now, let’s take a look at some of the downsides of living in Bloomington, IN.
1. Cost of Living
Unfortunately, the cost of living in Bloomington is high, making it one of the biggest cons of living here.
Overall, the cost of living in Bloomington is 9% higher than the rest of the state of Indiana.
Additionally, housing is 3% higher than the national average, and utilities are 6% higher.
However, there’s still a light at the end of the tunnel.
Transportation costs including gas prices and bus fares are 10% lower compared to the national average.
2. High Poverty Rate
Another downside of living in Bloomington, IN is its high poverty rate.
The poverty rate is 17.7%. Compared to other cities in the nation, this is much higher.
On average, the poverty rate across the United States is between 10 and 13%.
Out of 69,000 people, 23,000 live below the poverty line in Bloomington.
3. High Crime Rate
Besides having a high poverty rate, Bloomington also has a high crime rate.
The total crime rate is 32 per 1,000 residents in Bloomington.
This is higher than the national average.
The violent crime rate in Bloomington accounts for 5 per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 27 per 1,000 residents.
However, despite these numbers, Bloomington is still a thriving community with a ton of things to offer to those who live here.
4. Cold Winter Temperatures
Overall, you may consider winter weather in Bloomington quite pleasant unless you are moving from a warmer climate.
This may be a downside for others.
Winters in Bloomington rarely fall below 22 degrees Fahrenheit, but even still this is freezing when you factor in the wind chill, etc.
Additionally, Bloomington as well as the entire state see heavy snow during the winter months.
This can be another disadvantage for those who dislike too much snow.
5. Small City
If you’re used to a big city feel, Bloomington may not be the best town for you to move to.
Overall, the city is smaller compared to other larger cities in the nation.
Bloomington does offer plenty of restaurants, but you won’t find many national chains here.
For example, if you’re looking for restaurants such as PF Chang, you will have to travel out of your way to find one.
6. Traffic Congestion
While you won’t find the same amount of traffic in Bloomington as you would in a bigger city, they do see a lot of traffic.
This is especially true during school hours and rush hour.
Above all else, Bloomington is a small city, with a lot of people living here.
This means that you can expect to experience some delays during peak travel hours.
7. Low Median Income
The median income for residents living in Bloomington, IN is $41,995.
To live comfortably in Bloomington, you must earn at least $49,000.
Furthermore, the minimum wage in Bloomington is only $7.25 per hour, which is considered low.
There are also some reports that list Bloomington as the poorest city in the state of Indiana.
However, this is mainly due to their high poverty rate.
8. Things to Do Are Limited
There are several things to do in Bloomington such as Oliver Winery, Wonderlab Science Museum, Monroe Lake, and Eskenazi Museum of Art.
However, it’s extremely limited.
This is especially true for the nightlife in Bloomington.
It’s mostly geared towards college students.
Additionally, there isn’t much to do outside downtown Bloomington.
To make matters worse, most of the east side of town shuts down at 10 p.m.
Again, if you’re looking for more exciting attractions or a busier nightlife scene, you will have to go out of your way.
Pros and Cons of Living in Bloomington, IN – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Bloomington, IN | Cons of Living in Bloomington, IN |
|---|---|
| 1. Thriving Economy | 1. Cost of Living |
| 2. Plenty of Festivals | 2. High Poverty Rate |
| 3. University Benefits | 3. High Crime Rate |
| 4. Various Museums and Libraries | 4. Cold Winter Temperatures |
| 5. Variety of Cuisine Options | 5. Small City |
| 6. Outdoor-Friendly | 6. Traffic Congestion |
| 7. Sports Programs | 7. Low Median Income |
| 8. Easy Access to Indianapolis | 8. Things to Do Are Limited |
Bloomington Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Bloomington Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bloomington, IN have a good quality of life?
Residents living in Bloomington, overall have a positive quality of life.
9 out of 10 people living here, rank it as “favorable.”
Additionally, the majority of residents believe that Bloomington is a great place to raise children.
Furthermore, most neighborhoods here are considered safe.
What are some of the best neighborhoods in Bloomington, IN?
If you decide to call Bloomington your home, you want to ensure that you select the perfect neighborhood.
To help you with your search, here are some of the most highly-rated neighborhoods in Bloomington:
- McDoel Gardens
- Park Ridge
- Sunny Slopes
- Fritz
- Maples Heights
What are some things that make living in Bloomington, IN special?
Bloomington, IN is considered a college town with a small city feel.
They have a lot to offer here.
There’s plenty of live music, farmer’s markets, restaurants, and festivals that take place in Bloomington.
Furthermore, the scenery here is eccentric.
What type of job market does Bloomington, IN have?
The average annual salary is $41,995.
However, the unemployment rate in Bloomington is lower than the national average.
Furthermore, the job market is favorable in Bloomington.
Overall, what’s the weather like in Bloomington, IN?
Depending on where you live in the country, you may or may not experience all four seasons.
There are certain areas that only experience moderate temperatures throughout the year.
However, in Bloomington, you can expect an equal mixture of both.
The month of July is when residents here will experience the highest temperatures averaging up to 76 degrees.
Residents see the coldest temperatures in January where they average around 30 degrees.
Bloomington is all about blending tradition with a vibrant arts and culture scene. The iconic Indiana University campus is at the heart of our city, offering a ton of cultural events, from music performances at the Jacobs School of Music to the art exhibitions at the Eskenazi Museum. It’s a relaxed and friendly place to call home, with low crime rates and warm, welcoming residents. If you’re a millennial looking for a mix of academia, culture, and nature, Bloomington could be your ideal choice.
The Buskirk-Chumley Theater is a hidden gem for live performances, give it a go. Safety in Bloomington is a real plus, making it easy to roam around and explore the unique shops and cafes in the Downtown area. A city nestled in the beautiful Indiana countryside, with places like the Monroe Lake and the Hoosier National Forest nearby, this city is perfect if you’re the outdoorsy type. The colder temperature might bother others but I’ve grown used to it.