How do Terre Haute and Bloomington compare? (Wabash, Linton: neighborhood, quality of life)

[edujop]

I am moving to the area (to a very small town in between Terre Haute and Bloomington actually). It is about equal distance to both of the aforementioned cities. How do they compare in such areas as recreation and scenery. What about infrastructure? Quality of life? I am not a person who cares about shopping (except for picking up basic supplies), or restaurants, or nightlife. I tend to be drawn to recreation, especially rivers, and scenery, especially in the countryside. Is there any other helpful comparisons you can share with me that I might not have remembered to include? Thank you.

[WestsideMac]

That's a great area if you are halfway between those 2 cities for outdoor recreation. You'll have McCormick's Creek State Park (Great hiking trails, falls, and wolf cave (sometimes you can hike into though very tight squeeze in some portions of the cave)) not far away. You also have Cataract Falls, Lieber State Rec Area (read big lake for boating, fishing, or other water activities), and Owen-Putnam State Forest is nearby for more hiking. White River runs through Spencer, IN near McCormick's Creek. Mill Creek runs a little more to the North, but I think those are about it for the bigger rivers.

Down in/near Bloomington you'll find Lake Monroe and Morgan-Monroe State Forest. You also have a bunch of wineries in that area, Oliver being the most prominent one. Over by Terre Haute you have the Wabash River and Shakamak State Park. I'm sure there are smaller parks and other opportunities, but those are the ones I've been to or heard others use.

[edujop]

Originally Posted by WestsideMac

That's a great area if you are halfway between those 2 cities for outdoor recreation. You'll have McCormick's Creek State Park (Great hiking trails, falls, and wolf cave (sometimes you can hike into though very tight squeeze in some portions of the cave)) not far away. You also have Cataract Falls, Lieber State Rec Area (read big lake for boating, fishing, or other water activities), and Owen-Putnam State Forest is nearby for more hiking. White River runs through Spencer, IN near McCormick's Creek. Mill Creek runs a little more to the North, but I think those are about it for the bigger rivers.

Down in/near Bloomington you'll find Lake Monroe and Morgan-Monroe State Forest. You also have a bunch of wineries in that area, Oliver being the most prominent one. Over by Terre Haute you have the Wabash River and Shakamak State Park. I'm sure there are smaller parks and other opportunities, but those are the ones I've been to or heard others use.

Wow thank you so much.

[Serious Conversation]

IU is much larger and has more of an impact on the city of Bloomington than Indiana State has on Terre Haute. I went through Terre Haute quite a bit and didn't dislike it, but Bloomington is just much more vibrant with more outdoor recreation nearby. Terre Haute is going to be quite a bit cheaper.

[dodeca]

You're going to be in one of the best spots in Indiana for outdoor recreation. Within an hour you can get to several beautiful state parks, nature conservancies and national and state forests. Bloomington is by far a better natural destination, with the Hoosier National Forest, Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Lake Griffy Park north of the city, Cedar Bluffs, and McCormick's Creek. Near Terre Haute, the land flattens out, but the Wabashiki Park just west of downtown Terre Haute, and Turkey Run north of the city are beautiful. The Goose Pond Preserve near Linton has excellent bird watching. Terre Haute also has much better city and county parks than Bloomington/Monroe - Deming, Dobbs, and Hawthorne among them. I grew up near Collett Park in TH, it's a beautiful neighborhood/city park.