Hey Indy residents -- Forbes ranked Indianapolis as the #3 BEST Bang for the Buck City.

It's a tough world in this economy we live in today. [Hi. That was my obvious statement for the day.]  But when Forbes scoured the nation to find where people could get the most value out of their dollars they turned up a list of best, and they turned up a list of worst.

Well I think Indy is a pretty swell place too. As Forbes noticed, our housing is more affordable, the job market is more vibrant and we pay less for gas. No doubt, those are all good and important. But who wants to live somewhere based on those reasons alone? When work is done, is there anything else to do? While I can't tell you what it's like to live in another place; I can tell you what it's like to live in Indy.

I live in Broad Ripple, a neighborhood just about 6 miles north of downtown Indianapolis. And I love my neighborhood. It's filled with cafes&restaurants, boutiques, nightlife and the Monon Trail, from which I can walk or ride my bike to downtown, or all the way to the northern suburbs. I work downtown, and since I'm able to live so close, my commute is short. Saving me both gas and time. [Which I can spend doing things more exciting than sitting in my car.] And stepping out of my office - the streets are busy, the people are friendly and there is always a good chance I'll run into someone I know on the sidewalk.

So Indy is #3, just behind Austin and San Antonio, Texas.

But no matter where you live, chances are you've felt the pinch in recent days, weeks and months. I at least am a little comforted to know however, that the old adage doesn't always hold true. The grass isn't always greener. Unless you're somewhere other than Indianapolis [or Texas], in which case - the house across the street from me is on the market!