Bloomington, IN: A hometown feel with international appeal

by Melissa Stone

With a population of about 82,000, Bloomington, Indiana, has fewer people than the capacity of some university or professional sports arenas. However, most people stepping into Bloomington for the first time are fresh, young Indiana University students who have never lived in such a big town. Whatever the reason for your visit and no matter how long you stay, you'll be lucky to experience what is so unique about Bloomington: its hometown feel with international appeal.

The City of Bloomington loves to keep things local. From farmer's markets to small businesses and grassroots organizations, Bloomington celebrates keeping it local. Even though it's close to Indianapolis, Indiana; Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky and more, there's never a need to head out of town. In fact, the bike-friendly community allows for easy access to all of your favorites things without the need for a car - which is not only friendly to the environment but also to its largest population for most the year: IU students.

If residents ever feel tired of "big town living", they can visit the numerous parks and recreational areas. Lake Monroe is a quick trip right outside of town, where residents can swim, fish, rent boats, etc! I personally spend lots of time at the lake just taking in all the gorgeous scenery! Also, Hoosier National Forest hugs Bloomington and Lake Monroe. The campus of Indiana University is also breathtaking, as it is full of beautiful trees and grassy areas that make it easy to grab a book and lounge in the shade.

Bloomington is a college town. Around 40,000 students attend IU each year, fueling new business ideas and nonprofit organizations, community service projects and an unmatched spirit for the community in which they live. You can't go five minutes in the city without witnessing Hoosier pride - and with nationally ranked men's and women's sports teams, it's easy to become a Hoosier fan and start waving that IU flag! And IU doesn't stop at national recognition. The university sees an increasing number of international students every year, giving the small Indiana town international flair.

One word many people probably won't put next to a small Midwest town is diverse, but the truth is Bloomington wouldn't thrive without it! Each year, Bloomington celebrates diversity through a number of festivals, concerts and more. In addition, Fourth Street harbors many international restaurants, ranging from Italian and Thai to Turkish, French and anything else you can imagine. Even family members of the Dalai Lama have an established restaurant in Bloomington, proving the city is much more than just a university - it's an easy place to call home. The people of Bloomington are forever thankful for the city where they live. They continuously show pride by giving back to their community and creating a welcoming city that's difficult to leave. The best thing is that you'll never have to leave - the Hoosier pride will always be within you wherever you go!