It’s true, Indianapolis is making headlines: Indy is a Top 5 City Creating Tech Jobs, it’s  a Top 5 City for Women in Tech, and Salesforce is one of Indiana’s Best Places to Work. But accolades aside, what’s it really like to live and work in Indianapolis?

We asked Solution Engineer and Indy-newbie Lindsey Mark for her take on the city and why she chose to bid farewell to Denver, Colorado and put down roots in the hometown of Salesforce’s second largest office. Here’s what she had to say:

Why did you choose to move to Indianapolis?

I moved to Indy to join the #SalesforceOhana as a Marketing Cloud Solution Engineer. As a CRM customer (and Salesforce fan!) since the beginning of my career, it was a dream role and a great opportunity to leverage my technical expertise and satisfy my desire to work with customers. I was confident that Salesforce Indy would be just as innovative and exciting as the rest of the company — so I decided to move to Indianapolis, without ever visiting. Luckily I was right, and six months later, I’m happier than ever in Indy!

You moved to Indianapolis sight-unseen! What has surprised you most about the city?

I relocated from a trendy neighborhood outside of Denver (think: walking distance to great food, music venues, and hiking trails), and I’m pleasantly surprised by how easy it’s been to embrace Indy! I love the friendly midwestern vibe, the countless great food spots, inexpensive housing options, and awesome museums. If anything, the biggest change from Denver to Indy was trading mountain life for lake activities! There’s also a number of biking and walking paths, and always something affordable and fun to do around the city.

You just purchased your first home — tell us about house-hunting in Indy.

Yes! I’m excited to say that I own my first home and it’s surreal — owning a home has been a goal of mine for several years. Indy has so many affordable options that I was able to make my goal a reality! I got an amazing deal on a three bedroom, two bath house with a HUGE yard. It’s got a ton of curb appeal and is located in the historic Bates Hendricks neighborhood — just a short bike ride (or walk) from the office and a stone’s throw from Fountain Square, one of the city’s six cultural districts. I can’t wait to make it my own!

Sounds like it’s fun living in Indy — so what’s it like working at Salesforce Indy?

Salesforce has an incredible culture and the Indy hub is no different. The team here has a ton to offer, and that’s evident in the active Ohana groups — our employee-led groups centered around common life experiences or backgrounds — and countless VTO opportunities. Not to mention, they know how to have fun! I’ve had so many cool experiences already — like scoring free tickets to a U2 concert and carrying the flag for the Indianapolis Colts’ opening day. I can’t wait to see what other unique experiences this hub has to offer.

What would you say to someone considering a move to Indy?

If you’re looking for an adventure, Indy is a great city to explore! There are a ton of cool places within driving distance — including Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, Columbus, St. Louis, and Nashville — and you’ll get to come home to friendly neighbors, great colleagues, and an amazing city to work and play.

And, for me, the affordability of living in Indianapolis presented a wonderful opportunity. I’m able to take advantage of the low cost of living and high quality of life, all while pursuing a career that I love. That’s what I consider a win-win … win!

Does Salesforce Indy sound like the right place for you? Apply for open jobs now!