When considering a move to Indianapolis, there are many factors to consider, such as schools, employment opportunities, and where to buy a home. But one of the most important things to keep in mind is the multiple time zones within the state of Indiana. Indiana is one of thirteen states in the U. S. that is within multiple time zones, with parts of the state in Central and Eastern Time. This can be confusing for those living in the greater Indy area, as most of the state is in Eastern Time, while some of the most populated parts are in Central Time.
The northern and southern parts of the state are in Central Time, with a large section cut in the middle that is in Eastern Time. The state capital and seat of state government are also in Eastern Time, while much of the state is not. The Indiana side of the area surrounding Chicago, known as “The Region”, is also in Central Time. Most of the region is about three hours from Indianapolis.
When Indiana residents travel within the state or try to watch a broadcast from Indianapolis, it can be difficult to remember the time zone difference. To make matters even more confusing, when Indiana became a daylight-saving state, drawing the boundaries of the two local time zones wasn't easy. The line was drawn to state lines, but because Indiana is so long, there are many different cities and lifestyles within it.
Most of the state is in Eastern Time (80 of the 92 counties), but some of the most populated parts of the state are in Central Time. Northwest Indiana cities are in Central Time because they are so close to Chicago. Being in the same time zone as this large metropolis nearby was the most logical option.
For those traveling within Indiana, especially if heading to Indy from another part of the state, it can be extremely confusing. Fortunately, daylight saving time helps alleviate some of this confusion. Originally, daylight saving time was used to help farmers take advantage of daytime growing hours in a day. By changing the business hours of the day to better fit the daylight hours, everyone can benefit from seemingly longer days.
Humans also receive an advantage on a much deeper evolutionary level. People are diurnal, which means that our brains are designed to be awake and active during the day. Daylight stimulates our brain and helps us think and be productive, just as it once helped our ancestors hunt, gather and travel long distances.
Our bodies use another evolutionary product, the Circadian Rhythm, to know when we should be awake and when we should sleep. Even a self-proclaimed night owl has within him this natural body clock, which tells him to be awake when the sun rises.
While there are many benefits of daylight saving time, it can be frustrating when it gets dark before you can get home and start cooking dinner or when children only have a couple of hours to play outside before losing light. Crazy time zones and all that aside, Indianapolis is a wonderful place to call home.
If you're ready to move into your dream home in Indy please contact me and I would love to help you find your perfect place!
