Do locals appreciate Bloomington as much as newcomers do?

A question has come up more than once, do the locals appreciate Bloomington as much as the transplants & newcomers do? Or is it just after you’ve been spoiled by something for so long, you don’t appreciate it as much or maybe you do, you just don’t express it?

Because it seems to be the people who have moved from various parts of the U.S., especially the big cities, that are really and truly amazed with what they find. Maybe it’s because when they think Indiana, they think mid-west, they think it will be a flat terrain and maybe they envision small towns, corn fields and factories.

I am not sure, but one thing that is sure is that Bloomington is not at all what they expected, it is much, much more. I think it’s the fact that it’s such a nice surprise to discover all of the art, culture, music, the variety and sophistication of the cuisine, festivals, recreation, education along with more specific local treasures such as the farmers market, the international Lotus music festival, the Fourth Street Art Faire, some great local wineries and Lake Monroe just to name a few. Believe me the list goes on.

I’m guessing the locals appreciate it as much as the first timers, they just grew with the town and don’t think so much about it. All that I know, is that I’m a CA transplant and I continue to enjoy Bloomington and discover more and more each day. I feel very lucky to have landed here.