Hey Indy girls-?s for you

Blessed8/21/04

DH and I are considering relocating to Indy. I lived there about 5 years ago, but I realize that a lot changes in 5 years. Update me- what sides of town are the best to live on based on safety, price, neighborhoods, and school districts? What sides would you live on, and what sides would you absolutely not live on? I loved Indy, and am so excited about possibly coming back!!!!! ?We miss the midwest, and want to raise DD with those good midwestern values.

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iluvben

well i may be biased, but i love living in Carmel.  Hamilton county was ranked in Forbes (sp?) as one of the best counties in the country to live, work, and raise a family.

I have an aunt in Brownsburg and that place seems to be growing bigger by the second.  unfortunately i dont know much about the south side neighborhoods, but maybe some of the other girls can help there

 

Nique1370

I  moved here 5 months ago from Downtown Chicago.  I live on the South Side in Greenwood and it is very similar to the western suburbs of Chicago.  With the exceptions of course of being much much smaller, no traffic and a much lower cost of living.

KYoung13

We live on the east side in New Palestine, about 25 min from downtown but in a nice small town setting.  I love the safety and security of a smaller town and knowing people in our community.  The downside to here is that we have to drive 20 or so minutes to get to a mall. 

Personally, as far as where not to live, I'd stay away from most places inside the 465 loop.   Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville, Greenfield, Avon, Brownsburg, Plainfield, and Greenwood are all nice places to live in my opinion.  There's a nice area on just about every side of town.

PinkPiano

I personally love Zionsville...I think it is absolutely adorable.  I think it would be great to live in "the village" and be within walking distance to the shops & restaurants.  Noblesville also has a really cute downtown with a lot of potential and I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper than Zionsville.  I think these two areas are a little more unique, that's why I like them so well, though I don't live in either.

 

 

That_girl_lola

You know- it's really so subjective and dependent on what your needs/wants are too.

Someone else posted that they wouldn't live inside 465....no disrespect to them- but my guess is that is guided by the news they see or hear rather than actual experience in the inner city neighborhoods. We live on the near eastside in Emerson Heights (www.emersonheights.org) and I love it. It's a small, old neighborhood of great old homes- the neighborhood was started in 1911. I love that we're 7 minutes from the center of downtown and have nice sidewalks, close to shopping, parks, restaurants, etc. There has been a lot of growth and change in this neighborhood (we've lived her almost 5 years now)- it's south of 70 off of Emerson, between 10th and Michigan Sts. Our neighboring neighborhoods are Little Flower and Irvington- two other revitalizing neighborhoods.

 On the other hand- it is in IPS school district for public- but there are private and charter schools nearby- so there are options. And yes, there is crime on the inner part of 465 (just like there is crime anywhere) - it is a more concentrated area, so it appears more plentiful- I'm not disregarding that- but despite some opinions, there are some GREAT people and really great neighborhoods and real estate inside 465.

That_girl_lola

Oh, and really, not to be catty- but just as an example- out towards you in New Pal- not too long ago was where (in Wannamaker) that elderly lady was beaten by a stranger in her home......crime happens anywhere.

PUBoilerBride

I think common favorites are Carmel, Noblesville, Zionsville, Avon, Plainfield and Brownsburg for nice areas to live in with good schools.

KK06

We moved "back home" to Indy from Raleigh, NC last year and LOVE it here. It is a little more expensive than I remember from before (everything goes up) but there is always something to do and homes are affordable. We rent in Castleton, which is convenient but the traffic is awful. We are looking to buy next summer or the summer after in Fishers or Carmel. My stepbrother and stepsister both live in Greenwood and like it down there too. Plus, inside 465 there are tons of really cute neighborhoods (especially near downtown) with historic homes. I guess that is what I like about Indy...something for everyone.

RodneysWife

As someone who lives inside of 465, in one of the historic neighborhoods downtown (Herron-Morton Place) I have to agree with the poster from Emerson Heights.  Don't write off the interior neighborhoods, there's a lot of revitalization going on and it's an amazing time to live in Downtown Indy.  

I agree with most of what she said so I won't reiterate what she said, but just that I agree with her and urge you to check out the neighborhoods inside the loop.  

SusieDMB

As a teacher, I would send my kids to Noblesville or Zionsville.  I went to Carmel and think it's a great system, but it's up to 1200 kids in a grade at the high school.    Hamilton Southeastern is a good system too, but there is so much traffic in Fishers and the area is growing like crazy.

earthmuffin

We live on the southside between Greenwood and downtown and we LOVE it!!! We have great access to downtown and are a short drive from everywhere, its got a nice suburban feeling and people are really nice. But it's all subjective. If you can do a long weekend visit that might help ?

sare_bear

My husband lived in Fishers before we got married.. It was really nice.

kellyjo4.16.04

I agree with whoever said this was subjective.  I'll just tell it like I feel.  I'm another one who lives inside the 465 loop in an urban area.  I love it and couldn't ever live in Hamilton County.  I like being 7 mins from downtown (I'm near west, so I'm directly opposite side of Emerson Heights!), have great diversity in my neighborhood, and my mortgage & taxes are soooo CHEAP!!   Downtown living might not be right for everyone, but I encourage you to check out some of the downtown neighborhoods--- if that interests you! Check this out...
 

http://www.indydt.com/dtneighborhoodmap.cfm?&lm=ld

 

CollegeGrrl219

When I first moved to Indy, I chose to live in Castleton because it is close to I69, and I wanted to be easy for all my family and friends in Fort Wayne to find.

The longer I am here in Castleton, the more I love it.

The only downside is traffic. Otherwise, there is tons of shopping and restaurants. I feel pretty safe here. I actually have a cop next door to me, so that's nice.

My neighbors are all friendly. There isn't haven't been any catty conversations in our area yet. The homes are mostly well kept, and the schools are good as far as I know. I don't have kids, so I am not that familiar, but we don't have too many hoodlums around here. We do have an occaisional smashed pumpkin though.

There isn't any particular place in Indy that I wouldn't live though. I lock my doors no matter where I am, because yes, crime happens everywhere.

BoilerSuz

When I met DH and moved to Indy 8yrs ago we lived downtown.  I was itching for us to move to the burbs, buy a nice house, get a  chocolate lab and raise a family.  After spending two years downtown then house hunting for another 7mo we settled on a condo in Fletcher Place.  It couldn't have been further from what I had imagined we needed or from what I thought I wanted.  I however, was in love with buildings that had character and quickly grew to love the convience of being downtown.  After having DS we really needed a bit more space so we sold the condo.  In the end we have stayed downtown moving to Herron-Morton. For the time being we are renting as we want to absolutely sure this is where we want to stay. We just love being near downtown.  Our only concern currently is when DS starts school in three years.  Realistically we'll be paying to send him to private schools.