S.Indiana-Family friendly/safe areas near, but not in suburbs (Indianapolis: house, contractor)

[Rochellepotter]

Anyone familiar at all with Bright or Greendale? I'm looking for a small, safe/family friendly town to eventually relocate to. Currently, we live in the San Francisco area, but we're from Western New York. We thought Indiana looked safe, affordable (we want to build a home) and conservative.
We'd like to live within 40 minutes of suburbs/city (husband is a contractor/electrician), but have at least 1/2 acre, so we can build.
Southern Indiana looks a little milder than Buffalo, NY and it's seems to be near a lot of cities.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

[JulieL]

Rochellepotter,
I do not know if you would call Columbus small (41,000 people) or even southern enough, but it is close to the city life. Within 35-45 minutes you can be in Greenwood or Indianapolis, 60-70 minutes will get you to Louisville, and about 90 minutes to Cincinnati. Columbus is very family friendly and has plenty to do for all walks of life. The housing market is doing quite well and is affordable here. Come and visit, you will be glad you did!!!
Julie L

[domergurl]

Columbus is definitely not suburban, which I LOVE! Come on down and check it out.

[Rochellepotter]

Thanks!
I will check it out, eventually. It sounds like people who live there love it!

[Rochellepotter]

I'm also interested in the Northern Indianapolis Suburbs (Carmel, Zionsville, Noblesville, etc etc). What do you think?

[domergurl]

We lived in Fishers for 4 years ... it's suburban, what can I say? It's nice, sterile and nice. Same with Carmel, nice and shiney new. Zionsville is more established and they put controls on growth, so the town doesn't necessarily lose it's soul. Noblesville and Westfield are nice too ... Noblesville is the Hamilton county seat, so it too is established, but there is Carmelization and Fisherization there too.

[Rochellepotter]

Thanks so much! Is Zionsville the only town with a 'downtown' walking area?
Are any of these town walking friendly or just driving friendly? Just curious. THanks for the info!! My family and I like to walk to Trader Joe's or a coffee shop once in a while. It's just fun and good exercise. Let me know of any great areas for this! THanks!

[domergurl]

You won't be walking to either TJ's in Indianapolis ... yikes! Zionsville, if you get a house in the village, is walkable. Carmel is walkable, kind of ... you may have to drive there and walk around. Noblesville has a lot of residential around their courthouse square.

[gemstone1]

The burbs north on Indy are pretty pricey....try southern IN, within 50 miles of Louisville (Metro area population 1M+). Scottsburg is nice, we lived there for ten years...cheap countywide broadband internet access....good 4-H program for kids.