Martinsville-relocating to? (Indianapolis, Franklin, Greenfield: real estate, condo, house)

[tomhooople]

Hi,

I am thinking about buying a small business in Martinsville which would require me to relocate there from New England. We are looking for an economically sound, growing community where we can purchase a medium sized farm at a reasonable price within 20 minutes of the business in downtown. (this means 60-80acres with house and outbuildings for under $400,000) Does anyone think Martinsville would fit the bill? Any information on Martinsville would be appreciated. We are a conservative, laid back family looking to get out of the hectic northeast.

Thank you!

katie

[tomhooople]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Sorry for the delay, but I have been out of town and away from a computer for the last week. I have to say I am truly turned off now by what you said. We may be conservative, but active KKK! That's way to much for me. I realize not everybody in town is in the KKK, but this just isn't a good match. I think we will keep looking. Our dream is to find a small southern or midwestern town with moderate point of views. I am starting to doubt if it exists.

[folklorist]

As a 16-year resident of Martinsville, IN, I am very offended by Frey Guy's assessment of the community. Martinsville most certainly does not have an active KKK. This is a legend that has proven impossible to dispel. I myself moved to Martinsville from out of state. I chose Martinsville to be close to Indiana University and Indianapolis, and, at least for now, I choose to stay. Martinsville and Morgan County remains an agricultural community with conservative values. There are many family farms. Many others are being sold for development, especially in the northern part of the county near Mooresville and Monrovia, and east of State Road 37 north of Martinsville. If you are serious about relocating, I invite you to email me at stuttgen@insightbb.com for an insider's view of the community. [moderator CUT]

[dcatlin]

I think you should make a visit. My folks just bought a fantastic place just outside of Martinsville (I live about 45 min. east in Franklin.) I grew up in the Chicago Metro area, was stationed in Neport, RI in the Navy. We really like this area, and I think you might, too. We love the smallish/county seat atmosphere of Franklin, and think Martinsville is similar. You lack a small college (that we enjoy), and certainly there is a local reputation of backwardness, but much of that is silly. I, too, was very concerned about this area's reputation for the KKK, and I have run into some rough attitudes on occasion (once in a barbershop, where I almost left the chair half done). But I do not believe that the broad brush is fair. The entire South was full of slaveholders only 150 years ago and is full of lovely places to live, many of which are wonderfully diverse today. Come to town, eat in the local restaurants -- look at real estate in Martinsville, Mooresville, or even a bit north towards Avon. You'll probably love the place, and with $400K, your real estate dreams will more than come true.

[indy317]

Will try to answer as PC as possible...i am certain that moving from NE to Martinsville would be major culture shock! Good areas that are similar to what you describe would be Greenfield area or north such as Westfield etc but farmland is getting harder to find in both those areas due to growth.

[Hoosier Girl]

Originally Posted by tomhooople

Hi,

I am thinking about buying a small business in Martinsville which would require me to relocate there from New England. We are looking for an economically sound, growing community where we can purchase a medium sized farm at a reasonable price within 20 minutes of the business in downtown. (this means 60-80acres with house and outbuildings for under $400,000) Does anyone think Martinsville would fit the bill? Any information on Martinsville would be appreciated. We are a conservative, laid back family looking to get out of the hectic northeast.

Thank you!

katie

It was great out in country, about 20 min out. The town itself, seemed 'backward.' When it rained, the streets flooded; guess they had no sewer systems!?! The town square was beautiful along w/about two blocks of well-kept older homes along a wide shady street. Other than that, there was nothing I liked about that town.

[Bill Andrews]

I also agree with the statement that an active KKK is a myth. I am from South Florida originally and I moved to Monrovia, IN about 5 years ago. Martinsville, Monrovia, and Mooresville are great family areas. We have great schools in Monrovia and I would not move anywhere else. Please let me know if there might be any questions you have. [moderator CUT]

[nova]

I am not condoning them at all. I lived in Indiana for years and I'm not sure about the area described, but Indiana does have the KKK/ white supremacist real strong in knox and don't forget where it started Crown point. Things in Indiana is getting alot better as the years go on and in all reality if your area has this problem, you can most likely go on in life not realizing it is there. The groups run by people that want to find it.