Towns like Pendleton, but not Pendleton? (Indianapolis, Anderson: apartment, rent, homes)

[sunnymw]

My husband, 2 kids (3y, 1y), and I are thinking of moving back to Indiana and were wondering if you guys could suggest a few good towns. We have a couple of requirements and preferences.

1. Within 30-45 minutes of Indy (no farther than Anderson is)
2. Small town, with most things in walking distance--post office, grocery store, library w/in 2 miles or so?
3. Rent anywhere from 400-650/mo for a 2 bedroom apartment
4. Doesn't need to be new/nice, just not nasty
5. Decent schools (or, decent high school marching band and other extracurriculars. We homeschool, but I do want to see some good shows!)
6. Strong sense of community
7. Jobs... would be niiiice... DH knows cabinetry, steel fabrication, labor--I know clerical, fast food, basic stuff).
8. Parks with playgrounds

We have friends in Anderson and family in Columbus. If there are specific neighborhoods in those areas you'd like to suggest, that'd help too


Thanks!!

[domergurl]

Well, Columbus wouldn't meet your first requirement, but it meets everything else ...

I would also suggest New Palestine.

[Future Trooper]

Originally Posted by sunnymw

My husband, 2 kids (3y, 1y), and I are thinking of moving back to Indiana and were wondering if you guys could suggest a few good towns. We have a couple of requirements and preferences.

1. Within 30-45 minutes of Indy (no farther than Anderson is)
2. Small town, with most things in walking distance--post office, grocery store, library w/in 2 miles or so?
3. Rent anywhere from 400-650/mo for a 2 bedroom apartment
4. Doesn't need to be new/nice, just not nasty
5. Decent schools (or, decent high school marching band and other extracurriculars. We homeschool, but I do want to see some good shows!)
6. Strong sense of community
7. Jobs... would be niiiice... DH knows cabinetry, steel fabrication, labor--I know clerical, fast food, basic stuff).
8. Parks with playgrounds



We have friends in Anderson and family in Columbus. If there are specific neighborhoods in those areas you'd like to suggest, that'd help too


Thanks!!

I would recommend Plainfield. It's only about 25 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. Most of everything you can walk to because the entire town is linked up by greenways( pedestrian trails) $400 to $650 will give you some good options for housing. The schools have been ranked 4 stars several years in a row. Their is definetly a strong sense of community. The job situation you will be fine their are always people hiring in those fields that you stated. Everyone of Plainfield's parks has atleast 1 playground.

If you want to know more just let me know.