Choosing between these areas of Indy (Indianapolis, Lafayette: apartments, trip , income)

[RicGarni]

I am moving from the D.C. area to Indianapolis in a couple of weeks. I have done some searching (found some possible apartments and houses for rent) and am wondering which of these areas you guys think are the best (safety, proximity to downtown Indy, single people, traffic, etc.) Also, I have two outdoor cats, so I don't want to live right next to a busy highway/freeway or anything. Thanks in advance!

1) Norwaldo at 42nd street
2) West side of Indy (46th and Eagle Creek)
3) Northern Greenwood area
4) Pike Township (56th and Georgetown)
5) Riverbend Apts. in Castleton
6) University Avenue

[Zig'sbird]

For the most part, I think that you would be happy in any of those locations. 56th and Georgetown though I personally would research a little more. However, since I do not live up there, I might be off a little

Myself, I live in the Northern Greenwood/Southside Indy. The wife and I have been debating for about 5 years moving. Currently we are talking about buying some acreage and building on it. Why have we not moved yet? The biggest reason is that we LOVE the area where we are right now. Within a 5 mile radius of our house we have almost everything that we need. The Greenwood mall, movie theaters, grocery stores, etc. Plus, in 15 minutes we can be downtown to hit the various sites there.

[sweetana3]

42nd, too close to the fairgrounds at 38th for me. Would need to see it but the area can be "seedy" still. But with the right rent, it is easy to get downtown, fairly close to Broad Ripple. I would consider after a walk around the neighborhood to check for status of homes. Are they vacant or stable? It is considered South Broad Ripple and many flippers are remodeling and renting or selling. Broad Ripple offers a lot of entertainment for singles and is around 62nd straight up Norwaldo so 20 small city blocks is nice and close.

I think Riverbend is a large older apt complex close to Castleton Mall right next to Allisonville, 24 hour traffic. If you cross busy Allisonville I think you could walk to grocery/rest/mall quickly. It is on the correct side of Allisonville to enter traffic but the traffic can be horrid. You can choose to get on the Interstate East or West to go to work or go down Allisonville but a drive to downtown. 30+ minutes. Cats??? depends on how far they roam and where you are in the complex. Castleton is a pretty typical mall area but the whole of 86th street is a shopping mecca. Driving one not walking one. You are closer to the activities of Carmel and Fishers and may find more things like sports clubs, fitness centers, single activities.

University Avenue is in Warren Township/Irvington area. Nice older family community with a new Starbucks and a nice inexpensive sit down restaurant, Legends. Fairly easy trip to downtown on either Washington or 10th etc. Straight shot. Nice neighborhood feeling though. Drive to shopping and entertainment. Not much single activity?

Northern Greenwood is nice. Easy to drive to work up 31 straight to town. Shopping close without being in your face. I personally would like it and have made hubby look at patio homes around the area. It "feels" quieter than Castleton. Dont know about the single person activities.

I personally dont like the west side of Indy (the areas you mentioned). Too crowded with apartments, road building going on, lousy mall, new Walmart however at about 46th and Lafayette Road. But I wont make the trip to visit. I only go to that area for the great ethnic restaurants. 46th and Eagle Creek may be a nice area but I am also thinking of the surroundings. However, I65 is rebuilt and once you get on it it is straight downtown.

Cats. I have 5 indoor and take care of 2 outdoor strays. I would never let my pets outside and I have a private courtyard. To each his own but it is not safe anywhere. Which is why we have 1200 colonies of ferals that Indyferal is taking care of and why there are so many at ACC and the Humane Society.

[RicGarni]

Found a house for rent on Sunset Ave and 42nd St. Anything stand out in this area?

Ric

[sweetana3]

Very close to Butler University and students renting in the area. Would need to check out whether there might be a lot of students residing in area with their cars/noise. I checked Mapquest and this area is south of the University and north of 38th. Houses are mostly smaller and older but the gentrification is moving into this area. Not all the way there. Neighborhood may be mixed in age, income and race. Not a fancy singles place but I suspect quieter than the Norwaldo area. Easy to get downtown. Just go over to Capitol which is one way south or Meridian which is two way. There have been recent crime problems but I think the man was caught. It is probably going to be a quiet neighborhood.

Safety, this area is just ok. I would not go walking south around 38th in the evening. Just me and I walk downtown. Walking north to the University and you can get on the canal trail all the way to Broad Ripple and the Monon Trail. Biking is great. The shopping is pretty much nonexistant until 56th and Illinois which is a nice neighborhood corner shopping and eating area. 62nd and keystone has the mall being completely renovated and a Lowes, large library, movies, Target, Macys.

[MainStreet]

1) Norwaldo at 42nd street
2) West side of Indy (46th and Eagle Creek)
3) Northern Greenwood area
4) Pike Township (56th and Georgetown)
5) Riverbend Apts. in Castleton
6) University Avenue

I work in law enforcement in Indy and from the list I would rate them from best to worst this way....

1. Northern Greenwood
2. Riverbend Apts. in Castleton
3. 46th/Eagle Creek
4. University Ave.
5. Norwaldo/42nd
6. Pike Township

Avoid Pike Township at all costs. 42nd/Norwaldo is too close to 38th Street, which is the main drag from most crime in Indy...it's used a lot for all those fleeing from east to west and west to east. You literally won't know "exactly" who your waiting next to at a stop light. University Ave is a transient area for homeless and released mental patients. 46th/Eagle, too close to Pike.

Castleton and Greenwood are seriously the only choices I see here.

[domergurl]

I have a cousin who lives in Riverbend. She used to live across Allisonville in Castle Creek ... I guess they like the neighborhood!

[DC 38]

Originally Posted by MainStreet

1) Norwaldo at 42nd street
2) West side of Indy (46th and Eagle Creek)
3) Northern Greenwood area
4) Pike Township (56th and Georgetown)
5) Riverbend Apts. in Castleton
6) University Avenue

I work in law enforcement in Indy and from the list I would rate them from best to worst this way....

1. Northern Greenwood
2. Riverbend Apts. in Castleton
3. 46th/Eagle Creek
4. University Ave.
5. Norwaldo/42nd
6. Pike Township

Avoid Pike Township at all costs. 42nd/Norwaldo is too close to 38th Street, which is the main drag from most crime in Indy...it's used a lot for all those fleeing from east to west and west to east. You literally won't know "exactly" who your waiting next to at a stop light. University Ave is a transient area for homeless and released mental patients. 46th/Eagle, too close to Pike.

Castleton and Greenwood are seriously the only choices I see here.

You work law enforcment.................In Zionsville? You claim Indy, but you also claim to live in Zionsville. You must be above the residensy rule, or you are full of s***.

At any rate, my girlfriend lives near 46th and Eagle Creek. We also spend a fair amount of time frequenting the businesses along West 38th. I promise you, it is NOT nearly as bad as some of the people on this board/city would lead you to believe. 46th and Eagle Creek is great. There is the path, I forget the name of it, that winds through the field and up to the state park that you can walk/jog/bike on.

Pike Township is not a univerally bad place. Sure, 56th and G-town is not a great area, but there are alot of nice areas in Pike. If you equate black people to scary, then yes, a large chunk of Pike Township is scary. However, if you are not a frightened know-it-all from Zionsville, you will find that Pike isn't really that bad.

[Southside Shrek]

Riverbend Apts were nice when Amli owned them a few years ago. Don't know how they are under new ownership and management.

[MainStreet]

Originally Posted by DC 38

You work law enforcment.................In Zionsville? You claim Indy, but you also claim to live in Zionsville. You must be above the residency rule, or you are full of s***.

At any rate, my girlfriend lives near 46th and Eagle Creek. We also spend a fair amount of time frequenting the businesses along West 38th. I promise you, it is NOT nearly as bad as some of the people on this board/city would lead you to believe. 46th and Eagle Creek is great. There is the path, I forget the name of it, that winds through the field and up to the state park that you can walk/jog/bike on.

Pike Township is not a universally bad place. Sure, 56th and G-town is not a great area, but there are alot of nice areas in Pike. If you equate black people to scary, then yes, a large chunk of Pike Township is scary. However, if you are not a frightened know-it-all from Zionsville, you will find that Pike isn't really that bad.

Nice attitude. You might want to check your information....there are agencies within Marion County that don't require you to live there. Not to mention that since the police consolidation, all employees can live within the surrounding donut counties.

I lived in Pike Township 7 years and have lived in Zionsville 13 years. I speak as someone is very interested in my work and crime statistics...as well as a 45 year old mother. And as a mother, you could not pay me to school my children in Pike Township or any other Marion County township.

These forums are about opinions. I respect yours, but you tagging me as a Zionsville know-it-all is harsh considering I live, happily and comfortable on 30k a year in what I believe to be one of the best family friendly communities in the country.

IMO

(do you always speak to women that way?)