Carmel, Indiana (Westfield, Hope, English: house, find a job, purchase)

[springwinter]

I also encountered quite some real estate sale agents 'with their noses in the air'. I just choose not to work with them. And I told them in their face, I don't want to work with them, I will only work with the other person in the same office.

I found younger people are much better!

[springwinter]

One other thing I feel a uncomfortable is, in every subdivision there are too many rules. Where are all the freedoms?

I was talking with a sale agent about a new construction. I can understand that only certain style of houses can build on certain lots. But I was shocked to find out that I can't choose to flip the floor plan so that the garage can be on the other side. Her explanation is the garages of all the houses on that street should be on the same side. Come on...
I am from new hampshire, 'live free or die'

[domergurl]

Regarding Carmel schools. They are fantastic, but the kicker for us was that they have no plans to split up that high school and it's only going to get bigger and bigger. The Hamilton Southeastern schools will split schools and forsake their athletic teams prowess in order to not have schools the size of Carmel. But that was our opinion. I have friends who are in the Carmel system and are doing well and love it. It just wasn't for us.

[twixcookie]

I think the idea behind the one big high school was for continuity. I came from a city in Ohio that had 2 high schools, and it became a rivalry between them. People moved in and wanted to know "which is the better school". Instead of competing with other local schools, the two city schools were at heads.
I live near Carmel, but not in Carmel. So we are in the school district. I don't think the snob factor is unique to Carmel. I have seen this with other uppercrust areas. I have met some here who are wonderful people though. I have lived both upper middle class and poor, so I know all the sides of it all. Materialism isn't everything.

[domergurl]

I live in a town with 2 high schools and I like the rivalry feel it gives. Regardless, Carmel HS is just too big, well, it was for us anyway.

[sweetana3]

I think in the huge schools, a lot of kids can get lost in the shuffle. The quiet ones who might need that little bit more attention, the ones with problems who hide, the ones who dont make the clicques. Since when do we judge schools on just the athletic competition? I know, it is Indiana, but for me the attention and scholastic involvement are far more important.

Rivalry is fine and can bring out the competitive spirit in each school. It will exist no matter how big or small the school is.

And yes, the snow factor is in no way unique to Carmel.

[SJU]

My family moved to Carmel before I was born (1970), and my parents are both still there. I moved to neighboring Fishers after college, but not for any "anti-Carmel" reasons.

When I was going to high school there, I hated it. We were very "middle" class, I thought everyone was snobby and mean. I realize now, however, that was just high school. Every where you go, there are snobby and mean kids in school. That's no brainer. I still had a lot of friends, some wealthy, some not, and had a really good time growing up there. I was pretty lucky, and didn't even realize it.

I love Carmel now--I'd really like to live there again. Yes, a lot of the community is wealthy, but from my experiences, they are still good people. I've never encountered up-turned noses or anything like that, although I hear about it all the time from people who never visit Carmel. It's definitely a pre-conceived notion.

And yes, the Carmel has some strict zoning laws, but it's all just an effort to keep it the "upscale" community that is desired by the people that live there. Does it make them snobs? Maybe, but a lot of effort has been put in to making the community the most desirable it can be. I think they just want to protect it as reasonably as they can. Drive through it sometime...you won't see any tall signs (like the Golden Arches at McDonalds, etc) or billboards anywhere. That's an oridiance from way back.

Sorry about the long winded answer. I really do think Carmel is a terrific place...and I'm really not a snob.

[SJU]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

I think in the huge schools, a lot of kids can get lost in the shuffle. The quiet ones who might need that little bit more attention, the ones with problems who hide, the ones who dont make the clicques. Since when do we judge schools on just the athletic competition? I know, it is Indiana, but for me the attention and scholastic involvement are far more important.

Rivalry is fine and can bring out the competitive spirit in each school. It will exist no matter how big or small the school is.

And yes, the snow factor is in no way unique to Carmel.

I agree that Carmel should've split into two schools, but not because anyone will be lost in the shuffle. It all goes back to teacher/student ratios, programs for special needs students, and the effectiveness of the teachers. This is not something that is necessarily "better" in smaller schools. Carmel is acedemically outstanding, as well as athletically. My mom and step-dad were both educators there until they recently retired, and they were proud to be a part of that school system.

But yes, it is becoming ridiculously big.

[Rikrich]

Originally Posted by twixcookie

I think the idea behind the one big high school was for continuity. I came from a city in Ohio that had 2 high schools, and it became a rivalry between them. People moved in and wanted to know "which is the better school". Instead of competing with other local schools, the two city schools were at heads.
I live near Carmel, but not in Carmel. So we are in the school district. I don't think the snob factor is unique to Carmel. I have seen this with other uppercrust areas. I have met some here who are wonderful people though. I have lived both upper middle class and poor, so I know all the sides of it all. Materialism isn't everything.

I too have seen the same thing with uppercrust areas. That is, uppercrust areas that I visited. I have never actually visited carmel. Yep, materialism isn't everything. Agreed.

[Rikrich]

Originally Posted by SJU

My family moved to Carmel before I was born (1970), and my parents are both still there. I moved to neighboring Fishers after college, but not for any "anti-Carmel" reasons.

When I was going to high school there, I hated it. We were very "middle" class, I thought everyone was snobby and mean. I realize now, however, that was just high school. Every where you go, there are snobby and mean kids in school. That's no brainer. I still had a lot of friends, some wealthy, some not, and had a really good time growing up there. I was pretty lucky, and didn't even realize it.

I love Carmel now--I'd really like to live there again. Yes, a lot of the community is wealthy, but from my experiences, they are still good people. I've never encountered up-turned noses or anything like that, although I hear about it all the time from people who never visit Carmel. It's definitely a pre-conceived notion.

And yes, the Carmel has some strict zoning laws, but it's all just an effort to keep it the "upscale" community that is desired by the people that live there. Does it make them snobs? Maybe, but a lot of effort has been put in to making the community the most desirable it can be. I think they just want to protect it as reasonably as they can. Drive through it sometime...you won't see any tall signs (like the Golden Arches at McDonalds, etc) or billboards anywhere. That's an oridiance from way back.

Sorry about the long winded answer. I really do think Carmel is a terrific place...and I'm really not a snob.

No need to apologize for your "long winded answer". I appreciate your contribution and perspective. If I drive through Carmel some time and drive safely as I always do, are you absolutely sure I won't be pulled over by the local cops because I don't own a luxury vehicle? Sorry, just kidding. However, I still think the Mayor of Carmel's effort to ban aluminum siding from being put on homes in the area was going TOO FAR. Hopefully he won't ban non luxury vehicles from entering the area-Sorry for the flip remark!