Where should we rent a home?

[chalcedony]

Originally Posted by pelgudmir

I know that is has been some time, but I wanted to thank everyone for the responses to this thread. As predicted, my job is moving from Carmel to 30th and Shadeland this week. I'm currently living in an east side extended stay hotel at 25th and Post, but I will be looking at houses for rent very soon. I have spent some time looking around and trying to get a feel for the areas that we have discussed and from what I can see... The Lawrence area would be a great fit and is the first choice, depending on what's available. Truth be told, I think it's more likely that we end up just south of Pendleton Pike in that general area. I have seen nothing that has scared me about the area and the rent certainly is low enough. We shall see. Thanks again.

I'm not usually one to bristle at high crime areas, but I need to be realistic here and always try to recognize that many people are more sensitive than others to crime.

Indeed, nothing you see around Post Road in that area will look like Detroit, but don't let the 1960s apartment complexes and the housing fool you. Serious plant closures and job losses in the 1980s hit that side of town hard, and the Post Road Corridor, particularly north of 30th Street and south of 46th Street, hosts some of the roughest areas in the city. The single family homes in this area are not great; the apartments are generally terrible. If rent seems incredibly low, it's probably that way for a reason. Lots of Section 8. You and your wife would probably be safe enough on your own, but it's definitely not a great area for children. Just take a look at the strip malls at 38th and Post or neighboring intersections--not much but pawn shops and payday loans. Since you seem to be looking at houses, I'd just keep your eyes peeled. Some neighborhoods aren't bad at all, but if you see a chain link fence in a FRONT yard, I'd take that as a red flag.

You'd be much better off in Lawrence, or anywhere north of Pendleton Pike.