Can you live in Indianapolis without a car? (Carmel, Marion: appointed, 2014)

[ta1064]

I have a relative who wants to retire to Indianapolis after living in Washington, DC (currenly lives in Georgetown section of DC). She doesn't have a car and doesn't intend to get one. Though Washington is pedestrian-friendly, does Indianapolis have residential areas that offer walkability to grocery, shops, etc.? Perhaps downtown Indianapolis?

[rrah]

There are places in the downtown area that are walkable, and Indianapolis is slowly moving in that direction more and more. One of the frequent posters here lives downtown and seems to be able to walk many places. Having said that, Indianapolis is still a very car-centric city. There is bus service, but I wouldn't want to depend upon that for things like doctor's appts. etc.: nothing like the metro system in the DC area.

[Broadrippleguy]

Originally Posted by ta1064

I have a relative who wants to retire to Indianapolis after living in Washington, DC (currenly lives in Georgetown section of DC). She doesn't have a car and doesn't intend to get one. Though Washington is pedestrian-friendly, does Indianapolis have residential areas that offer walkability to grocery, shops, etc.? Perhaps downtown Indianapolis?

Your relative would have the best experience in downtown Indianapolis. everything is within walking distance. However the bus service is not the most reliable but maybe with this getting passed soon that will change:
Indy Connect | A Central Indiana Public Transportation Initiative | Home

[ischyros]

Yeah, they'd have to live downtown, possibly around Chatham Arch or Lockerbie as the only grocery store currently downtown is close to those neighborhoods with Lockerbie being the closest of the two. There are condos and apartments along the canal on the west/northwest side of downtown and they just broke ground on what will be a new grocery story, only the second one downtown. But any travel beyond downtown would be dependent on the bus and the bus system isn't great. Even if the bill BRG mentioned gets passed, it's going to be a few years before it's implemented. The bill just paves the way for voters to vote whether they want to pay for expanded mass transit and that vote wouldn't come until at least 2014.

[ta1064]

So, suburban/outlying areas like Carmel and Geist don't offer pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods?

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by ta1064

So, suburban/outlying areas like Carmel and Geist don't offer pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods?

Geist, not so much. Old Town Carmel, yes, but not much in the way of conveniences. Indy is nothing like D.C.

[X-Greensboro Resident]

Originally Posted by ta1064

So, suburban/outlying areas like Carmel and Geist don't offer pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods?

As someone from DC area, I can tell you that Indy's transit system is light years behind DC so do not compare the two....or you'd be disappointed.

Is it doable? Sure, it's doable but would be very challenging and it's nothing compared to DC. Places like Carmel and Geist would be even more challenging. Downtown Carmel maybe but it's still pretty limited. Indy, generally speaking is very car dependent unlike DC. Downtown Indy would be the best bet in my opinion.

[Coogles]

So, suburban/outlying areas like Carmel and Geist don't offer pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods?

Pedestrian friendly as in having sidewalks? Yes. Pedestrian-friendly in terms of having access to a grocery, shopping, schools, etc without needing a car? Um, no. There are some older suburbs with the grocery & dining options covered within walking distance, but no real shopping of any substance.

If you're interested in seeing what Indianapolis is like to live in without having a car, read this:

Girl, in Transit | NUVO News | Indianapolis, IN

Can you do it? Yes, you can, but it won't be easy even if you live in the heart of Lockerbie and can walk to the Omalia's for your groceries. Infrequent service, indirect service, and limited hours will make using exclusively the bus system difficult for even the most dedicated transit-oriented folks.

[ischyros]

Originally Posted by ta1064

So, suburban/outlying areas like Carmel and Geist don't offer pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods?

There are only a couple apartment complexes within walking distance to a grocery store in Carmel. Really not anywhere in Geist you can walk to a grocery store. Anything else, and you'd have to take a cab. Bus service does not extend outside Marion county so Geist and Carmel have no public transportation.

[gabaghoul]

Originally Posted by ta1064

I have a relative who wants to retire to Indianapolis after living in Washington, DC (currenly lives in Georgetown section of DC). She doesn't have a car and doesn't intend to get one. Though Washington is pedestrian-friendly, does Indianapolis have residential areas that offer walkability to grocery, shops, etc.? Perhaps downtown Indianapolis?

I can't live in Indy without a car. Why did she choose Indy in particular? This city is not known to have good public transport, or even options for pedestrians. I see people driving on bicycle lanes all the time. I would talk to her and ask her to either get a car, or consider living in Oregon.