Tell me about moving from Oak Park, IL to Zionsville, Carmel, Eagle Creek....other? (Indianapolis: appointed, home)

[Considering Oak Park]

I guess I should change my username.

My wife and I are native Hoosiers. I'm originally from Frankfort and she is originally from Bloomington. We have been in the Chicago-land area for almost 14 years. We have lived in the city and we then moved to the urban suburb of Oak Park, IL three years ago. After college, Chicago was the city I wanted to be in and I wanted to live that big city lifestyle. I can honestly say it was a great decision. After marriage and kids, however, my wife and I found out that we didn't need the city.... so Oak Park it was. Needless to say, we have been extremely happy here in Oak Park for several reasons:

- Still feels urban but it is safe for a family (2 daughters, one on the way).
- We walk everywhere, weather permitting: to the pool, to the local library branch, to church, etc.
- Property taxes are a *****, but you get what you pay for which security, access to great public education etc.
- We don't have the "Chicago Transit Problem." We eliminated fighting traffic in our lives as we situated ourselves 10 minutes away from my wife's work (without having to get on the expressway) and I work from home. I work from home but if I have to get to the Loop I either drive or take the train. I have decent access to both Midway and O'Hare for travel. By the way, hopefully my employer agrees to keep me (that is the plan anyway) but if not any Indy career advice would be helpful!
- We love the Oak Park community spirit. Neighbors get to know each other and that is just the way it is.
- Great park district and great community activities: we went to the local farmers market this morning.
- Housing has character, which both my wife and I like. Personally, I don't care for the subdivision cul de sac housing stock, but we might have to go that route.
- People tend to be educated here.


In short, things are generally great here, but my wife has a great job opportunity with DOW Agrosciences (which we hear is a great place to work) and it's quite possibly the best career move for her at this time. My father is now having health issues and it would be nice to be closer to him. We know a lot of people in Indy and it will be easier to re-build our community and lives there as opposed to us moving to another part of the country (or world). It is starting to make sense for us to move and start on a new adventure.

Based on the above, can the community here lead me to understand where we might find some if not most of the above in the Indianapolis area? To be frank, we would want to be close to my wife's work. We have thought about Zionsville, possibly Carmel, and have even thought about the Eagle Creek area (although schools aren't as good, I hear in that area). Am I missing any other communities that might be of interest to us?

Please, no flame wars about which "city is better, Chicago or Indianapolis." Both have pro's and con's and it won't be necessary in this thread. I must admit that it willl be nice to pay lower taxes, to take advantage of two public big ten universities when the time comes (as opposed to only U of I) etc. etc. but I would rather avoid that type of discussion here.

Thanks!

[Toxic Toast]

I don't think Oak Park has much in common with Zionsville or Carmel from an intangible or built environment, but they are probably as close as you'll get in the Indy area. Pike is the school district in Eagle Creek, and it gets mixed reviews at best. I do have family in Pike, and they echo the "its ok" sentiment.

[Broadrippleguy]

Another Chicagoan coming to Indianapolis?
I've honestly lost count on how many Chicago to Indy moves I've seen.
Welcome to Indianapolis by the way

[Considering Oak Park]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

I don't think Oak Park has much in common with Zionsville or Carmel from an intangible or built environment, but they are probably as close as you'll get in the Indy area. Pike is the school district in Eagle Creek, and it gets mixed reviews at best. I do have family in Pike, and they echo the "its ok" sentiment.

How about "The Village" as the Zionsville "City Center" is known (as we have come to find out).

[Considering Oak Park]

Originally Posted by Broadrippleguy

Another Chicagoan coming to Indianapolis?
I've honestly lost count on how many Chicago to Indy moves I've seen.
Welcome to Indianapolis by the way

Well... we would stay here if it wasn't for my wife's opportunity and my dad. We are not bitter at all being up here as we built our life the way we wanted to live it.

Since we now plan to do the same in Indy. Any advice?

thanks.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

I don't think Oak Park has much in common with Zionsville or Carmel from an intangible or built environment, but they are probably as close as you'll get in the Indy area. Pike is the school district in Eagle Creek, and it gets mixed reviews at best. I do have family in Pike, and they echo the "its ok" sentiment.

between zionsville and the eagle creek area, Oak Park would loosely and I do mean loosely resember Zionsville in the little villagey downtown area.

don't mind BRG ... he thinks he's single handedly bringing all Chicagoans to Indiana.

[Broadrippleguy]

Originally Posted by domergurl

between zionsville and the eagle creek area, Oak Park would loosely and I do mean loosely resember Zionsville in the little villagey downtown area.

don't mind BRG ... he thinks he's single handedly bringing all Chicagoans to Indiana.

Charles Xavier is that you?
Please fire up your mind reading abilities and tell me what Obama is thinking

[domergurl]

nope, not Charles Xavier ...

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by Considering Oak Park

How about "The Village" as the Zionsville "City Center" is known (as we have come to find out).

The Village in Zionsville is a quaint little area you would expect to find in an small Indiana town. It is nice, but you'll never confuse it for Oak Park.

[domergurl]

If you want/expect oak park in Indiana ... You'll be disappointed. Zionsville is suburban with a cute village in the middle. You'd have to go to some of the neighborhoods like meridian Kessler, Irvington etc to get a smidgen of the oak park vibe.