places to live between Indy and Muncie (Indianapolis, Anderson: condo, house)

[DrPeanut]

Hello, everyone,

I was hoping that someone native to the Indianapolis/Muncie areas might be able to lend some advice on the following situation.

My husband and I will be relocating to Indianapolis in August. He will be working in Indianapolis, and I will be going to school in Muncie for two years, after which I will finish my schooling in Indianapolis. We are hoping to buy a house, since we know we will be in the area for four years or more; however, we are unsure where the best areas (safest, most affordable, etc.) are to look. We would like to be closer to Indianapolis, but I don't want to get stuck in a horrid commute everyday to Muncie. I've heard that the I-69 commute is pretty bad. Any advice?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[ImGibby]

Originally Posted by DrPeanut

Hello, everyone,

I was hoping that someone native to the Indianapolis/Muncie areas might be able to lend some advice on the following situation.

My husband and I will be relocating to Indianapolis in August. He will be working in Indianapolis, and I will be going to school in Muncie for two years, after which I will finish my schooling in Indianapolis. We are hoping to buy a house, since we know we will be in the area for four years or more; however, we are unsure where the best areas (safest, most affordable, etc.) are to look. We would like to be closer to Indianapolis, but I don't want to get stuck in a horrid commute everyday to Muncie. I've heard that the I-69 commute is pretty bad. Any advice?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the only horrid part of the I-69 commute is through Fishers. You could avoid that part by living North of Fishers in Noblesville, if you don't mind a 1hr commute to Muncie. Or look into Pendleton or Anderson to cut the commute time to Muncie down, but then your Hubby will be looking at about a 1hr or so commute with traffic. Either way, someone is looking at a 1hr, at least, commute. It is about a 1hr and 20 min commute from downtown Muncie to downtown Indy, and thats not counting traffic.

Also depends on what you are looking for as far as the community you want to live in. Big contrast between the previously mentioned Noblesville, Anderson, and Pendleton areas. Anderson had been hit hard with job losses and the home values suck. Which means you may be able to afford more house there, but you may also lose money when you go to sale, unless a miracle happens.

Fortville & McCordsville might also be possibilites, again if living closer to Indy is more important than being close to Muncie. You would both be able to avoid the Fishers / I-69 mess there.

[DrPeanut]

Thanks for your response, IMGibby. I appreciate all the information.

As you said, someone is looking at a 1 hr commute, and I'd prefer it to be me, since it would only be for two years. I will look into the areas you suggested, especially Fortville and McCordsville areas, as possibilities.

Someone suggested to me to avoid I-69 by living in Greenfield. Is this something you would recommend, or is the commute time better off the interstate? Thank you for all your help.

[ImGibby]

Originally Posted by DrPeanut

Thanks for your response, IMGibby. I appreciate all the information.

As you said, someone is looking at a 1 hr commute, and I'd prefer it to be me, since it would only be for two years. I will look into the areas you suggested, especially Fortville and McCordsville areas, as possibilities.

Someone suggested to me to avoid I-69 by living in Greenfield. Is this something you would recommend, or is the commute time better off the interstate? Thank you for all your help.

Greenfield may not be a bad option, depends again on what your looking for as far as community. Greenfield is OK if you want that small town or rural country feel. I really think as long as you eliminate the Fishers part of the I-69 route, you'll be ok. Your best bet, if possible, is to visit all of these communities you think youre interested in. You'll get apretty good feel by just driving around them a little. You could hit all of the areas mentioned in an afternoon probably. Anderson is the largest area mentioned, Noblesville is probably the 2nd largest area plus it closer to downtown Indy, but probably the most expensive as far as housing. If you do choose Anderson, Pendleton, Fortville, McCordsville areas, look at SR36 as an alternate to I-69 to get to Indy.

[Ann_Arbor]

Actually, I would look in Indianapolis, preferably the Broad Ripple area; here is why.

/ There is much more character in that area than you would find in a typical suburb in No. Indy. (IMO- I am a city person)
/ Though this is obviously much closer to Central Indy, the commute would be offset by the fact that you are going against the traffic when you go to Muncie in the morning and come back in the evening.
/ A lot of BSU professors, as well as a more diverse population of students, workers and families reside in the Broad Ripple area.

[Naptowner]

A friend of mine lives in Fortville. They think the schools are great and they are still close to Indianapolis by car.

[Alan W.]

I have heard about Broad Ripple being a cool area but, as far as prices and quality, I am told that there is a small area of very nice apts (or condo's) that the yuppies/professionals live in but that immediately out from those it is run down and not near as safe. I'm moving to Indy and looking at studio/1 BR apts and have considered Broad Ripple. I've got nothing against hippies/college students (I've been and am) but don't want unsafe/unclean. Any other feedback on this area from anyone?

[noviracer]

Look at Pendleton. Good value for the housing dollar and good schools. Pendleton has a somewhat more sophisticated/historic feel than a lot of the other small towns between Muncie and Indy. Muncie can be accessed via old SR 67 if I-69 is too congested. SR 67 and I-69 parallel each other. SR 67 becomes limited access west of Anderson, just exit at Daleville and it will cut the distance down to Ball State. As far as access to Indy goes, it depends where your husband will be working. If downtown, he could avoid the I-69 mess altogether by taking SR 9 to Greenfield and catching I-70 from there.

[wadahoot]

Noblesville is really pushing for the upscale "village" atmosphere and has some lovely (mature treed) neighborhoods. I don't live there, but do hear nice things and the advertisements I hear/read tend to be interesting-sounding businesses.