Moving to Indy (Indianapolis, Lawrence, Fishers: homes, neighborhoods, best school)

[stormin]

I currently took a job on the Northwest Side of Indianapolis (Michigan Rd and 71st) I currently live just outside of Cincinnati. We used to live in Noblesville and do not want to go back there, want a more urban enviroment and less stepford wives. Problem is we do not know exactally where, schools are important and are looking in Washington, Lawerence and Pike. We would like to be close to downtown as currently we are about 10-15 minutes from the river in Cincy and love it. Any ideas of a "neighborhood" in Indy close to downtown with good schools. Meridian Kessler is nice but way too pricey for us

[SJU]

Is your daily commute a concern? I work just north of 71st and Michigan, live in Fishers, and the drive is 30 minutes on a GOOD day, 45 min average. Lawrence has good schools, but it's on the wrong side of town relative to your job. I wouldn't recommend Pike. North Central/Warren Central are both good schools.

[stormin]

commute not really an issue as I am in sales, would like to keep it around 30 minutes. Also would like to be close to downtown. Realtor thinks Brownsburg might be good, I was looking into speedway, but how crazy does that area get on race days?

[SJU]

I would've initially recommended Brownsburg, but I don't believe it's as close to downtown as you wanted. Not too bad, though. Speedway is "ok".....maybe try Avon also? A co-worker lives in Speedway, and she just doesn't try to go anywhere on race days--but that's only two days out of the year. If you live close enough to the track, you can make good money by offering parking in your yard

[stormin]

I hear you, I will probably be at the race on race days, new company does lots of work with race teams F1 to NASCAR. If IPS Schools were not is such bad shape I would love to live in Broadripple.....Love that area, such is life we will probably end up somewhere in washington township.

[SJU]

Did you try the North Central HS area? It's between Keystone and Meridian (major N/S arteries) on 86th St. Very close to Broadripple (I like it there too), and very close to downtown. Good school.

We no longer host the F1 race, unfortunately. Just Brickyard 400 and Indy 500.

(Edit) Sorry, just saw you mention Wash Twnshp. I need to brush up on my reading comprehension

[ImGibby]

Originally Posted by SJU

Did you try the North Central HS area? It's between Keystone and Meridian (major N/S arteries) on 86th St. Very close to Broadripple (I like it there too), and very close to downtown. Good school.

We no longer host the F1 race, unfortunately. Just Brickyard 400 and Indy 500.

(Edit) Sorry, just saw you mention Wash Twnshp. I need to brush up on my reading comprehension

In 2008 IMS will begin hosting an international motorcycle race, so there will still be 3 days out of the year I would not plan on leaving the house! F1 MIGHT be back...the table is still open, it just wont be in 2008

[domergurl]

If you want more urban and less stepford, then why would you consider any suburban area? As far as public school in Indianapolis are concerned, Washington Twp is good and Lawrence has a magnet school system that's good too.

[Stretchad]

Originally Posted by stormin

I hear you, I will probably be at the race on race days, new company does lots of work with race teams F1 to NASCAR. If IPS Schools were not is such bad shape I would love to live in Broadripple.....Love that area, such is life we will probably end up somewhere in washington township.

There are areas around broad ripple that are in Washington township. That township is very funny-shaped, so I would not rule out looking just outside of that area for homes.

There are some nice neighborhoods just outside of 465 on the west/northwest side, from 71st street northward up into boone county. They're in pike township (if in marion county) or in Zionsville schools (if in Boone County). Because of the quick access to highways, downtown will be about a 20-25 min. drive.

[Alien!]

See, everybody says something and you get more confused! We moved to Indy area 4-5 months ago, did extensive search on residentials, schools, etc. This is "everybody's" opinion that best school system belongs to Carmel and Zionsville. The area of Michigan/71 is close to Zionsville and west Carmel. West Carmel has little difficult commute to downtown though (40 minutes). Zionsville slightly better (25-30 minutes). Also, you may stay in Washington Township (Indianapolis) which I've heard has okay schools. This area is about 20 minutes from downtown. I personally do not recommend this area much if school is a priority.