Family friendly neighborhood - Indianapolis (Fishers, Carmel: apartment complexes, condos, townhouse)

[Ilovepahrump]

Hi!

My husband has a job opportunity in downtown Indianapolis (Washington St.), and we are looking for a family friendly area nearby.

I'd be fine with city and/or suburbs that meet at least most of the following criteria:

-Rent for a 2 bedroom < $1,000 (condo/townhome is fine)
-Good schools
-Safe
-Commute < 20 minutes, including traffic (would be willing to stretch this to 30 minutes for a REALLY great area that meets everything else)
-Walkable, parks, outdoor activities. We love areas that are pedestrian/bike friendly where you can walk to restaurants, school, gyms, etc. We are coming from San Diego and enjoy being active as much as possible (We are originally from the Midwest & South, so yes we are aware that it's not going to be like San Diego there ).
-Good freeway access
-Basic amenities (big box stores, lots of chain/local restaurant options, gym, etc)

I'm particularly interested in neighborhoods near the downtown area that would be nice. I've done some research on a few of the suburb options (Carmel, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Fishers, etc), but as for the city itself, I can't figure what areas could work.

Thanks!

[sheerbliss]

Your wish list reminds me of a saying: "Fast, good or cheap--pick any two." Safe, good schools and walkable/bike friendly are at odds with low price and close to downtown. Basic amenities are everywhere here.

If you mostly want safety, good schools, etc. Zillow shows a lot of two-bedroom, 1000 sf apartments (not town houses or condos) in Carmel for $1000 or less per month. Your husband won't get through rush hour traffic and get parked within 20 minutes, though. I'm only five miles from downtown, where I used to work, and it took me about that long to get to work and park.

The only area I can think of that's safe, cheap and fairly walkable within a few miles of downtown is Irvington (on the east side, on Washington east of Emerson). I don't know about the public schools there, but a well-rated K-8 charter school called the Paramount School of Excellence is nearby and Purdue is building a technical high school at Washington and Rural. Both schools are in sketchy neighborhoods.

There are recreational bike trails in Indy, but for getting around, the roads are for cars. A lot of streets are narrow and lack lighting.

[rrah]

Agree with above: good schools, walkable, and big box stores/chains don't come 20 minutes from downtown. I think even 30 minutes is pushing it. My daughter and her SO live in downtown Carmel. He works in downtown Indy. It takes him at least 30 minutes to get to work--often longer.

[Ilovepahrump]

The list definitely has some flexibility, and I don't expect to meet each item

Walkable, safe, family friendly, good schools are definitely more important than price/commute. Is Carmel a good fit if that's the case?

[sheerbliss]

It's an excellent choice. Most of my coworkers live in Carmel and love it for the reasons you mentioned. Not every place is walkable there--you'll get more of that in a townhouse or apartment since the houses tend to be on large lots.

[rrah]

I hate to be negative about this, but the suburbs are not what I would consider walkable places. Certainly there are apartments in downtown Carmel that might be in your price range. You could walk to restaurants and enjoy the Monon Trail. As far as walking to the gym or a grocery store--not really. You could probably bike to the Monon Community Center (a park district owned/run fitness center and more) from downtown. Schools--maybe.

When my daughter looked for an apartment in Carmel a few years ago there were some that seemed more family oriented. Those were definitely not in downtown Carmel and thus not in an area where one could walk to many places. When we visited her at her old apartment, away from downtown, we saw children. We've never seen children at her new apartment complex--right in downtown Carmel. Your best option in Carmel is a place near the Monon Trail.

Midwestern suburbs tend to be car-centric. Personally I think Indianapolis as a whole is very car-centric. It lacks a really top notch public transportation system which forces people to own a car. There are certainly spots that are walkable to restaurants and bars, but as a whole a car in almost a necessity. As you've lived in the Midwest previously, you should understand and be prepared for winter months. People tend to hibernate from November/December through March/April.

There was a poster here a couple of years that asked about children in downtown Carmel and family friendly apartment complexes. As I recall he moved out because there no other children around in the downtown apartment. You might search on this forum for Carmel and find his threads. The same would apply to the other suburbs you mentioned. Again, find a place near the Monon Trail for the most options.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by Ilovepahrump

Hi!

My husband has a job opportunity in downtown Indianapolis (Washington St.), and we are looking for a family friendly area nearby.

I'd be fine with city and/or suburbs that meet at least most of the following criteria:

-Rent for a 2 bedroom < $1,000 (condo/townhome is fine)
-Good schools
-Safe
-Commute < 20 minutes, including traffic (would be willing to stretch this to 30 minutes for a REALLY great area that meets everything else)
-Walkable, parks, outdoor activities. We love areas that are pedestrian/bike friendly where you can walk to restaurants, school, gyms, etc. We are coming from San Diego and enjoy being active as much as possible (We are originally from the Midwest & South, so yes we are aware that it's not going to be like San Diego there ).
-Good freeway access
-Basic amenities (big box stores, lots of chain/local restaurant options, gym, etc)

I'm particularly interested in neighborhoods near the downtown area that would be nice. I've done some research on a few of the suburb options (Carmel, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Fishers, etc), but as for the city itself, I can't figure what areas could work.

Thanks!

Irvington is a family friendly city neighborhood if you are comfortable navigating IPS magnets and assorted charters. I am, though not everyone is and that is ok. I live in Englewood, a neighborhood described as sketchy a couple of posts ago. It is getting better, but it certainly is not for everyone in its current state. I have kids, and there are other kids on my block. Not near as walkable as Irvington, but getting better.

There are other areas of the city that are varying degrees of family friendly, I know folks all over with kids. As an eastsider, I am much more versed in east side and downtown family life. Fall Creek Place, near eastside, on up to Meridian Kessler and Broad Ripple.

[sheerbliss]

Irvington is a heck of lot closer to downtown than Carmel is. Rents are cheaper there, too, and I've talked to people who've lived there for decades without any break-ins, etc. It has Ellenberger Park and the Pleasant Run Trail, a lot of independent restaurants and shops, chains nearby, and easy access to I-465 and I-70. I don't have kids, but it seems family friendly--people tend to live there for a very long time instead of moving every time their lifestyle shifts.

[Ilovepahrump]

Thanks all

I'll check into Irvington! Is there a specific boundary for this neighborhood or zip code?

To clarify walkable, I am referring to townhomes/apartments that are in a "mix use area" of residential/retail. Walkable (with sidewalks, crosswalks, good lighting, etc) to a couple good shopping centers. I fully expect to use the car most of the time, as we do here in San Diego (also considered very spread out, lacking in good public transit, and not traditionally "walkable" by many).

[sheerbliss]

Irvington has coffee shops, restaurants, entertainment, a library, some retail, supermarkets, a small grocery story called Tyner's Pond, a vet, a bike shop, and other amenities. Washington Street has wide sidewalks and decent lighting. Here's the street view of the middle of Irvington:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7707...7i13312!8i6656

If you Google Irvington Indianapolis, it'll show a map of the boundaries. Zip code is 46219, but that includes other areas. Wikipedia gives a good description of Irvington.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7707...8i6656!6m1!1e1

The only reason I don't live there is because among the houses I looked at when I was buying, I liked a house in Little Flower the best.