Moving to Indianapolis suburb - need help! (Fishers, Carmel: apartment complexes, rent)

[bkabba]

Hi,
I will most likely be taking an offer with a major company in Indianapolis downtown (moving from Nashville). The thing is I have never lived/been to Indiana and I am not sure which neighborhoods/cities are safe and family friendly without too much travel time downtown. I usually leave to and return from work early to avoid peak traffic hours. That being said can anyone please suggest friendly and diverse Indianapolis suburbs.
Also worth mentioning I will be looking for apartments in $800 range.

[rrah]

You need to give a bit more information beyond the price range for an apartment. How many people will be living there? How many bedrooms do you need?

You mention family friendly. Are schools a concern?

A one bedroom is doable in that price range in most of the suburbs and places in the city. More than one bedroom will require a bit more effort.

[ischyros]

Just curious. You mention not wanting too much travel time to downtown. Is your job downtown? Why do you want to live in the suburbs?

[bkabba]

Thanks guys,
Its just me and my wife, don't need schools for a couple of years so 1BHK would suffice.
My workplace is downtown, but I have always been the 'suburb-ish' person.

I was googling around and saw Carmel and Fishers pop-up in a lot of lists. Are these good cities ?

[ischyros]

Originally Posted by bkabba

Thanks guys,
Its just me and my wife, don't need schools for a couple of years so 1BHK would suffice.
My workplace is downtown, but I have always been the 'suburb-ish' person.

I was googling around and saw Carmel and Fishers pop-up in a lot of lists. Are these good cities ?

They are but traffic in and out during rush hour can be tough. It can take 40 minutes to an hour with a downtown commute during rush hour from Fishers or Carmel. Typically if you left at 7AM you'd avoid the worst of the morning traffic. Leaving at 4PM is a bit more of a crapshoot, especially on Fridays. Usually later seems to be better. 9AM vs 8 and 6PM vs 5.

$800 for an apartment could be pushing it, even a 1 bedroom. Carmel seems to have more apartments but most of the cheapest places start around $775 for a 1 bedroom. Fishers has a smaller selection of apartments and I think the recent influx of luxury apartments has driven up prices. I can't find many less than $800 now.

But don't count out Indianapolis. It is a very low density, spread out city. I checked some apartments in Castleton, just across the city border from Fishers into Indianapolis, and found one bedrooms for $700 or less. Along Allisonville Rd between I-465 and 96th St are several apartment complexes and they all tend to be a bit cheaper. So you could get a bigger apartment for the same price just because you're in Indianapolis. You'd still be right on the border with Fishers and just next to the largest retail shopping district in the state. And with easy access to I-465, the drive to downtown would probably be less stressful than trying to fight traffic up I-69 to Fishers. Just something to think about.

[bkabba]

Thank you I will most certainly take a look!

[sheerbliss]

Irvington is a nice area, not far from downtown and probably has something within your price range.

[hapaleeretired]

Friendly, diverse, suburban neighborhoods, easy commute downtown, and 800 rent price range: Consider south. If kids were in the picture I'd suggest Greenwood or Center Grove but with no kids I think Perry Township would be a good fit.

[Abualjood]

I live in Fishers, great place, diverse, green, very clean and safe. We have two bedroom apartment/two baths, for $1000. I commute daily to downtown and It takes me 30 min/ 45min in the rush hour. Carmel is better and closer, but less diverse and more expensive.

[wh15395]

Originally Posted by Abualjood

I live in Fishers, great place, diverse, green, very clean and safe. We have two bedroom apartment/two baths, for $1000. I commute daily to downtown and It takes me 30 min/ 45min in the rush hour. Carmel is better and closer, but less diverse and more expensive.

If Fishers is diverse, I have a fundamental misunderstanding of the word diversity.