Neighborhood recommendation in Indianapolis (Carmel, Noblesville: daycare, house, neighborhoods)

[Max875813]

I am an Indiana native, but have lived in Washington DC for 15 years now. I am contemplating a job offer in Carmel. I go to Indy a few times a year to go to Colts games, but I haven’t been anywhere outside of the downtown area in ages.

This job offer seems great, but I am kind of skeptical about this move, as we love living in DC. However, the cost of living and proximity to family are huge bonuses. We would like to find a nice place to live that is similar to the things we like about DC. We’re mid-30s, one toddler, laid back and outdoorsy types.

Must haves:
- short commute to Carmel (20 minutes or less)
- minimum 3 bed, 2 bath house for under $600k (we don’t mind small, our DC house is 1200 sq ft)
- access to good schools, prefer public but open to private

Preferences:
- Prefer a more liberal area if possible (I know it’s Indiana), cultural and racial diversity
- Interesting housing stock - wouldn’t be happy in a subdivision with identical McMansions
- close to restaurants, parks, outdoor pools, other amenities (walkable if possible)
- not snobby or high pressure to keep up with the Joneses
- I’m a triathlete and would place a high premium on easy access to running trails and a nice pool

[sheerbliss]

That could put you somewhere on the north side of Indianapolis. You won't have much diversity with the rest of what you're looking for, and areas outside of downtown Indy and downtown Carmel won't have many amenities within walking distance. But the amenities should all be available on the north side.

If schools are a priority, you should just live in Carmel. It has your must-haves, but it's not a diverse or liberal place, and, again, most amenities won't be within walking distance. Some people find the residents snooty, but I haven't come across that.

[hapaleeretired]

$600k? When you see what 600K will buy in Indiana I think you'll be in for a bit of a shock!

[rrah]

You might look in some of the older Carmel neighborhoods near the Monon Trail and closer to downtown Carmel.

It's not going to hit the "liberal" mark, but the housing is less cookie-cutter.

My daughter also trains for triathlons and marathons. She frequently uses the Monon for weekday running and biking. Because her first love is swimming, she belongs to the Monon Community Fitness Center for lap swimming during the week. Fitness Center Carmel, IN | Monon Community Center | Carmel Clay Parks : Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation | Carmel, IN

If you're looking for a group, check out TRI NASTI Triathlon Team. It's in Noblesville, but my daughter felt they were friendlier than the Carmel group she found. My daughter HATES driving for anything, but she is willing to drive to a less convenient for her location because it's an awesome group.

[casualsurfer]

Carmel is the place to go. Yes, it's not that liberal, but we did vote for a tax increase to spend on schools a few years back (if I recall over 80% said yes) so people in Carmel aren't all no-government types. Schools are wonderful and we miss it, food is going to be lacking vs. DC (we live in B'More now), and $600K will get you a mansion. I suggest you don't over-buy as the temptation can be there when you move from a high cost of living area to Indy (we moved from SoCal to Indy way back when). Neighbors in Carmel can be a hit or miss, but the 2 different subdivisions we lived at had really nice folks.

There are plenty of liberals in Carmel, you just have to look for them.

[Max875813]

Thanks, folks. We are pretty resistant to Carmel, as we are “city people” - been in DC for a long time and have never lived in a suburb. We only finally bought a car two years ago!

Is there anywhere within Indianapolis proper that’s not a terrible commute to Carmel? I feel like I’ve heard good things about Broad Ripple...

(And the 600k is not our target home budget...just our max. we would love to pay less on housing!)

[rrah]

The issue you're going to have in the city limits is that the public schools will be iffy at best. Most private schools in Indianapolis will be Catholic or other religions schools with a few notable, and very expensive, exceptions. Park Tudor, one of those exceptions costs about $20,000 year.

I tend to think of Broad Ripple as a younger vibe--not really a family place. Most people living there are young professionals. You'll be close to a lot of bars frequented by 20 somethings and nearby Butler students.

You could look in Meridian Kessler or Meridian Hills. I don't think you'll get a lot that's walk-able though in those neighborhoods.

Indianapolis tends to be a very "suburb-like" city in my opinion. It's very spread out. You can't just walk down the block in most neighborhoods and find a grocery or restaurant UNLESS it's a strip mall.

As far at the commute--it's going to depend on where in Carmel the work is. You MIGHT make it to parts of Carmel in your desired commute time--just depends. Meridian Hills will the closest.

I recommended looking near downtown Carmel or near the Monon Trail in Carmel for a reason. Despite being a suburb it's your best option of getting most of you wish list--especially the schools and commute.

Despite your suburb resistance, you might also think about Zionsville.

[Toxic Toast]

If you want to live in Indianapolis itself; you can look in Nora or Broad Ripple. Butler-Farmington, Meridian-Kessler, and Watson-McCord are also nice albiet quieter. If you're looking in IPS neighborhoods, you've missed the priority deadline for lottery schools. That's going to be the trickiest part of navigating IPS. The lottery schools are as good as anything in the suburbs, but you're not guaranteed a seat. Nora is Washington Township schools, which are generally fine.

[Max875813]

I should also say - schools are not an IMMEDIATE concern, as our daughter is only 15 months (although I guess I should edit to say that access to quality daycare is important).

[sheerbliss]

You might like Lockerbie Square. It looks actually walkable--sidewalks, pedestrians, and a real supermarket and hardware store, not just twee little shops with wind chimes and handmade soaps. It's just east of downtown. You can hop on Meridian or Keystone to get to Carmel. I don't know what the daycare options are.

Should you decide to raise your family there, the well-regarded Paramount School of Excellence is just three miles away. A large portion of the students are low-income and minority. Despite being so close to downtown, the school has a 4-H program with goats, bees, gardens, and cheese-making on site. Also on the near-east side, Purdue is building a STEM high school near Washington and Rural.