Northern Indianapolis (Fishers/Carmel) (Noblesville, Westfield: fit in, for sale, houses)

[sanjose]

Hi,

We're moving back to Indiana from San Jose. We have two young children and we're trying to figure out where to live. We originally started with Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Noblesville and Westfield. Based on some conversations with people, they recommended Carmel and Fishers over the other three options for various reasons (mostly because they're less developed). We're looking for a house in the 500-700 range. Criteria are:

Family friendly area; Safe area
Good schools
Relatively close to restaurants/shopping

Stupid question - but are there any areas in northern indianapolis that have better weather in the summer (less humid) and fewer mosquitos?

I've read a lot about traffic in Carmel/Fishers on this forum, but I can't imagine it's any worse than San Jose/San Francisco traffic (or any other big city) - is it???

What are the pros/cons of living of Geist/Morse? It appears to be one would get an older, smaller house for the same price of a larger, newer house that's not on the lake.

Lastly, what are the housing and job markets like in Indiana? Seems to be a lot of houses for sale - can you buy one for 10% under ask? What do jobs look like in the financial sector?

Thanks,

[sanjose]

some of the subdivisions we've seen online include:

Carmel: West Clay
Fishers: Hawthorn, Woods at Gray Eagle, Canal Place, Cambridge

It's just so hard to get a feel for these neighborhoods by looking at pictures on the internet. I know we need to make a trip to Indi and drive around, but we're trying to narrow our options before we hit the road...

Are there other subdivisions in Carmel we should be looking at?

thanks for any advice you might have.

[webuser]

Carmel: Lakes Side park(picture perfect), Cherry Creek(100% garantee)
Fishers: Somerset woods, Meadow Brooks.(value for money)

[MikiJayne]

Hi SanJose,

Welcome to Indy! All the neighborhoods you mentioned are very nice. I would love to help you find your dream home. Carmel and Fishers are very popular areas, and I don't think the traffic is anything like what you see in California, at least not what I see on tv. The schools are wonderful, the area is safe and there is tons of shopping. I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you get to Indy. Feel free to send me a direct message and I will be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

[domergurl]

Considering where you are coming from, traffic is cake here.

Village of West Clay is lovely, as is Stonegate in Zionsville. We lived in Fishers for 4 years, down the street from Canal Place. I didn't quite get the allure of that neighborhood because it backs up to a gravel pit, so some of the beaucoup bucks homes have a lovely views of the IMI quarry ...

Check out Cambridge and Windermere in Fishers. They are mature neighborhoods.There are also some lovely new neighborhoods sprouting up east of Olio Road on 104th street (can't remember the neighborhood names, a realtor would know better). There's also a lovely Windemere in Carmel.

Gray Eagle never did much for me. It's all one production builder (Pulte). Same with Meadowbrook Village ... again, nice homes, but they can get kind of same old same old.

You may have read on earlier postings that we chose Fishers over Carmel because of the schools, but they are top notch regardless.

Zionsville is more under control as far as growth. They are rehabbing some of the nice homes in the village itself where you would be able to walk to their great downtown, library, etc. Their schools are fantastic. If we ever move back up that way, we'll be checking out Zionsville first.

Good luck, you are now boomerang Hoosiers! Welcome home.

[sanjose]

thanks domergurl,

i've seen a lot of your other posts and appreciate the insight. i have several friends in fishers and they said fishers and carmel are the best bets because zionsville, noblesville and westfield aren't quite as developed... i.e. more redneck. i'm not trying to stereotype, that's just the feedback i've rec'd. but your post leads me to believe we should look at zionsville a little closer.

[ImGibby]

Originally Posted by sanjose

thanks domergurl,

i've seen a lot of your other posts and appreciate the insight. i have several friends in fishers and they said fishers and carmel are the best bets because zionsville, noblesville and westfield aren't quite as developed... i.e. more redneck. i'm not trying to stereotype, that's just the feedback i've rec'd. but your post leads me to believe we should look at zionsville a little closer.

Carmel & Fishers are probably the 2 areas that are the most developed, but that is not to say Westfield, Zionsville, or Noblesville is "un developed", or even "red neckish". Actually Noblesville is the fastest growing area in the state, and I think you get more house for your money in Noblesville than the other areas (for the time being) which might make it a better investment over the long haul (home prices will continue to rise as the development progresses) All these areas you mentioned are very similar, with subtle differences to each.

As far as Carmel and Fishers being the most developed, that also means worse traffic in those areas, but again, probably not as bad as your used to. Witht the exception of the I-69 catastrophe through Fishers...during rush hour that section can rival the traffic in the biggest of cities!

I would not rule out any area until you explored them all for yourself and get a feel for what each area has to offer. They really are to similar to try and say which is better than the other.

[domergurl]

Trust me, there are no rednecks in Zionsville. The town keeps a tight lid on development. Housing there is more expensive and the school system is just as good as Carmel and HSE. Not sure why your friends would say that Zionsville is redneck ...

[ComputerConsultingLLC]

Would have to agree with domergurl. In your price range.. Zionsville would fit in real nice. I live in the Geist area and love it here.. traffic is nothing in Indy -I just moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta, GA and it was a breathe of fresh air with the lack of traffic here.

[BU191433]

Zionsville is not redneck at all. It is a little quieter, a little less crowded than is Fishers or Carmel. Zionsville schools are as good as any, and if you travel to the airport or downtown often Zionsville is an easier and quicker drive than is Fishers or Carmel. However if you want to be close to shopping malls, Carmel or Fishers is your best bet at this time.

I live in downtown Carmel and love it. It is close to everything - it is safe and very suburban, and yet at the same time has a little bit of an urban feel.