Meridian-Kessler? What are the alternates? (Carmel, Highland: transplants, for sale, low crime)

[pbinjay]

Hello Indy gurus,

I need your help! My husband and I are relocating to Indy in the NEXT 4 WEEKS and we are struggling to find the right neighborhood for us. We've known this move was coming for the past year so I have done a ton of research - including keeping up with all of you on these threads. I never thought I'd post, but I figured I needed some inside advice since we don't know many people in Indy.

So, we thought Meridian-Kessler was our neighborhood until a visit today. One of the many eye-opening events was that the local Starbuck's requires a key to get in the bathroom and has a sign warning against stealing the food. My husband asked the Barista why this was and they said they had a problem with theft and odd things happening in the bathroom. Also, seems that SO MANY houses in the area are for sale and not selling at all. Where are these people moving and why are they moving?

Here's a little about us and our style. I ask any of you to give advice/opinions/thoughts on if Meridian-Kessler lives up to its reputation as family-friendly, close to downtown neighborhood OR if there are similar, better neighborhoods we should check out.

1. We've always lived in downtown or near-downtown neighborhoods and really like older, established neighborhoods and homes (no McMansions for us) but we're open to suggestions. Perhaps we're missing something?
2. My husband works for Lilly - and we're concerned about a long commute if we chose Carmel or Zionsville.
3. We have our first baby on the way and a dog - so we'd love to be near great parks.
4. Security/safe neighborhood is a big concern - is MK safe?
5. I have my own event management company that works with corporate clients and upscale brides - so would need to have access to network within these markets. I was considering opening up a studio in Broad Ripple Village?
6. We're very social and love to dine out. Also need a great organic grocery store like Trader Joe's, Fresh Fields, etc.

Thanks in advance!

[ImGibby]

Meridian Kessler is a great neighborhood. Which Starbucks are you reffering to? I'm assuming it must be the one on Fall Creek? If so, yeah it starts to get shady down that way. There is a Starbucks in Broadripple not to far away, but that is in the opposite direction from downtown You might consider the Broadripple area, or the part of Meridian Kessler that is closer to Broadripple.

You probably could get a newer custom built home (non McMansion) in Zionsville for about the same price range, or even an older home in downtown Zionsville if thats what you prefer. The commute downtown from Zionsville is not that bad, I know a lot of Lilly people that live there.

[domergurl]

I agree with Gib ... you'd be surprised by Zionsville. There is a lovely established neighborhood in the central village with older homes that are freshly rehabbed and one's waiting for rehab. Since you have a baby on the way () the Zionsville schools are excellent.

The reason why so many M-K homes are for sale is because of the schools, pure and simple. I have a friend who had a lovely M-K house and had to sit on it for over a year before it sold. They doubled their mortgage while they lived in their house in ... Zionsville.

Check out Z-ville.

[restorationconsultant]

If your husband works at Lilly and you want a neighborhood Look at Holy Cross,Just east of downtown past 65. Graet Victorian and Craftsman era homes Large and small houses, low crime, stable neighborhood and taxes are dirt cheap. Look on Arsenal, Vermont and Highland, Super nice restored houses are in the 200-350 range and new infill construction starts at 350K and up. Its a walk your dog take a stroll at night neighborhood. You might consider Woodruff if you want a Huge House it has large lots and the area has really turned around.They have a very active neighborhood group and lots of restoartions going on. You can pick up a fixer mansion for 150K a nice restored house will be 300-450K. With all the people moving downtown you might want to look at mass ave for a business location.

[BU191433]

You don't really say what your price range is, but I would either recommend the Williams Creek area - which is north of 71st and between College and Meridian - but the homes are very, very expensive. Or Zionsville - not a bad commute downtown at all.

[PhillyIndy]

Originally Posted by pbinjay

Hello Indy gurus,

I need your help! My husband and I are relocating to Indy in the NEXT 4 WEEKS and we are struggling to find the right neighborhood for us. We've known this move was coming for the past year so I have done a ton of research - including keeping up with all of you on these threads. I never thought I'd post, but I figured I needed some inside advice since we don't know many people in Indy.

So, we thought Meridian-Kessler was our neighborhood until a visit today. One of the many eye-opening events was that the local Starbuck's requires a key to get in the bathroom and has a sign warning against stealing the food. My husband asked the Barista why this was and they said they had a problem with theft and odd things happening in the bathroom. Also, seems that SO MANY houses in the area are for sale and not selling at all. Where are these people moving and why are they moving?

Here's a little about us and our style. I ask any of you to give advice/opinions/thoughts on if Meridian-Kessler lives up to its reputation as family-friendly, close to downtown neighborhood OR if there are similar, better neighborhoods we should check out.

1. We've always lived in downtown or near-downtown neighborhoods and really like older, established neighborhoods and homes (no McMansions for us) but we're open to suggestions. Perhaps we're missing something?
2. My husband works for Lilly - and we're concerned about a long commute if we chose Carmel or Zionsville.
3. We have our first baby on the way and a dog - so we'd love to be near great parks.
4. Security/safe neighborhood is a big concern - is MK safe?
5. I have my own event management company that works with corporate clients and upscale brides - so would need to have access to network within these markets. I was considering opening up a studio in Broad Ripple Village?
6. We're very social and love to dine out. Also need a great organic grocery store like Trader Joe's, Fresh Fields, etc.

Thanks in advance!

I nearly took a job at Lilly last year and was coming from an area on the east coast identical to the one you describe. I also lived in Indy for about 2 years in 2000-2002

MK or Butler Tarkington is your best bet to meet you wish list. It might require private schools eventually but that is a common city life issue.

1) There are many transplants so it would be a good area to meet people for fun as well as you biz
2) Access to parks and trails is great
3) BR, MK restaurants are walkable; downtown is a short drive
4) MK BT are the only/some of the only areas with well maintained older homes in a safe area
5) Fair number of Lilly people as well

Zionsville is fine, but it is the definition of McMansion (Stonegate). Very Stepford (Sorry). The commute would be short though (like 20-25 minutes depending if your husband is at LTC or Corporate Center).

Also, if you have lived in cities you may like to walk places (food, grocery, parks) and that is only an option in MK BT.

The other option is to live downtown but there are few to zero kids downtown (based on my 4 trips to house hunt).

As for safety; if you have lived in Cities MK is very safe. The Starbucks on 38th street is on an edge. Stay North of ~45th st and Meridian. For each block you go North you can comfortable move a block east and west of meridian...and that is being very conservative.

Good luck; and go Lilly. My wife works for them and i still own stock!

[domergurl]

Hey Philly! Nice to hear from you again!!! Hope all is well.

[pbinjay]

Thanks everyone for your great insight! I really appreciate it!

Our price range is around $300K - as we think that is a good budget for the area. I think we'll still concentrate on MK area but will expand to also look at Carmel and Zionsville.

We're excited for the move to Indy! Thanks again!

[X-Greensboro Resident]

Originally Posted by BU191433

You don't really say what your price range is, but I would either recommend the Williams Creek area - which is north of 71st and between College and Meridian - but the homes are very, very expensive. Or Zionsville - not a bad commute downtown at all.

I agree with this person. The area around 71st and College around Park Tudor is very nice established area which is close to everything you're interested in.