Finding an apartment near Mass Ave/Downtown (Indianapolis: houses, condos)

[knitjenious]

My significant other and I will be moving to Indianapolis in mid-July and are interested in finding an apartment in the Mass Ave area. Our first choice set is the Lockerbie Square/St. Joseph/Chatham Arch area, secondary choice set is Woodruff Place/ Cottage Home/Old Northside. I'll be working downtown near Circle Center Mall and am hoping for something bikeable, plus we want to walk to shops/restaurants.

Our questions:

What are the best sources to find apartments in these areas? I've explored Van Rooy, Craigslist, and Nuvo online. I will be taking a trip to Indy June 9-12 to look for apartments as well. Are these neighborhoods the kind of places you just drive/walk around and call phone numbers from signs in yards?

I have found that at least a few of the apartment companies I've researched online ask for "pet rent" of $10-$25 per month per pet in addition to a non-refundable pet deposit. Is this just normal for the Indy area? (Because it seems like a rip off to me! )

We will be moving in July 15. We'd like to stay below $775-800 for a larger one bedroom or small-medium two bedroom, something like 700-900 square feet. Does this seem like a reasonable expectation for the areas I've mentioned?

Thanks for any input!

[BU191433]

Originally Posted by knitjenious

My significant other and I will be moving to Indianapolis in mid-July and are interested in finding an apartment in the Mass Ave area. Our first choice set is the Lockerbie Square/St. Joseph/Chatham Arch area, secondary choice set is Woodruff Place/ Cottage Home/Old Northside. I'll be working downtown near Circle Center Mall and am hoping for something bikeable, plus we want to walk to shops/restaurants.

Our questions:

What are the best sources to find apartments in these areas? I've explored Van Rooy, Craigslist, and Nuvo online. I will be taking a trip to Indy June 9-12 to look for apartments as well. Are these neighborhoods the kind of places you just drive/walk around and call phone numbers from signs in yards?

I have found that at least a few of the apartment companies I've researched online ask for "pet rent" of $10-$25 per month per pet in addition to a non-refundable pet deposit. Is this just normal for the Indy area? (Because it seems like a rip off to me! )

We will be moving in July 15. We'd like to stay below $775-800 for a larger one bedroom or small-medium two bedroom, something like 700-900 square feet. Does this seem like a reasonable expectation for the areas I've mentioned?

Thanks for any input!

I don't live downtown, but I have done a little apartment hunting in downtown Indy. I would check out sites such as rent.com Forrent.com Apartments.com. Then cross reference that with this site Indianapolis Apartments for Rent with Ratings & Reviews by Indianapolis Renters at ApartmentRatings.com
It contains actual reviews from people who live there. Word of caution though - generally speaking the only people who post on that site are those who have an axe to gind. But you can gain some valuable info - but don't take every review as gospel. Also the more expensive an apt is the pickier the reviews are - so don't just assume the higher scoring apartments are better.

For your price range it will be difficult to find something really nice - in downtown. More than likely you'll be looing at the $1,000 range

[knitjenious]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've definitely been cross checking with the apartment ratings and found it helpful.

Anyone who lives in these neighborhoods have some off-the-beaten-path suggestions for apartment searching? Are most of the apartments in those areas in larger buildings and managed by companies or is there also a selection of converted houses/garage apartments/etc that are privately owned?

Thanks!

[BU191433]

Indianapolis Downtown Apartment Search Results - Indianapolis Downtown Apartments for Rent by ApartmentCities.com





This site is mainly condos, but it has the new apartments downtown
Indianapolis Downtown Inc.

[restorationconsultant]

A couple of areas you might look at would be Holy Cross and Cottage home, although you will have to look hard it is still possible to find a duplex for around 750 a month in rent. Both areas a walkable, easily bikeable to downtown and you are close to Mass Ave.

[jyr]

I'm also moving to Indy in July and we rented an apartment at Garden Arch through Van Rooy. I hear the neighborhood and apartments are wonderful- though we've never visited. Reviews were so positive that we took a leap of faith. The one bedroom is 760.00 per month and is 700 square feet with a 100 square foot basement.

[sweetana3]

hubby and I took a walk around the area last night (we live about 4 blocks away). It is lovely. We had a cookie at Henrys on East Street, a coffee shop probably across the street and saw people sitting and talking, some using a computer (wireless?) and it had nice outdoor seating as well. You are 1 block from Mass Ave and yet it is a fairly quiet area.

Excellent homemade biscotti as well. Chatham Arch which is the neighborhood is having their big home tour this weekend and is known for block parties and an active association. Houses from original brick one story worker's homes to great looking contemporary (obviously very expensive) homes. I think you will love it.

[jyr]

Sweetana3- Thank you so much for your post. Since I have never seen the area, (much less my apartment with the deposit paid), it made my day to read your positive review of the neighborhood. Thank you! Thank you!

[sweetana3]

When you come walk down Mass Ave and eat at Bazbeauz Pizza, Hoaglins on Mass Ave and R Bistro. Wonderful. Great things are said about the chocolate shop as well. The new restaurant (SI or something like that is just opened and has to be seen inside) is close to Mass and College. Many other places. Check out Stouts Shoes next to Bazbeauz and their 1920s shoe delivery system in the ceiling.

[BU191433]

Bazbeauz is the best. What is R Bistro like? Looks interesting