Living near 38th Street (Muncie, Lafayette: hardwood floors, subletting, apartment complex)

[makeme]

Is living near 38th Street really that bad? I've lived in Indy for 18 months and moved to this place in the past few months from downtown.

Please tell me I'm not just overreacting. I grew up in a small town with next to zero crime but I'm not naive. I lived in Muncie for college and spent a few months in Chicago. I knew there would be crime, just didn't expect to see drug deals going down on the street behind my building. I've seen fights, I've seen drugs, I've been followed while walking to my car. I'm considering buying a gun and that scares me in itself. I've taken self defense and carry mace. I still don't feel safe.

Once my lease is up - in December no less - I'm considering moving to Southport, Greenwood, Fishers, etc. I love the city feel but hate having to go out at night (I work night shift at a local hospital).

Am I overreacting? Or is it like this everywhere?

[PixiStix]

Originally Posted by makeme

Is living near 38th Street really that bad? I've lived in Indy for 18 months and moved to this place in the past few months from downtown.

Please tell me I'm not just overreacting. I grew up in a small town with next to zero crime but I'm not naive. I lived in Muncie for college and spent a few months in Chicago. I knew there would be crime, just didn't expect to see drug deals going down on the street behind my building. I've seen fights, I've seen drugs, I've been followed while walking to my car. I'm considering buying a gun and that scares me in itself. I've taken self defense and carry mace. I still don't feel safe.

Once my lease is up - in December no less - I'm considering moving to Southport, Greenwood, Fishers, etc. I love the city feel but hate having to go out at night (I work night shift at a local hospital).

Am I overreacting? Or is it like this everywhere?

38th is generally not a good area...Not sure if your east or west but I don't think it matters much. I would move & I think you already know that When we first moved to Indy 12 years ago, we got a little apartment off Crawfordsville Rd. & although that area was decent, getting in my car & driving around 38th to do my errands was eye opening. It's only gotten worse (think Lafayette Square..) Now if you go a little north, say 56th st., it gets much better. And the other places you mentioned are nice as well.

If you are too the point where you feel you need a gun, I would be outta there! Good luck-

[Mike Taylor]

Originally Posted by makeme

Is living near 38th Street really that bad?

In general, yes. 38th Street can pretty rough as far as crime goes. I think you will feel much safer if you move to one of the areas you mentioned.

[sweetana3]

I have been here since '78 and 38th street was always "rough". It is actually a little better now but not much. I would avoid at night. However, this is a site specific issue. I would say much the same thing about Washington Street. Lots of alcohol and prostitution, probably drugs.

But this is not the same downtown or in any of the surrounding neighborhoods. Remember Meridian Kessler is bounded by 38th Street.

These large streets are often used as get away routes for crime, too.

[BU191433]

The area around 38th and Michigan road isn't bad, it is a pretty nice area actually. 38th street west of 465 (on the west side of town) is still OK. (although I know of the person who was shot in the parking lot of the movie theater there - he is OK now)

Not sure if 38th street on the far, far eastside is decent or not

[Naptowner]

Originally Posted by BU191433

The area around 38th and Michigan road isn't bad, it is a pretty nice area actually. 38th street west of 465 (on the west side of town) is still OK. (although I know of the person who was shot in the parking lot of the movie theater there - he is OK now)

Not sure if 38th street on the far, far eastside is decent or not

You mean the part that goes past the art museum, the cemetery, the golf course, and the river, where no one actually lives? Yeah, it's fine, but what's the point? I guess the part where it runs parrallel to 65 is okay too, but you can't live there.

Makeme, I'd talk to your landlord about breaking the lease or subletting - see if you can stick a for rent sign in your window so you can find a tenant. If you think you see a lot of sketchy activity now just wait until school's out and the weather warms up and you'll see a lot more.

[BU191433]

Originally Posted by Naptowner

You mean the part that goes past the art museum, the cemetery, the golf course, and the river, where no one actually lives? Yeah, it's fine, but what's the point? I guess the part where it runs parrallel to 65 is okay too, but you can't live there.

That is a good point, but I thought there were a few houses on Michigan right at 38th street, maybe slightly north and south in fact I'm sure of it

[sweetana3]

There is an apartment complex and an older section of homes in the area you are mentioning. but they are not really considered to be on 38th street. At that point, 38th is just a throughway to get to Lafayette Road/I65 and the addresses are on the streets that intersect it.

[makeme]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

There is an apartment complex and an older section of homes in the area you are mentioning. but they are not really considered to be on 38th street. At that point, 38th is just a throughway to get to Lafayette Road/I65 and the addresses are on the streets that intersect it.

I live on Meridian a few blocks south of 38th.

I'm going to look into subletting. I found a place in Southport that looked nice but I haven't checked it out yet. It's further away from school (I go to Ivy Tech) but I'd rather feel safe than have a short commute. I just hope Southport isn't too quiet - I love the noise of the traffic going by, airplanes overhead, etc.

I love my apt. It's a historic building with original woodwork and hardwood floors. But, the place in Southport was the same price with a pool and gym. And I love to swim. Also, Southport is closer to shopping areas.

I'm so glad it's just not me. Thank you!

[sweetana3]

Southport is quiet but the commute is pretty easy and you have a variety of ways to go if the traffic is stopped for some reason. My only suggestion is to be on the west side of I65 so you are turning right. Whoever designed or (did not design) the traffic flow on the east side of that intersection should be jailed.

That area of Meridian "should be" great. Lots of interesting buildings and convenient public transport downtown. However, it is still in the works as far as gentrification goes. There are newly renovated properties but still some big problem properties. It is better than it was years ago.