Avon or Zionsville (Indianapolis, Plainfield, Nashville: for sale, real estate, rent)

[Donzelle]

OK everyone..really need some good input on this. Moving from TN to IN in a month or so and have narrowed it down to Avon or Zionsville. Love Avon due to it's proximity to downtown and the airport which is where my husband will work. It's a new town and seems to be booming. The schools are great. Zionsville has more of a small town feel, more character, cobblestone streets...great schools as well. One son going to high school, other one going to middle or intermediate school. Looking at homes in the 200K - 220K price range with community swimming pool and finished basements (if at all possible) - is there any crime factor in either neighborhood? Negative politics?

[BU191433]

I think most will agree that you get a little more for your money in Avon. Personally, I think Zionsville is a nicer community, a little more upscale.

You can't go wrong with either place. Look at houses in both and decide by the house and specific neighborhood - that is my recomendation

[Donzelle]

Yes, I agree. I guess the main factor is being closest to where we work. With gas prices going up up up with no end in sight, saving money should be our priority. I've heard nothing but good things about both towns.

[MikiJayne]

Another factor in your drive from Zionsville is the extensive roadwork being done on 465 on the west side. I think you can check out the Indiana Dept. of Transportation website for more info on the work being done and how long it will take. From Avon, you can get to the airport without geting on 465 at all if you want to.

Of course, your real estate dollar will go further in Avon, as you mentioned, and you will be more likely to find a home in your price range with a basement. Hmmm, I'm curious now to go look some up!

[Donzelle]

We are so torn..husband loves Zionsville but I'm trying to be practical..don't want to be house rich, cash poor any longer!

[PixiStix]

We lived in Avon for 5 years (Plainfield 5 years before that) before we moved to Florida last year. We are moving back to Indiana next month & relocating to Zionsville. I have to say, Avon was great & we loved our time there. We are moving to Zionsville due to it being closer to my husband's office & just the growth in Avon, while nice in some aspects, is a little too much for us. And frankly, I'm a sucker for the old brick lined streets & the whole 'village feel' Zionsville has.

Yes, in Avon, your $ will definitely go further when purchasing a home. The schools are nice & the people friendly. It's a great place.

If your husband insists on Zionsville, just plan on getting a smaller or 'lesser quality' home for your budgeted allowance, compared to Avon.

You really can't go wrong either place though- good luck!

[1BigBear]

I say AVON....But I love Z'ville too...decisions , decisions..!!

[MainStreet]

Hi there. I've lived on the brick street Zionsville for nearly eight years and I work near the airport. My commute costs me 8 dollars a day.

Zionsville is a unique and lovely town. Before the house on Main Street, we lived one block over for another seven years.

I would also like to add that I live (I rent a $220,000 home) in Zionsville, my daughter is in their outstanding public schools on under $40K a year.

Other than my rural haunts in northern Michigan, there is no other place I would like to live. The farmers market opens Saturday and am looking forward to riding my bike for breakfast.

There are some really great and unique homes for sale in the old village right now.

I work in law enforcement and escape to home everyday. Low or no crime here, great library, coffee shop, restaurants, and everything else is all kids. Ball diamond, soccer fields...we are into our kids and providing them a great hometown experience.

Zionsville is lovely, I can't say enough about it and it's school district. I'll spend my last dime to live here.

It's home.

[sweetana3]

That was a good recommendation. All I would add is that dont fall in love only with the look of the village. It is a pretty show but the atmosphere of the whole village is great and I loved to go to the coffee shop and see all the families hanging out and everyone greeting each other. Dont find that often anymore.

We would have picked Zionsville but for the commute to downtown Indy.

ps I remember Zionsville from 25 years ago when it was a real well rounded village and when the craftspeople were working/living there as they were in Nashville IN back then. The olden days.

[KzooMAN]

For what it's worth, my parents and younger siblings moved to Avon about a year ago from where we grew up in Michigan and they love it there. They're both in Avon schools and having a great time. The high school there has about as many educational programs as a small college. I'm not sure if your children are musical at all, but Avon has the second best band in the US. Personally, I'm planning on moving there in a few months.

That being said, I have little knowledge of Zionsville, so I can't really give you an anecdote about that. As far as I'm concerned, most anywhere in the Indianapolis metro area is a great place to live.

Good luck with the basement thing, by the way. My parents had a hell of a time trying to find a place with a basement. There were several, but it still does narrow your options. I have no idea why, but basements don't seem to be too popular in the Indy area.