Indy is a hard city to rent in! (Indianapolis, Fishers: hardwood floors, for sale)

[angel2animals]

I am having a devil of a time finding a place to rent!!! I am seriously suffering sticker shock because I have a super 1300 sq foot historic home in Cincinnati for $750/mo and it seems that unless you are able to pay $900-1000 or better you can forget living in a decent area in Indy! I could probably pay $900, but I really want to save some money and pay some bills, so a less expensive home is better. All I need is 2 bedrooms, and a completely fenced (not shared) yard for my dog in a safe neighborhood. I will be working on the North side of town in the 46254 zip code. I have been on house hunting trips 3 times now with no luck. Broad ripple is beautiful, as is Meridian Kessler, and I think I managed to see a little of Butler Tarkington too (though I was pretty lost). I really like homes with some character (hardwood floors, woodwork, fireplaces) and I am having trouble leaving Cincinnati as it has these homes in abundance at an affordable price.

Maybe I am going about this the wrong way? Is Indianapolis the type of city where you have to get out and drive around to find places or are they advertised like most cities? I have been checking most of the websites that I know to check (craigslist, nuvo, etc), but if it doesn't have a picture I can't just jump in the car and drive 1.5 hours to come and check it out just to discover its in a rotten neighborhood (like on my first trip here).

If someone could tell me what the utility bills run (and the size and age of their home, new/old windows, etc) that would give me a better idea of what is going to be affordable for me. For example,I could pay more rent if I knew the gas bill wasn't going to be $400 a month.

I am desperate for help! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[angel2animals]

I should probably have mentioned that I absolutely do not want to live in an apartment complex if I can avoid it!

[sweetana3]

Call some of the local property management firms. The local corporations will often use them to rent homes for their employees and right now there are more rental houses. They should be able to give you some advice.

Or some of the real estate people have some knowledge of rentals also. Check flockrealty.com or jeverhart.com . They both handle leasing and may have some leads or know other companies for you to contact.

[Relocate-a-Mom]

We have found some interesting homes through this site if you are interested
FISHERS INDIANA - FISHERS Homes and Real Estate For Sale - Realtor®

There are some smaller homes and condos for less than a grand. Good luck, we have been having the same struggle, we don't want to be stuck renting forever more because leasing is so expensive...

[Mike Taylor]

Part of the problem too is that vacancy rates for all rentals are down right now because the mortgage industry has tightened up so much that many people cannot get a mortgage and are being forced to rent.

[restorationconsultant]

It would be kinda a reverse commute but you might look around Cottage Homes or Holy Cross, you can probably find a half duplexes in that 700-900 range and most have been redone with new furnaces and such in the last few years. You can hop on 65 or 70 and get north pretty quick. I wouldnt go any further than state street. Gas bills can be a killer so if you find a total electric or one that has been redone. Single family houses are just expensive right now as everyone waits for the real estate market to turnaround. Funny thing I am moving to Cincinnati as soon as our home sell here in Holy Cross because the historic architecture is so affordable! Most of our downtown neighborhoods are restored unlike OTR and West end. I think you will like Indy though I know I have.

[angel2animals]

Originally Posted by restorationconsultant

It would be kinda a reverse commute but you might look around Cottage Homes or Holy Cross, you can probably find a half duplexes in that 700-900 range and most have been redone with new furnaces and such in the last few years. You can hop on 65 or 70 and get north pretty quick. I wouldnt go any further than state street. Gas bills can be a killer so if you find a total electric or one that has been redone. Single family houses are just expensive right now as everyone waits for the real estate market to turnaround. Funny thing I am moving to Cincinnati as soon as our home sell here in Holy Cross because the historic architecture is so affordable! Most of our downtown neighborhoods are restored unlike OTR and West end. I think you will like Indy though I know I have.

I guess I thought most people who lived downtown probably work downtown. Believe me, I love Cincy for the same reason and I really don't want to part with it. Do people advertise these places or do yotypically have to just be driving by to see a for rent sign in the yard?

[restorationconsultant]

I know in our neighborhood most are just signs in the yard. I do know some advertise on craiglist. Streets in our neghborhood where Ive seen good places would be Highland,Arsenal, Vermont, Sturm and Marlow. New York and Michigan are 1 way main thorofairs so they are abit noisy the side streets are very quiet. Most of the homes built between 1880 and 1915 so Victorian and Craftsman. The neighborhood has gone through major restoration efforts and alot of infill new construction homes.

[AtlLady]

Originally Posted by angel2animals

I am having a devil of a time finding a place to rent!!! I am seriously suffering sticker shock because I have a super 1300 sq foot historic home in Cincinnati for $750/mo and it seems that unless you are able to pay $900-1000 or better you can forget living in a decent area in Indy! I could probably pay $900, but I really want to save some money and pay some bills, so a less expensive home is better. All I need is 2 bedrooms, and a completely fenced (not shared) yard for my dog in a safe neighborhood. I will be working on the North side of town in the 46254 zip code. I have been on house hunting trips 3 times now with no luck. Broad ripple is beautiful, as is Meridian Kessler, and I think I managed to see a little of Butler Tarkington too (though I was pretty lost). I really like homes with some character (hardwood floors, woodwork, fireplaces) and I am having trouble leaving Cincinnati as it has these homes in abundance at an affordable price.

Maybe I am going about this the wrong way? Is Indianapolis the type of city where you have to get out and drive around to find places or are they advertised like most cities? I have been checking most of the websites that I know to check (craigslist, nuvo, etc), but if it doesn't have a picture I can't just jump in the car and drive 1.5 hours to come and check it out just to discover its in a rotten neighborhood (like on my first trip here).

If someone could tell me what the utility bills run (and the size and age of their home, new/old windows, etc) that would give me a better idea of what is going to be affordable for me. For example,I could pay more rent if I knew the gas bill wasn't going to be $400 a month.

I am desperate for help! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Honestly, your just not making any sense. There are plenty of properties with character. I mean Indianapolis is one of the original cities for Victorian Style homes! Furthermore, serious need to stop comparing the Nap town economy to Cinncinati. Secondly, assuming your caucasian, the white folks in that city are taking back to ghettos and so called un-desirable neighborhoods. My last visit I saw a white couple driving a Benz living two house down from a crackhouse! and NO ONE bothers them! You should just take a chance, stop being scared and jump on the regentrification bandwagon!

P.S. I grew up in Indy

[domergurl]

Hey atl ... you're walking a very thin line. Be nice.