Possible move to Indy - which neighborhoods? (Highland, Butler: for sale, apartments)

[Ceolas]

Hi, there --

My husband is considering a job in Indy, we'd be moving there from out of state. We've done the suburban thing, and the urban thing, and we're thinking that we prefer urban. I've been studying the different neighborhoods online, but I'm having a hard time figuring out which ones would be best for us. We're early 30s, no kids, and so wouldn't have to even worry about schools for 5-6 years (although if the schools were good, at least for elementary, that's a plus). We'd like a neighborhood of older homes (or even new or converted townhomes) where we could walk around at night and be reasonably safe, and within walking distance to some restaurants and shops. Our price range could go up to 400K or so, but I'm seeing a lot for much less, and I'd be thrilled to not have to go that high. We like the arts and museums, and sports as well. We'd need at least 3 bedrooms + an office as we both have to work from home at times. We'd consider anywhere from downtown up through the northern edges, basically areas that aren't McMansiony. We don't need 3000+ sq feet.

Areas that I've wondered about include Fall Creek, Meridian Park, Meridian-Kessler, Mass Ave & Chatham-Arch (both seem VERY pricey in relation to the other areas), Broad Ripple, Rocky Ripple, Lockerbie Square, the Butler area...It's pretty broad! I love that Indy seems to have so many actual neighborhoods with their own character.

Any recommendations? I'd also love to hear of areas that are a definite NO as far as safety or other considerations go. I know I'm asking for a broad generalization, and it's only opinion, but the kindness of strangers is all I have to go on right now.

And if this same question has been asked in another area, please feel free to post the link so I don't clutter this place up.

Thanks for your help!

[knitjenious]

I am relocating to Indy soon and was recently in Indy looking for apartments/rental houses but saw A LOT for sale in the Old Northside area and some in the Fletcher Place/Fountain Square area. Both areas would be walking distance to restaurants (10-20 minutes) and are probably well within your price range. Old Northside is definitely more gentrified than Fountain Square (at least judging visually) and the houses in Fountain Square/Fletcher Place tend to be smaller than the Old Northside area. Both have some great historic properties and are cheaper than Mass Ave/Lockerbie/Chatham Arch/St. Josephs. Because I'm renting I didn't check out any of the houses but it seems like those might be decent places to start looking.

(For comparison sake, I'm 28, my significant other is 38, and we're fairly artsy and progressive types ... and we like to walk just about everywhere.)

Good luck! Go urban living!

[Ceolas]

Thanks! I'm going to go and check out the areas you mentioned, especially old Northside, and see what's available...

[restorationconsultant]

Holy Cross is a great area just east of downtown. There have been tons of restorations most nice homes in 200K-300K. Some new construction from 275K up to 500K+ Great neighborhood, people like to go out for walks at night. VERY safe and affordable compared to the Downtown neighborhoods. Lot of familys send their kids to Holy Cross. Streets to look at would be Highland, Vermont and Arsenal and Sturm. I'd stay off New York and Michigan, both one ways and a little noisy. Homes are Victorian and Craftsman. Active crime watch, The IMPD credit union is at Arsenal and washington so we have lots of police cars driving trough. MOnon trail is close by and its close to Lockerbie marketplace and Mass Ave.