Relocating to Indy from Ohio (Indianapolis, Butler: house, neighborhoods, college)

[danmerk23]

My wife and I are relocating to Indianapolis in a few months. I will be working within the city limits so I would like to try and find a home in an area that is up and coming, slightly older homes (think Arts n Crafts) and is very walkable. Can anyone suggest any of these? I have been researching about Broad Ripple, but it is starting to sound like a college bar town.

We are in our late 30s and do not have plans on having kids. We are into the city life. Does anyone know of a resource where we can talk to someone who can compare a like city up here in Cleveland to a location there? Are there services I work with on this? Oh, and it has to be relatively safe.

[sweetana3]

We are gettin ready to retire and would personnally would choose BRipple for its stores, walkability, closeness to Monon Trail, library, its trees, etc. There is just so much to enjoy about the neighborhoods. A totally redone one story with 2 car garage(hard to find that big garage) is around $175,000 with granite and stainless steel if that is important. There are some A&Crafts around but you need to keep looking. Lots of investment and close in neighborhoods like this keep more of their value.

Negative: A lot of young couples up and move when they have kids but there still is a sense of stability and a variety of income and age levels. If you have more money to invest, Meridian Kessler and Butler TArkington have the same at higher levels. The area called Arden is slightly north and a blend. The only area to me that has a college feel is the downtown BR area on Friday and Saturday nights due to the number of bars. But the rest of the time it is pretty tame. Oh, and a terrific farmers market during the summer that has the feel of an art fair with everyone including kids and dogs having a good time.

Even downtown neighborhoods are enjoyable. Think Chatham Arch with its blend of cottage and high end homes. Great neighborhood association. Higher end is Lockerbie with again a great neighborhood assoc. Check out Urban Times a downtown newspaper for all the neighborhoods. A realtor should be able to get you one.

[rajmelk]

Originally Posted by danmerk23

My wife and I are relocating to Indianapolis in a few months. I will be working within the city limits so I would like to try and find a home in an area that is up and coming, slightly older homes (think Arts n Crafts) and is very walkable. Can anyone suggest any of these? I have been researching about Broad Ripple, but it is starting to sound like a college bar town.

We are in our late 30s and do not have plans on having kids. We are into the city life. Does anyone know of a resource where we can talk to someone who can compare a like city up here in Cleveland to a location there? Are there services I work with on this? Oh, and it has to be relatively safe.

As a former Cleveland resident who grew up in Indy, Broad Ripple would come the closest to your description...but I would still say it falls far short of neighborhoods in Shaker Heights, Lakewood, and Cleveland Heights in terms of character, ethnicity, and dining options. Perhaps someone on this forum can speak to Lockerbie Square, although I would guess it's not as safe. Indy is great if you like suburban living, subdivisions, and going to strip malls for practically any restaurant of note.

[sweetana3]

The thing about downtown historic neighborhoods is the involvement of the neighbors in directly making their neighborhoods safe. The police are available and involved thru meetings and community officers. There are monthly meetings to exchange information.

I would say our downtown is very safe. The problem neighborhoods well known and are far enough away and the traffic pattern is such that it is not a big problem.

Lockerbie is well known for the involvement of its residents in many community activities. However, the taxes are quite high and it is a city walk rather than a neighborhood walk when you leave Lockerbie.

I find BRipple quieter, larger for walks, significant investment in remodeling and updating of homes, normal house lots. The Broad Ripple Village Assoc. is always on top of changes and making improvements for the benefit of businesses. They watch parking and security issues.

And yes, Indy is big and was designed for the car. But the BR area and its surroundings and downtown are the closest you can get to a walking neighborhood.