What's the word on West Clay? (Fishers, Carmel: best neighborhood, renting, houses)

[Southside Shrek]

it's that sort of stuff which makes the Geist look much better.

[bhougland]

I forgot to add that I remember no topography and few if any original trees. To me it looked like a gigantic corn/soybean field that a housing development was being built in. It always amazes me to see these big house developments built in a field with no privacy or separation of houses. I laughed when I saw 5 huge houses all backing onto a tiny retention pond with a great view of "the entrance road to the subdivision". Why put in two story windows where there is no view or you can be easily overlooked by all the neighbors. Imagine having a pool party next to the entrance road?

This was not far away from Village of West Clay.

Exactly. I used to live right across the road from this development. If I had the money I would visit Carmel and get something closer to all the new developments. West Clay is on the very outskirts of Carmel and is not really close to anything significant.

[movingtoIndy]

Hi Moogs,

I'm moving to Carmel or Fishers this summer from NYC. We checked out the Village of West Clay and we decided it's not for us. First, it's built in the middle of what was once a field, so it seems very flat. Not much in the way of trees. If you want a yard, forget it. Also, it's not near anything, and the last time we checked it out, there weren't too many shops to make it feel really self-contained.

That said, if you are single, childless couple or retirees, I think it would be a great place to live. The houses are very pretty. It just really depends on your lifestyle.

GL!

[domergurl]

MtIndy ... where are you moving to then ... if you don't mind my asking.

[X-Greensboro Resident]

It's expensive for what you get. Regarding the other stuff about it being too far from everything, I disagree. I live at 146th and Spring Mill and everything I need is within 5-10 minutes. It's not bad at all compared to DC metro where we moved here from.

[mlanaya]

I live in the Village and there are two sections, the Estates and the Village. The Estate houses have bigger lots and the Village lots are made to be closer together so you feel more a part of the community and get to know your neighbors. Our house is in the Village section, but we managed to get a lot with .33 acres. The neighborhood is very social, there are many groups and clubs that meet on a regular basis and during the summer there are free concerts on the green.

The best part of the neighborhood is the wide variety of architecture, all the houses are different and custom which is very different from all of the cookie-cutter neighborhoods all over the suburbs of Indianapolis. There are many Italianate homes, Greek revival, Queen Anne, it's like living in an older neighborhood, but in a brand new house inside. It is true however, that the landscaping and trees are young, most having been planted after 2000. The neighborhood was built on farming fields so it is flat, but so is everything North of Bloomington! Unless you have man made "hills" there is no view in Northern Indiana. Although I think the view from our house is the best in the Village, we over look a circle with a fountain, a large fishing lake, and mature trees on the east edge of the development.

I disagree about the earlier post that said the neighborhood wasn't necessarily for kids. Our neighbors all have young children and there are parks all over the neighborhood. Somebody also said there was a big highway running through the neighborhood, that is not true, everything in the neighborhood is within walking distance. While the retail area is more geared toward "service" type businesses there is a restaurant and a cafe, no ice cream parlor though.

It is a more affluent area, but that is most of Carmel. We will soon be moving to the San Francisco area, and the prices here would be a dream out there. For a quality custom home these are pretty fairly priced, but they do start at $300,000. We do not have that many restrictions and rules, and we are not really like Celebration, FL, I've been there.

I am not sure I understand what people are saying about traffic. We can get to downtown Indianapolis in about 20 minutes. Carmel is an ideal location in central Indiana. There are four grocery stores 5-8 minutes away. There is also a small grocer within walking distance in the neighborhood, although the hours aren't ideal. Shopping and entertainment is very easy to get to. We are by no means "out in the sticks." There are many new shopping areas being built very nearby about 5-8 minutes away at 106th and Michigan road, and another at 136th and Meridian. There is also Clarian North and St. Vincent hospitals about the same distance away, which came in handy when I was pregnant with my first baby last year. You also will find it hard to beat Carmel schools in North/Central Indiana.

If you have any other questions let me know, I would be happy to answer them.

[tstout]

I have lived in Carmel IN for over 46 years. I have lived in three neighborhoods, and this is by far my favorite. Villages of West Clay is amazing. There are families, singles, empty nesters, young adults, etc. There is something for everyone. I love how everyone here is excited about their property and upkeep. Designer Home Show is being featured in Fall 2007. Everyone seems so upbeat. The development is breathtaking and growing. The fountains, gazebos,, sitting ares, architecture in the residential and business areas, the common grounds, and endless walking or biking paths make for uplifting morning and evening outings. The outdoor summer concerts offered keep a small town feel. The amenities are endless. Definately visit the Brenwich website. Clubs and activities are offered through the neighborhood website and monthly newsletters. Top-notch! Traffic no problem. Close to Zionsville and downtown Carmel, Clay Terrace shopping mall. 15 minutes to Interstate 465. Excellent custom builders available.

[MainStreet]

I personally love West Clay. It is aesthetic vintage reincarnated. The homes are all very unique, many reminding me of beach homes. The business district is always growing and is home of probably the best dentist in the state. There is little if any traffic because of it's rural surroundings. There are homes, condos, and apartments. Very expensive, yet the type of place the kids could ride bikes and not worry about being run over.

It's the type of place that if you searched for home there, you immediately know it was exactly what you were looking for. It's got "home" written all over it.

[Southside Shrek]

I happen to like West Clay too but the homes are kind of tight together and there's not much, if any, privacy in one's backyard. I need more space and privacy because that is what I am accustomed to. Give me woods, a ravine, a creek, owls, other exotic birds, deer, racoons, and wildlife.

[vankerck]

I'm moving from the DC area as well and visited West Clay last week. If you've never been to Carmel, I would compare it to the Northern Virginia suburbs (I'm not familiar enough with the Maryland side), just newer and cleaner. Traffic, to be honest, was a joke. I had more traffic on I-66 tonight at 11PM than I did at rush hour in Indy. I'm sure it varies based on where you are, but we drove to downtown from Carmel at 8AM on a Friday morning and there was no traffic whatsoever. It took us 25 minutes, if I remember correctly (we didn't take Meridian, we took 465 to 65).

I personally did not like West Clay that much, but that's just a personal opinion. My husband liked it though. I loved Carmel in general and yes, I like the cookie-cutter developments. I did like the Ryland homes we saw in West Clay (loved the floor plans), I just didn't think the neighborhood was for me. It felt a bit too artificial for me and the variety of houses actually bothered me. But everyone has their own preferences, and what some like, others don't as much. Go and visit it if you have the chance. You might want to check out the builders before you go there, though, there are many of them!