Fountain Square Area (Indianapolis, Bloomington, Fishers: rental, crime, day care)

[jessicamarie6113]

We are a family of 4 looking to relocate from Bloomington to Indy. I have seen some beautiful rental houses and doubles in the fountain square area. I don't know anything about this area. Can anyone give me some information on crime and schools in this area?? Thanks!

[Toxic Toast]

I am still getting settled in Fountain Square, but I can offer some help. The schools are IPS; which has a bad reputation. I am not sure which schools serve Fountain Square; though I am pretty sure the high school is Manual HS. There are some charter schools down here as well. The crime is not that bad for an urban area. Obviously, this is not Fishers, but all things considered, it really isn't that bad. Though, I did put an alarm on my house as a precautionary measure.

[kjaneway]

I live in north-east Indianapolis and DC 38 is right, the only pubic school in that area that your children could go to would be IPS. They did get a new superintendent a couple of years ago who is helping the township a lot and the schools have improved considerably. But to be honest, I would not send my children there.

Washington Township is the other public school system in Indianapolis (in nothern Indy) and has been very good to me and my family and friends. Unfortunately, they just took the tuition out of their schools and if you live out of the district you won't be able to attend anymore. Another option is a charter or private school, but I am not sure which schools are in that particular area whic you're looking in.

On the topic of crime, Fountain Square is very close to the heart of Indy and there will obviously be some crime. That is unavoidable. But as long as you are careful, I think you'll be fine. Good luck in your search for a new home and if you have anymore questions, feel free to message me.

[Naptowner]

If schools are an issue, I'd look elsewhere. IPS is one of the worst school systems in the state.

[sweetana3]

When looking downtown with kids another issue is whether there are any Other kids for them to play with. Kids are pretty much a rarity downtown due to schools, etc.

Our neighbor did day care so her daughter had at least one other child to be with. We only have two teens in our whole neighborhood also right now since the above mentioned family moved out.

[Naptowner]

Kids are kind of a rarity in my neighborhood of Butler-Tarkington too. There are toddlers, but almost no school-age kids around here.

[restorationconsultant]

Fountain Square can be night and day and it really depends on the block, some areas are really nice with owner occupants and active crime watch, other blocks are war zones with gangs and crack houses. You REALLY need to look at the area closely.

You might want to look at the Holy Cross area, just east of the downtown. You can find nice doubles and homes in that area. More pricey but you have Holy Cross Elementary. Lots of younger professional families have moved into the area and they have an active neighborhood association and crime watch. Convenient to downtown. If you have small kids avoid New York and Michigan Streets as they are heavily traveled but the side and cross streets are great and teh nbeighborhood is much safer.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by restorationconsultant

Fountain Square can be night and day and it really depends on the block, some areas are really nice with owner occupants and active crime watch, other blocks are war zones with gangs and crack houses. You REALLY need to look at the area closely.

It is really crazy how true this is. Statistically, the street I live in is as safe as many blocks in Broad Ripple. There is only one house on the block that looks in severe disrepair, and all the neighbors I have met so far are very friendly.

Fountain Square is, without question, still a work in progress. However, it is a great urban neighborhood with a lot of potential for improvement. I would certainly check out the area first though. There are streets that still need a lot of work, yet others are in great shape. Do some research, poke around the neighborhood, and do not get spooked. It really is not as scary as it might appear. Just protect your scrap metal. I had my central A/C installed on the roof so no one would rip the metal off it. No kidding.

[Michelle Morris]

I sold a house in Fountain Square. It was pretty nice, a redone little bungalow. Everything was new in the place, but they wouldn't install the A/C until closing, so that it wouldn't be out there on an empty house.