Info on Indianapolis, April 2009 (Fishers, Carmel: apartments, rentals, condo)

[Pelikan]

Hi!

I will be moving to Indianapolis to work for Eli Lilly. I am looking for information on which parts of the city are the best to live in. I am looking to rent 1 or 2 bedroom place in safe neighborhood. I am single, female, mid 30 and I like to go out for good food, visit bookstores, cafes and theaters. Preferably, I would like to be close to Eli, but I could commute. Another issue is parking as I'll move my car as well. The price range that I would be willing to pay is $700-1000. Is that reasonable?
Thank you very much in advance!

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by Pelikan

Hi!

I will be moving to Indianapolis to work for Eli Lilly. I am looking for information on which parts of the city are the best to live in. I am looking to rent 1 or 2 bedroom place in safe neighborhood. I am single, female, mid 30 and I like to go out for good food, visit bookstores, cafes and theaters. Preferably, I would like to be close to Eli, but I could commute. Another issue is parking as I'll move my car as well. The price range that I would be willing to pay is $700-1000. Is that reasonable?
Thank you very much in advance!

Without question, you should live downtown. You will hear alot of hype about north side neighborhoods like Broad Ripple, but IMO they are not what they are cracked up to be (and a good 15-20 minute drive to work) There are several neighborhoods on the SE side of downtown where many young professionals live, generally along the Mass Ave corridor. From here, you can walk to everything: grocery, work, movies, Nordstrom and mall shops, pro games, movies, and independent restaurants.

As a single guy who lived briefly in Indy, I found the bar scene to be a bit bland and corporate, but this bar was the savior (I have slowly emigrated south from Chicago and now reside in Louisville):

The Rathskeller

It is a real German biergarten and it is great in the warm months.

Indy's downtown is a real gem for its size, and is very safe and walkable, especially the area bounded by the river on the west, and the interstate to the north, south, and east, which wraps around downtown. Some gentrification has creeped outside these boundaries, but, generally speaking, as a single female you wouldnt want to live anywhere in center township outside that region.

[sweetana3]

I live downtown and hubby just retired from Lilly (after being laid off) after 27 years. If you want to walk to work, Fletcher Place is within blocks and has some rentals.

Downtown is great. I always start by recommending Riley Towers. Many Lilly employees and temp employees live in the towers. It is safe, and well maintained. Within just blocks there is Mass Ave., grocery, hardware, entertainment, the whole downtown area. We live about 4 blocks from it and find the area safe and interesting. It will give you the time to figure out the area.

There are apartments downtown of all kinds but you have to check each out carefully. Buildings range from new to unremodeled old problem properties.

We find that living downtown really opens up the whole city to us. We can use the quick interstate to visit any part we want.

Note: There is a great yoga studio downtown on Central and 10th. Lots of art galleries, IUPUI for advanced education, many ethnic eateries, a fantastic knit shop, lots and lots of stuff. We have a football, basketball and baseball stadium downtown.

Note: Eli Lilly is undergoing significant downsizing and reorganization across the lines. Hubby was in IT, research itself is being somewhat outsourced. Good Luck.

[colorado04]

Carmel or Fishers Indiana are the safest ......good luck

[RoadRunner72]

If your working dowtown, I would recommend living downtown, or if your willing to commute perhaps Nora or Carmel is a good place to start.

[casualsurfer]

carmel if you like peace & quiet though it could be pretty boring if you're looking for a social scene, and it could be a bit pricey though i think you can find some really good deals on rent right now in places like the village of westclay (towne road & 131st street). since you're working at Lily (i'm assuming downtown and not satellite offices) downtown, broadripple is an ideal location for food & the weekend college student crowds (parties), and though i've never lived in downtown i do find it seemingly safer than say...LA downtown or chicago downtown.

and to sweetana's comment: Lily is downsizing significantly, i have a few friends who have been downsized though there are growing biotech presence in indiana so they've gone to other places. depending on your profession though, i would say indy is a hit & miss when it comes to job opportunities. a friend once said that indy's job market is challenging even in the best of times, and i'm inclined to agree though you can't beat the cost of living here for sure.

[ysms]

I think a nice apt or condo on the northside of Broadripple would work for you too. Don't worry about the commute much especially if you stay within the loop.

[CSININDY]

You will have to commute unless you live downtown in an apartment building like Riley Towers. They are very nice and in your range. Otherwise I recommend the outlaying areas west of Indy. AVOID AT ALL COSTS living in a rental in Haughville or Stringtown areas of western Indianapolis between Washington and 38th street. I would recommend Avon on 36/Rockville Rd. It's a small commute (45 minutes) but there are great choices for shopping and restaurants. If you decide downtown, make sure there is parking onsite and I recommend avoiding the old 'historic' apartment buildings. They may look cool but lack in security. Good luck!