Advice for family relocating to Indy (Muncie area) from DC (Bethesda) (Indianapolis: renting, buying a home)

[dnadan15]

We will be moving to the Indianapolis area later in the year due to a new job in the Muncie area. We will miss the culture, museums, metro, etc. found in DC but we will certainly not miss the > $ 900,000 median home prices in Bethesda or the 1.5hr to 2 hr commutes to work for a 20 mile drive. Could someone help us with finding a safe and upbeat area with an excellent school system for a family with a small child. Also, we are interested in buying a home but would want to stay around 200K if possible. Because the home prices are so high in DC we are renting (1600/mo.) which is another advantage of leaving town. Thanks in advance.

[domergurl]

If you want to stay near Muncie, I'd suggest Yorktown. Their schools are very good. But, the Burris lab school on the campus of Ball State is one of the best schools in the state. It's highly competitive to get into, but it's worth it.

If you don't mind commuting, you could live on the northeast side of Fishers, close to I-69 (exit 10), or Noblesville. Fishers has an excellent public school system and Noblesville's is good too. Your price range isn't out of the realm in either of those towns. The commute will be longer though ...

[firemedic]

I am a firefighter in Indianapolis, but I grew up in Yorktown. A commute from Fishers near I-69 to Downtown Muncie would take about 45 minutes. The only area outside of Fishers or Noblesville that is between there Muncie that I would recommend is Yorktown, which borders Muncie. Yorktown is a friendly small town, with well respected schools, the H.S. has about 700 students. For 200K you could live in the nicest areas of Y-Town, but you would be giving up a lot of the shopping and dining opportunities that are in Fishers ans Noblesville. So what it would really come down to is, if you want small respected schools, with quiet areas, and big yards, go to Yorktown. If you want the city feel, and big schools, stay near the NE side of indy.

[noviracer]

There are many nice homes in the Muncie area you should be able to get into for $200K. Unless, you like to drive I would look at a buying in the Muncie area. Since Muncie is a college town, it does have more cultural options. The university has a good fine arts museum, theatre department, etc. As far as school systems go, you could do a little research and find out which were the best in the Muncie area. Muncie Burris has always had the reputation for being a fine school, but it is competitive so there are no guarantees. My understanding is Cowan is the best public school system in the Muncie area, but I understand Yorktown is good also.