Relocating from Jersey...HELP (Indianapolis, Fishers: homes, neighborhoods, good schools)

[curious1104]

My family and I currently live in NJ and are considering relocating to Indiana. We are looking for a community with a small town feel but close to a larger city where there are things to do. We have three kids under 6 with another on the way so we are looking for safe family friendly neighborhoods with good schools. We would love to have a town where they do parades on holidays and simple family things like that. Also a quaint, historic downtown that you can walk around to shops and restaurants. A place with parks and outdoor activities as well as a few indoor things for the kids to do when weather is bad. I know I'm rambling now but I hope you get the idea. If anyone has any suggestions, we would appreciate it! Thanks

[kpastore]

Hi. I live in Fishers, IN (NE suburb of Indy), and though it has grown from 10,000 to 70,000 over the last 15 years, it is still a community with a small town feel. It does not have the historic feel though that you may be looking for. I would suggest checking out Noblesville in Hamilton County. It is the county seat, still has a town square, but also has great community events, parks, etc... It also has some very good restaurants (Matteo's comes to mind). My brother lives there with 2 kids and loves it. Good luck with your move!

[domergurl]

I have friends from Jersey who live in Noblesville ... they love it there. You may also want to check out communities in the Chicago area in NW Indiana, Munster, Crown Point, Valparaiso or Chesterton.

[MikiJayne]

Danville, in Hendricks County feels like that. They have a town square with the courthouse, and cute little shops around it. There are some older, historic homes, but you can still get to Indy in about 30-40 minutes.

[Future Trooper]

Plainfield feels the same way. it's only about 10 minutes from Indianapolis International Airport and about 25 minutes from Downtown Indianapolis.

[curious1104]

Thanks for all the input. I saw on one of those Forbes lists that Hamilton County is the number one place in the nation to raise kids so I guess we will look there first. Also my husband is looking for work either as a cop or a firefighter if anyone has any info on any departments that might be hiring soon. EMT work would do for now as well. Thanks again! By the way, how are winters in Indiana?

[Future Trooper]

All departments are always hiring because their is always someone retiring or quiting/fired. The Winters in Indiana are relatively mild in my opinion.

[DLK55]

Originally Posted by curious1104

By the way, how are winters in Indiana?

Hi there. Former Joisey guy here, I've been in Indiana for awhile now.

I would say you would adapt to the weather down in that part of the state well. It's pretty comparable to NJ temperature and precipitation wise and I believe it's actually a little less snowy. No more Nor'easters for you.

I posted in the main Indiana forum how you can find out about the climate in a given area in a thread called "Severe Weather Preparedness Week ".

I lived in NJ for over thirty years and there are a lot of things I still love about the state but I've enjoyed the years I've spent here and the difference in the cost of living makes it even more enjoyable.

[curious1104]

Also, I was wondering....how is the terrain in Indiana around noblesville and Indianapolis...is it hilly or flat? Are there good places to go camping, hiking, canoeing, and things like that? Thanks again for all the input.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by curious1104

Also, I was wondering....how is the terrain in Indiana around noblesville and Indianapolis...is it hilly or flat? Are there good places to go camping, hiking, canoeing, and things like that? Thanks again for all the input.

Fa-llllllllat!!!!