New/Updated/Renovated Apartments on Northside/Castleton Area (Indianapolis, Bloomington: leasing, appliances)

[bigcitygirl]

I will be relocating to Indianapolis (from Bloomington, IN) around the first week of June and am wondering if anyone could give me some info on some newer or updated apartments in the north/northeast area. I will be working on the east side and don't want to live too far from my job. I really don't want more than a 20 minute commute. I have been looking in the Castleton area because I like it's proximity to shopping, restaurants, etc., however, I have yet to find anything that meets my standards. Perhaps I'm too picky, but I just want to be happy with the apartment as well as the neighborhood. I really don't want to spend more than $700/month (but that could change) and I want a 2 bedroom, but I'm willing to get a 1 bd if I'll be happy with it. It's just me (25 yr old, single AA female) with no pets and no kids.

The places I've looked at (in person) so far have been:

The Lodge at Trail's Edge - Northside. All of their units have been renovated (cheaply & appliances are old but I could still deal with it) but it's a bit too far from my job. Pricing is good as well.

Ivy Knoll - Castleton - Hated it. Old/Outdated, etc.

Core Riverbend - Castleton - The leasing office/clubhouse looked great, but the actual apartments were sub-par in my opinion. Apparently they have some "luxury" apartments which have been updated but didnt have any to show me on that day. Oh wells...

Island Club - West Side - Don't want to live on the west side anyway and these apartments were not nice enough to make me change my mind.

So, I'm still diligently looking online for some places but it's hard because I don't live in Indy right now and don't have a lot of time to drive back and forth from Bloomington, as I'm taking summer classes. I also don't know Indy that well. If you guys could please help me narrow down some nice places I would greatly appreciate it. This might enable me to make a list of places and spend a weekend in Indy to visit them and hopefully make a decision. I only have a limited amount of time.

Thank you all in advance!!

[BU191433]

I think you have to decide what you are willing to give up. Reason I say that is because you aren't going to find what you want in that price range. No way you'll find a two bedroom for $700 - unl;ess it is either in a bad neighborhood or is an old apartment.

So you have to decide if you are willing to accept a 1 bedroom, or give some on the location, or the age of the apt.

IMO opinion, there aren't any apartments in Castleton that I like.

Let me list a few that if I were you I would look at. Keep in mind to get near your $700.00 proce range (and I do mean near it) you'll have to go with a 1 bedroom.

1) River Ridge - Keystone at the Crossing area. Very nice area - close to nice shopping, restaurants. A great complex, they just built a few new buildings. Price is steep, location is a little further as you are about 2 miles west of Castleton - but these are nice. (please don't confuse these with River Road court which are nearby and are a slum) River Ridge at Keystone Apartment Ratings, Reviews, Map, Rents, and other Indianapolis apartments for rent from ApartmentRatings.com

2) North Haven of Carmel. These are about a half of mile due north of River Ridge - these are nice, price is steep. North Haven Of Carmel Apartment Ratings, Reviews, Map, Rents, and other Indianapolis apartments for rent from ApartmentRatings.com

3) River Crossing at Keystone - in the same area as the two above. Same price range
River Crossing at Keystone Apartment Ratings, Reviews, Map, Rents, and other Indianapolis apartments for rent from ApartmentRatings.com

4) If you decide that the price is just too much, and want something less expensive I would recommend these. http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate...partments.html Keep in mind these are older, outdated and are in a boring part of town - but if you want something cheap, safe, short term these I think would be your best bet.

5) If you decide location (being close to work)is what is most important to you and are willing to give up some on neighborhood (this is on a edge of a "bad neighborhood") Try these. http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate...partments.html

6) one last option I'll mention is Grande Reserve at Geist http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate...-at-Geist.html - the reviews for some reason are not good, but these are in a nice neighborhood near Geist.


There are several in the Carmel and Fishers area that I could recommend if you decide being a little further from work is OK. Please let me know if you have any questions as you start to look. I have been inside eachg of the apartments that I have mentioned above, either because a friend lived there, or because I considered living there

[bigcitygirl]

Thank you so much for the well thought out response! It was very helpful. I've looked at each of those places and they are all very nice and seem to be what I'm looking for. The prices are a bit steep, but I think I'll just have to settle for a one bedroom if it'll make me happy. However, I'm also finding that some of the older places that have been renovated are in my price range (for 2 bedroom), but it's just a matter of me settling. I'm sure there's a reason they're cheap (er). Me living in a bad neighborhood is just not an option. I'm willing to pay more for my safety and peace of mind.

Thanks again! And I'm still welcoming other suggestions!

[BU191433]

One thing about apartments in the area - you get what you pay for. So if the price seems to good to be true - if you move there, you'll find out soon enough why the price wAS LOW

[bigcitygirl]

Ok, so I found an apartment in the Castleton area that seems pretty nice and is in my price range. They have been recently renovated so I am happy for now. My next question is...does anyone know of any really nice used furniture stores around Indianapolis? I am moving with NO furniture and would hate to have to buy an apartment full of brand new furniture. I appreciate any and all help.

Thanks in advance!!