Moving to Indianapolis Suburb from Maine??

[MainetoMidwest]

Mainacs is perfectly acceptable, too! Downeasterners would only be used for those who live in the Downeast region of Maine, which is much further north up the coast from Kennebunkport.

Thanks again for everyone for your thoughts. sweetana3, I was really struck by your comment: It will never match the beauty of Alaska or Maine but your life may possibly be more simple and and as a result even more family oriented and easier. I think there's a lot of truth in what you have to say.

I told my parents tonight about my thoughts on a possible midwest move. Having already had one daughter move to a St. Louis suburb, they were horrified at the thought I might head westward with their two grandsons. So they would probably come with me, too! I think Indy is only 4 or 5 hours from St. Louis, right? Who knows, maybe one of these days you will see a whole extended family of Mainers - and one very disgruntled Brit - rattling around Zionsville or the like.

Anyway, it's all food for thought. Thanks again to all for your suggestions. I assume none of you are in the market for moving to Maine, but if anyone needs advice on vacationing here, feel free to let me know!

[domergurl]

With Rolls Royce being a big presence in Indianapolis and Cummins being the big dog down here in Columbus ... there are many many Brits in various states of disgruntlement!

Yes St. Louis is about 4 hours away .. all interstate too!

We've had many a discussion, in various degrees of civility (GUILTY!) regarding major cultural/nature moves.

We do not have mountain hiking (boy that one got contentious eh? Wonder if they're here???). But we have I guess what is referred to as trail hiking all over the state, mainly in southern Indiana.

I will tell you this ... Conde Nast consistently says that Brown County Indiana has one of the best fall color seasons in the entire country and judging from the slow pokes driving through having a gander, I think they are correct!

I will second Plaidmom. You would probably feel very much at home in Brown County.

I'm sure you are getting all kinds of "you want to move where?" and looks like you are pondering living on Mars ... well, you aren't and you can't blame them really. But, as your job prospects become more clear, let us know and we will be happy to give suggestions (even for realtors!) for places to see, places to eat ... oh ... you'll miss fresh off the boat seafood too ... again, landlocked. Dangit ... I'm really trying to be positive!

[TnTWalter]

We don't have an ocean but we have a L'Ocean [what my kids call Lake Michigan]...Lake Michigan is beautiful in it's own right and is an easy drive away. You can stay on Indiana Side or venture into Michigan as well. Adorable towns along the 'coast' if you will. Pentwater, Grand Haven, etc. We went camping in Ludington last summer and had a blast. So you could easily get your beach town fix.

There's also decent skiing in Michigan which isn't too far.

We also have many lakes to ski, tube or just chill out. Morse Lake in Cicero is nicer than Geist. But we prefer the state reservoirs like Brookville [our FAVORITE] and Mississinewa, which are about 1.5 hours away. Brown county is beautiful with many hills, quaint towns and shops and more lakes.

But planes were made for beach and ski vacations as well!

I've lived on the East Coast as well. Spent many summers in Ocean City NJ and also Connecticut.
We live in Noblesville, which is in Hamilton County. Hamilton County was rated #1 by Forbes Magazine in 2008 for raising a family.

[iudiehard]

You'll like Indianapolis and the Midwest for that matter. Anytime you leave a place you have lived for years.....it is going to be difficult. One word of advice: Don't move to Indiana (or anywhere else) and talk about how awesome Maine was/is and how much you wish you still lived there. That sounds alot like, This place sucks and Maine is great. Be proud of Maine, but not at the expense of your new home.

Good luck and visit Indianapolis, I think you will find it to be the perfect combination of big city/ with small town charm.

[Kristen Howard]

MaintoMidwest:

Our family moved to the Indianapolis area (Carmel) 5 years ago from California. I know what it's like to pick up everything and move across the country. We have not regretted moving here. In fact, I am a Realtor and would love to help you out! Our kids were 1 and 4 when we moved here so I have a ton of information about kid's activities, schools, etc. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help!! <mod cut realtor advert>

[greyhoundgirl79]

I would like some real estate info on the nice suburbs of Indy, and any helpful info on good neighborhoods for families. I have two small children, 4 and almost 2, and my husband is looking into a job at Wishard Health. I am looking for an area within a 20 min commute or less for him and a nice affordable neighborhood, with good, no make that great schools. Safety, excellent schools and affordable homes are tops. Any help would be great! Thanks!

[DeadIrishD]

It appears as if I'm in the same boat as you are, coming from Portsmouth New Hampshire, close to Rye and Hampton beach, I am also looking into moving to Indiana, cheap way of life, seems a bit laid back, and close to Kentucky (family.) and Indy 500.

[domergurl]

ND fan by chance??

[Colts]

Coming from New England, I highly recommend Zionsville (if you can afford it). The rolling hills and Cape Cod houses will remind you of home.

[Ravekid]

Originally Posted by MainetoMidwest

I've done some research on this website and the towns of Carmel/Zionsville/Noblesville sound great with good schools and lots of facilities for families with young kids. House prices seem reasonable. But...I am just concerned about whether we would like living in the midwest compared to Maine. Would we miss the beach too much? (We live 1.5 miles from the ocean). It sounds like there are plenty of pools and water opportunities available - is that right? What about hiking/skiing opportunities? Also, I wouldn't mind a shorter winter and a warmer spring, but I do love four distinct seasons, especially the crisp New England fall weather. Are there four seasons in Indiana? What will the heating/coooling costs be for an average size home? Currently we have no a/c (no one in Maine does) but heating costs are a killer. Are there any small town New Englanders who have made the move to the area who could give me some insight? Thank you so much for your thoughts!

Water:
If you _love_ the salt water and the beach, you will hate it here. There are many pools/swimming in the greater metro area:

In Carmel they have a city water park:
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation : Aquatic Center : Overview

You can buy annual or seasonal passes if you want. You might want to check because I am not sure their policy on non-City of Carmel taxpayers/residents.

IndyParks operates many pools and at least one indoor water center (the one I know of is located in SE Marion County). The city of Plainfield also operates some sort of water park.

Skiing:
Skiing in this area isn't the greatest, so say my relatives that used to ski a lot. I went skiing twice, once at one of the Indiana places, once in Michigan. Michigan places are better than the places in S. Indiana, but my relatives go out west to ski. They claim it is just much better out there.

Hiking:
There are some OK places to hike in Indiana, but Central Indiana isn't the greatest (the Indy metro area). We do have some nice parks that aren't that far away where they have some flat, wooded hiking. There are a few parks that have a little more aggressive hiking (ravines, ladders you have to climb, stairs, hills, etc.). Those parks are a little further from the metro area, but all are within a three hours drive..if that. Please be aware that Indiana, for its size, is really a populated state. Our land in the Central area is mostly flat and developed. The areas of the state with lots of hills is S. Indiana and W. Central Indiana. I hear the highest point in Indiana is actually located in E. Central Indiana (close to the Ohio border), but I am not sure if that means hills, or just a steady rise). If your looking for Smoky Mountain or Rocky Mountain type hiking, you won't find it in Indiana. My understanding is that the state parks in KY are much better for hiking than Indiana. Those parks are likely within a five hour drive of the Indy area (outside of M-F rush hours).

Seasons:
We do have four distinct seasons. Temps can vary, as can snow fall. The central Indiana area really doesn't spend a lot on snow removal since it is hit or miss. As such, if we get hit hard, you might be off work for a day or two. Most counties focus on the major roads obviously, and get to the non-HOA neighborhoods later. The newer neighborhoods have house associations and they usually have someone on contract to plow those streets. Also, you will need AC. AC isn't that costly unless you AC breaks down (sometimes it is hit or miss with these units). I have electric AC and natural gas furnace. I also have a wood stove for my days off/very cold weather. Please note that while you may like the idea of a wood stove, some HOAs/municipalities might limit the burning of wood. Burning wood for heat isn't that big in Indiana, so if enough neighbors complain in dense areas, I could see restrictions. There also might be restrictions of stacking wood on your property if you live in an HOA neighborhood. This year, summer was great. I _hate_ the heat and humidity, and even sunlight. We had a very cool summer.

Overall, if you have money, come from money, make money, I would seriously focus on just some affordable housing in the Fishers/Noblesville area and bank money for trips and what not. The good thing about living in Indiana is we have interstates that head in almost every direction. Within a 1.5 to four hour drive, you are out of this state depending on what interstate you hop onto. So you could move here for the schools, live here on the cheap, but have the money available to travel to get your fix of oceans, mountains, etc..