Considering a move to Indy... (Kokomo, Lawrence: house, good schools, subdivisions)

[tjjohnson98]

I've received a job offer in Indy, and my wife and I are currently considering whether to accept or not. I am somewhat familiar with the area, having lived a few years in Kokomo in the early '90s, but have some specific questions for you guys:

The office I'd be working out of is near 56th St and Post Rd (east side). The job doesn't pay well, but I'm obviously looking for the best area possible that would be a close commute. I have small children, so schools are important to me. We've looked at Fishers and Carmel, and those are a bit expensive for us. Noblesville is a bit better price-wise, but I was hoping to be closer to the office than that.

Any suggestions of areas that are closer to the office location, have good schools (don't have to be quite as good as Carmel or Hamilton SE), and would have a bit cheaper housing? I'd like to find a newer 4 BR house for about 100-120K.

Any help you could provide would be much appreciated! Thanks.

[Toxic Toast]

56th and Post is in Lawrence, why not look there?

[Southside Shrek]

There are quite a few reasonably priced and nice housing subdivisions with decent schools in Lawrence and within a 15 minute drive from 56th and Post.

[domergurl]

You could try looking east of there in hancock county in the mt. vernon school system ...

[chalcedony]

Lawrence's school system may not be at Hamilton SE but it's still solid. My guess it has a host of different nationalities (a lot more English as a Second Language) which is most likely to skew test scores downward, but the teachers should still be excellent and committed. It's also going to be a lot less homogeneous than the stuff in the burbs, which can be a good selling point. If you do live in Lawrence Township, most people would recommend staying north of Pendleton Pike. 56th Street area is fine and actually has some great creative new redevelopment of the Fort Ben area; however, by the time you get to 46th and Post things get rougher.

Washington Township Schools are even more diverse and still generally have an excellent reputation. Housing there would probably be a 10 to 25 minute drive from your job (depending on rush hour traffic).

[tjjohnson98]

Thanks for the posts, I appreciate the guidance. However, I've just been informed that I would not be working out of the office that I thought I would be, but rather down by the airport. I assume that Plainfield, Avon and maybe Brownsburg would be decent choices. Any suggestions/info?