Moving to IN (Indianapolis, Fishers, Carmel: homes, neighborhoods, purchase)

[owenandgracie]

We may be relocating to the Indianapolis area for a job promotion. Looking to purchase a home at or below $400,000. We want top school district and a neighborhood with families and small children. Also nice size yard. Any suggestions??? I don't even know where to begin as I have never even been to IN!

[domergurl]

under 400K puts you almost anywhere.

Top public school districts are:

Zionsville
Carmel
Fishers (Hamilton Southeastern)

[dave.dawsn]

Originally Posted by owenandgracie

We may be relocating to the Indianapolis area for a job promotion. Looking to purchase a home at or below $400,000. We want top school district and a neighborhood with families and small children. Also nice size yard. Any suggestions??? I don't even know where to begin as I have never even been to IN!

Welcome to Indianapolis; congratulations on your promotion.

Like domergurl said, $400k puts you just about anywhere. Carmel is among the best, if not the best, school district in the greater Indianapolis area. I would also check out the homes along North Meridian Street in the city. You'd be in the Washington Township school district, which is still good but not quite to the level of the suburbs.

I would start with Resources For You - Find a Property - MIBOR | Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS®. Indianapolis proper is entirely in Marion County. You'll probably want to stay within Washington Township if you're looking in the city at all. Hamilton County is where all the suburbs Domergurl and I mentioned are. You can search by county and price range, etc.

Good luck!

[krock1dk]

The good news is that your options are endless in the Indianapolis area. It is the MOST affordable large metro area in the nation. Even in swanky and up-and-coming Hamilton County, to the north of Indianapolis, you will have lots of options. You will have to do the research on communities/neighborhoods to find the best match for you. As far as Marion County (Indianapolis proper) goes, your best bet may be Franklin Township (southeast Indianapolis/Marion County) if you want a more suburban area with good schools. The average home in Franklin Township was built in the late 80s or early 90s as that area sees heavy suburban growth. Although Washington Township, on the north side of Indy, would be good as well. Just AVOID IPS (Indianapolis Public Schools) AT ALL COSTS. Carmel-Clay, Hamilton Southeastern and Westfield Schools (all in Hamilton County are good). Zionsville is good. So is Brownsburg and Plainfield (Hendricks Co. west of Indy). The Center Grove district in Greenwood (Johnson County to the south of Indianapolis) is good as well. Like I said, your options are endless.

You have a problem with this one....but a good one. Good luck and welcome to Indianapolis!

[MikiJayne]

Lots of great suggestions here, but I would also look into Avon, just West of Indy in Hendricks County.
A great place to check out the schools is GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community
You will find that your price range will get you almost anywhere you want to be in the Indy area.

[glass_candy]

Originally Posted by owenandgracie

We may be relocating to the Indianapolis area for a job promotion. Looking to purchase a home at or below $400,000. We want top school district and a neighborhood with families and small children. Also nice size yard. Any suggestions??? I don't even know where to begin as I have never even been to IN!

Broad Ripple - Zionsville - Carmel - Fishers - Geist Area

[MikiJayne]

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