Thinking of moving from Chicago to Indy (Indianapolis, Lafayette: big house, neighborhoods)
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My wife and I have lived in Chicago for about ten years now, but our 19-month old daughter has us thinking about moving back to Indiana. We are both from Indiana, but we just don't know anything about Indianapolis. We took a look at Meridian Kessler and Irvington, but we didn't see where the commercial areas were around the area.
The question: Basically, we are considering moving to Indy but would like to have as much of the Chicago neighborhood "feel" as possible. Specifically, we would like to be able to walk to a cup of coffee, a restaurant or a little shopping. For the Chicagoans, we live in Lincoln Square. What is the Lincoln Square of Indy? We wouldn't want to pay more than $350K for a house though, if that is possible. Any answers are much appreciated.
I would suggest either Irvington or Butler-Tarkington.
They're both middle class neighborhoods not far from the city center. B-T has more of a stately, brick feel to it, while Irvington has the winding streets and big houses.
Let's get this straight - there is nothing like Lincoln Park in Indianapolis. There are two small commercial areas in Meridian-Kessler/Butler-Tarkington (these neighborhoods are basically divided by Meridian, with MK on the east and BT on the west, and the most desirable areas of each are within a few blocks of Meridian). There are a couple of restaurants, a gas station, hardware store, and a few other shops at 49th and Penn, and at 56th and Illinois there is a slightly larger commercial area with a grocery store, pharmacy, liquor store, gas station, and a number of shops, including a nice restaurant, a breakfast/lunch place, and a Starbucks. Unless you're within a few blocks of either of these intersections (or whatever you consider "walking distance,") you're not within walking distance of morning coffee. There are some nice homes closer to Broad Ripple avenue, which is quite a bit more commercial, has more restaurants, a grocery, etc., but is also full of bars, and doesn't offer as much for someone who's more than a few years out of college.
is future schooling of your child important??? or will you guys send her to private school? We lived in Chicago for about 10 years too and moved back to indiana when our first was born. We based a place to live on schools ... if you're looking for a little chicago in indy, well, there's nothing like Lincoln Square (one of my fav. hoods, btw). Broad Ripple is a little old town/a little LP, MK/BT are a little bit Edgewater-ish ... nice family neighborhoods, but you'll be car dependent. you'll be car dependent no matter where you live.
not to be a buzzkill, but if you're looking for a chicago lifestyle in indy ... you won't get it completely. We realized that coming into the deal, but we did it for our child and our future children (we have 3 now). being able to walk to a coffee shop wasn't part of our decision making process.
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My wife and I have lived in Chicago for about ten years now, but our 19-month old daughter has us thinking about moving back to Indiana. We are both from Indiana, but we just don't know anything about Indianapolis. We took a look at Meridian Kessler and Irvington, but we didn't see where the commercial areas were around the area.
The question: Basically, we are considering moving to Indy but would like to have as much of the Chicago neighborhood "feel" as possible. Specifically, we would like to be able to walk to a cup of coffee, a restaurant or a little shopping. For the Chicagoans, we live in Lincoln Square. What is the Lincoln Square of Indy? We wouldn't want to pay more than $350K for a house though, if that is possible. Any answers are much appreciated.
I've never lived in Chicago, and though I've been there too many times to count, I've usually stuck to the usual out-of-towner areas (downtown, Wrigleyville, etc.), so I can't comment on equivalent neighborhoods.
However, $350k buys a lot of house in Indianapolis, and while you might not find a neighborhood like what you're used to, you might find one that you like just as much.
For starters, check out the northeast corner of downtown...the neighborhood is called Chatham Arch. I'd be surprised if you didn't find a house you like there, and you'd be within walking distance of Mass Ave., which has restaurants, art galleries, coffee shops, etc. You'd be right on top of downtown also, so if Mass Ave. ever got old, you could walk into the core of downtown and explore.
As others have mentioned, you might like the Butler-Tarkington and Meridian-Kessler areas, but they are less walkable.
Indy isn't very high on the list of the most walkable cities, but it has a lot going for it. You said you are coming back to IN, did you live in Indiana before?
If you have kids, all answers depend on the schooling you can afford and whether you want them to have a neighborhood of kids to play with.
I feel ours downtown has all you asked for BUT there are no kids at all.
How about Zionsville? Small village feel with families of all kinds and good schools. If you lived in the older part (quite renovated), you could walk the brick street, enjoy all the festivities, visit the local coffee shop which is incredibly popular, etc. Nice place for a family.
There is the tradeoff with commuting but I65 is very much improved and shopping has moved much closer.
My wife and I have lived in Chicago for about ten years now, but our 19-month old daughter has us thinking about moving back to Indiana. We are both from Indiana, but we just don't know anything about Indianapolis. We took a look at Meridian Kessler and Irvington, but we didn't see where the commercial areas were around the area.
The question: Basically, we are considering moving to Indy but would like to have as much of the Chicago neighborhood "feel" as possible. Specifically, we would like to be able to walk to a cup of coffee, a restaurant or a little shopping. For the Chicagoans, we live in Lincoln Square. What is the Lincoln Square of Indy? We wouldn't want to pay more than $350K for a house though, if that is possible. Any answers are much appreciated.
I"d suggest Broad Ripple but ONLY if you can afford private schools. Broad Ripple has a huge walking trail that extends from downtown to the far northside. You can walk to coffee shops, tons of places to eat, public library nearby or in Nora, Holiday Park and Broad Ripple Park right there. It has a nice neighborhood feel.
Barring that, try the northside of Indy. Home prices are reasonable but if you move to Carmel, you'll find it harder to sell your home later. Washington Township is very desirable. If you check my profile, you can find out more about Indy from some articles I've written about the city.
Last edited by jameson12; 12-21-2009 at 05:25 PM..
Reason: More info
It sounds like some good possibilities. I hadn't heard of Chatham Arch and had no idea where the commercial area was in Meridian/Kessler. Zionsville may be worth checking out as proximity to Lafayette (family) is valuable. Is Broad Ripple family friendly? All of the advice is very helpful. Thank you.
As for schools, we are willing to do private school, if need be, but if we can save the money then that is good too. We are moving to get closer to family, to give our daughter some outdoor space and a good school. But, of course, if I can live in a "little lincoln square" that is all the better.
Barring that, try the northside of Indy. Home prices are reasonable but if you move to Carmel, you'll find it harder to sell your home later. Washington Township is very desirable. If you check my profile, you can find out more about Indy from some articles I've written about the city.
I don't know where you get the idea that it would be easier to re-sell a home in Washington Township than in Carmel. Compared to most places Carmel sells homes very quickly. That is because of the 100% increase in population this decade.
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