Young family moving to Indy--where to live w/income in mid-30k? (Indianapolis: middle-class)

[Valian]

We are moving to Indianapolis from the Upper Midwest this summer and have two young kids (4yo and newborn). Our annual household income will be in the mid-30k range.

Where should we look for affordable (rental) housing?

I am guessing we are priced out of the usual suspects I see reccomended here (Carmel, Zion., Fishers, etc) as well as Meridian-Kessler and Broad Ripple in the city. Most threads have people searching for 300k+ homes!

More info:
We would love to live in the city, but recognize a suburb may be the better choice for our finances.
Dh will be working in the city, but we don't know the exact location yet.
I don't mind trying our luck with the IPS lottery system and if we get the short stick moving out of IPS for K/1st.
We prefer older established neighborhoods and supporting local, independent businesses.

Ideally we'd live in safe walking distance to the free/inexpensive resources we use a lot now: city parks, public library, farmer's market, and public schools. But, everything I have read about Indianapolis suggests I should prepare to drive everywhere.

I have been looking at downtown Greenwood (Valle Vista/Craig Park area), Plainfield and, in the city, found a cluster of apartments in the area from Keystone going east toward Binford Blvd and from 42nd up toward 56th. Also Spring Mill and W 73rd going west towards Dutch Rd.

Am I on the right track? What suggestions can you make?

Thank you!
Valian and Co.

[sb1348]

Plenty of people on here will diagree with me, but the up and coming near eastside is a fabulous place to live. You can find homes right by beautiful Brookside Park and Spades Park that are very affordable with plenty of like minded neighbors. No where else can you find an affordable neighborhood with so many people focused on walkable neighborhoods, public transportation, urban farming, etc. See Near Eastside Quality of Life Plan for more info on the neighborhood plan. Also, super close to downtown. Great old neighborhoods. Unfortunately, lots of bad landlords who manage properties poorly. We are slowly weeding them out and there are many good rentals to be found. Affordable homeownership opportunities too! Try Cottage Home, Springdale, Windsor Park, Holy Cross, Arsenal Heights - all fabulous neighborhoods close to parks.

[sweetana3]

If you can find a cheap rental in the Irvington center, grab it. I saw three mothers out walking the kids and dogs on Tuesday. My friends have lived there 30 years and their kids recently got a house there.

There are small homes and rentals throughout.

[AG505]

My wife and I were in a similar situation several years ago and we moved to the Decatur Township area. It is still in Indianapolis (SW side of Marion County), with easy access to 465 and only 20 min from downtown. For young kids, the schools are good. Valley Mills is an excellent school with great ratings. I'm not familiar with the appartments, but I know there are several homes in newer subdivisions available for rent.

[cbwinslo]

Not knowing exactly what your housing budget is and if you're looking for a single family home or apartment/condo but the Indy metro area is a fairly inexpensive place to live. Even within "the usual suspects", there are affordable pockets.
For example, it is common to see 3 bed/1 bath single family home rent for $850-1,000/month even in Fishers/Carmel/Noblesville. (Not sure about Zionsville, though, someone may have to correct me on that). Just not on the ritzy streets/subdivisions.
I'll use Carmel as an example, just because I happen to live there. I live in central Carmel (the older part). I bought my house almost five years ago and paid $120,000. My neighbor has his house for rent and I believe he's asking $900. I live within the excellent Carmel Clay school system, live in an affordable home and am within walking distance (which I'm defining as less than a mile walk, one-way) of a full-service grocery store, 24-hour pharmacy, seasonal farmer's market, public elementary school, great public library, public high school, public park, golf course, bank, and a mix of both chain and independent restaurant/stores.
There is another area of Carmel, in the southern edge that borders Indianapolis, called HomePlace. That area technically has an Indianapolis address but is in Clay Township (Carmel-Clay schools). There isn't a lot in the immediate area but residential home. It is much less expensive than the rest of Carmel because the housing stock is mostly older and middle-class.
Sorry so long, but just wanted to let you know that desirable school districts are not full of $300k+ only homes and out of reach to most people.

[kelclay724]

Are you looking to buy or rent?

[movingmandy]

Look into speedway as well. It has lots of the amenities that you were talking about. There are several parks and the schools are great. My son went there. It will also be in your price range with a 3 bedroom starting around $650.