Best smaller city within Indy metro? (Indianapolis, Fishers: apartment, rentals, houses)

[GraniteStater]

I am looking into the possibility of moving to the metro area as I am interviewing and applying for available openings within my career field. Currently I live in a city of about 35,000 people and would like to find a city (suburb or stand-alone) within the metro that is well regarded, safe, and with a walkable dense center. I will be coming from the Louisville metro. Any good suggestions? I will be somewhat flexible for price range, but would prefer to stay in the $640-$900 month range for rentals before getting further acquainted with the area.

[Broadrippleguy]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I am looking into the possibility of moving to the metro area as I am interviewing and applying for available openings within my career field. Currently I live in a city of about 35,000 people and would like to find a city (suburb or stand-alone) within the metro that is well regarded, safe, and with a walkable dense center. I will be coming from the Louisville metro. Any good suggestions? I will be somewhat flexible for price range, but would prefer to stay in the $640-$900 month range for rentals before getting further acquainted with the area.

Well Granite if you want take a look at some houses in the Indianapolis area from a website on Google and see some of the prices. (Downright affordable lol).
I believe the average home price in Indy is 125,000ish depending on the area if you have that money i would recommend getting a house as soon as possible maybe after renting in the city for 2-3 months and getting to know the best areas

So Basically i would recommend you rent an apartment for a few months get to *Know the areas* then buy a house.
Houses are going fast in the Indy metro area and especially for Super Bowl 46 (Which is going to be a Kick to say the least

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I am looking into the possibility of moving to the metro area as I am interviewing and applying for available openings within my career field. Currently I live in a city of about 35,000 people and would like to find a city (suburb or stand-alone) within the metro that is well regarded, safe, and with a walkable dense center. I will be coming from the Louisville metro. Any good suggestions? I will be somewhat flexible for price range, but would prefer to stay in the $640-$900 month range for rentals before getting further acquainted with the area.

Can I ask to what part of the metro area you would be commuting, if you know? Are you single and/or are schools an issue?

Within the Indy city limits, a lot of folks would recommend living downtown or in the Broad Ripple area. Zionsville has a lovely town center, but I don't believe there are any rentals close by. Old Town Carmel is a really nice area as well and has rentals, but I'm uncertain as to the rent levels there.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Broadrippleguy

Well Granite if you want take a look at some houses in the Indianapolis area from a website on Google and see some of the prices. (Downright affordable lol).
I believe the average home price in Indy is 125,000ish depending on the area if you have that money i would recommend getting a house as soon as possible maybe after renting in the city for 2-3 months and getting to know the best areas

I am trying to get the interview set for tomorrow so I don't know if it will be phone or in-person, but I was among the top candidates. It's good to hear that housing remains low. If the position ends up having good job security I will strongly consider buying obviously. Are those prices in good neighborhoods? What areas tend to be more transient vs parochial? Thanks...
Definitely looking for a smaller city feel.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Can I ask to what part of the metro area you would be commuting, if you know? Are you single and/or are schools an issue?

Within the Indy city limits, a lot of folks would recommend living downtown or in the Broad Ripple area. Zionsville has a lovely town center, but I don't believe there are any rentals close by. Old Town Carmel is a really nice area as well and has rentals, but I'm uncertain as to the rent levels there.

I am pretty certain the position will be in Downtown Indianapolis. I have heard Broad Ripple is very nice so I will look into that area starting out of the gates or Zionsville. Carmel and Fishers seem to be the ultra suburbia area and probably not what I'm looking for. I am single and don't care about school districts at this time.

[Broadrippleguy]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I am pretty certain the position will be in Downtown Indianapolis. I have heard Broad Ripple is very nice so I will look into that area starting out of the gates or Zionsville. Carmel and Fishers seem to be the ultra suburbia area and probably not what I'm looking for. I am single and don't care about school districts at this time.

Then i would recommend living near an Interstate.
I-65 and I-70 go directly into downtown in a fast manner (Not Congested like in Louisville on I-65 every commutte especially with the I-64 Bridge Closed.
I-74 which you could live in rural Franklin Township, Marion County (Which is part of Indy)
However you would have to take Southeastern Avenue to Downtown or you could take I-465 to 65 and commute up that every day.
Also you have I-69 by fishers but let me just say thats HELL especially with the construction coming up soon.
Also theres Decatur Township, Marion County (Indianapolis again since its a consolidated city-county)
If you want you could build a home there some nice new suburban subdivisions coming up and you would be close to Greenwood Park Mall and the southport shopping area and to commute you just take Kentucky Avenue to 465 to I-70 into downtown.

Also if your a bar type person or partying/want to get out and know people then Mass. Ave or Broad Ripple is the BEST choice FYI

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I am pretty certain the position will be in Downtown Indianapolis. I have heard Broad Ripple is very nice so I will look into that area starting out of the gates or Zionsville. Carmel and Fishers seem to be the ultra suburbia area and probably not what I'm looking for. I am single and don't care about school districts at this time.

If you're looking for a community with more of a dense, walkable center, I wouldn't completely discount Carmel. They are doing some really nice things there.

Another community you may consider if you're going to be commuting downtown is Beech Grove. Some may laugh at me for the suggestion because "the Grove" is often mocked as being somewhat redneck and blue collar (it is home to a huge Amtrak repair facility). It is undoubtedly more working class, but is very much like a small town surrounded by Indy. Too bad its little downtown strip doesn't offer much, but there's a lot of well-maintained smaller, older homes in the area. I'd guess rents are pretty reasonable there.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Broadrippleguy

Then i would recommend living near an Interstate.
I-65 and I-70 go directly into downtown in a fast manner (Not Congested like in Louisville on I-65 every commutte especially with the I-64 Bridge Closed.
I-74 which you could live in rural Franklin Township, Marion County (Which is part of Indy)
However you would have to take Southeastern Avenue to Downtown or you could take I-465 to 65 and commute up that every day.
Also you have I-69 by fishers but let me just say thats HELL especially with the construction coming up soon.
Also theres Decatur Township, Marion County (Indianapolis again since its a consolidated city-county)
If you want you could build a home there some nice new suburban subdivisions coming up and you would be close to Greenwood Park Mall and the southport shopping area and to commute you just take Kentucky Avenue to 465 to I-70 into downtown.

Also if your a bar type person or partying/want to get out and know people then Mass. Ave or Broad Ripple is the BEST choice FYI

Thanks for the suggestions. I made notations of all the areas you mentioned.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

If you're looking for a community with more of a dense, walkable center, I wouldn't completely discount Carmel. They are doing some really nice things there.

Another community you may consider if you're going to be commuting downtown is Beech Grove. Some may laugh at me for the suggestion because "the Grove" is often mocked as being somewhat redneck and blue collar (it is home to a huge Amtrak repair facility). It is undoubtedly more working class, but is very much like a small town surrounded by Indy. Too bad its little downtown strip doesn't offer much, but there's a lot of well-maintained smaller, older homes in the area. I'd guess rents are pretty reasonable there.

I will look at Beech Grove for sure. I live in Clark County, IN right now and it will likely be pretty comparable as both are mostly blue collar. Is Beech Grove area pretty safe overall?

[GraniteStater]

The zipcode of the area I may be working in is 46240 so it appears to be just northeast of Broad Ripple. Location looks great!