Nice neighborhoods in or around Indy. (Indianapolis, Carmel: apartments, to rent, townhomes)

[TranquilMammoth]

I'm planning on moving to the Indianapolis area this summer for a new job, and I'd like some suggestions as to what neighborhoods or suburbs I should look into. The job is in the IUPUI-Indianapolis zoo area, so ideally I'd like some neighborhoods in or around that area. I'm looking for a nice and quiet community (no ghetto neighborhoods) that doesn't necessarily scream white suburbia. I'm still relatively young at 26, so I'd like to live in an area where I can meet other people that are around my age. I'd like my daily commute to be around 30 minutes or less, but it can be longer depending on where I live.

[Coogles]

Looking to buy? Rent? Budget for either? Do you want walkable amenities (grocery, restaurants, bars, etc) or do would you prefer something more suburban oriented?

There are tons of apartments/townhomes in and near downtown Carmel that would probably fit the bill if you're renting. Carmel feels sterile and a bit lily white to me, but many people love it.

I'd probably recommend finding a place downtown. There's tons of new construction going on along Virginia toward Fountain Square, or you should be able to find a place closer to Mass Ave on the NE side of downtown.

I'm a Broad Ripple / Meridian-Kessler advocate, but the area is pretty severely lacking in terms of newer and updated apartments. If you'd rather find a single-family home to rent or buy, though, it would be a great choice.

[wh15395]

Originally Posted by Coogles

Looking to buy? Rent? Budget for either? Do you want walkable amenities (grocery, restaurants, bars, etc) or do would you prefer something more suburban oriented?

There are tons of apartments/townhomes in and near downtown Carmel that would probably fit the bill if you're renting. Carmel feels sterile and a bit lily white to me, but many people love it.

I'd probably recommend finding a place downtown. There's tons of new construction going on along Virginia toward Fountain Square, or you should be able to find a place closer to Mass Ave on the NE side of downtown.

I'm a Broad Ripple / Meridian-Kessler advocate, but the area is pretty severely lacking in terms of newer and updated apartments. If you'd rather find a single-family home to rent or buy, though, it would be a great choice.

Agree with everything here except Carmel, which screams white suburbia loudly.

[ischyros]

Good thoughts from the above posters. The IUPUI-Zoo area is downtown so that would be the closest area to look. You don't really want to go west from that area unless you go beyond 465, out to Avon or even Planfield. Downtown along the canal has a lot of newer apartments mostly housing 20-somethings and IUPUI students. You cold also look in the Lockerbie area and around Mass Ave. There are some newer apartments and rowhouses in that area.