seeking neighborhood personality info (Indianapolis, Fishers: HOA, crime, houses)

[avid, rabid gardner]

My husband and I may be relocating to Indianapolis and will be doing a lot of traveling to Cincinnati. Any observations on relatively safe, <$200,000 (or much less!!) houses, generally in decent parts of town. Do like the ethnic stuff, able to rehab but would love a place for a garden and some chickens. Yes, I said chickens. Hate the Atlanta suburbs and love living in Decatur, (15 minutes from downtown Atlanta)which is a charming, funky small town inside the metro area and seeking same. Work situation is still not stable/specificly located. Suggestions regarding demographics, neighborhood personality, statistics, just info regarding what's the "hip", pricey, transitional, declining or up and coming areas would be greatly appreciated. No kids, but understand there are resale issues in Indy we would like to either avoid or be aware of prior to much rehab investment. Good restaurants appreciated, but not much for partying. Thanks y'all.

[bookworm2768]

LOL
Chickens??
I don't know . . ..
Well, you may have to look up in Wesfield or perhaps a non HOA neighborhood in Carmel. I know there are some cute houses just south of Clay terrace Mall (meridian and 146th) that are HOA free and have fairly decent lots. The mall has terrific restaurants. Good luck

[bookworm2768]

Originally Posted by avid, rabid gardner

Suggestions regarding demographics, neighborhood personality, statistics, just info regarding what's the "hip", pricey, transitional, declining or up and coming areas would be greatly appreciated. No kids, but understand there are resale issues in Indy we would like to either avoid or be aware of prior to much rehab investment. Good restaurants appreciated, but not much for partying. Thanks y'all.

Indy itself is fairly eclectic. Look at Broad ripple if you want the hip areas although the houses can be pricier if in good shape. If you're willing to rehab you may be in luck though. The crime in that area though is marginally higher than the burbs and since it is more hip there is more partying and late night traffic.
The suburbs in their order of resale value and repuatation (my opinion only) are Carmel, Fishers and Zionsville. Carmel is reputed to be a rich area but you can find any variety of price ranges. Homes are still moving easily in carmel unless they are massive and overpriced. Fishers may have more areas open to chickens Zionsville I know only by reputation.

[marchessa]

I moved to Zionsville and it is a little snotty compared to other areas in Indy. The west-side suburbs are nice, affordable, and they seem to have a sense of community. Those are Avon, Brownsburg, and Plainfield. People have told me that Carmel is snotty, but in my experience I have not met many snotty people from there. I am sure you will run into the good and the bad everywhere. I was warned before I moved here, and I didn't believe the naysayers. Now if I build my dreamhouse, it won't be in this community, but in another that is a little more positive and upbeat