Carmel/Fisher area... why so favorable given the Indiana weather?

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by Coseau

Carmel was way ahead of the curve in practicing New Urbanism before it became envogue. The Mayor of Carmel saw the results of suburbs that were once nice but went into decline because they relied on one single demograph of middle class married couples with children whose chief concern was single family housing and good schools. Those suburbs started to free fall into low income suburbs once that housing aged and middle class families fled to further outer suburbs that offered the newer bigger better quality housing. Carmel's Mayor didn't want to repeat those mistakes of those other suburban bedroom communities. His plan was for Carmel to mature into its own actual city in its own right for all age groups and demographs instead of being just a bedroom suburb for married couples with children.

Zoning is strict in that generic Developer Modernism apartments which is now being predominantly built in present day American metropolitan areas cannot be built in Carmel. Strip malls and Big Box stores with gigantic parking lots fronting the streets are not allowed to be built. Carmel is being built for the pedestrian on a street level as opposed to being developed for the automobile driver lifestyle.

Most of this is true, but Carmel is still a very car dependent city. Yes, that aspect is being improved, but it is not doable for Carmel to be mostly car-free.

[IndyDancer]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

Most of this is true, but Carmel is still a very car dependent city. Yes, that aspect is being improved, but it is not doable for Carmel to be mostly car-free.

I would agree with this. You're still going to have to hop in the car (or SUV, more likely) to get groceries. The main thing Carmel is accomplishing is making it harder to find parking.

[ischyros]

Originally Posted by IndyDancer

I would agree with this. You're still going to have to hop in the car (or SUV, more likely) to get groceries. The main thing Carmel is accomplishing is making it harder to find parking.

Not really, though. New buildings in the downtown area have parking garages as well as around the City Center/Palladium area. At least I've never had an issue finding parking. Might have to walk a block or so but I'm fine with that. The nice thing all the garages are still free.

[House23]

Originally Posted by jonwb

I grew up in Illinois in the 60s but was transplanted to SoCal when I was eight. As I approach my 60s, I'd like to move my family to an area with better ideals and opportunity. My sons are still young and haven't started their careers yet so the timing is pretty good. I also have a sister in Chicago, whom we all adore.

Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site gives the Carmel/Fisher area a great livability score of 87, a number 16 points HIGHER than where we live now (Upland, CA). That's a huge difference! Given the reports that Indiana can have intense Summer heat & humidity and grey overcast Winters, why does it score so well? I know the community is clean, has good schools, affordable housing and low crime, but if the weather can be that oppressive, what makes it so livable when you're forced indoors a lot? Do you just get used it?

Believe me, I WANT to move there! If I've overstated the climate please enlightened me. I just want my family to live in a better setting.

Thanks

The weather here sucks don't do it. For example today is May 14th, when I woke up this morning it was only 38 degrees.

[ColdAilment]

Originally Posted by House23

The weather here sucks don't do it. For example today is May 14th, when I woke up this morning it was only 38 degrees.

And that will be the last time it gets into the 30s until October.