Is my impression of Indianapolis accurate? (Carmel, Hamilton: under 21, law, license)

[Kluch]

Originally Posted by Durpie22

I visited Franklin for the first time recently and was impressed with the downtown. I couldn't believe how big it was for a city its size. I always had it in my head the Franklin was some podunk small town with nothing but cornfields.

It's really a gem of a town that can catch you off guard after visiting Greenwood and the surrounding area. I feel like it really flies under the radar because it's far enough south that most aren't familiar with it but the downtown area is really nice, especially since they recently built the amphitheater near downtown with a nice park, pickle ball courts and a splash pad (which my kids LOVE). My in-laws came last year to visit from Chicago and they were really impressed with the whole area. If Indiana didn't tax your retirement funds my in-laws would probably consider retiring here.

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by Kluch

It just needs a whole foods lol.

That is a nice area though. We drive through there at least once a week, often just to go to target or for other shopping needs. It definitely feels a tad more "premium" than some of the other greenwood areas.

Honestly, this is a completely different subject but I wish Franklin would get a Target. It has the potential to be a really nice area. I mean... it already is nice (the downtown specifically - it feels like Noblesville in a way) but for certain shopping needs you have to come north into Greenwood/Bargersville.

Just put the house up for sale here in your old Kane Co(I remember these things for some reason online). Illinois town, only not leaving the state; but no more Amazon fresh deliveries way out in the farmland.
I have question for a friend considering Indy, is Beech Grove still nice?.
It was when I was young, but that was many, many years ago.
TY

[Kluch]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

Just put the house up for sale here in your old Kane Co(I remember these things for some reason online). Illinois town, only not leaving the state; but no more Amazon fresh deliveries way out in the farmland.
I have question for a friend considering Indy, is Beech Grove still nice?.
It was when I was young, but that was many, many years ago.
TY

I honestly have no clue. I haven't spent a lot of time, if any at all, in that specific area. It appears to be insight the 465 outerbelt so I've driven by the area many times but never actually driven through it. I'm sure someone else can give you more insight.

Good for you for leaving the ol' Kane county.

[Toxic Toast]

I have friends in Beech Grove, and they seem to like it. I've found in general, BG is not as bad as the typical chatter you hear about it. Main Street is nice, and there are many beautiful old houses along Main Street and some of the blocks that straddle Main Street. The commercial district is quiet, but they're trying. There's a nice coffee shop called Silver Linings on Main Street that we like to visit when we're in the area.

A lot of the housing stock away from Main Street is small and geared more toward working class families, so that does limit the sort of development that might be likely to happen in most of BG. It is a solid, mostly intact middle class type area.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Durpie22

I visited Franklin for the first time recently and was impressed with the downtown. I couldn't believe how big it was for a city its size. I always had it in my head the Franklin was some podunk small town with nothing but cornfields.

I was in Franklin last week for the first time in probably a decade, and I was quite impressed with what they've done since the flood of 2008. I recall it as being a dumpy, aging rural town with a city center that was decrepit and only partially occupied. I remember going to see movies in the Artcraft theater and how run down it was.

It's quite nice now, what I would consider "vibrant". I plan on returning in the near future to check it out in more detail.

RM

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

I have question for a friend considering Indy, is Beech Grove still nice?

I think Beech Grove has stepped up a notch or two. They have a decent downtown area with a handful of shops and eateries. The entire area is very walk-able, though I think trips to the nearby Walmart and Lowes south of the I-465 interchange would be somewhat of a hike. Still, we are likely talking a drive of .25-.5 miles, very convenient for sure. As previously stated, the homes are small, older bungalow style houses. Crime isn't too horrible, but they have their moments, usually people who likely don't live in the actual city limits. The most recent live police show, On Patrol Live, is actually riding along with Beech Grove PD.

https://www.reelz.com/show/on-patrol-live/

Originally Posted by MortonR

It's quite nice now, what I would consider "vibrant". I plan on returning in the near future to check it out in more detail.

Franklin is fairly nice. They've done well with a nice bypass road just west of the interstate that wraps around to the north side of town. They've got a decent amount of retail available as well. I've tried two mom and pop eateries in town over the last handful of years. Overall a nice farther off suburban city.

[Last Second Larry]

Originally Posted by Durpie22

"ridiculous courts"? Have you spend a lot of time in court? For what??

I was riding in the back seat after leaving a Rush concert at Deer Creek on my 20th birthday and the car I was riding in got pulled over on the little stretch of 465 on the north side that juts into Carmel and I blew a .02. A few weeks after ending my birthday in the drunk tank of Hamilton Co. jail, I was sentenced to 60 days in jail by Judge Bardach in Carmel City Court which is the maximum for a C misdemeanor. I just stared at her slack-jawed and the bailiff grabbed me and pulled me to my chair. Many tears were shed and lots of people were thrown in jail for minor slights that day in court.

Also when I was in court, there was a guy getting sued by the city for having 2 square feet too large of a sign in front of his business. The city lost the case because he had some type of permit that allows you to have a 32 sq. ft. sign (instead of the maximum 30) that the prosecution somehow didn't know about. I just remember being baffled at how seriously everyone was taking this case--guy had 2 attorneys, there were 2 prosecutors, people scrambling through paperwork, like it was some kind of major trial.

Carmel is a joke, always has been, and always will be, for these types of reasons. Roll down a hill too fast and you're getting a ticket, and possibly your car searched. Hardly anyone I know could even imagine living in such a place. We understand that Carmel is a very insular enclave, completely unfriendly and borderline hostile to the non-wealthy, and we should keep the heck out except for work. My last comment was hyperbole; this one is not. All I'm saying is that Zionsville has a completely different vibe, is way cooler, more interesting, friendly, historical, etc., and I'd certainly look into it instead if it were me.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Last Second Larry

I was riding in the back seat after leaving a Rush concert at Deer Creek on my 20th birthday and the car I was riding in got pulled over on the little stretch of 465 on the north side that juts into Carmel and I blew a .02.

At least it was a Rush concert. Always remember what Geddy says: "Ten bucks is ten bucks."

A mantra I live by.

RM

[Durpie22]

Originally Posted by Last Second Larry

I was riding in the back seat after leaving a Rush concert at Deer Creek on my 20th birthday and the car I was riding in got pulled over on the little stretch of 465 on the north side that juts into Carmel and I blew a .02. A few weeks after ending my birthday in the drunk tank of Hamilton Co. jail, I was sentenced to 60 days in jail by Judge Bardach in Carmel City Court which is the maximum for a C misdemeanor. I just stared at her slack-jawed and the bailiff grabbed me and pulled me to my chair. Many tears were shed and lots of people were thrown in jail for minor slights that day in court.

Did you have any priors?

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Durpie22

Did you have any priors?

You could say the same about the Beech Grove traffic court back in the 70s and 80s The judge, who's name I don't recall, had absolutely zero tolerance for teenagers and young adults. I got dinged for passing on the right at Meridian and Banta, and I got a 30 day license suspension. For my first ticket!

RM