Nice Mass Ave or Broad Ripple apt buildings? (Carmel, Riley: apartment complexes, loft)

[HollyG1001]

I'm moving from the DC area and am looking for a nice apartment building, probably near the Mass Ave or Broad Ripple area since I am quite artsy myself. However, when looking in these areas, I've noticed a shortage of apartment buildings that might have the amenities I desire. The only one that came close was Riley Towers, which had gated parking and security and looked to have nice units, but it was beyond my price range. (I am only comfortable paying up to around $700.) Does anyone have any recommendations? I will not consider "So Bro", as safety is a concern.

I am 25 and know nobody in the area, so I'm looking for a place in close proximity to other cultured, laid-back people my age but where the amenities need not be sacrificed for location.

[waldenellis]

What are the amenities you're looking for?

I just did a big apartment hunt in Broad Ripple and there's little there for under $700, let alone those with fancier amenities. (You pay a big premium for location anywhere close to BR.) Maybe someone else can speak to Mass Ave.

[sweetana3]

If you want the highly desireable areas, you will get smaller, older and fewer amenity apartments and pay the same or more. Artsy also might mean Fountain Square. The GC Murphy building was converted to artists use and I believe many have moved into the gentrifying area. Not many apartments and they would tend to be older, but an area to check out.

How about contacting various artists groups for ideas?

A 24 year old friend did a lot of searching before she found an apartment downtown. She is in a four unit with basic remodeling done. I would not live there but she loves the funky look and wanted desperately to be downtown.

You might just want to find a good new complex and settle here for a year and keep looking around. Less chance of making a bad decision and you might find the perfect area to move to to settle for longer.

[HollyG1001]

any opinions on downtown Carmel?

[sweetana3]

Carmel is the high income suburb that developed their downtown to make it look more Artsy. We never visit there. Clean, new, safe. However, more family oriented than single oriented. Activities tend to be for families and stores tend to chains. They are spending a lot of money on infrastructure, think new, but government buildings are not going to do much for your social life. There are new apartment complexes and it would be very safe plus you would probably find your amenities.

There are probably only a couple of complexes to avoid because they are old and have not been maintained. One is along Keystone and cannot remember the name. There was talk of tearing it down because the land was so commercailly valuable. Dont know how it has progressed as we never ever visit Carmel. (I live downtown Indy so take what I say with a grain of salt since i cannot stand suburbia.)

[BU191433]

Originally Posted by HollyG1001

any opinions on downtown Carmel?

I live very close to there and did look into the complex that is right in the area - They are loft style and I think the rents are around $800/month. It is a very nice and safe area - but it isn't a thrill a minute type of place. Just depends on what you are looking for

[Naptowner]

'SoBro' is a catch-all term that could mean anything, depending on who's using it. While I wouldn't consider the large apartment complexes along 52nd street east of College, there are nice areas south of Broad Ripple that are just as safe as Mass Ave, if not more so, and the area has the laid-back artsy crowd as well.

[sweetana3]

But there are few apartments of any kinds and the price has increased due to being BRipple.

We lived in one of those apartment buildings along 52nd in 1977 when we first moved into Indy. Nothing has changed much except the area around them has improved drastically all but shopping.