Indanapolis TODAY?? is there vibe?? (Indianapolis, Butler: neighborhood, private schools, to live)

[yaya97]

sweetana, you are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by yaya97

sweetana, you are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

she is!

[sweetana3]

I have lived in Indy since 1977. First off 52nd, then a condo farther north, then Butler Tarkington for 10years. Then we had a corporate move to NC where I experienced excrutiatingly boring suburban life. Then company moved us back and we bought right downtown. I have to say it is the most quiet place ever and nice neighbors.

We garage sale all over Indianapolis for 20 years and have seen lots and lots of neighborhoods and developments. My own personal opinion is that the suburbs are too income stratified with no diversity and require huge amounts of driving for anything. Understandable since each "planned suburb" has houses all grouped by price and shopping is in stripmalls. If looking in the suburbs, a realtor is really helpful because of the amazing amount of choice and huge inventory.

It is so important to identify what about a house/location is critical to the lifestyle you want for the family. For example a big fenced back yard to have a safe place for the children to play might be a mandatory item. For my husband it was a two car garage, gas heat, city sewer and water. Perhaps a large family kitchen with breakfast area for the kids to do homework when mom/dad cook. Once the needs are identified, then the houses can be weeded out without quite as much emotion or time wasted.

I can go on and on but there are so many units on the market, somethings have to be used to reduce the list. Price only goes so far.

In addition, some people are more urban pioneers than others. Some want the "safer" suburban group with groups of same age kids to play with. Some want a more upscale life in an upscale subdivision and others are more into urban groups. Note there are several pretty nice and upcoming historical areas around the downtown. But you have to want to get involved and want that specific lifestyle with a diverse population. There are also negatives such as schools so pro and con lists have to be made.

[yaya97]

So may I ask where exactly are the BEST schools? Public or private ( we are ready to invist into schools...)
I admit that we are urban lovers....

[domergurl]

Park Tudor is a fantastic k-12 private school. It's non-church affiliated. Also, the Orchard School and the Sycamore School. There are many parochial schools to choose from as well.

[sweetana3]

Check out the International School. ISI - Who We Are

Says it is for Prekindergarden thru High School.

I once did a class for the Orchard School in crafts and was quite impressed by the experience with the kids.

All depends on the money available to spend. The most often mentioned public schools are in the suburbs. Fishers, Carmel, Zionsville, etc. I dont have any kids so dont have much more to offer.

[sweetana3]

Check out websites given under PreK question below. Several good ones regarding schools.

[yaya97]

such great info! Tudor school looks v good. Again I am not there yet but prefer to know where to go if this the whole new job change works (I had 3 weeks when we moved to Montreal to find EVRYTHING ( school, banks, home......)

[domergurl]

I would say as far as non-parochial private schools go ... International School and Park Tudor are the best as far as your kids will be in these schools for their entire experience. Orchard and Sycamore go to 8th grade??? University High School is supposed to be excellent as well.

[yaya97]

THANKS priceless info!!!!!!