Moving to the Carmel/Fishers/maybe Elsewhere Area and Need Advice - Please Help!

Welcome to Indy! The areas you mentioned are great places to raise a family. I live on the west side of Indy therefore cannot give you the best details however I would recommend visiting www.momslikeme.com and click on Indianapolis. You will have 20,000 people to give you opinions from neighborhoods, doctors(family, OB, ped), schools, activities, and playgroups that live right near there.

I live on the west side of indianapolis in hendricks county and we love the small town feel of the area. You are close to everything without having to deal with much traffic. My husband works around 71st & Zionsville road and has about a 25 minute commute with very little traffic. The schools are fantastic, and with your price range in homes, you could get something really nice, and new if you wanted! The taxes are a bit high in Brownsburg, where we live, but the parks are great, the schools are great, and for us, that makes the taxes not so bad. There are also several great churches in the area. We have a super peditrician as well. If you need any more info, I would be more than happy to chat with you! We moved here about 4 years ago from northern Indiana and have just loved it.

I'm not sure where you husband works....but we live on the westside in Hendricks County. This area is a little less expensive that the northern part where you are talking. The area is growing and the schools are very good, but with more of a small town feel. We have lived here two years and love it. It's very easy to get downtown Indy and yet you still feel like you are in the country a little. If you decide to go this direction, I'd be happy to help you with drs. etc.

Good luck with your move!

You really might want to consider going west. Hendricks County, (Brownsburg, Avon, Plainfield.) has great schools, the commute will be much better and we have very family friendly neighborhoods. You can probably get more house for your money out here, also. I like it because it is more peaceful, has a small town feel. Also the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

Carmel and Zionsville (and all of the other areas up on the NW side) have great schools! Fishers is good, but depending on where your husband is commuting to, 69 can be a bear if you have to be on it during any periods of rush hour (and this is from someone who moved here from Chicago and thought she would NEVER complain about Indy traffic!) Living close to the Carmel or Zionsville "downtown" areas would give you a wealth of activities, from libraries, parks, etc....

The three main hospital networks here in Indy are Clarian (Methodist) - Saint Vincent's - and Community Health Networks.

www.indymoms.com is a great resource for almost everything you'd be looking for - it's a message board specifically for Indy-based moms, and you can ask for recommendations that way. Once you determine where to live, I can give you more suggestions as far as pediatricians, OBs, etc.

OH - and my best recommendation for a realtor if you don't already have one - Marie Larsen w/ Remax (she's a buyer's agent only - she's partnered with a seller's agent, but does a GREAT job of explaining all the pros & cons of every area. She's at 1-###-###-#### ext. 131.

Keep us posted!

Fishers is a great area to live. It is mine and my fiance's goal to live up there before our two little boys start school. The school system is great, and the crime rate is low. Check the FBI website for sexual predators and notice how FEW live in the Fishers area. Sunblest is a great subdivision, you should check it out. And there are always houses for sale in there. It's close to shopping, food, etc. The only bad thing about Fishers is it grows bigger everyday and the traffic can be bad around rush hour. Good Luck!!

We live on the NE side of Indianapolis and my kids go to Washington Township schools. Allisonville Elementary is an AWESOME school. It's a National Blue Ribbon school and has very creative and dedicated teachers. All of the parents are very active in the school and there is a good ethnic mix in the students. The immediate area around the school has upscale homes, but there are some kid friendly neighborhoods in your price range East of Allisonville Road and just South of 79th St.

Good luck.

Of course I am biased, but I LOVE my neighborhood, and it is in the exact price range you mentioned. We live in The Parks at White River (off of Eller Rd., just north of 106th St.) in Fishers. Its a great location because its close to Carmel, Castleton/Keystone, Fishers, and Noblesville...also just minutes from both I69 and I465. All the houses are about 15-20 years old, but kept up very well, so there are lots of mature trees. The houses are almost all 4 bedroom, many with basements. It is SUPER kid friendly with a great park, and they even have parades every July 4th and Halloween. The elementary is Harrison Parkway, which is a great school. I sound like a commercial for my neighborhoodl, I know - but I love it! VERY friendly!

Welcome to the area! Both Carmel and Fishers are wonderful places to raise a family! They are very close to each other so living in Fishers (I do) you can absolutely enjoy the benefits of Carmel (excellent parks!!!). With your home budget you will have a better chance in Fishers - Carmel is more expensive, upscale homes. The commute down I-69 in the AM is NOT good. We plan our day to leave by 6:00AM to avoid it. If your husband has to go downtown, you may try to stay south of 116th St. You will really enjoy living here - SO family friendly! So much to do with kiddos - wonderful school systems! Good luck!

I have 2 friends who know schools. One works for the state dealing with test scores. The other works for a 3rd-party who administers tests both here and across the country. Both agree that if you want to live in the city, Washington Township are the best around. If you wand suburbs, Fishers is the place to be. Everyone assumes Carmel's schools are great but they actually aren't nearly as good as WT and Fishers!

Hi C.! My husband and I moved here to the Fishers area from the Cincinnati area back in 2000 due to his job. At the time, we didn't have any children, but in the anticipation that we would have them, we chose this area because everyone we asked suggested the Hamilton Southeastern school system. We now have a 5 year old and 15 month old twins and have just entered the school system. So far, we have been very impressed with Brook School Elementary (which is at 126th and Brook School Rd). We have been very happy with our pediatrician at Fishers Pediatrics and I can give you more info if you are interested. We live in a neighborhood called Sandstone Lakes that is right in the price range you stated and have been there since we first moved here. We built the house in 2000 and all of the houses are 2-10 years old. The two builders who built in the neighborhood were Pulte and Estridge, which you can look up if interested...they both have great reputations. You would love this area...we do. It is growing so quickly and there is a brand new open air shopping center about 3 miles from us, which is so convenient. I would say that the one downside would be the traffic as someone else stated. I heard that there are steps being taken to remedy that situation due to the high rate of growth this area is experiencing. I am here to help if you need any other info. Good luck in your move.

A.

Indy is a great area and I think you'll really like it, so welcome! I agree with one of the other responders about indymoms. You will get lots of great advice and info there. The areas you are looking at all have great qualities to offer. I would recommend coming for a day to drive around and get a feel for the areas you like before you focus your housing search. My husband is a broker and has his own real estate company as well as a homes by owner business. You can check out his website at byownerpros.com and be able to see some of the houses in the different areas and prices. You should be able to find a nice house in the price range you are looking. Good luck!

I'm in Carmel and love it here. The houses are more expensive but you might find something you love in your price range. But not new housing... all the new houses are much higher than that. Carmel schools are routinely at the top of the state's list. All the Hamilton county schools are great... even the ones that are "low" compared to others in the county are way better than the state average. You really can't go wrong school-wise with any district in the county. I agree with the previous post about Fishers... depending on where his job is, he may have a horrible commute. They plan on working on I-69 at some point but it may be a few years. The I-69/I-465 area can be a mess.

If he's going downtown then Westfield might be a great choice since he could zip down US 31. Lots of houses in your price range, great schools, awesome public library, lots of parks and a park department with all kinds of kid classes (tumbling, dance, art, sports, etc). Good youth sports programs, too. And it's just minutes from downtown Carmel. Carmel has lots of parks including Central Park which just opened last year. The Monon Center is in Central Park and it has an outdoor waterpark, indoor water park, complete fitness gym, basketball courts, etc. Carmel parks department offers literally hundreds of classes/sports for all ages - baby to seniors.

As for hospitals/doctors... I delived my 2nd kid at St Vincent Carmel and 3rd at Community North -- both are somewhat newish hospitals and great. I felt like I was in a hotel on vacation after delivering the kids. :-)

Hi C.,
I live in Fishers, and we love it. It is so family/kid friendly. In case you didn't know, Hamilton County was rated the #1 place in America to raise a family by Yahoo. My children attend Catholic schools, but I know plenty of people who have wonderful things to say about the public schools. I know their I-Step scores are always really good and other things of that nature as well. You would have no problem finding a nice house in your price range as well. Also, most neighborhoods are new around here, so most are move in ready and not fixer upers. There are plenty of wonderful doctors too. We have Clarian North hospital in Carmel, and it is ranked one of the nicest hospitals in America. My OB is out of there, and her name is Dr. Klus. She delivered all three of my girls and is awesome! My pediatrician is Dr. Hughes. She is through St. Vincent, and is awesome as well. One of my girls has had some health issues since she was born, and Dr. Hughes has been amazing with her! Hope my input can help your decision! What a huge decision to make too! Good luck!

C.,

You are right on target for a great area...you may want to think about Zionsville they have wonderful schools. The west side of Zionsville will be appropriate for your price range.
Also for your pediatrician, I would recommend Roy Harper with Hazel Dell Pediatrics...###-###-####, LOVE HIM. My daughter is 14, and he's been her doctor since birth. His associates are also wonderful.

B. D.

There are lots to choose from in both Carmel & Fishers. Do you have a realtor you're working with?

Dr. Pippenger out of Riverview has delivered all of my nieces and nephews and has been in this area for many years. My family has been very happy with him. Do you care whether your OBGYN is male or female?

Welcome to the area. You can't really go wrong with any of those areas as far as schools,parks, churches, things to do etc. The only negative to Fishers is the traffic. That area is ALWAYS horrible to drive to and from. I would also suggest Zionsville. It is where I was born and raised and have chosen to stay with my family. It is definitely smaller than Carmel and Fishers but is close to everything and still has the small town charm and feel with an old brick main street, quaint restaurants/shops and great parks, not to mention one of the best school systems in the state. You can definitely find a house in your price range as well. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

Hi C.

we moved to Noblesville from Ny almost 2 years ago. We live in a great Neighborhood. A Ryland Homes Subdivision - Roudebush Farms(check it out online) they are still building new homes a well as having some Spec homes and homes for sale by owners. We love it here and the neighbors are great. Good Luck!
I found the nicest OB at Community Hospital, her name is Dr Indy Lane. She was great, we had a terrible loss with our first child in NY and she was great to talk to and really listened to my fears regarding our 3rd pregnacy. Also she was great with our then 2 year old daughter!! She liked to include her at visits.
I have yet to find a Pediatrician I like, I believe in an alternate vaccination schedule and I get resistence from Physicians. You can email me personally if you like at ____@____.com
K.

It is true that Hamilton county was recently voted the best county to live in, (In America, I think!)however; I live in Washington township and grew up in the same area and for various reasons I would encourage you to look here. It is on the north side of Indianapolis and pretty much 20 minutes from just about everything (downtown, several malls, super target, etc. the school system is excellent and the high school is nationally recognized. The population within Washington township is very diverse which is extremely important to me. Your price range could easily be met in many of the neighborhoods and you would get a well made home with mature trees.
I have a fabulous Realtor who is great at relocation if you haven't found one yet.
The one major drawback to Carmel or Fishers is the traffic - it's awful!
Hope this helps!

Sorry this is short but I don't have a lot of time. Try checking these web sites.

Available housing stock - http://www.mibor.com/resources/search.asp
Area crimes (last 1-90 days) - http://imaps.indygov.org/cvc/
Indy public schools - http://www.schools.ips.k12.in.us/our_schools/default.aspx
There are several private schools too.
Hamilton Co Schools - http://indiana.publicschoolsreport.com/county/IN/Hamilton...
http://www.publicschoolreview.com/county_schools/stateid/...

My OB is in Marion Co. Dr. Fredrick Keith Bean. He is out of Castleton OBGYN (Community Hospital North off I-69 and 82nd St) and New Briton (131st St). He is optimistic, but straight about any issue and will discuss all options.