Moving to Indianapolis?

[jeaneg]

Hi everyone,

We're considering moving to Indianapolis within the next year. I grew up about an hour away but never lived there. I'm very interested in some of the magnet schools in IPS. Anyone have any experience with them? I know Fishers, Carmel, etc. have highly rated schools, but we'll likely both be working downtown and also would like to be more central/south to be closer to my parents. Thanks for any advice!

 

[cjnix29]

I don't have any advice on the IPS magnet schools, but wanted to welcome you. We moved to the Indy area about 4 months ago. DH works on the NW side, and we ended up in Westfield. Hope the transition goes well for you!

 

[Soben]

That's so funny, my husband just decided out of the blue that we should move to Columbus IN.

He works at home now, so we've been looking for somewhere better to move. We like the midwest, but want to get out of IL while the getting's good. He'd heard about the architecture in Columbus and thought it looked like a nice place.

It's hard to tell from facts on the internet, though. We are thinking of taking a long weekend to explore that part of IN. Any suggestions would be welcome!!

 

[jeaneg]

I don't have any advice on the IPS magnet schools, but wanted to welcome you. We moved to the Indy area about 4 months ago. DH works on the NW side, and we ended up in Westfield. Hope the transition goes well for you!

Thanks! I hope you've settled in!

 

[npcougar]

Be very careful where you settle in Indy. There have been so many deaths that it seems odd when the news doesn't have some sort of crime related death. There were around 7 deaths over the 4th of July.

 

[luvavacation]

Soben, we are also in IL and have decided that the Columbus area would be a nice place to move. Funny thing is, we decided this about 4 years ago, and we are still in IL!

The taxes are less, the housing prices are less, and the seasons are more to my liking (shorter winter from Northern IL). We have been down there twice, for a few days each time, and last year we found a Realtor that has been working with us. He took us around, pointed out areas that met our desires and areas we should not look at, etc.

If you need a Realtor, just PM me, I can pass his name on to you.

The only thing stopping us from moving down there is that we now have a child in college 4 hours south of us and one in graduate school 4 hours east of us, and we don't know where they will settle. I hate to move to my dream home and have my kids be far from me, so we are holding out a bit longer in IL. But, if that dream home pops up on Realtor.com, who knows?

Good luck!

 

[dismom115]

The magnet schools in IPS fill up quickly and many have lotteries for spots in the spring. Watch your time line closely or you may miss your opportunity. Another option closer to downtown than Hamilton county would be the catholic schools. There are a number of great options, especially on the north side of Indy and you don't need to be catholic or attend that church to attend the school, although there is a tuition discount if you do. Each school/parish has it's own personality, so look at them individually not as a collective whole.

Good luck!

 

[tinker&belle]

That's so funny, my husband just decided out of the blue that we should move to Columbus IN. He works at home now, so we've been looking for somewhere better to move. We like the midwest, but want to get out of IL while the getting's good. He'd heard about the architecture in Columbus and thought it looked like a nice place. It's hard to tell from facts on the internet, though. We are thinking of taking a long weekend to explore that part of IN. Any suggestions would be welcome!!

I love to visit Columbus. Go to the restaurant Zaharakos If you are downtown. It is an old fashioned Soda Fountain. It is a wonderful place to get lunch or just dessert. Sometimes we drive to Columbus for their Children's Museum (Kid's Commons) and for that restaurant. My kids often pick that trip over the larger children's museum or zoo in Indy.

 

[LilyWDW]

I just moved to Fishers in March!

Honestly, it's not that bad a drive into the city to work. Traffic can get heavy but it's not a long trip at all to have. Especially once you start to learn all the different ways to get around (which I am still learning LMAO). Personally I would not live in the city. I think my aunt put it as stay outside the 465 ring.

And if you do end up in a IPS district, do find something else for your kids. I had nieces and nephews in the IPS system and it was HORRIBLE for them. Terrible. Luckily they have since moved so they are now in another system in the area.

 

[ICF]

If you're going to be working downtown, you can still live in the 'burbs and have an easy drive downtown. If you're looking for good schools -- you'd be better off in a place like Carmel, Zionsville or Fishers -- you really dont want IPS. While there might be a few good IPS schools, in general they are poor.

I live in Zionsville and can be downtown in about 20 - 25 mins (Greenwood in 30) going straight down I65. The schools are also miles ahead of what you are going to find in IPS. .

 

[jeaneg]

Thanks, anyone. Anyone know about schools to the south? Greenwood, Franklin, etc.? My parents are south of that, but I don't want that long of a commute. My older son should qualify for the Sidener Academy as part of IPS. Ugh, so much to consider!

We love the Kidscommons and Zaharakos! The free indoor playground right across the street in the Commons is another favorite of ours.

I really do appreciate all the advice and information!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I've lived in Indy almost all my life. IPS schools are awful. I spent grades 1-7 in IPS. They continuously re-district. I went to 4 schools in those years and never moved.

Then we moved to the south side. Perry twp schools aren't too bad. And you're still within city limits and can be outside of 465. I agree to stay outside of 465. I'm only 1 mi north of Greenwood/County line and it takes less than 30 mins to get to downtown by car.

As for Columbus, it is considered one of the top Architectural cities in the country. Just for some info, Cummins (one of Columbus' largest employers) is moving about 1500 jobs from Columbus to Indy. Which will be a bummer for Columbus.

 

[Mirax]

We moved here from Ohio 3 years ago. Our children had gone to Montessori and I wanted to move to ips for the Montessori schools. (I had an in as well with friends who taught in the schools) We decided against it because we were afraid of the high schools loosing all of their funding. Settled for Fishers, although the schools are good, there is no room for quirky and the teachers are amazed when my children have original thoughts.

One of my sons is a swimmer, last spring we were at a swim meet at Franklin. I loved the school campus. Whoever designed that school building did a great job. Other then that I don't know to much about the schools in Franklin.

 

[DoBug]

Sorry can't help with southside schools but we live near Butler Univ (slightly north side). We are in a private school, but many neighborhood kids go to a nearby catholic school which is in walking distance. One of the neighbors went to a magnet (maybe #91?) and is now doing great at North Central high school - note that NC is out of district.

One of our friends is at Sidener and likes it very much.

also somewhat depends on what type of home you are looking for. Houses around here are older and usually smaller. but we love our block - lots of kids and they just run house to house and play outside all day. this varies a lot of course. the houses here are going really fast these days

good luck house hunting

 

[Donaldswife]

live in Greenwood, went to Greenwood schools, my daughter goes to Whiteland schools now, and I have a relative who is a Guidance Counselor at Center Grove Schools.

Greenwood is a great place to live and have a family, the three school districts I mentioned are all good, you would probably want to check what each one offers and find the best fit for your family. It is an easy commute to downtown, as I used to work there and my husband still does. Easier than the northside as there is a little less traffic in this direction.

Stay away from IPS, and as another poster pointed out there are a lot of shootings happening in Marion county near downtown during the summer. The suburbs have very little crime of that nature, and Greenwood is an easy 30 minute drive to downtown. Greenwood average homes costs are very reasonable as well. I think you will like it if you come visit.

Hope that helps!

 

[hrslvr142]

We are southsiders and my kids went to Perry Meridian Schools. Now I live about 3 miles south of Indy in Greenwood in Center Grove Schools. I think we have good school choices in the Indy area on all sides. It takes me 35-40 minutes to get downtown in traffic (I work at 10th & Meridian) and is not bad at all. Property taxes in the Greenwood area are cheaper then a lot of the surrounding areas-if that is a consideration and I believe housing can be more affordable. We are Indy transplants from 1989 (lived in Peoria, Springfiled, and born in South Bend). I love Indianapolis, I find it easy to negotiate, prices are comfortable and always something to do or easily travel to. If you have any specific questions and want to private message me, please feel free to do so.

 

[Soben]

Hi, thought I'd stop here for some advice on what to do in the Indy/Columbus area. We're taking the family out for some recon to see if it lives up to the hype. And decide if feels like a good fit to move to. We're going over Labor Day weekend. I'm pretty excited. Don't know if anyone's ever been as excited to go to IN as I am!

What we have on the agenda:

Indiana State Museum
Columbus Architecture Tour
Zwanzigz
Zaharico's
Blue's Canoes Raft Rental
People Trail
Driving/Walking around to soak up some local culture

What we wanted to do, but couldn't fit:

Farmer's Market
Conner's Prairie
Segway Tour (youngest is 13, need to be 14)
WWII Museum (13 yo is a huge WWII buff)

What we need advice on:

Other restaurants, I'd rather not hit a chain restaurant if there's a better option.
Inside stuff to do (hope the weather is OK).

Kids are 13-17.

Any suggestions are appreciated!!

 

[ICF]

Hi -- I'm guessing most of that list must be Columbus items, as I've never really heard of the majority of the things on your list....and other than driving by on I65 havent really been to Columbus.

Since you are going to the State Museum in downtown Indy -- if the weather is nice, walk along the White River gardens area and along the Canal. You are also near the zoo, NCAA Hall of Champions and can even rent bikes or pedal boats to enjoy as well. The downtown are is pretty nice and if anyone is a baseball fan, you can check on the Indianapolis Indians (AAA team of the Pirates) as well -- if you are there on Friday or Saturday. There are lots of local and chain places to eat downtown to fit whatever you would be looking for.

You mentioned Conner Prairie on your wanted to do but werent going to fit in....In the future if you are thinking about going, just know that's probably a good hour from Columbus if no traffic issues. If 465 or I69 are backed up it could take you a lot longer.

Columbus is also close to Nashville, IN -- a nice "small town" with lots of unique shops and a very nice state park and another 15 mins west of Nashville is bloomington which is home to Indiana University.

 

[ellochka]

Since it's a budget board, I would like to add this link my Mr. Money Mustache about "easy" 30 mins commute. He has a point to consider - that commute will cost tens of thousands, maybe hundreds over the years. Since you are in a unique position to choose your next dwelling, this should be a factor.
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/06/the-true-cost-of-commuting/

 

[rcbarker]

Go to the Indianapolis 500 museum on the grounds of the track. You can also take a lap in the tour bus. Great to just see the place. The museum is gravy.