Looking to move to the area of Indianapolis, Indiana—but aren't quite sure you're ready to live smack-dab in the middle of the large and bustling city? If so, then the good news is that Indianapolis has dozens of neighboring suburbs that could be perfect for your needs. In fact, no matter what criteria sits at the top of your "must-have" list, there's a good chance that one of the following Indianapolis suburbs will suit you. Specifically, we've take the guess-work out of finding your ideal suburb by listing six of the top Indianapolis-area cities based on some of the most popular search criteria.
If you're just starting off and looking to purchase your first starter home, look no further than Zionsville. This relatively small city is located northwest of the Indianapolis city center and has a population of just under 15,000. This particular city makes for a great place to start a family or launch a career in your first home, especially when you take into consideration its impressively low crime rate (an estimated 260 crimes committed for every 100,000 people) and its affordability.
Zionsville also boasts a wide range of housing options at reasonable prices, which is great for those just starting out. Whether you're looking for a bungalow, ranch, farmhouse, craftsman, or cottage, you'll find it here in Zionsville. This city even boasts a charming downtown district that boasts a small-town feel, complete with brick-paved roads, boutique shops, and family-owned restaurants.
If you're looking for something outside the city, but still want to be within a quick commute to downtown Indianapolis, you may want to consider looking for real estate in Beech Grove. Located just southeast of downtown, this little city actually shares a direct border with Indianapolis. Beech Grove's population is just over 14,000, and easy access to I-65 and I-465 make for a quick commute into downtown. In fact, with decent traffic conditions, you're about a 10-minute drive from Beech Grove to downtown Indianapolis—and there are also public transportation options, such as the IndyGo bus system, that can take you into downtown even if you don't have a vehicle.
Beech Grove maintains a quiet, small-town feel while remaining extremely close to the action of downtown, making this a great place for those who don't necessarily want to live in the center of it all, but wish to remain close by.
If you have school-aged children, then of course you want to find an Indianapolis suburb with an excellent schooling system. Look no further than Whitestown, a city located northwest of Indianapolis This particular suburb is extremely small, with a population of less than 3,000. Interestingly enough, its residents are afforded the opportunity to choose between two different school districts that serve the city: Lebanon and Zionsville Community Schools. The city boasts and impressive 95% graduation rate for its school-aged students, which ranks among the top of all Indianapolis suburbs.
Of course, if you'd prefer to live in a slightly larger suburb, both Lebanon and Zionsville are viable options that provide access to the same public schooling system.
Carmel is located immediately north of Indianapolis and is an excellent place to live if you're looking to scale up your lifestyle by purchasing a more expensive home and moving to a more affluent area. In fact, Carmel, with its population of nearly 86,000 and its median household income of $106,000, was recently ranked by CNN Money as "The Best Place to Live in the United States."
In addition to its lovely array of high-value homes, Carmel also has plenty to enjoy without leaving the suburb itself. From shopping malls and the small arts and design district to the historical Monon Trail and the impressive, one-million-square-foot city center, residents never run out of things to see or do here.
Want to feel like you're living in the middle of a large city without the high price tag and congestion of buying real estate in downtown Indianapolis? Look no further than Noblesville. This suburb is located about a 25-minute drive north of the city, but boasts its own downtown area, unique history, and plenty of culture. Its population is estimated at just over 50,000, ranking it among the top 15 most populated cities in Indiana.
Today, Noblesville is host to a number of boutique shops, restaurants and cafes, and other small businesses in its popular downtown district. Some other attractions include the Klipsch Music Center (which brings in popular acts from around the globe), the Indiana Transportation museum, and an impressive public parks system.
If you love the rural, country feel, but still want to be within driving distance to the big city, you might want to consider checking out New Palestine. This tiny little town is located northeast of Indianapolis and its population is just over 2,000 people at the time of the last Census. This is definitely the place to be if you're looking to move to a home where you can enjoy lots of space between your neighbors, along with peace and quiet. Plus, if you have a car, you're still just over a 20-minute drive to the center of downtown Indianapolis.
So, whether your priority is to find a suburb with great schools, a rural vibe, a quick commute to the city, or anything in between—surely one of these six suburbs will meet your criteria. Now, all that's left to do is search for real estate listings in your suburb of choice. Good luck!
