I lived in Indy for 8 years and would absolutely move back in a heart beat. There is a ton of economic potential, housing is cheap and schools are pretty good.

The East side is older and with all of the areas to consider it would be the last on my list.

The Carmel area is traditionally where the money is, with Zionsville coming close at it's heels. I prefer the Z'ville area though it is getting just as crowded as Carmel. An area of interest and progress right now is the Westville area - they have a new development that is remaniscent of the Carolina's believe it or not.

If you have a really big budget and want to spend some time on the water than Geist is the place to be.

Downtown is excellent - be sure to take your kids to the Childrens Museum - it's one of the best in the country.

Where are you moving from?

My husband was transferred to Indianapolis from Atlanta 12 years ago when our children were going into the 1st and 3rd grades. We decided to live in the city as opposed to the burbs, and it's something we've never regretted. Our neighborhood is in Meridian-Kessler, which was built in the 1920s. It's an amazingly family-friendly and active place. The website is www.mkna.org; take a look.

We sent our children to private schools, which offer a superior education, sorry to say. However, if you live just 20 blocks north of us in either Arden, Meridian Hills, or Nora neighborhoods, your children will be able to go to a marvelous public high school called North Central. One of the best. The grade schools are fine as well, and like our M-K neighborhood, very friendly.

Please don't head to the burbs without giving Indianapolis a good look-see. There are so many positives that it would be a shame if you passed it over.

My girlfriend is from Indiana suburbs, not far but not close to Indianapolis and Lafayette. She never understood why her parents decided to live there (besides that her mom got a job there) instead of, say, Indianapolis, or Columbus, or wherever.

Point being, definitely consider living in the city, your kids will like you more (j/k, but you get the point).

We lived in Lafayette/West Lafayette for 17yrs. It is a wonderful community with good schools but probably too far away from Indy for you. (45-60 min) But I recommend it's cleanliness, low crime, many restaurants, friendly people,(we still have good friends there)homes are very reasonable. And Pudue University in West Lafayette gives you diversity and culture.

Thank you so much for your input. I've heard good things about Carmel which is definitely on his list to check out. I've also heard about Fishers which is right near there I believe, and I'm having him look at Greenwood. I did not even think about living in the city like Meridian-Kessler was mentioned because we are from New Jersey & when you think "city living", you think of NYC & Philly which I would not live in either. But I'll also have him look into the others as well.