So, our daughter advised us last night that it is probably happening- moving out of state for her next promotion. She's held off applying for spots until something came up that was a reasonable drive to grandparents in Wisconsin. The job is in Indianapolis. Now, I admit, nothing is set yet, she only just applied, still has to do interviews, so nothing certain. But, when the higher ups tell you to apply before the posting even comes out, ya know chances are good.

We are very happy with Indianapolis; we've been through there a few times lately for dog related stuff. They are looking at Avon, I believe. Maybe other areas around there, but I don't remember the names. They don't want to be in Indianapolis proper; they currently live in the city of Milwaukee and have had guns pulled on them, or criminals hiding from cops in their yard (cops got the guy.)

Good schools are a must, they have four very smart kids ( and beautiful, wonderful. Oh, maybe I am biased, lol!) They'll need four bedrooms minimum; hubby is computer professional who currently works from home, and can work remote. Budget will probably be $300- high $400s. ( gosh, that sounds so much!) And a large yard. I am hoping they find more of a fixer house, as daughter has mad skills, and a great collection of tools, and is very creative. And enjoys a project. And her husband is learning :-) Then again, she'll be crazy-busy at first, so maybe livable, but in need of a refresh is the sweet spot.

Anyway, what I am looking for from my internet friends are thoughts about the area, about the housing stock, about schools, even about attractions. They have a bit of work to do selling the oldest on the idea. We're excited, we knew this would be coming, and Indiana seems a good fit.

I would not stay in Indy metro area for any reason. It is becoming like Chicago with the problem people.

My kid moved to a nice little town called Chesterfield. Right next to Anderson, which would be easy to commute on the Interstate to Indy and not that far away.

Avon is a little more ritzy. The politics are swaying to the left a bit, or so I hear. Carmel is the ritzy place for sure. They are growing fast but so is the cost of living.

From what I hear, most of the doughnut counties around Marion county are where people are flocking to. All dependent on the amount of money you want to spend and how your politics are.

Now that being said, I have a friend who is a homicide detective with IMPD and he lives in the metro area. He likes it because it is cheaper than the ritzy places. He also uses all his vacation time to travel abroad so there is that as well.

Have her decide how much she will be willing to drive on her commute. That could make all the difference in the world. Of course living in Milwaukee, they might find the towns outside of Indy to be boring.

Zero, thanks so much. You are spot on. Her husband definitely wants out of big city, but he doesn't want liberal ideology either, so that is good information about Avon.

She has about a half hour-forty minute commute now. She has done as much as an hour plus, but that wasn't something she'd want to go back to doing.

They actually do more stuff out in the counties around Milwaukee than in the city, though their kids currently go to the Hmong immersion school in the city.

I will pass this info on to them. Well, after the first round of interviews on Monday. She'll have a better idea then, though it is looking good.

I appreciate your insight, Zero. I think we ( Zero & Mrs Zero, Busy & Mr Busy) align fairly well in outlook, and my daughter and her hubby have well out-grown any youthful liberal tendencies. They chose the house in Milwaukee waaay back when first married, and this was where they could afford. Their neighborhood is a fairly good pocket, but some surrounding neighborhoods are questionable. Fortunately, they bought when they saw the prices mom ( Busy) was paying back in 2012, so they have excellent price appreciation. Their neighborhood has held up; I think there are more owner-occupied homes in the neighborhood now than when they first bought there.

Best of luck to her. She needs to do her due diligence for sure. I am NOT the person to be giving location advice. I shy away from any of the big places as much as I can.

We’d love to do lunch. She made it past round one of interviews, heads there tomorrow to start round two. Its looking good ( and I am trying not to be sad.)

A question, if anyone knows, are basements common in Indiana? They are common in Wisconsin, and my daughter has a lots of hobbies/ on and off does a small sewing business, her kids love to do crafts, especially painting, which needs time and space to dry, and her husband weightlifts during work breaks, so he enjoys having his work from home office in a basement gym. A lot of homes hubby and I are seeing don't seem to have basements. They may need to adjust their housing plans if they cannot have a basement.

The houses she has shown me are 1950- 1960's ranch style homes, which is what she grew up in, and what they currently have. They have mentioned not really wanting a two-story home, as upstairs gets too warm.

Basements will depend more on the area. If they are in a community where the houses were all built by the same company they might not have a basement.

I have a walk out basement. Neither of my kids have a basement. My wife made basements a priority because of tornados. The kids are not as worried.

Basements are around, and I would think they could find what they are looking for, given the time to do so.

Just remember that the farther away from Indy the cheaper the housing, with a few noted exceptions.

My son bought their house for 240k. 3/2/0 with what used to be the two car turned into an extra living room that became their (4th) bedroom. It's a ranch style built I think in the 50s. Not all the electric is 3 wire, but they like it. I feel they spent too much because they were in a hurry to just be done.

As for things to do, well there are a lot. As long as you don't mind being in a larger city. The zoo is very good and the children's museum is award winning. Granted not something you want to go to daily, but a good trip.

Lots of food places to choose from. Concerts are a big thing as well. If they are into racing there is the Indy 500 and the Nascar 400. If you are into amusement parts go to Santa Claus and visit Holiday World. It is farther south but back when I went there it was the cleanest park ever.

Sorry I can't help much. I am too far north of Indy to know details about it. I avoid the state fair at all costs. Too much bad stuff happens there for my country lifestyle.

Thanks Zero. You've been a tremendous help. She's down there now, and really likes it. Not sure where exactly her company is located, bur I didn't want to distract her. She's got her presentation and interviews tomorrow.

Makes sense about the basements, that it might depend on the builder. When we lived in Texas, basements weren't built because the caliche soil was too hard. To build a basement, one would have to blast, so just not often done.

Not much help really. Someone from the area should pipe up.

I get the moving thing. Our daughter talked about them moving to WI where he has family. My wife was not happy about that at all.

So they are now moved into my supposed to be flip house that is less than a quarter mile down the road. Should be closing next week.

Busy,

Two of my adult children live in Indy area.

Prices are still reasonable, ranked top 5 in nation for best affordability.

Traffic is getting thicker so I suggest starting where the job is and working out. Access to the route to work is important.

One lives in Westfield, chosen for top ranked schools and moderate house prices. 30 minutes to the airport. It's also on the north side, closer to WI!

The other lives in Fishers, NE side - a fast growing area with good schools. But it takes her 45 minutes to get to her office downtown.

I live a few counties south of Indy and can get to her office faster that she can.

This realtor has several legit videos on the Indy housing market, areas, etc. youtube.com/watch?v=C2zqh_ZIkpY

Have her contact my realtor for 1% Buyer's commission (paid by the seller). Most want 3-4%. Puts her offers 2-3% better than other agents. Drew 812.764.0170

Thanks Brad. Westfield looks good, Brownsburg and Plainsfield are looking good too. Youtube realtor videos are a great suggestion! I couldn't get your video to come up on my tv, probably because I don't know how to make uppercase letters with the tv remote, so I'll have to go down to my computer. But, i just searched Indy real estate, and found some great videos, maybe one is the one you recommended. That's for suggesting it.

Congrats to her.