For those of us who grew up in Central Indiana, or have been here for a while, we’ve seen how much the Indianapolis-area and surrounding communities have changed. We recognize how great it is to live in, or near, a city that has so much to offer in terms of employment, entertainment, culture, health care and education. The secret is out about how great it is here, and as a result home prices will likely maintain their current rates, but inventory will remain low. What makes the area so attractive to families?
Cost of Living
Over the past five years, this area has seen a lot of growth as a result of families moving in from out of state. The area’s low cost of living is attractive to buyers. Forbes recently reported that Indianapolis’ cost of living is two percent less than the national average.
Sports and Entertainment
Sometimes it’s easy to forget how big a role sports play here, and the opportunities it provides for people of all ages. Many areas cannot claim to be home to professional football, basketball, hockey, soccer, racing and be only a short drive to division 1 competitive college athletics. Don’t forget all the excellent high school sports that frequently attract large crowds and support too. Families have a chance to watch, participate and support a wide range of sports for all ages.
Although sports are popular, many families also look towards the Indianapolis-area for chances to experience culture and the arts. The popular Greek, German and Italian festivals, as well as many others, introduce new foods, music, dance, art and more to visitors. Newfields, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Children’s Choir, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and Indianapolis Ballet Company, in addition to many regional and local music and arts organizations, add a new level of beauty, entertainment and involvement opportunities for families.
Education
Within about a two-hour radius of Indianapolis, students can attend top-rated colleges and universities of varying sizes. From big universities, such as Purdue, IU and Ball State, to mid-size schools like Indiana State, IUPUI and Ivy Tech, and small colleges like Butler and DePauw, students looking to continue their education can do so within easy driving distance.
Health care
There are a lot of excellent hospital and health care options in and around Indianapolis. The hospitals are frequently highly ranked when it comes to adult and child care. Few cities offer the range of specialized care that can be found here. Riley Children’s Hospital is consistently a national leader in children’s care, and for area residents, it’s only a short drive for a sick child to receive a level of care that is seldom found in most communities.
These are only a few reasons why Indianapolis and the surrounding counties are popular among families looking to make a move. In addition, there are the intangible benefits of the area, such as the weather, which sometimes changes every five minutes, and the friendliness of neighbors. Through at least the summer, this area will likely continue to see high sale prices and low inventory, and part of that is because Central Indiana has an abundance of opportunities for people looking to move.