cynsear

Binford Blvd. has got to be one of the most convenient ways to get around the northwest side of the city. With just a few traffic lights and two lanes, it's ideal when you want - or need - to get there in a hurry. It also ties into the some of the area's other major thoroughfares including I-465, Kessler Blvd., 71st Street and Fall Creek Parkway. New shopping areas going in along it add to it's already high convenience factor.

Keystone Ave. is not just a convenient way to get from I-465 into the northwest sector of the Indianapolis - it's also home to great shopping (the Fashion Mall at Keystone and Glendale Mall), restaurants, businesses and homes. The Indiana State Fairgrounds is just a few blocks off Keystone as well. Word to the wise... use caution as you go further south. Once you cross Fall Creek, the area gets rough.

Forget that this is a primary north/south road for getting to the Keystone shopping areas (although if you use Allisonville or Keystone, you'll be in for a surprise at how convenient it is) - Dean Rd. more than holds its own as wonderful residential street. Surprisingly, traffic is moderate and stop signs keep people from barreling through. Homes range from villas to luxury townhouses.

Whether you're looking for a nice home, some retail therapy or something to eat, chances are good you'll find it on or near Kessler. The newly renovate Glendale Mall has everything from a library to a Lowe's. Closer to Broad Ripple, Kessler is full of unique, well-maintained homes and apartments. It also connects to two of the city's main north/south arteries, Meridian and Keystone.

This street is part of the Terra Vista neighborhood and is full of large lots with many mature trees. The neighbors are friendly - lots of younger families mixed in with some older couples. The homes are well maintained and there isn't too much traffic which makes it nice for biking, jogging and walking. Many yards are fenced - expect the barking dog now and then.

For a fairly major east/west thoroughfare in the northwest part of the city, this street is in serious need of some repairs, especially around Dean Rd. Be careful - if you go too fast, you could do some major tire/axle damage. Between Dean and Allisonville Rd. it's better and the neighborhood is experiencing a mini-boom as people buy older homes, tear them down and put up new ones.

Coming into Indianapolis from the north, Meridian gives you a microcosm of the whole city: the mansions (including the Governor's Mansion) near Butler University, the Children's Museum, the Soldier's and Sailor's Monument, restaurants, retail shops and businesses. Many of the city's other must-sees are nearby: Conseco Fieldhouse, the Statehouse and the new Lucas Oil Stadium

There are some great fixer-up values along the street - some really nice older Queen Anne style homes that need some TLC - but until it becomes the next hot neighborhood, this isn't a place I can recommend for anyone except the very brave. Lots of rental homes have been left to deteriorate and the population's pretty transient. It's too bad because it's very convenient to downtown.

Great starter neighborhood on the edge of Broad Ripple, just blocks from Glendale. It's mostly older homes that are nicely maintained and there are lots of families with kids. Convenient drive to downtown or the Keystone area as well. Yards aren't huge and many homes have detached garages but overall it's a nice street.

Olney St. between 71st and 65th is in an nice, established neighborhood with a nice mixture of families and older couples. The neighbors are friendly and watch out for each other. Homes are nicely maintained and there are trees everywhere. The only drawback is the occasional speeder. Otherwise, it's frequently used by joggers, bikers and walkers.