How To Research A Neighborhood In Indianapolis Before You Rent

April 14, 2025

Exterior view of East Bank Apartments in Noblesville with seating and a fire pit

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Getting to know a region before you move is wise to ensure you’re content in your new Indianapolis apartment. Exploring in person is crucial, but you can do a few other things to investigate your new community. Follow our helpful suggestions on how to research a neighborhood before renting.

Check Out The Neighborhood

xterior of Penrose on Mass Apartments in Downtown Indianapolis

The best way to familiarize yourself with a neighborhood is seeing it in person. When you have some locations in mind, plug the zip code or address into Walk Score to obtain a walkability rating. You’ll see how conducive the area is to walking or biking. The higher the score, the more navigable it is on foot. Check out the local eateries, coffee shops, and retail options to get an idea of the neighborhood. It’s also advisable to visit at different times of day to evaluate elements like traffic flow and noise.

Plan To Walk Through Each Indianapolis Property You Like

Kitchen with bar seating in a unit at Wheelhouse Apartments on the Monon

It’s crucial to tour each property you’re evaluating. You can familiarize yourself by reviewing pictures and information on websites and even try a virtual 3D tour. But there’s no substitute for touring in person. Explore the exterior areas, visit the amenities, and walk through open units. Is the pool as lovely in person as it looks on your computer? What impression do you get about the property overall?

Interact With The Community’s Residents

Patio with cushioned seating at The State at Fishers Apartments

One of the greatest ways to research a neighborhood is by interacting with the current Residents. You can inspect reviews and ratings on different websites, but you might want to do a bit more. Go to social media sites connected to the property. Residents are usually more than happy to share their opinions. This is also a terrific way to find out if there are social events you may have interest in.

Take A Test Run Of Your Indianapolis Commute

Unless you relocate next door to where you work, you’ll probably have a commute to think about. You can employ an app to figure out the distance and approximate commute times. You’ll also want to adjust it for peak-traffic times. But checking online doesn’t compare to trying it in person. Do the driving yourself and note times to places like restaurants, gas stations, and other spots you will undoubtedly visit.

Additional Tips For How To Research Neighborhoods In Indianapolis

There’s much more you may do, based on the time you have. Here are some additional ideas on how to research neighborhoods in Indianapolis:

Connect with a local real estate agent. This method can be particularly helpful for non-local moves. Numerous agents work with rentals and often know the neighborhood more completely than others.

Research daycares and schools. If you have little ones, this is a priority. You can start by using internet resources like GreatSchools.

Investigate nearby events and establishments. Participate in a community event, visit farmer’s markets, or have a meal at local dining spots to get a better idea about the neighborhood.

Most towns will have websites you can explore to get more information.

Arrange A Tour Of The Waverley Apartments Today

Would you like to find one of the best neighborhoods in Indianapolis? Take a tour of The Waverley Apartments today. You’ll love our floor plans, amenities, and the feeling of community that our Residents and employees share. Come see us in person or place a call to 317-800-7017 for further information.