If you’re considering moving to Carmel, Indiana, you’ll have the advantage of living in a smaller suburban city close to the major city of Indianapolis. Here are some of the characteristics of Carmel and some of the places of note in the area that give you six great reasons to move to Carmel, Indiana.

Superior Public School System

The Carmel Clay School district is ranked as one of the best in the state. The district comprises 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, and Carmel High School. Its academic excellence leads to a 98% graduation rate. Several private schools are available in the area, but the public school system is so good that many choose to send their children there.

A Vibrant Downtown and Cultural Offerings

The downtown area in Carmel is also referred to as the Arts and Design District because the area has an array of art galleries, design shops, public art, and venues for live performances. It’s a district where people can hang out on a nice day, go for a walk, shop, dine, and see all kinds of live entertainment. The area bustles with activity, especially on the weekends. There’s a northern and southern section, with ongoing construction connecting the two areas.

The northern section comprises many restaurants, homes, and apartments. Going south through the district leads you to the area of midtown plaza, Carmel’s old industrial area that’s been revitalized and is now home to urban-style living, music, games, commerce, festivals, and other forms of entertainment.

Continuing south, you’ll reach Carmel’s southern downtown arts district. It’s the location of The Center for the Performing Arts with its several distinct venues, making this a great space to see various forms of entertainment. Here, you’ll find the palladium, a 1,600-seat concert hall, and Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, a contemporary theater that hosts all kinds of performances.

You’ll also find The Studio Theater, which seats 200 people, for a venue with a more intimate feel where you can see smaller theatrical and musical productions. The Carter Green, also located in the Arts and Design District, is a large open space that hosts festivals and ice skating in the winter. Finally, near city hall, the Carmel Gazebo is the spot for live outdoor music and other concerts during the summer.

Family-Friendly

The city is well-maintained and has a low crime rate compared to other U.S. cities. The city also has an abundance of parks you can enjoy with your family, including Coxhall Gardens, a 125-acre park with playgrounds, an outdoor music pavilion, fishing, and trails. You can also explore Monon Greenway, a 25-mile stretch from Indianapolis to Sheridan, Indiana. It’s an ideal trail for walking, running, or biking. You can find many smaller community parks in Carmel as well.

Indianapolis Zoo

A short drive from Carmel will take you to the Indianapolis Zoo. Among the exhibits are the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center and Zoo Babies, where chicks, pups, cubs, and calves can be seen. Get up close to animals of the plains, such as zebras from Africa’s arid savannas, with a chance to have an even closer animal encounter with smaller species of plains animals in their new Wild Encounter Station. You can also visit animals of the desert, including lizards.

At Flights of Fancy, you can see various bird species. In the aquarium section at Indianapolis Zoo, you can see 15,000 square feet of exhibits covering a vast array of marine life. The zoo also has a large variety of rides and attractions. One of them is Skyline, a gondola-style ride that gives you an aerial view of the entire zoo, and you might even see an orangutan swing by while riding the Skyline.

There’s also a rollercoaster, or you can take a train through the zoo, giving you incredible views. You can also hop on the Endangered Species Carousel, a favorite ride for younger children at the zoo. You can also find opportunities to feed various animals, including giraffes, flamingos, budgies, or lorikeets. You can find Indianapolis Zoo at 1200 W. Washington St. in Indianapolis.

Newfields

Also, in Indianapolis, you’ll find Newfields, a place for nature and the arts. You can see the immersive Lume exhibit of “Monet and Friends” and “Stephen Sprouse: Rock, Art, Fashion.” Other exhibits include “We. The Culture: Works by The Eighteen Art Collective, El Tendedero/The Clothesline Indiana” and the artwork in the renovated Clowes Pavilion. The Garden at Newfields also puts on Winterlights, where the gardens are lit by more than a million and a half lights, transforming the already beautiful gardens into an enchanting winter wonderland. Newfields is located at 4000 Michigan Road in Indianapolis.

Great Restaurants

One of Carmel, Indiana’s most appealing aspects is the variety of restaurants and cuisine you can enjoy. A few favorites include:

Juniper on Main

Juniper on Main serves good, old-fashioned, Southern comfort food. Start with an appetizer of low-country crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, or hot Pimiento cheese dip. For your main meal, order some down-home shrimp and grits made in two ways, Savannah-style or Charleston-style. You could also try the Southern blackened catfish, local stout glazed short ribs, country fried steak with Madeira spiked red-eyed gravy, hot honey buttermilk chicken strips, or the Southern coastal plate. Enjoy a tasty meal at110 E. Main St. in Carmel.

Omoni Fresh Fast Korean Grill

For Korean classics such as Bibimbap Bowls, with your choice of Bulgogi beef, chicken, spicy pork, or tofu, check out Omoni Fresh Fast Korean Grill. You can also savor such dishes as Kalbi beef rib plate, Chap Chae noodles, Korean fried chicken wings, or Omoni soup. They also have a kids’ menu. Omoni Fresh Fast Korean Grill is found at 13710 N. Meridian St. in Carmel.

Mi Hacienda Mexican Restaurant

Mi Hacienda Mexican Restaurant will be your new favorite spot for Mexican food, with favorites including nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, beef or chicken fajitas, chimichangas, or arroz con pollo. Join your friends and family for a terrific treat at 819 W. Carmel Drive in Carmel.

With so much to do in Carmel and nearby Indianapolis, Carmel may be the ideal place to make your new home. The Crème de la Crème of Carmel team invites you to check out these reasons to move to Carmel before you start house hunting.