Carmel, Indiana is a thriving area with great infrastructure and amenities. From well-maintained highways to beautiful buildings, parks, and shopping malls, everything in Carmel looks and feels immaculate. Money magazine recently published its list of the best places to live in the U. S., and Carmel ranked second nationally.
The roads in Carmel are some of the nicest in the Indianapolis area, which is known for its poor roads that are constantly in need of repairs and potholes. With a population of just under 100,000 people, Carmel is a decent-sized suburb. It also has some of the best schools in all of Indiana, not just the Indianapolis metropolitan area. However, this charming environment comes at a price.
The overall cost of living in Carmel is comparable to that of most other cities in the Midwest, but relatively high housing prices make it an unviable option for many. You can buy a house with a patio, a nice back porch, and maybe even a pool for the same price as a one-story, two-bedroom house with almost no patio would cost in Carmel. All public schools in Carmel received an A grade or higher, with the exception of Options Charter School, which received a C. Niche gave Carmel an A-Plus score for its public schools, housing, labor market, health and fitness and family focus; an A lower in public safety; a B more in life nighttime, diversity and outdoor activities; rated B for the cost of living and travel to work; and a B lower for the climate.
Extending through Carmel and the Arts District is the beautiful and paved Monon Trail, a 27-mile-long multi-purpose pedestrian and bicycle trail that extends to Sheridan, Indiana from downtown Indianapolis. The food scene in Carmel isn't as expansive as that of Indianapolis, but there are still plenty of options for dining out. If you're looking for an excellent quality of life with great schools and infrastructure but don't want to pay too much for housing or other amenities, then Carmel may be the perfect place for you. However, if you're looking for more affordable housing or want your children to attend public school, then you may want to look elsewhere.
