Indianapolis is a very odd city... there's a lot of places were the uber-expensive houses are just a block away from regular houses...

Where to live? well that depends on what you want...

Randy, I lived in INDPLS for 4yrs. Indpls is like most cities. There will bee a few good blocks nudged against some really rough territory. nothing really divides. Generally they are doing a great job of re inventing the down town area. Ask a realestate agent where the newest renovations are started(that will be a great up and comming neighborhood. Trying to remember--I've been gone two years. I think Fall Creek ththe city was giving $20 thou to move into, buy and live there for 5 years. Nice nehborhood by now it only takes4 months for those programs to clean-up everything.
otherwise. Avoid 10th street, NY st. and washington St from dn tn to about 60th steast. That is prostitue working area. Full of dealers, and street people--also the womens prison is located in that area. and even if U don't hear about it they DO ESCAPE. Also by the time U get to about18 th st going N on Meridian it's already BAD. just keep driving N on College ST 1o th street in to the city is ggreat(restored neighborhood) but 11th thru49th is BAD. then U get into Broadripple(Yuppie Heaven) artists community and lots of good times. The "Hoosier Salon" gallery is there. That's art in IN. just little farther out is the IMA (indpls art museum). North of INdy Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville are Expensive Wealthy neighborhoods. I am an artist and did some murals in the area north of INdpls. South east is low blue colar (also chemical polution area) south west is latino area. They don't call Indpls NAP TOWN for nothing. Also there is great library access at Glendale shoping center--IUniversity computer lab downstairs .uncrowded and free parking. That's a quick rundown. try out The old Union Station, downtown. and The artsgarden(glass dome)can't remember think 1 street W. of meridian and the circle monument.