Valley Mills - Indianapolis, IN

Although the town of Valley Mills dates back to 1856, the area has grown substantially from its initial makeup of about 10 buildings. As Indianapolis developed and major highways such as State Highway 67 cut through the area, urban growth eventually engulfed the smaller township until it shifted to its more residential feel today. However, Valley Mills has remained relatively consistent over time in terms of its cultural makeup.

Although Indianapolis is a rich hub of cultural opportunities, such as the Indiana Medical History Museum and the NCAA Hall of Champions, the majority of these museums anchor the city center, and none can be found within a few miles of Valley Mills. Area dance and performing arts studios, such as Starmaker Studio for Performing Arts, host performances for residents, while local school districts hold annual events, which include science festivals and holiday celebrations, for the whole family.

Unfortunately for residents, Valley Mills streets hold very few bars or restaurants for evening entertainment or dining. A few locations provide options outside of national chain restaurants along the northwest of the neighborhood. One such eatery, Inner City Pizza tops its barbecue chicken pizza with Sweet Baby Ray's sauce. However, if you're not in the mood for a slice, one of its pasta dishes or a filling stromboli ensures a satisfying end to any hunger.

A little farther to the west, Side Wok Cafe serves the area with a wide array of Chinese favorites, including roast pork egg rolls and vegetable fried rice. This little eatery allows diners to have a large array of choices, and it provides customers with online ordering for dine-in or take-out.

Valley Mills locals need to travel a few miles outside the neighborhood for a quality bar experience because of the lack of pubs in the area. However, a short 2- or 3-mile jaunt north presents residents with a diverse range of bars, such as The Library Restaurant & Pub, which hosts banquets and also treats regular guests to a wide array of beers, cocktails and wine by the bottle or half bottle.

The city of Indianapolis has a fairly established public transportation system, but residents of Valley Mills may need to look to their own vehicles for reliable travel because the routes just graze Highway 67, which feeds directly into the city core. Along with State Highway 40 to the north, residents have both easy access around and out of the city, while the Indianapolis International Airport rests just to the northwest of the neighborhood.

The highly residential nature of the area means that few cabs regularly make their way into Valley Mills, but with such close proximity to the city center, both taxis and ride-sharing businesses such as Uber provide transportation in a bind. When looking to save even more money, winding housing developments create relatively safe areas to walk or ride a bike in despite a lack of bike lanes.

Although only a few small parks dot the interior of the Valley Mills neighborhood, residents and visitors can enjoy a wide array of outdoor activities at Southwestway Park and the surrounding outdoor trails and lakes. Resting in the easter part of the neighborhood, the primarily wooded area surrounds the local Winding River Golf Course. While the golf course charges for its use, the engulfing park itself opens itself to visitors without an admission fee.

Park patrons love to hike, bike and run along the wild trails, and the nearby Indy Lakes and bordering White River ensure that they can cool off during the summer, whether by swimming, boating or fishing. The entire family, including pets, finds a warm welcome from the park.

Although the giant park does not cater specifically to exercisers looking for equipment, even a trained athlete can find a good workout on the trails. The city does not host annual events there, but keep your eyes peeled for local activities that take place seasonally and on holidays for even more outdoor fun.

Due to the lack of commercial centers in Valley Mills, the cost of living rests a bit lower than the city's average. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom residence runs approximately $694.57, and residents also enjoy many small savings opportunities from their transportation and entertainment options.

Although prices for IndyGo's public transportation service comes in at approximately $3 to $4 per ride, only one route runs along Highway 67. This makes driving a personal vehicle a more enticing option. For drivers, gas costs about 5 percent less than the national average.

Most bars and nightlife require journeying outside of Valley Mills, but nearby pubs serve a wide variety of drinks at a wide variety of prices. When looking for a nice glass of wine or a craft beer, you may find yourself paying anywhere from $5 to $10, but cheaper local drink menus can provide you a drink for anywhere between $2 to $5 dollars.

Valley Mills' primary draws for busy shoppers lie to the west along Highway 67, and while there are few high-end stores to peruse on a weekend out, many local shops and boutique stores keep the neighborhood's economy thriving.

Designer Consigner Boutique hosts many high-value items for consignment, and it also buys clothing outright. It focuses on items such as purses, shoes, jewelry, prom dresses, wedding dresses and other attire for special occasions.

Reed's Flower Shop keeps the entire neighborhood green and beautiful. Delivering to much of the greater Indianapolis region, the shop adds a very personal touch to its roses, celebratory arrangements and gourmet baskets.

The selection of grocery stores in Valley Mills limits residents to chain grocers and superstores, but smaller shops, such as IVC Food Services to the southwest, provide a homier way to keep your pantry stocked. Similarly, no farmers markets operate in the neighborhood. However, those willing to make the trip go 4 miles to the east to shop at Waterman's Farm Market.