Hi, I’m Jason Compton from Living In Indianapolis. I created a video that highlights quieter places around the metro that many people miss, and in this article I’ll expand on those same ideas so you can get a deeper look at some of the best hidden Indianapolis Suburbs that deserve more attention. If you watched the short walk-through clips, you already know these towns have great character; here I’ll give you the practical details, local flavor, school info, pricing, and commuting notes to help you decide whether one of these overlooked communities is the right fit for your family.
When people plan a move to the Indianapolis area, names like Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, and Zionsville come up first. They’re great places, but they’re not the only options. I’ve helped hundreds of families relocate across the Indy metro, and I often find that the best match for a buyer isn’t the loudest, most talked-about suburb — it’s one that fits their lifestyle, budget, and pace of life.
Below I’ll walk through the towns featured in the video — Fortville, Cicero, Pittsboro, New Palestine, and Plainfield — and explain why each one is a strong contender among the hidden Indianapolis Suburbs. I’ll share median home prices, school sizes and reputations, commute and transit considerations, lifestyle amenities, and the little local details you won’t find on a Top 10 list.
Table of Contents
- Why consider these hidden Indianapolis Suburbs?
- Fortville — Walkable downtown with new construction energy
- Cicero — Waterfront living and quieter pace
- Pittsboro — Quiet living close to Brownsburg and Eagle Creek
- New Palestine — Small-town pride with growing amenities
- Plainfield — The surprising undervalued family-friendly option
- How to decide which hidden Indianapolis Suburbs are right for you
- Buying tips for these overlooked Indianapolis suburbs
- Hidden Indianapolis Suburbs: Short comparison at a glance
- FAQs About These Hidden Indianapolis Suburbs
- Final thoughts
Why consider these hidden Indianapolis Suburbs?
There are great reasons to look beyond the usual suspects. Many of the hidden Indianapolis Suburbs offer:
- More space or larger yards for the money
- Lower profile downtowns that retain small-town charm
- Smaller school communities or alternative school experiences
- Easy access to larger employment centers without the premium price tag
- Neighborhoods that are still growing, so you can get in before prices catch up
I often tell clients: the “best” place isn’t the one that makes every headline. It’s the place that fits your family’s daily life — the commute you can live with, the school size that suits your kids, and the local amenities you actually use. Those priorities lead many buyers toward hidden Indianapolis Suburbs that aren’t on every relocation checklist yet.
Fortville — Walkable downtown with new construction energy
Fortville sits just east of Fishers in northern Hancock County, and it’s one of the hidden Indianapolis Suburbs I talk about most with buyers who want a walkable downtown and a smaller school feel. Fortville’s Main Street is surprisingly lively for a town of roughly 5,000 people: restaurants, breweries, shops, an ice cream shop, and even a music school where local kids take lessons.
Median sale price: about $385,000. Because Fortville is small and new subdivisions have arrived in the last several years, much of the housing inventory is new construction — that’s part of what’s pushing the median price up. If you prefer a neighborhood with character, the original town area still has older homes and a different feel than the newer developments surrounding it.
Schools: Fortville sits in Hancock County and many residents attend Mount Vernon schools on the north side of the county. The high school experience is relatively smaller (around 1,500 students), which is attractive to families looking for that balance between resources and close-knit community.
Why Fortville is overlooked: Fortville gets overshadowed by Fishers. As Fishers expanded eastward, it awakened Fortville’s downtown and drew more attention to the area — but Fortville still flies somewhat under the radar for many relocating buyers. It’s close enough to Fishers to take advantage of big-city amenities, yet it maintains its distinct small-town identity. If you want proximity to major suburban centers without living in the middle of them, Fortville is a smart compromise.
View Homes For Sale in Fortville, Indiana
Cicero — Waterfront living and quieter pace
Cicero sits north of Noblesville on Morse Reservoir and is a textbook example of how a water feature shapes community character. With around 5,000 residents, Cicero feels quieter than Noblesville even though the two share the same reservoir. The downtown on Jackson Street is modest but charming, and the Boat House restaurant along the water is a local draw.
Median sale price: roughly $339,000. That median hides wide variance: waterfront homes on the main body of Morse Reservoir often sell at or above the million-dollar mark. Inland properties without direct lake access fall into a much more affordable range. So when evaluating Cicero listings, understand how much value you’re paying for water access.
Schools: Cicero’s schools are considerably smaller, appealing to families who want a more intimate school setting. If smaller class sizes and a tight-knit school community matter to you, Cicero is worth considering.
Why Cicero is overlooked: Many people default to Noblesville when they think about living near Morse Reservoir. Cicero sits a little further north and therefore stays quieter and less trafficked. That quiet, combined with access to the reservoir, makes it one of the hidden Indianapolis Suburbs for buyers who want lake living without Noblesville’s busier vibe.
View Homes For Sale in Cicero, Indiana
Pittsboro — Quiet living close to Brownsburg and Eagle Creek
Pittsboro is a small town on the northwest side of the metro that often confuses newcomers because people ask if I said “Pittsburgh.” It’s not — it’s Pittsboro, Indiana — and it’s tucked right next to Brownsburg. If you want quiet, a small town center, and fast access to the northwest side and I-74, Pittsboro deserves a close look among the hidden Indianapolis Suburbs.
Population: under 5,000. Pittsboro is small and neighborly. For daily shopping and big-box needs you’ll head to Brownsburg, which is only a short drive away. That proximity means Pittsboro gives you peaceful living, but you still have easy access to grocery stores, hardware stores, and other conveniences.
Schools: Tri-West schools are small (the high school is under 600 students), so families looking for very small classes and more individualized attention in extracurriculars and athletics often choose Pittsboro for the school experience.
Why Pittsboro is overlooked: It’s overshadowed by its larger neighbors. Brownsburg, Avon, and the Hamilton County suburbs to the north tend to steal the spotlight. Pittsboro’s location in Hendricks County makes it easy to overlook on a map, but that’s exactly what some buyers want: a place to call home that’s calm, close, and community-focused.
New Palestine — Small-town pride with growing amenities
New Palestine (often shortened to New Pal) sits in southern Hancock County and is another example of a town that’s quietly gaining momentum. New Pal has high-performing schools, a strong community identity, and recent commercial development like a larger grocery store, health center, and even a Starbucks — a modern indicator of where growth is heading.
Median sale price: around $425,000. New Pal isn’t the cheapest option on this list; new construction and desirable school ratings are pushing prices up. But for many buyers that premium is worth the school quality and small-town atmosphere.
Schools: New Palestine schools are highly rated and the high school stays under 2,000 students. The district has a reputation for competitive athletics and community involvement — you’ll often see New Pal teams showing up in state tournaments across sports.
Why New Palestine is overlooked: Many relocating buyers simply don’t know Hancock County’s smaller towns. Hancock County is the least populated county touching the immediate metro area, so towns like New Palestine can be missed by buyers focused on the big-name suburbs. Once discovered, though, New Pal draws buyers who want a tight community, strong schools, and relatively easy access to Greenfield and I-465.
View Homes For Sale in New Palestine, Indiana
Plainfield — The surprising undervalued family-friendly option
Plainfield surprised me the most among the hidden Indianapolis Suburbs I cover. It’s not tiny — Plainfield’s population pushes close to 38,000 — yet it often flies under the radar compared to Fishers, Carmel, and other headline-making suburbs. That means you can often find great value and amenities with less competition.
Median sale price: about $330,000. That price point makes Plainfield one of the more affordable family-friendly towns in the metro. It’s convenient to I-70, useful for commuters and those traveling to the Indianapolis International Airport (which is nearby), and it has a strong network of parks and trails.
Parks and trails: One of Plainfield’s standout features is the White Lick Creek corridor and the vertical park system that stretches north and south through town. You’ll find Hummel Park, small amphitheaters for community events, playgrounds, and connected trails that let you reach large parts of town without getting in a car. For families who spend weekends on playgrounds and bike paths, Plainfield is hard to beat.
Schools: Plainfield schools are larger — the high school district has more than 3,000 students — and they’re well-regarded. If you’re looking for wide curricular and extracurricular offerings (think AP courses, a full slate of athletics, and diverse arts programs), Plainfield provides scale without feeling anonymous.
Why Plainfield is overlooked: With larger suburbs like Fishers and Carmel drawing media and relocation attention, Plainfield’s strengths get missed. That’s a shame because it combines convenience (I-70, proximity to the airport) with affordability, parks, and an engaged community. If you’re commuting downtown or traveling frequently, Plainfield’s accessibility is a major plus.
View Homes For Sale in Plainfield, Indiana
How to decide which hidden Indianapolis Suburbs are right for you
Choosing between these towns comes down to a few basic questions. I coach relocation clients through this decision all the time. Ask yourself:
- How important is commute time versus neighborhood size and quiet?
- Do I want a waterfront or direct nature access (Morse Reservoir, White Lick Creek), or do I prefer walkable downtown amenities?
- What school size fits my kids — small, medium, or large?
- Is new construction important to me, or do I want an older home with character?
- How much do I want to pay for the features I care about?
Use those answers to prioritize towns. For example: if small school size is the top item, Cicero, Pittsboro, or New Pal might be a better match. If commute time to the airport or downtown matters most, Plainfield and Plainfield neighborhoods closer to I-70 will make sense. If you want walkability and a lively small downtown, Fortville checks a lot of boxes.
Buying tips for these overlooked Indianapolis suburbs
Here are practical tips if you’re serious about buying in one of the hidden Indianapolis Suburbs:
- Know the local market: Median prices can hide big swings (lakefront vs. off-lake). Ask your agent to break down similar sales by micro-market.
- Check school boundaries: Small towns often have multiple elementary or middle school boundaries that affect property value and convenience.
- Consider growth patterns: Fortville, for example, changed dramatically as Fishers expanded east. If you want to buy before price appreciation accelerates, identify where development is moving.
- Walk parts of town at different times of day: What feels quiet at 10 a.m. could be busy on a Friday night near Main Street; the reverse can also be true.
- Focus on lifestyle features: Trails, parks, reservoirs, and downtown events add daily value. Those intangible elements can outweigh square footage for many families.
Hidden Indianapolis Suburbs: Short comparison at a glance
Here’s a quick snapshot comparing key aspects of the five towns:
- Fortville — Walkable downtown, small population (~5,000), median ~ $385k, new construction pushing values, easy access to Fishers.
- Cicero — Lake-centric lifestyle (Morse Reservoir), median ~ $339k (wide range), small schools, quiet downtown.
- Pittsboro — Very small community (<5,000), Tri-West small schools, convenient to Brownsburg, quiet and semi-rural feel.
- New Palestine — Highly rated schools, median ~ $425k, growing amenities like health centers and retail, small-town pride.
- Plainfield — Larger town (~38,000), median ~ $330k, extensive parks and trails, strong schools, excellent commuting options.
FAQs About These Hidden Indianapolis Suburbs
Are these towns expensive compared to Carmel or Fishers?
Overall, many of these hidden Indianapolis Suburbs are more affordable than the headline suburbs. Plainfield and Cicero sit at lower median prices on this list, while New Palestine and Fortville can trend higher due to new construction and demand. But affordability depends on the specific micro-market (lakefront vs. inland, new vs. older home).
How are the schools in these Indianapolis suburbs?
School size and reputation vary. New Palestine and Plainfield have highly regarded programs; Plainfield's high school is large while New Palestine’s is smaller. Cicero and Pittsboro are much smaller districts and offer that close-knit experience many families want. Fortville is in Hancock County and often feeds into Mount Vernon schools with an intermediate-sized high school.
What about commute times to downtown Indianapolis?
Plainfield offers the fastest highway access to downtown and the airport via I-70. Fortville and New Palestine are on the east side with decent routes to Indy; Fortville is also near Fishers. Cicero and Pittsboro are further north and northwest respectively, so commutes to downtown will be longer but still reasonable if you work on the north side or in Hamilton County.
Are these Indianapolis suburbs growing, or will they stay small?
Growth pressure varies. Fortville has been revitalized as Fishers has expanded eastward. New Palestine shows signs of growth with new amenities. Plainfield has grown historically and functions like a small city. Cicero and Pittsboro are quieter and may remain more stable in size for longer, though any town near a reservoir or with easy highway access can change quickly.
How do I explore Indianapolis suburbs remotely if I’m relocating?
Use virtual tours, neighborhood videos, and connect with a local expert who knows the area inside and out. I specialize in relocation and can guide you through the hidden Indianapolis suburbs, helping you evaluate properties, neighborhoods, and schools remotely. When you’re ready, I’ll help you plan an efficient trip to tour your top picks in person so you can make the best move with confidence.
Final thoughts
When buyers limit themselves to the most-talked-about suburbs, they miss choices that could be better fits for their priorities and budgets. The hidden Indianapolis Suburbs I covered — Fortville, Cicero, Pittsboro, New Palestine, and Plainfield — each offer something different: walkable downtowns, waterfront living, tiny-town schools, growing amenities, or strong park systems and trails.
If you’re moving to the Indianapolis metro, take the time to explore beyond the headlines. A quieter town might give you a bigger yard, a friendlier school experience, or better price per square foot — all things that matter in daily life. If you want help evaluating these towns and comparing them to Carmel, Fishers, or Noblesville, reach out and I’ll walk you through the options based on your priorities.
I’ve helped countless families find their perfect place in and around Indianapolis. If you’re considering any of these hidden Indianapolis Suburbs or want personalized guidance, I’m available to answer questions and set up virtual tours. The right town is out there — sometimes it’s just a little quieter than the ones everyone else talks about.
