Carmel, Indiana’s 8^th largest city, lies immediately north of Indianapolis in Hamilton County. An ever-growing suburb, Carmel maintains its identity as a city in its own right, despite being minutes from a major metropolitan area. CNN Money Magazine named Carmel the winner of its annual Best Places to Live list in 2012, attributing its number-one standing to Carmel schools, arts and entertainment options, and economic vitality.

Carmel’s Arts & Design District flourishes in the heart of downtown Carmel. Home to unique specialty shops, restaurants, art galleries, and interior design studios, the Arts & Design District attracts both Carmel residents and weekend visitors. The Monon Trail, a 16-mile bike and pedestrian path that cuts through Carmel, provides easy access to all the Carmel Arts & Design District has to offer for those who choose to walk or bike from other areas of the city.

Nearby, Carmel’s newly constructed City Center has become another hub of activity. Home to the Palladium, Carmel’s Center for the Performing Arts, City Center draws big-name entertainers to Carmel residents, providing a world class alternative to downtown Indianapolis’ concert venues. City Center also offers a variety of restaurants and residences and is accessible from the Monon.

Carmel’s expansive public parks system offers outdoor destinations in every part of the city. Central Park, one of Carmel’s newest developments, is a 161-acre indoor-outdoor facility that is free to the public. With a 10,000 square-foot skatepark, fitness studios, indoor and outdoor aquatic centers and running tracks, all accessible from the Monon, Central Park is the city’s premier destination for recreation.

Carmel-Clay public schools are known across the country for their high academic performances, sports teams, and extracurricular achievements. In the 2011-2012 school year alone, Carmel High School claimed state championships in swimming, soccer, basketball, football, tennis, color guard, and symphony orchestra. All of Carmel’s 15 schools also received an “A” or “Exemplary Progress” rating from the state of Indiana in 2011-2012. Carmel is also home to a variety of private and parochial schools.

Carmel is an economic leader in the state of Indiana. It boasts the state’s second-largest concentration of office workers and an unemployment rate nearly half the national average. Almost 30 percent of Carmel’s property tax money is generated by its businesses, resulting in one of the lowest residential tax rates in the state. Named one of the “Best Cities to Relocate to in America” by CNBC.com, Carmel is home to native Hoosiers and Indiana newcomers alike, and leads the state in population growth. Carmel real estate options are many and varied, providing options for every budget and family. Resale value is solid in this city outside The City.

RECREATION

Carmel has over 15 municipal parks, with playgrounds, shelters, natural, paved and interpretive trails, skate park, amphitheater, water features, basketball courts, volleyball courts, softball diamonds, soccer fields and fishing. Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation provides en-riching, enjoyable escapes through recreation, fitness and nature. There are programs for all ages and abilities at economical prices and convenient times to fit your schedule. From swimming lessons to dance and fitness classes to adult sport leagues and arts & crafts, the new Monon Center offers hundreds of recreation programs to keep you busy throughout the year! The Parks De-partment offers a wide variety of activities for all ages through its programming at its facility and at many of our parks. Ice skating is a year-round activity at the Carmel Ice Skadium. Tennis enthusiasts can test their skills at the Carmel Racquet Club. Baseball, basketball and soccer facilities for all age levels are also available. The Monon Trail Greenway is a 5.2 mile paved trail from 96th Street to 146th Street connecting to the Indianapo-lis Monon Greenway totaling 15.2 miles for bike-riders, runners, joggers, walkers, and roller-bladers. For the golf lovers, there are also numerous public and private golf courses. Unique arts & entertainment typical of larger cities can be found in this suburban area such as the new Arts & Design District & the Carmel Symphony Orchestra.

FUN FACT

In 1904, a Carmel resident was drilling for gas on a site near the White River along what is now known as 116th Street. He didn’t discover gas but instead found a natural underground reservoir of water the flows continually, even today. This regional landmark is known as The Flowing Well. Visitors can regularly fill containers of the water for free.