Nora Far Northside - Indianapolis, IN

Despite starting as a small post office town, Nora has grown into a popular suburban neighborhood. The name "Nora" was given to the neighborhood by Peter Lawson, the local postmaster of the town in the 1870s. The neighborhood remained very small until a population shift occurred in the early 1900s with more people moving north due to the expansion of downtown Indianapolis. Although the area lacks any official museums, the Indianapolis Art Center remains the closest cultural attraction, located a few miles south of Nora. Along with its fine art pieces, the Art Center also hosts art classes. The nearest annual events and festivals take place in Broad Ripple, with the Broad Ripple Art Fair acting as the main event of the year.

Most of the restaurants in Nora lie just past Keystone Avenue to the east around the Fashion Mall area. Here residents can find popular chain restaurants and a few independent establishments serving Italian, Chinese and American cuisine. Most of the high-end establishments can also be found in this area. However, Nora still contains a few notable eateries right in the center of town. Located just off 86th Street, The North End BBQ serves as the neighborhood's prime spot for Southern-style home cooking. The beef brisket platter wins the prize as the crowd favorite at this joint, with a side of mac and cheese topped with rib jam strongly recommended. The North End BBQ also features a very impressive list of whiskeys and bourbons for those who drink.

Just off the corner of 86th Street and Westfield Boulevard lies Hellas Cafe Greek & American Cuisine. This Greek eatery serves traditional dishes such as lamb gyros, hummus and baklava. The prices here run slightly higher than The North End BBQ, but still remain fairly affordable, with average prices around $15 a plate. Start your meal with an order of hummus and ask for extra pita bread, as people often run out quickly with this favorite dip.

As with the restaurants, the best nightlife spots lie outside the limits of the neighborhood. In fact, Taylor's Pub does duty as the only notable bar located in the Nora area. Taylor's attracts a very loyal local crowd with various drink specials offered throughout the week. Stop by on Tuesday night for $3 pint night on all draft beers or on Fridays for a $12 bucket of Budweisers. For those who crave a late night snack, the kitchen at Taylor's Pub stays open until midnight on the weekends to serve the bar crowd. Although Nora lacks a dedicated music venue, Taylor's also has hosted live music nights in the past.

Options for public transportation in Nora remain limited. The 18 Nora IndyGo bus line services the area and provides limited travel options. Depending on the proximity to 86th Street, some residents can walk to a few restaurants or a grocery store. Nearly all residents in Nora own a car out of necessity for commuting to work, going to the grocery store and getting around in general. People enjoy easy access to numerous highway entrances, the easiest being the intersection of I-465 and Keystone Avenue.

Despite the neighborhood being relatively flat, biking remains challenging due to the absence of bike lanes on streets. However, many people enjoy biking in residential areas. Some people make good use of the Monon Trail by using it to commute via bike towards downtown as well as for recreational use, a popular exercise option. If you need to catch a cab, you must call ahead in this neighborhood. Try calling Uber instead if you're looking for a ride to the airport, as this service can offer cheaper rates.

If you're looking for the nearest park to the neighborhood of Nora, seek no further than Marott Park. Residents can get to Marott Park either by driving one mile south down College Avenue or by riding bicycles down the Monon Trail. As an Indiana Nature Preserve, Marott Park includes plenty of natural trails, bird-watching stations and creek stomping. The park includes a picnic shelter with tables for eating and over 100-acres of grassy areas and wooded forests. Parking and entrance to the park are free of charge. Take your kids to explore the great outdoors at Marott Park, have a picnic on the open grassy areas, or even bring a dog to play.

Those who like to exercise outdoors can run on the hiking trails or set out on the Monon Trail for a long jog. If you're looking for a park with a little more to offer, keep heading south on the Monon Trail until you reach Broad Ripple Park on 62nd Street. This public space features a swimming pool, playground, multiple sports fields and an exercise trail. The park hosts multiple summer events every year, the most notable being a three-day long music festival called WARMfest.

Overall, residents of Nora enjoy a relatively low cost of living. One bedroom apartments typically cost an average of $700 per month, and some of the homes in this area can be larger and more expensive than other areas, but smaller and more affordable options balance them out. If you’re looking for a less pricey option, stick to apartment hunting to save the most money on housing costs.

The cost of living in the area compares well with many other neighborhoods of Indianapolis. Gas prices in Nora rank an average of 1 percent greater than the Indianapolis average. Housing prices prove similar as well, along with prices for groceries and shopping. Though public transport is rarely used, a trip to the city via bus costs $4 for a day pass on IndyGo lines. Expect to pay $5 to $6 for a beer at local pubs in the area, although canned and bottled drinks run cheaper than that.

The major center of commerce lies just east of Nora in and around the Fashion Mall at Keystone. Shoppers can find all the popular brands at stores here, with many chains and recognizable clothing lines including some high-end fashion stores. Nora contains a Target which acts as the closest and most central large retail store. Many residents also shop for some groceries here. Other choose to get groceries from the nearby Whole Foods Market or Kroger. The neighborhood lacks a nearby farmers market, but those who don’t mind driving a few miles can visit the Broad Ripple Farmers Market on Saturday mornings from May to November for fresh local and regional produce.

For something a little different, shoppers should check out Global Gifts, a small boutique specializing in fair trade products. Located in the same strip as the Target off of 86th Street, Global Gifts sells jewelry, coffee, toys, games, clothing and other accessories all with the mission of supporting fair wages for artisans in developing countries. Although a locally owned organization, Global Gifts seeks to tell the stories of artisans all over the world with goods made from numerous countries.

The nearest boutiques to Nora lie in Broad Ripple to the south. If you find yourself headed that way, stop by Broad Ripple Vintage to browse their selection of vintage clothing and jewelry. This store includes an eclectic combination of hippie shirts, jean jackets and cowboy boots, with plenty of other items in between. Better still, the prices remain very affordable when you find something that suits your style.