COMMENT BY
A.L.L. from Plainfield, IN
COMMENT ABOUT PLACE
Plainfield, IN
COMMENT
It's okay.
I moved my family (husband and kids) back to IN several years ago to be closer to family. After 6 (7? - I've lost track) years, we are ready to move on. We chose Plainfield for several reasons, the first being to avoid the traffic and overcrowding of the Northeast side (Fishers/Noblesville) where everyone else seems to choose to live. It's hard for me to describe exactly how I feel about this place to I just made a pros and cons list:
Pros:
1. The town rec center is affordable and offers great classes, Splash Island, child care, gym etc. Well worth the cost.
2. Great library with good community programs.
3. Excellent schools (my kids have had some AMAZING teachers).
4. It takes us about 20 minutes to get to downtown Indy - convenient access to 70 (easy commute to Eli Lilly and IUPUI).
5. Community is very focused on families. Tons of rec sports, music, art classes, community events, farmer's market etc. that are great for families.
6. Beautiful parks and a trail system that connects virtually the entire town.
7. Very safe. Never have to lock your doors. There seems to be about 1 cop for every 10 people!
Cons:
1. Adults here seem very cliquish. If you didn't grow up in Plainfield, it might take you awhile to make friends.
2. Very conservative - If your child is not a beautiful, hetero, straight A student who is into sports, this might not be the best place for your family (never really picked this attitude up at the schools, more of a general attitude with parents I've met in the community).
3. Culture - very little in Plainfield, itself. Bad chain restaurants, etc.
4. Traffic - the city/county planners did not plan on growth. Getting anywhere takes way longer than it should and is a huge pain in the a$$ for this size of a town.
5. The Cult of Plainfield Christian Church - I'm a christian and have nothing against church goers. However, a few years ago I noticed that if you want to be "somebody" in this town - you must go to this church. I can't explain it - it's just the way it is!
If you are a gregarious PTO mom with athletic children and a super alpha male husband (hobbies must be watching football, fishing and gaining 20 lbs per year) you will probably do great here! For the rest of us...it's not bad, but not a place I'm willing to stay.