Cities With the Highest Rent Hikes

From a tech hub to one of the fittest cities in the nation, here are the six metropolitan areas where rentals costs have spiked the most in the past year. Despite the rent hikes, people are still moving to these cities for various reasons; Miami has gorgeous beaches, Indianapolis is a sports fan’s paradise and Farmington Hills is one of the safest cities. What is one city characteristic that overshadows high rent for you?

To add this infographic to your site, please copy the embed code from the above box and paste this code on your site.

Unearth the Best Garden Stores in Indianapolis

If you want to make your apartment or yard more beautiful with plants, garden stores in Indianapolis can help.

Just because the summer is almost over doesn’t mean you have to hang up the garden tools just yet. Late summer provides the perfect backdrop for planting fall-harvest vegetables, such as butternut squash, snap beans, cabbage, broccoli, kale and cauliflower, as well as late-harvest tomatoes and bell peppers. And don’t forget about planting late-summer flowers to replace those dried-up spring plantings; look for asters, salvia, goldenrod and certain varietals of daisies. Whether you never got around to planting in the spring or it’s just time to swap out for the fall, dig in and discover the best garden stores in Indianapolis below to get your yard or garden in shape in no time.

Fusek’s True Value
What: Even though True Value is a chain, stores are independently owned and operated. The 10,000 square foot Fusek’s True Value has been around since 2004, when downtown Indianapolis went through a revitalization. The sturdy brick building feels like the sort of place you’d look for shovels, rakes and fertilizer, but the service inside is what makes the business rock-solid. Plus, the store’s smaller size and great selection mean you can easily find what you’re looking for.
Where: 350 E. New York St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Sullivan Hardware & Garden
What: It’s the little things at Sullivan Hardware & Garden that keep customers coming back for more, from the flower selection to the seasonal open houses to the free popcorn, the smell of which wafts temptingly throughout the store as you shop. Sales are frequent, and you can find out more about them, as well as the open houses (with free beer!) ahead of time by signing up for Sullivan’s email list.
Where: 6955 N. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46220

Paradise Landscape & Nursery
What: Big-name nurseries and home improvement stores may have large quantities of the same types of plants, but Paradise has a more extensive selection of plant varieties. Its offerings also include residential and commercial landscaping services, for those who aren’t sure where to begin, and a “like” for Paradise’s Facebook page ensures you’re receiving top-notch seasonal plant information with a side of humor.
Where: 11348 Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis, IN 46236

The Garden Center
What: The Garden Center grows nearly half of the non-nursery stock plants they sell, so if you’re not sure how to care for a plant you purchased, they likely have hands-on experience with making sure a plant reaches its full potential. With more than 1,000 varieties of seed and a gift shop, as well as a wide selection of bulbs, foliage, annuals, vegetables, hanging  baskets, perennials, bird supplies, herbs, tools and garden accessories, The Garden Center is a one-stop gardening shop for those times when you do need a big garden store.
Where: 3205 W. 71st St., Indianapolis, IN 46268

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/kali9

Top Five Coffee Shops in Indianapolis

If you find yourself in Indianapolis, stop in one of these coffee shops.

As the capital of the state of Indiana and the twelfth 12th-largest city in the United States, Indianapolis is a lively, booming city with a ton of things to see and do. Both Forbes and Livability.com have cited Indianapolis as having one of the best downtowns in the United States due to its more than 200 retail shops, 35 hotels and over 300 restaurants and food options, as well as countless movie theatres, sports venues, museums, art galleries and parks. Although, as with any city, Indianapolis is rife with Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, there are a plethora of locally owned coffee shops where you can stop off and enjoy a cup of house blend or a delicious pastry after a long day of sightseeing. Read on to find out our top five favorite local coffee shops in Indianapolis.

Henry’s on East Street
For a true European café experience in the heart of the Midwest, head to Henry’s on East Street which is, you guessed it, on East Street. In addition to specialty coffee beverages and teas, Henry’s offers a fantastic bistro menu for breakfast and lunch, featuring artisan pastries and delicious sandwiches, as well as a brunch menu on the weekend that can’t be beat. If the weather permits, enjoy your latte on their large patio for some great people watching.
Where: 627 N. East St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

Tulip Noir Café
As a relative newcomer on the Indianapolis coffee shop scene, Tulip Noir Café has quickly built up a steadfast following. This small café prides itself on offering high quality, organic food, coffee and tea and adheres to “green” concepts wherever possible. If you’re interested in the quality and sourcing of your coffee, Tulip Noir Café is the place for you, as all teas and coffees are natural and ethically traded or free trade. The menu changes seasonally according to what ingredients are fresh and available, and you’ll always find outstanding vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.
Where: 1224 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260

Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company
T his coffee shop boasts friendly, knowledgeable baristas in a convenient location, which earned it the Indy Metromix award for Best Coffee Shop in Indianapolis. But the really great thing about Calvin Fletcher’s is that it serves an outstanding cup of coffee with a side of goodwill. According to the company’s website, all profits are donated to Fletcher Place neighborhood needs and various organizations that serve the greater Indianapolis area and the world. So go ahead, have that second cappuccino – your community will thank you for it later.
Where: 647 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46203

Bjava Coffee and Tea
Bjava Coffee and Tea views coffee as an art, and that shows in every cup they produce. They even roast their own beans, so you know that you’ll find high quality brews here. Ask any barista about the differences between Ethiopian and French roasts, and prepare to be awed by their knowledge of flavor notes, body and mouth feel.
Where: 5510 Lafayette Road, Suite 140, Indianapolis, IN 46254

Lazy Daze Coffee House
Lazy Daze earns the distinction of being the most laid- back coffee house in Indianapolis. If the name didn’t tip you off to the attitude of this coffee shop and both its patrons and employees, the décor will. You’ll find customers sinking into mismatched chairs and older furniture while pondering the meaning of life over a steaming cup of French roast. There’s even a Starbucks down the street, but Lazy Daze has remained steadfastly on the scene as a testament to its loyal customer base and lighthearted approach to coffee.
Where: 10 S. Johnson Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46219

Photo credit: iStockphoto/creacart