Indianapolis has family-friendly suburbs, but a few repeat offenders stand out. Suburbs in Indianapolis, like Fishers, Zionsville, Carmel, and Greenwood, are ideal places to raise a family. Most suburbs of Indianapolis, Indiana, are huge, and not everyone wants shopping and movie theaters.

But which suburbs in Indianapolis are quieter, smaller, and still suitable for raising a family? Below are the family-friendly suburbs of Indianapolis, Indiana, which are great if you're searching for a rural lifestyle, a lakeside community, or developments with a little more room.

The Small Suburbs Of Indianapolis, Indiana

1. New Palestine

Indianapolis residents who wish to feel like they don't live in the suburbs will love New Palestine. This rustic, open area is called "New Pal" by locals. New Palestine is a great area to reside in an agricultural setting and increase your land.

Those seeking the county-adjacent front porch swing lifestyle must forego some conveniences. In New Pal, nothing is within walking distance. There's nothing within a few minutes' drive. Although New Palestine has limited conveniences, you can get what you need. The town has grocery stores, clinics, and other necessities, but you must go to a larger city for comprehensive shopping.

New Palestine has an excellent school system. Though small, these schools are good. Many Hancock County students attend New Palestine High School even though they don't reside there. New Palestine is a safe, family-friendly suburb that appreciates the simple things in life.

2. Bargersville

Population growth in Bargersville. As far south as the Indy Metro Area can go, this family-friendly suburb of Indianapolis is. Bargersville is farther south than Greenwood but still has much to offer: good schools, lovely residences, and exciting things to do almost year-round.

Outdoor lovers love Bargersville. South of the Mighty Ohio River on Indiana's southern border, undulating hills and lush forests replace central Indiana's plains. A nature lover's paradise is the Hoosier National Forest and Brown County State Park south of Bargersville. Bargersville, Indiana, feels like the woods with fishing, camping, hiking, and great mountain biking trails.

3. Pittsboro

West of Brownsburg, IN, Pittsboro is a lovely suburb of Indianapolis. Pittsboro is smaller than Bargersville or New Palestine but has 3,500 residents. Residents in Pittsboro enjoy a quieter lifestyle yet have all the facilities of Brownsburg, one of Indianapolis' largest suburbs. Although rural and open, Pittsboro is adjacent to Eagle Creek State Park, making it a good compromise between New Palestine and Bargersville.

Choosing public education in Pittsboro means sending your kids to Brownsburg High School. Although vast, this school's evaluations speak for themselves. Brownsburg High School is an excellent choice for your kids, with many activities, athletics, and organizations.

4. McCordsville

McCordsville and Fishers are often mistaken as the same, but it's not since it's smaller and quieter. 

Being close to Fisher allows McCordsville to have suburban and rural vibes while being one of the fastest-growing in the Indy Metro location.

The Geist Reservoir is a significant benefit of this modest, family-friendly community. One of Central Indiana's most prominent attractions, this stunning water feature has over 1,900 acres of water. Residents near the reservoir enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and aqua fun, letting them enjoy lake life. This location explodes in summer, so be prepared to welcome a more significant population if you move here.

5. Cicero

Cicero is a drive on the northern end of Indy if you work downtown or frequent the city. Despite being an overlooked suburb, its merits outweigh its cons.

Cicero has several fantastic school districts, depending on where you live. In most Indianapolis suburbs, public schools are well-ranked. It also offers a love of the outdoors in Cicero Red Ridge Park.

There's a busy scene in downtown Cicero. Recently, Cicero's newly revitalized downtown has become charming and none of the other little suburbs have a golf course like what they have. Although smaller than Indianapolis' suburbs, this area has a little of everything.

Did we miss anything? Which suburbs in Indiana do you like the most? Feel free to share them in the comment section!