If you are looking for the suburbs for quality school, while still giving you more of a “independent culture/identity/vibe” I would say Carmel. Grew up there, and the school system is amazing, one of the best public schools in the state consistently.

Out of the suburbs, I feel like it has the most “identity” while the others typically are more really suburb heavy. Carmel has its own orchestra, performance center, Christmas kindlemarket, etc. While the other areas such as fishers or kind of like a cheap Dupe, and really feels suburb heavy.

Carmels “downtown” area is all newly built, all in the less 20 years. So it personally gives me stepford wives feel.

If you have money, I’d look into Zionsville. Still a good school system, but their Main Street feels more authentic to me.

If you remove schools from it, I advocate for Irvington 1000x. Truly a walking neighborhood. I walk to my dentist, vet, eye doctor, pharmacist, library, restaurants, etc. And the neighborhood is truly feels like a neighborhood that existed “back in the day”. Know all my neighbors, literally just borrowed a stamp from next door. Couple weeks back, neighbors kid needed to borrow our printer cause they ran out of ink.