To select a healthy ivy for indoors, look for plants that are full with a lot of foliage all along the stems. Unless you are selecting a small starter plant, there should be several stems and each stem should be developing several branches. Ask if the variety you are looking at will grow in the form you want. Some are more suited to terrariums or topiaries and others are best in baskets and other containers. There are a few other plants with similar growth habits commonly referred to as ivy that really are not.
Most ivies do well with average light.
Those with lots of variegation on the leaves need as much light as you can give them, but no direct afternoon sun in the summer. Ivies want to dry out slightly between waterings. In summer, you may need to water 2 to 3 times a week. In winter, the plants may only need to be watered once a week. Do not allow them to stand in water or soggy soil.