Ellettsville is a small town filled with striking old limestone buildings and intricate facades. Thanks to a massive quarry nearby, Ellettsville limestone has been shipped around the nation, finding its way to some of the most revered monuments. After the September 11 attacks, Ellettsville even donated some of its limestone to the Pentagon.
Located in South Central Indiana; Ellettsville was platted in 1837, and slowly grew to a population of 6,378
Ellettsville is a small town filled with striking old limestone buildings and intricate facades. Thanks to a massive quarry nearby, Ellettsville limestone has been shipped around the nation, finding its way to some of the most revered monuments. After the September 11 attacks, Ellettsville even donated some of its limestone to the Pentagon.
Located in South Central Indiana; Ellettsville was platted in 1837, and slowly grew to a population of 6,378. A relatively young town, the average age here is 35, and a quarter of the population is under 18. Ellettsville is part of Monroe County and the Richland Township, About an hour's drive south of Indianapolis and a 15-minute drive from Bloomington, it's ideally located in rich farmland.
One of the best things about Ellettsville is the number of cozy and unique homes. Contemporary designs mix seamlessly amongst sprawling brick ranches, cozy log cabins and multi-story Victorian mansions. For a rather small town, the variety of architectural choice in Ellettsville is truly exceptional.
House rental here is competitive, but you can't blame people for wanting to settle down. A small town feel, in close proximity to the cosmopolitan center of Indianapolis, means that you'll want to start hunting for homes or apartments early on. However, development is rapidly expanding. In fact, it's the fastest growing community in all of Monroe County; new opportunities are popping up all the time.
For those in search of apartment rentals, Ellettsville has a few options. Large, well thought-out apartment buildings are usually situated in residential neighborhoods. However, you'll find a wide variety of studio apartments and one bedroom apartments for rent snuggled right in the town center.
When thinking about when to move to Ellettsville, seasons are an important factor to consider. Rainfall is even distributed throughout the year, so there's really no avoiding it -- but spring does see a tad bit more rain. Winter does see some snowfall, sometimes as much as 14 inches, so it probably shouldn't be the first choice on your list. Summer temps can climb into the 80s, so the fall will be you best bet for a comfortable and smooth move in.
Because this is a small town, Ellettsville is primarily divided into downtown and residential areas. This is not to say you can't live downtown, but they are primarily apartments and small homes. There are three main residential neighborhoods in Ellettsville that range in price. Yet, while the large Victorian mansions are located in higher cost neighborhoods, that doesn't mean you can't find a gorgeous cabin for a decent price wherever you choose to live.
Forrest Park Heights/West Brook Downs: Forrest Park Heights is a pleasant neighborhood which makes up the southern tip of the city. Most of the homes here are 3-5 bedrooms, with some larger real estate peppered in for flavor. Many of the houses here are older, and while new developments have been making their way into the neighborhood, most residences have been here since the 1970s. Fast Max Convenience Store is also here.
Town Center: The central area of Ellettsville is made up primarily of single family homes and multi-story apartment buildings. Many of the establishments in this area are newly built, giving the town center a far more modern feel. Living here will situate you next to restaurants and taverns. And while residents can fully enjoy walking around their neighborhoods, it is likely you will still need a car when heading to work. If you want to live in the town center, it's important to start your search early, as demand here is particularly high and only a small fraction of homes are vacant at any given time.
Route 46/ West Maple Grove Rd: The Route 46 area of Ellettsville is another pleasant, stable neighborhood. Unlike other areas, it contains far more townhouses for rent. It's not the most ideal locations for those looking for rental homes. Most of the residents here own their homes, and the vacancy rate for the few rentals is super low, even lower than Town Center. Many of the buildings here are newer, and despite a few old grand mansions, most residences have been around for only about a decade.
The Practical
It should be noted that there is no public transportation currently available in Ellettsville, so having your own means of getting around is a must. Many who work and live downtown will be perfectly fine walking to their jobs; however, with a number of new industries investing in the area, many workers find themselves driving an average of 20 miles to get to work.
The Fun
Life in this small, leafy town will no doubt take on a leisurely and relaxed pace. However, that hardly means you'll be bored. An eclectic assortment of restaurants marks the downtown area. From dueling pizzerias to Chinese, Mexican, Italian and Middle Eastern restaurants, there's a good chance residents will find something to suit their fancy. And for those who enjoy nightlife, a few good taverns round out the experience.
For nature lovers, the nearby Middle Fork and North Fork Wildlife Reserves means that hikers will never be too far from a trail. And only a few miles from the town center, the Monroe Reservoir is the largest lake in Indiana. Camping, boating and swimming are all popular activities here.
Those in search of a great glass of wine need go no further than Creekbed Vineyard and Oliver Winery. Just a short ride away, these friendly establishments benefit from sweeping views of the countryside. Signing up for a tour means you'll spend the day sampling their various wines and getting a first class education on the winemaking process.
For golf junkies, Cascades Golf Course, Salt Creek Golf Retreat or the Martinsville Golf Club provide excellent landscapes and respite from the rest of the world. And for those who enjoy the game, but prefer to take it slightly less seriously, there is also putt-putt golf available just a few minutes away from Ellettsville's town center.
Two annual events are eagerly anticipated by Ellettsville's residents -- the start of the two-day Hilly Hundred Bicycle Tour, which commences right in the center of town, and the Monroe County Fall Festival. Held just outside of town, it is marked with parades, talent shows, games, live entertainment and plenty of delicious festival food. All this and more ensures Ellettsville lives up to its reputation as the "friendly little town next door."
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