Elwood in Madison and Tipton Counties, Indiana, has been hosting the Glass Festival for the past 41 years. This homage to the art of glass-making is one of the biggest annual events in Central Indiana.
As with a few other American towns, Elwood too was born with a different name -- Duck Creek. Elwood, a city of around 8,700 residents staying within its 3.77 sq. mile area, is conveniently located a mere 30 minutes by car from the county capital Anderson. The state's capital city, Indianapolis, can be reached in 50 minutes. The New InterUrban buses connect Elwood with cities in other counties. Nearly 60 percent of Elwood's population enjoys a one-way commute of less than 30 minutes. I-65, I-69, and I-70 intersect close to the city. It's as if all roads lead to Elwood. The cost of living here is lower than the national average, and a big attraction for those seeking apartment rentals in Elwood.
Moving to Elwood
Make your relocation to Elwood a pleasant adventure. Property owners are wont to hold open houses in the spring and summer seasons, on any day of the week. Be sure to arrive on time, and to do that you'll need to get the time-zone right. Elwood follows Eastern Time. A vacancy rate higher than the national average indicates that you can look up one-bedroom apartments without undue hurry. In fact, you may consider posting up at one of the many excellent inns in the city, like the Plum House Bed and Breakfast on S. Anderson Street, and getting a feel of this little town. If you're moving from outside the state, you have 60 days to get your Indiana driver's license, or risk getting in trouble.
Neighborhoods in Elwood
Three neighborhoods make up the city of Elwood. The overall WalkScore of 65 indicates Elwood is a reasonably walker-friendly city, and there are streets here where almost all errands can be accomplished on foot.
South Elwood: Higher rents and property appreciation rates for this suburban neighborhood indicate that this is the most desirable address in Elwood. Single-family homes and small apartment homes make up the real estate landscape here.
Elwood City Center: This is a suburban neighborhood with above-average vacancy rates. Sections of the neighborhood retain the charm of a bygone age, with several buildings dating back to the 1940s.
Dundee: The rural neighborhood of Dundee attracts with some of the lowest rents in Elwood. If you're looking to rent a two-bedroom apartment for rent in a high rise, then search for it here. This is the largest neighborhood in the city, easily dwarfing the other two. The nine-hole Cattails Golf Club and Elwood Airport are in this neighborhood.
Apartment Communities in Elwood
Duck Creek Apartments: This community offers your pick of two-bedroom apartments. Its location near the junction of Main St. and Anderson St. places it within easy reach of many conveniences. These include Pizza Hut, Steel Parts Credit Union, Buttrys Bistro, CVS Pharmacy, and also the Elwood Junior High School.
Living in Elwood
Elwood is a self-sufficient community with an events calendar that reflects the community's commitment toward quality living for all inhabitants. Apart from the nationally famous Elwood Glass Festival, there are a number of cultural, sporting, seasonal events and activities that locals enjoy not only in the city, but also at nearby venues in Madison County. Every year in October, downtown Elwood -- known for its historic architecture -- attracts enthusiastic participants for the Red Gold Chili Cook Off. The St. Stephen's Strawberry Festival and the Annual Spring Festival draw folks out of their homes in large numbers. Food lovers have a choice from restaurants, bakeries, cafes, grills, and fast-food joints. The Dollar General Store on S. Anderson Street and Harvest Supermarket on N. Anderson Street fulfill the grocery requirements of residents.
One of the great pleasures of living in Elwood is the city's proximity to Indianapolis -- the amateur sports capital of the world. Indianapolis is also credited as having one of the best downtowns in the country. So when you feel like catching an international music or film festival, enjoying haute cuisine, or just letting your hair down, you know where to go. If you dream of a "best of both worlds" kind of living in the Hoosier State, then Elwood is where your dream comes true -- a small town with a big heart and close to a metropolis.