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SoMax

SoMax

Neighborhood in Bloomington, Indiana

Monroe County 47401

$477,360 Average Value
$227 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Peaceful Bloomington neighborhood

SoMax is short for “south Maxwell,” which refers to the quiet blocks of midcentury-era homes found below Maxwell Lane. Residents here enjoy the comforts of a dense tree canopy and activities like gardening and landscaping. Additionally, SoMax sits a few blocks from some of Bloomington’s bets known outdoor spots and shopping destinations. “It’s a good location going east or west,” says Gretchen Nall, the owner and broker of Bloomington Rentals and Realty. “It’s got the convenience of the concentrated east side shopping area, which includes about five different grocery stores, coffee shops and the mall. Then going west, you come to Bryan Park, which is a cute city park that has tennis courts, a swimming pool and acres and acres of land. The city puts on movie nights in the summer, and there’s music in the park. It’s super fun.”

Bryan Park has tennis courts, a swimming pool and acres of land in SoMax.
Bryan Park has tennis courts, a swimming pool and acres of land in SoMax.
SoMax is connected to east side shopping including College Mall.
SoMax is connected to east side shopping including College Mall.
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Taking pride in its appearance

While SoMax isn’t as spacious as its neighbor Covenanter, SoMax' lot sizes still make room for young and mature trees and thriving gardens. The neighborhood also encourages homeowners to maintain their lots’ appearances. “People take a lot of pride in SoMax. It’s very well kept. People, I would say, are very friendly to their neighbors. I would also say that if you’re going to be a landlord in SoMax, the neighborhood’s going to keep you on your toes,” Nall says. Regarding housing options, homes here primarily date back to the period between World War II and the 1970s. Common designs include ranch-style houses, split-levels, midcentury moderns and 20th century contemporaries. Depending on factors like condition and size, homes here mainly cost between $300,000 and $600,000. For those looking to rent, SoMax is also home to some apartment options, like the Maxwell Terrace Apartment complex.

Bungalows in SoMax sit along quiet tree-lined streets, great for an afternoon stroll.
Bungalows in SoMax sit along quiet tree-lined streets, great for an afternoon stroll.
Tudors with landscaped yards sit prominently on the hills of SoMax.
Tudors with landscaped yards sit prominently on the hills of SoMax.
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Diverse cuisines and locally-sourced groceries at College Mall

While Fourth Street in downtown Bloomington is known as the city’s international dining strip, a diverse scene also exists at the College Mall. The mall has restaurants specializing in Asian fare like popular Bangkok Thai Cuisine, and spots like Vivencia Latin Flavors which combines Mexican, Colombian and Venezuelan flavors. Truffles Fine Cuisine is another relaxing spot where folks can enjoy salads, oysters and a selection of wines. Another dining spot close to SoMax is Mother Bear’s Pizza Campus, well-known for its deep-dish pies. The College Mall also has one of Indiana’s largest Kroger stores, which many in the city jokingly call “Krogucci.” Other grocery store options include the Bloomingfoods Co-Op Market, known for its locally sourced foods.

SoMax is close to modern shopping and dining at Renwick Village such as Crumble and C3 Bar.
SoMax is close to modern shopping and dining at Renwick Village such as Crumble and C3 Bar.
SoMax enjoys close proximity to eateries like Bangkok Thai.
SoMax enjoys close proximity to eateries like Bangkok Thai.
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Located a few blocks from multiple Bloomington and IU parks

The Bryan Park pool consists of an outdoor aquatic complex with a couple of spiral slides and splash pad fixtures. While the main park itself offers trails for walking and taking in scenic views. The park’s amenities include a new playground and basketball and tennis courts. The playground also provides bar fixtures for older visitors looking to squeeze in some outdoor workouts. Additional green spaces located within minutes of SoMax include Southeast Park and Dunn’s Woods on the Indiana University, or IU, campus. Southeast Park is home to more walking trails and sports courts, while Dunn’s Woods offers a scenic respite that visitors can explore via its network of red brick trails.

SoMax residents visit Southeast Park via Renwick Trail and E. Moores Pike.
SoMax residents visit Southeast Park via Renwick Trail and E. Moores Pike.
Bryan Park covers many acres and is a popular spot for SoMax residents to run.
Bryan Park covers many acres and is a popular spot for SoMax residents to run.
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Zoned for several strong Monroe County schools

The neighborhood is zoned for Rogers and Binford elementary schools, which respectively earn B-plus and A grades from Niche. Rogers and Binford are unique schools in that they respectively serve kindergarten through second grade and third through sixth grade. Based in a community known for multiculturalism, Rogers' families hail from over a dozen countries and nearly 20 languages are spoken at the school. Binford offers some unique extracurriculars too, including coding and running clubs. One of its newest clubs, the Badger Connection, aims to foster greater student and teacher collaboration. After elementary school, students here may attend Jackson Creek Middle and Bloomington High School South, both of which earn A grades from Niche.

Bloomington High School South is the largest high school in the area.
Bloomington High School South is the largest high school in the area.
SoMax youth can attend Jackson Creek Middle School.
SoMax youth can attend Jackson Creek Middle School.
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Close to IU-based festivities and performance halls

SoMax is about 2 miles south of downtown Bloomington and the Indiana University campus, putting the neighborhood close to some of the city’s largest events. These celebrations include the First Thursdays Festival, a monthly series held on campus between April and November. The series occurs on the university’s Fine Arts Plaza, where massive crowds gather around the fountain and its aquatic-themed sculptures to enjoy food and various artistic performances. SoMax is also even closer to the east end of the IU campus, which is home to the highly rated Jacobs School of Music. The institution anchors a larger area with several elegant performance venues like Auer Hall and the Indiana University Auditorium.

Bloomington Transit access and 2 miles State Road 45/46 bypass

The Bloomington Transit system has several bus stops along High Street and Maxwell. SoMax is about 2 miles from the Indiana State Road 45/46 bypass, which goes toward the IU Health Bloomington Hospital and Interstate 69. Commuters can take I-69 to Indianapolis, which is 58 miles from SoMax, while travelers looking to take flights out of state will use the Indianapolis International Airport.

Important to know

SoMax has an overall CAP Index crime score of 4 out of 10, putting it on par with the national average.

Yann Ranaivo
Written By
Yann Ranaivo
Eric Lynch
Photography Contributed By
Eric Lynch
Vladislav Sedykh
Video By
Vladislav Sedykh

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Janet Lane, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime SoMax US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$525,000
Median Single Family Price
$535,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$227
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
3
Months of Supply
8.00
Median List Price
$599,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
5%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
55%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
157
Median Year Built
1958
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,147
Above the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,440
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,632

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Janet Lane, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
504
Median Age
33
Population under 18
19%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$128,464
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$120,184

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
100%
College Graduates
80.3%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
67.4%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
53.7%

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

56 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

29 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

27 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
SoMax