Clarksville

Amongst the rolling hills of southern Indiana, Floyds Knobs offers serenity and convenience. What was once a sparsely populated agricultural community has become a prime neighborhood for the workers of Jeffersonville and Louisville – “People want to live here,” says Cathy Jackson, Realtor at Schuler Bauer Real Estate Services. “It’s a small, welcoming community with a really great school system.” And whether residents opt to live in the newer cul-de-sac communities to the south, or in the rangy estates of the northern end – often referred to by locals as “The Knobs" –they're still only a 15-minute drive from the bustling metro area. Even with this convenience to the city, Floyds has plenty of its own to offer, with peaceful parks, locally-owned dining and community-focused events. The sheer variety of housing in Floyds Knobs contributes to its growth. Mid-century all-brick ranch-style homes sit on single-acre lots, while modern traditional homes with a mix of brick and stone facades are tucked away in subdivisions, offering a sense of walkability and community. Larger estates dot the countryside to take advantage of the geography, says Jackson, “The houses up in The Knobs have the most stunning views of downtown Louisville… It’s really beautiful.” In the more rural portions of the neighborhood, agriculture still has a place, with farmhouses sitting amidst actively farmed fields. Continued development of the area means subdivisions and new builds are going up regularly – and open lots can be found ranging from $40,000 to $250,000, offering blank slates for buyers to build their dream home from the ground up. Smaller ranch-style homes and bungalows can be found starting as low as $150,000, with newer models going for closer to $250,000 and up. Newly constructed patio-style homes go for $300,000 to $350,000, while new-build four- to five-bedroom homes can be found starting around $350,000. Multi-acre plots with stately modern traditional homes can be found starting around $700,000, with some exceeding the million-dollar mark. “Homes here are worth more than in other Southern Indiana neighborhoods, and that’s primarily because of the school district,” Jackson says. “We have award-winning schools that people really want to get their kids into.” Floyds Knobs Elementary boasts an A rating from educational review site Niche, which also names it as the best Public Elementary School in Floyd County. Highland Hills Middle School also gets an A grade, while Floyd Central High School receives an A-minus. The high school campus features a planetarium, an ROTC building, two gyms, a media center and TV studio, a restaurant with outdoor seating and the Les Wright Athletic Complex, complete with sports fields and concession areas. It’s also known for its performing arts programs, with Floyd Central Theater having earned accolades as a top theater program in the United States. Private school options like St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic School provide alternatives to the public system. Little Indian Creek offers an air of tranquility as it runs through Letty Walter Park, which spans 34 acres and includes basketball, tennis and pickleball courts amongst expansive well-maintained fields, along with a playground and covered picnic areas. Floyd County Parks & Recreation also hosts an adult sports league, which residents can join to try their hand at basketball, pickleball and volleyball on teams alongside their neighbors. Valley View Golf Club, a public 18-hole golf course, sits in the heart of the neighborhood and has a golf shop and banquet facilities for up to 200 people. “Highlander Point is a little shopping area with restaurants that span both sides of Highway 150,” Jackson says. “There’s this nice Italian restaurant called Amore there that everyone loves. And you need reservations to get in.” The restaurant serves fine Italian cuisine and hosts a weekly wine night featuring half-price bottles of wine and specialty menu items. Highlander Point is also home to El Nopal, known for its authentic Mexican food; CHILLBURGER, a casual spot serving traditional and creative burgers in addition to salads and shakes; and Sam’s Food & Spirits, a classic American family-style restaurant serving country diner favorites like fried chicken, French onion soup and club sandwiches. Most people in Floyds Knobs shop for groceries at the Jay C supermarket, or head into New Albany for big box and hardware stores. During the summer, on Sundays, local farmers and artisans bring their wares to the Floyds Knobs Farmers Market, where the community can pick up their weekly staples and support local agriculture. St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church also hosts a number of events that are open to the public, like Friday Fish Frys and its "3 Steeples Bike Ride" held each May. Floyds proximity to Louisville also provides residents with easy access to major events like the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Derby Festival, as well as smaller events that take place along the river or in downtown throughout the year. One of the biggest events in this area is the annual Harvest Homecoming held in the neighboring community of New Albany. The festival is home to the Miss Harvest Homecoming Queen Scholarship Program, as well as a parade, plenty of vendors, a corn hole tournament and carnival rides. Operating since 1967, it’s an annual tradition for Southern Indiana families, drawing tens of thousands of visitors every year. Living in a semi-rural bedroom community means relying on a personal vehicle for getting around – meandering roadways aren’t great for walking or biking, and public transport is non-existent. Emergency health care is nearby, at Baptist Health – Floyd, roughly 4 miles from the heart of the community and generally only 10 minutes away by car. Catching a flight is a bit more of a drive, as Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the closest commercial airport, roughly 17 miles away and generally a 20 to 25 minute drive.