A brighter future for Country Squire Lakes
Located about 5 miles from the heart of North Vernon, Country Squire Lakes is undergoing a revival. Jennings County has invested $11.6 million to improve the area, once neglected and riddled with crime. “They’re on the upward trajectory of getting it revitalized and are in a receivership,” says Realtor Tyler Stock with Coldwell Banker, who has sold in North Vernon for over 9 years. “They’ve cleaned up 300 or 400 homes, they’ve been redoing the roads, the Boys & Girls Club is doing programming, and they’re about to receive more money to clean up blight — It’s on the cusp of turning over.” With Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Louisville all within 65 to 80 miles, Country Squire Lakes has the potential to become a waterfront retreat for big-city visitors and North Vernon locals.
New residential construction and restored homes
Many houses in Country Squire Lakes have undergone recent renovations or require updates. Options include ranch-style homes, cottages and manufactured housing. Some sit on secluded lots with sizeable yards, while others line the lakes. “We’re an hour from three major cities, so it’s a place where people could have cabins or houses on the water to visit on the weekends,” Stock says. “Builders have come in to construct new homes to increase desirability.” Most properties sell in the $100,000 range, though one-bedroom cabins may start as low as $10,000. Larger, updated houses can sell for around $250,000.
Outdoor activities and North Vernon community parks
Within the neighborhood, residents can enjoy the Country Squire Playground and Pavilion. The 74-acre Country Squire Lake is popular for fishing and boating. Smaller lakes offer similar recreation, though some prohibit speedboating. Just south in the heart of North Vernon, the City Park has a playground, tennis courts and baseball diamonds. The city also has state forests and nature preserves with hiking trails, and St. Anne’s Golf Course is open to the public.
The Jennings County School Corporation offers school choice
Most children attend Sand Creek Elementary, which earns a C-plus rating from Niche. Students may apply to any elementary school in the district, regardless of their zone. The district has one middle school and one high school. Jennings County Middle scores a B-minus, and Jennings County High has a C-plus. High schoolers can choose from career and technical education programs, including health sciences and agricultural studies.
Shopping and dining minutes away from the lake
Country Squire Lakes has little commercial development. The Dollar General sells everyday items, and the RK Bait & Tackle store is a mom-and-pop shop that doubles as a small restaurant. It has a full menu with casual items, like hot dogs and hamburgers, available for take-out or dine-in on the back porch. Big-box options in North Vernon, such as Walmart and Jay C Food Store, are within 5 miles. Popular eateries downtown include Nash’s Restaurant for contemporary comfort food and Miller’s Tavern for beer and pub fare.
Getting around Jennings County by car
Country Squire Lakes is along state Route 7, which connects to Interstate 65 about 20 miles away. I-65 is the main thoroughfare into Indianapolis and Louisville, both around 65 miles away in opposite directions. Cincinnati is 80 miles east via state Route 3 and Interstate 74. These three cities have the nearest airports for commercial flights. Residents only have to travel 4 miles to downtown North Vernon for health care at the Ascension St. Vincent Jennings hospital.
