Martell offers rural living 15 miles from Lincoln
Martell is a speck on the map about 15 miles southwest of Lincoln , Nebraska. The unincorporated community is home to just 125 residents, who enjoy a rural lifestyle within easy driving distance of Nebraska’s capital city. “I don’t even think they have a gas station,” says Ben Bleicher, a sales associate with BHHS Ambassador Real Estate who has 11 years of local experience. “The benefit is having small-town living close enough to Lincoln that you still have amenities.” Families also have access to the Norris School District, a highly rated school system in nearby Firth.
Large land parcels bordered by fields and forests
Most properties in Martell come with sizable land parcels. It’s common for homes to be built on at least 3 acres, and some lots measure more than 20 acres, with plenty of open space and patches of trees. Many also include long gravel driveways, and some roads are unpaved. The housing blend is made up of small cottages dating to the 1920s, midcentury ranch-style homes and New Traditional houses built within the last 15 years. Home sales are infrequent, and properties are usually snapped up within 20 days of entering the market — less than half the national average of 52. Recently, a four-bedroom ranch-style home with an attached garage on 3 acres sold for $487,000. Residents contend with a high risk of severe winter weather, including ice storms. Tornado risk is also high in this area.
Above-average Niche ratings for Norris School District
Most kids attend schools in the well-regarded Norris School District, about 12 miles away in Firth. “Anyone who knows anything about that will know it’s a really good selling point,” Bleicher says. Norris Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through Grade 2 and receives a Niche grade of A-minus. Students move to the B-plus-rated Norris Intermediate School for grades 3 through 5. Norris Middle School is rated B, and the B-minus-rated Norris High School offers Advanced Placement classes and dual credit programs through partnerships with local universities.
Nearby lakes offer fishing and other water sports
Martell residents are within two miles of a couple of prime fishing spots. Bluestem Lake is the crown jewel of the Bluestem State Recreation Area, which spans nearly 750 acres. Boat ramps, campgrounds and wooded areas encircle the lake. The playground and sandy swimming beach appeal to the younger crowd, and the archery range gives sharpshooters a chance to hone their skills for fall, when hunting season opens. Nearby, Cotton Tail Lake offers anglers a more peaceful place to cast a line. CJ’s Paintball Park is about a mile away and popular for birthday parties and school outings.
City amenities, a major airport and health care are within 20 miles
No major highways pass through this rural area, but travelers can hop on U.S. Route 77, about 3 miles away, for the 15-mile drive to Lincoln and the 20-mile ride to Lincoln Airport. Health care services, including specialty clinics and a 24-hour emergency department, are available at Crete Area Medical Center, about 10 miles away.
Groceries and retail are a short drive away in Lincoln
Most people who live in Martell head to Lincoln when it’s time to stock the fridge. The closest grocery option is Aldi, about 10 miles away on Lincoln’s southwestern outskirts. Shoppers will also find chain department stores like Kohl’s and Marshalls in this area. Lincoln is also the closest option for restaurants and nightlife, but Traditions Pub in Sprague, about 2 miles away, is a good spot to watch a ball game over pitchers of beer. Closer to home, Robinette Farms, a subscription-based delivery service, sources food from local growers. Farmers and ranchers can pick up feed from Frontier Cooperative.
