McCordsville

From giant mansions on the water to housing developments by farmland, Brooks-Luxhaven is a diverse community that draws in those seeking both luxurious and modest lifestyles. Whether folks live on or off the Geist Reservoir, the water is free to explore to all who call the neighborhood home. Weekly fishing tournaments, holiday events and casual outings are all part of the experience of living in this neighborhood 25 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Brooks-Luxhaven is home to some of the most prestigious mansions in Indiana, located along the banks of the Geist Reservoir. “A lot of professional athletes move there,” says Evan Wilbrandt, real estate agent with Wilmoth Group, who grew up in the neighborhood. “There are some absolutely wild custom houses in the millions on the lake." Most lakeside mansions were built after 2014, offering 5,000 to 10,000 square feet of living space with luxury pool decks and private docks to keep boats and jet skis. They can range anywhere from $1.5 to $3.5 million. Further inland are mostly housing developments that back up to farmland. Each development features its own variation of 2,000 to 7,000-square-foot Craftsman-style houses, ranging from $375,000 to more than $1 million. Those who don’t live on the reservoir can still enjoy all the fun the lake has to offer. Locals launch their boats, kayaks and canoes from Geist Park to explore the water. “The reservoir is a lot of fun,” says Wilbrandt. “I go out there all summer, and there are always people out on their boats fishing and riding along.” Geist Park also has nature trails that go through the woods by the water and a playground for kids. Locals also like to get fresh air at Flat Fort Creek Park, which, despite it’s name, is known for its steep manmade sledding hill. The 60-acre park features trails and boardwalks through the woods that lead to kid-friendly treehouses and mountain bike trails. Students attend highly-rated schools like Geist Elementary, which gets an A grade from Niche. They’ll go on to Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate School and Hamilton Southeastern High School, both of which also receive an A grade and are ranked the 15th-best schools in their respective levels. The high school offers dual credit courses through Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University. Locals can get their groceries and other household needs at Kroger in the shopping center on the north side of the reservoir. The area features a mix of national chain and local restaurants to dine at. Ale Emporium is one of the most popular Indianapolis chains where locals come to watch sports and eat wings with the pub’s famous “Herman” sauces. The neighborhood also has some restaurants away from the shopping centers and in the more rural farm areas, such as School House 7 Café. Situated in an old school house built in 1900, the café offers a rustic-chic atmosphere where locals can grab a cup of coffee and drink by the fireplace or on the outdoor deck and patio. One of the biggest events of the year is the Geist Reservoir Fireworks Show. Some people camp out at nearby homes, while others take their boats out on the water to watch the highly-anticipated fireworks show. Geist Marina also hosts weekly fishing tournaments on the reservoir, like Tuesday Nite Bass and Senior competitions. With Route 36 running through the south side of town, residents can drive about 25 miles southwest to downtown Indianapolis.

A modest neighborhood in McCordsville, Indiana, Pleasant Acres has the perfect blend of aspects that afford its residents a quality life. “Pleasant Acres offers safety, a great school system, easy access to the city as well as to parks and recreation, and in general, it’s a beautiful area,” says Ann Williams, a Realtor with Compass Indiana. This ideal amalgam puts the subdivision and its surrounding neighborhoods on the map: “As a growing small town, McCordsville is thriving as a desired location in the Indianapolis suburban market become of those things.” Pleasant Acres is mainly comprised of entry-level ranchers built in the 70s and 80s situated on lots close to a half-acre, but the neighborhood’s growth is seen in the new builds sprouting up on its outskirts. “There’s a lot of new construction that is going up in that area with some of the best builders in town,” Williams says, “and there's also still affordable existing housing for the first-time home buyer, which is hard to find with the combination of safety, fantastic school, a great quality of life and great location.” Prices range from $250,000 for older established ranch-style homes to $500,000 for Traditional American new builds with arts and crafts details. Here, the median real estate value is $346,545, and homebuyers can expect to pay $159 per square foot. Students in Pleasant Acres attend schools within the Mt Vernon Community School District, which has an A- overall rating from Niche and is a large part of why families seek out the neighborhood. Kindergartners through fifth graders can attend McCordsville Elementary School or Mt Comfort Elementary School, which feed into Mt Vernon Middle School for sixth through eighth grade. Mt Vernon High School was named one of the Best High Schools for 2023 by US News & World Report, earning its place as 47th within Indiana and 16th within the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Boasting a 98% graduation rate, the high school offers 12 rigorous Advanced Placement courses, and students can participate in the flourishing athletics program. As one of the area’s main recreational and boating areas, Geist Reservoir is a popular destination for folks looking to reconnect with nature. Situated outside of McCordsville, the lake spans 1,900 acres and expands through three counties in Indiana, providing a beautiful backdrop to sailing, kayaking, fishing, events and more. “McCordsville’s park system is growing as the town grows,” Williams says. “They are continuing to expand to provide more space.” The town’s five-year plan includes developing bike- and pedestrian-friendly pathways and improving existing trails. “We’re on year two of the plan,” Williams says. “They are working on the walkability portion of all the trails, which is just starting to come together and is greatly beneficial for the developing suburb.” According to Williams, the neighborhood’s location is a crucial point for residents of Pleasant Acres. Folks have easy access to the bustle of Indianapolis, and the city’s surrounding areas are just as convenient. As far as dining and retail, choices are not limited. “There are several different options in terms of groceries, dining and shopping within 10 minutes of wherever you are in the neighborhood,” Williams says. Local favorites include Hot Cakes for breakfast, finger-licking brisket at Trax BBQ, and the slew of local breweries, such as Scarlet Lane Brewing Company. Although Pleasant Acres is a small neighborhood, it is an aptly named spot on the map. “People are down to earth, they're kind, they're polite, and they're helpful,” Williams says. “It is a true Indiana growing suburb that started as a farm community, and they still keep that identity.”