Glenns Valley - Indianapolis, IN

This residential area boasts homes mostly built in the 1970s through more modern times. Ranches and two-story homes line the streets of this neighborhood and vary greatly in architectural detail. Before the area became residential, it was primarily a rural community between Indianapolis and Greenwood.

No museums or cultural events call Glenn's Valley home for the most part, but residents enjoy the region's many museums, cultural events and art scenes.

Glenns Valley residents only have to travel a short distance to find a wide array of restaurants. Just north of the center of the neighborhood, near the intersection of Southport and Bluff Road or 37, lies a cluster of choices, including American and Mexican.

Hotcakes Emporium Pancake House & Restaurant serves up traditional breakfast foods with a little flair. Gourmet flapjacks, waffles, skillets, crepes and croissant sandwiches line the menu at this favorite breakfast house. Big, fluffy pancakes come a variety of options; or, you can choose something a little less traditional, such as the buffalo chicken skillet special with a little bit of spice, eggs and enough food to satiate even the biggest appetite. Although breakfast made this place a favorite, you can also order lunch and dinner items off the extensive menu. Wraps, sandwiches, American fare and large dinner portions make it possible for every person in your group to get what they want.

Teddy's Burger Joint wins rave reviews for its menu options, particularly the bison burgers. Sub the bison burger for the beef and enjoy a healthier version of this favorite. Vegetarians have a few choices, as well, including the standard Boca burger substitution and a house-made black bean burger. Hoosiers love their tenderloins, and Teddy's offers both a hand-breaded and grilled version. Specialty sandwiches include the avocado portobello, a marinated portobello mushroom topped with green and red peppers, provolone, avocado and pesto. Kids eat free on Tuesdays, and Teddy's features a large play area as well. Teddy's also caters to the adult crowd with interesting food, local and craft beers and live entertainment from time to time. Go on a Sunday to enjoy $1 domestic drafts.

Pipers Restaurant serves old-fashioned favorites as well as a rotational menu. Known as one of Indy's best casual fine-dining restaurants, Pipers has an excellent ambiance and a diverse menu. The chef and kitchen staff make everything from scratch with fresh ingredients. Definitely try the tea cup bread, a delicious fried bread served with homemade sweet butter. Sandwiches include a variety of specialties; the Real Deal Black & Bleu features a half-pound Angus beef patty rolled in homemade blackening spice topped with sugar-cured bacon and crumbled Danish Bleu cheese on a Kaiser roll. Entrees include casino-style salmon — a sauteed Scottish salmon finished with garlic, sherry, scallions and mushrooms.

A handful of bars and pubs call the immediate area home, including local favorite Schneider's Pub. This American-style pub serves up a full bar and an extensive menu. Events include Trivia Night and Karaoke on the Rocks. Robby's Pub features $4 Jager bombs, $1 longneck specials and live music on various days through the week.

For the most part, residents in the area drive to and from their destinations as the neighborhood is primarily suburban. Glenn's Valley lies outside of the public transportation area, but numerous IndyGo bus stops dot US 31 just east of the neighborhood. State Road 37, a north-south highway that connects to Interstate 465 and runs to Bloomington, serves as a major thoroughfare for residents. Stop 11 Road, which runs east and west through the center of Glenn's Valley, connects to SR 37, SR 135 and US 31. Residents have easy access to I-465 and I-65, allowing them to travel throughout the central Indianapolis region and to other major destinations.

The residential neighborhoods feature ample sidewalks for walking. Cyclists enjoy the bike-friendly Stop 11 and Bluff roads. Hailing a cab means calling a cab company and setting an appointment; several taxi companies, including Uber, serve the area via appointment.

Residents have ample choice of parks in the area, including the neighborhood's own Glenn's Valley Nature Park off Bluff Rd. This 30-acre property features hiking trails, wildlife viewing and sledding hills amid tall grass prairies and a hardwood forest; the sledding hills delight kids of all ages during Indiana's snowy winters. This nature park also rates highly with birders and is a part of the Indy Birding Trail.

Sports enthusiasts enjoy Perry Park, which sits just east of Glenn's Valley. Perry Park, which was established in 1961, boasts Indy Parks' only ice rink. The property boasts an NHL-sized rink with four locker rooms. Although Perry Park's claim to fame may be the ice rink, this large Indy Parks property also features two shelters, sports courts, a playground and an aquatic center for active kids and adults. These properties have free admission, although using certain facilities or going to special events may come with a fee.

Leashed pets enjoy the parks with their owners. Smock dog park, located east of the neighborhood, has a large fenced-in area for dogs. This Indy Parks-managed property sells memberships to owners of vaccinated pooches; dog park passes remain good for all of Indy Parks' bark parks.

The cost of living for Glenn's Valley stays on par with that of Indianapolis for the most part. The average rental rate comes in at approximately $740 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

Residents enjoy inexpensive nights out — you can grab a beer for $1 on certain nights. Pints of craft beer range from $3 to $8, depending on your choice of brew and location. Gas prices for the neighborhood fall below Indiana's average and up to 29 percent below the national average.

Several shopping centers and lie around Glenn's Valley. Central shopping locations include the intersections of Southport and Bluff, Southport and 37, and Stop 11 and SR 135.

Glenn's Valley Feed & Seed has served the south side of Indy since around the late 70s and early 80s. This neighborhood shop lines its shelves and sales floor with premium pet foods, lawn and garden supplies, wild bird supplies, mulch, straw, seed, fertilizers and livestock feed. This neighborhood-friendly store has earned a remarkable reputation based on the knowledge and friendliness of the staff.

Gray Goats Sports, a local bicycle and fitness shop, boasts an extensive selection of bikes, parts and accessories for cyclists. In addition, visitors can find clothing, helmets and shoes for cycling and other fitness-related activities.

Numerous high-end and specialty shops call this area home, including jewelry stores and antique malls. Although most of the groceries in the area are large, national and regional chains, residents have ample farmers markets to choose from. Waterman's Farm Market, located just south of the neighborhood on SR 37, has been around since the late 70s. Bruce and Carol Waterman, the owners of this favored market, give local residents the opportunity to enjoy fresh produce throughout the season as well as a handful of festivals and events on the property.