Cicero

The small-town community of Cicero surrounds the northern portion of Morse Reservoir, a hot spot for water sports enthusiasts and those who just appreciate the lake's beauty. "It's an all-sports lake," says Andy Sheets, real estate agent with Compass, who has lived by the lake for 18 years in nearby Noblesville. "There's no speed limit. You've got people out there water skiing, jet skiing, standup paddleboarding. You name it. There are also fishing tournaments just about every week."

Homes are lined up and down both sides of the lake. They come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from $1 to $2 million. Each home comes with a private dock where residents keep their boats. Some are located in narrow sections of the lake close to other neighbors, while others have grand views of the open water. Further inland, Cicero features an array of single-family homes in what feels like a more suburban setting bordered by sprawling farmland. Some areas feature leafy residential streets where no two houses are the same. A small ranch-style home can range from $250,000 to $350,000, while larger estates sell for more than $1 million and others sell for anywhere in between. Other sections are more unified with tract Craftsman-style homes selling for around $500,000 to $600,000.

Locals don't have to live on the water to take advantage of all the fun it provides. Cicero Red Bridge Park comes with a launch for neighbors to hit the water on their boats, kayaks and canoes. There's a marina for those who choose to keep their boats docked on the water and a pier that's frequently used by fellow anglers to catch bass and other freshwater fish. Every year, the town comes together for Lights Over Morse Lake, an annual Fourth of July festival beloved by the community. "Lights Over Morse Lake is a big deal in Cicero," says Sheets. "It's more than just fireworks over the lake. They have a long weekend full of events like car shows, beauty pageants and parades. They really go all out." Folks have fun off the water as well, especially at Cicero Community Park, which offers peaceful tree-lined walkways, a playground and basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts. Meanwhile, golfers can hit the Scottish-style links at Bear Slide Golf Club, which accentuates the natural beauty of Cicero.

Students attend Hamilton Heights Elementary and Middle Schools, both of which are rated a B-minus from Niche. They're located right next to each other, about a mile north of Cicero in Arcadia. B-rated Hamilton Heights High School is just up the street, offering School to College and School to Work Programs to guide students on their journeys after graduation.

Cicero's quaint town center is located on the east side of Jackson Street, which connects locals to both sides of the lake. "There are a lot of great restaurants down the strip," says Sheets, "Many of which weren't there a few years ago." Boathouse Kitchen & Swan Dive is a local favorite, where people can drive to or dock their boats to enjoy fish and chips on the beautiful string-lit porch by the water. Dozens of other restaurants offer a variety of food choices, such as steak and beer at 10 West, brisket and other comfort dishes at Big Dog's Smokehouse BBQ and pizza at Bronko's, which has served the community since 1964. Shoppers can hit up small retailers like Sullivan Hardware for tools and Betsey's Boutique Shop for new clothes and jewelry. There's also the Cicero Market, providing the community with all of its groceries. For more shopping needs, locals will head to the big box stores in Noblesville, 7 miles south.

And with Indianapolis about 30 miles south, Cicero is a suitable option for city commuters seeking a small-town community with a fun lake lifestyle.

Written By

Nicolas Stuart

Photography Contributed By

Saeid Zare

Video By

Jonathan Bradley