Relocating in or out of Lexington? Which subdivision is better for families moving in, and which offers stronger resale for relocators moving out: McConnell’s Trace or Masterson Station?
McConnell’s Trace appeals to families who prioritize curated community amenities and trail connectivity, while Masterson Station offers more inventory, affordability, and expansive green space, making both strong relocation picks depending on your priorities.
Why This Comparison Matters for Lexington KY Relocators Right Now
If you are relocating to or from Lexington, the northwest corridor of the 40511 ZIP code is likely already on your radar. Both McConnell’s Trace and Masterson Station sit in this pocket, and I watch relocating families wrestle with this exact decision regularly. The Lexington-Fayette MSA posted a median existing single-family home price of $284,700 in Q1 2026, up 3.0% year over year, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. That price point sits well below the national median of $434,900 reported in Q2 2026, which is precisely why families from higher-cost metros keep arriving here.
But “northwest Lexington” is not one neighborhood. It is a collection of communities with distinct personalities. Picking the wrong one can mean a longer commute, schools that do not match your family’s needs, or a home that does not hold its value when your next job transfer comes through. In my experience working as a Lexington KY Realtor specializing in relocations, the most common mistake I see is treating these two subdivisions as interchangeable. They are not. Let me walk you through the differences that actually matter.
McConnell’s Trace in Lexington KY: The Family Amenity Package
Community Layout and Lifestyle
McConnell’s Trace is a smaller, more curated single-family community. What makes it stand out is the acres of permanent green space connected to Town Branch Trail, giving you walking and biking access that extends well beyond your neighborhood boundaries. If you are the type of family that values a trail-connected lifestyle, this is a significant draw.
The neighborhood also features a clubhouse with a pool and fitness center, though it is worth noting that access comes with an additional membership fee on top of your regular housing costs. Community events foster a close-knit atmosphere that many relocating families appreciate when they are trying to build connections in a new city.
Schools Serving McConnell’s Trace
Your children would be zoned for Meadowthorpe Elementary, Leestown Middle School, and Dunbar High School through Fayette County Public Schools. This is a detail I always encourage relocators to verify independently with the district, since boundary adjustments can happen. But for now, these are the assigned schools based on current zoning.
Why Relocators Moving In Choose McConnell’s Trace
What I tell my clients is that McConnell’s Trace rewards families who value walkability and a boutique community feel. The proximity to downtown Lexington and the Distillery District means you are never far from dining, entertainment, and nightlife. If you or your partner work downtown or at the University of Kentucky, the trail connectivity even opens up non-motorized commute options.
Relocators weigh community amenities in McConnell’s Trace against affordability and green space in Masterson Station, and I see the amenity-focused families consistently gravitate toward McConnell’s Trace. It is a neighborhood where the infrastructure, from trails to the clubhouse, is designed to bring people together.
Masterson Station in Lexington KY: Scale, Affordability, and Green Space
The Size and Scope of Masterson Station
Masterson Station is one of Kentucky’s largest subdivisions, with approximately 2,300 homes. It is bounded by Masterson Station Park to the west, Leestown Road to the south, Greendale Road to the east, and Spurr Road to the north. Citation Boulevard and Masterson Station Drive serve as the main internal roads, and the neighborhood has its own community infrastructure.
For relocators who want choices, that scale matters. You are more likely to find a home that fits your exact budget, square footage needs, and lot preferences because the inventory pool is simply larger.
Schools Serving Masterson Station
Sandersville Elementary is located within the neighborhood itself, which is a convenience many families underestimate until they experience the morning school drop-off routine. From there, students feed into Leestown Middle School and Bryan Station High School.
Here is an important detail: Fayette County Public Schools has already purchased 14 acres within Masterson Station for a planned new elementary and middle school. That kind of infrastructure investment signals long-term confidence in the neighborhood’s growth. Additionally, the STEAM Academy at 1555 Georgetown Road is a nearby lottery-based magnet high school option for families seeking specialized programming.
Why Relocators Moving In Choose Masterson Station
The 650-acre Masterson Station Park is the anchor amenity here, and it is permanently protected open space per its original land-transfer condition. Per the original land-transfer condition, it is permanently protected open space — a durable feature for current and future homeowners, though an attorney can confirm the scope of that protection. If green space and outdoor recreation rank high on your family’s priority list, this is a durable feature that will not change.
In this market I consistently see relocators from larger metros surprised by just how much space Masterson Station delivers at Lexington’s price point. With the MSA median at $284,700 as of Q1 2026 (per NAR data), the combination of a large lot, park access, and subdivision amenities represents strong value compared to what that same dollar buys in many other parts of the country.
Resale Strength in Lexington KY: McConnell’s Trace vs. Masterson Station
So what happens when your employer moves you again, or your family’s needs change? This is where I encourage you to think like both a buyer and a future seller.
McConnell’s Trace Resale Factors
McConnell’s Trace benefits from a smaller, more curated footprint. Fewer homes means less competition among sellers at any given time. The Town Branch Trail connectivity, permanent green space and clubhouse infrastructure add differentiated value that tends to support pricing power. Proximity to downtown Lexington and the Distillery District adds further appeal for future buyers.
With over 230 transactions closed in my career and a focus on the Lexington KY real estate market for over 7 years, what I notice is that neighborhoods with distinctive amenity packages tend to hold their value more consistently during softer stretches of the market. McConnell’s Trace has those characteristics.
Masterson Station Resale Factors
Masterson Station’s resale story is different but equally compelling. The sheer volume of approximately 2,300 homes creates a deep, liquid resale pool. What that means for you as a seller is that appraisers and buyers will have plenty of comparable sales data to work with, which tends to support accurate pricing and smoother transactions.
Which Subdivision Has the Edge for Relocators Moving Out?
If you are selling in McConnell’s Trace, you are marketing a lifestyle product: trail access, clubhouse, proximity to downtown.
If you are selling in Masterson Station, you benefit from broader buyer appeal and consistent demand from a broad buyer pool. The mistake I watch sellers make here is underpricing to compete with the volume. With proper positioning, the park and school investments justify strong pricing.
Neither subdivision has a clear-cut resale advantage over the other. Your edge as a seller comes from understanding which buyer your home attracts and pricing accordingly.
Commuting From McConnell’s Trace and Masterson Station in Lexington KY
McConnell’s Trace Commute Options
McConnell’s Trace sits near New Circle Road and Leestown Road, giving you access to Lexington’s ring-road network. Downtown Lexington and the University of Kentucky campus are a short drive away, and Town Branch Trail offers a non-motorized commute alternative for those working in the urban core.
Masterson Station Commute Options
Masterson Station offers quick access to both I-75 and New Circle Road. If you are commuting to the Toyota plant in Georgetown, you are looking at approximately 20 to 25 minutes via I-64 to I-75. Bluegrass Airport is roughly 20 minutes away, and downtown Lexington is approximately 10 to 15 minutes, about 5 miles.
Lextran bus Route 13 serves Masterson Station and connects to the University of Kentucky campus and downtown, providing a transit option for car-light households. Leestown Road can back up during rush hour, but I-64 Exit 65 provides an alternative route that helps you avoid the congestion.
The Commute Verdict
If your job is downtown or at UK, both subdivisions work well, though McConnell’s Trace’s trail connectivity gives it a slight edge for active commuters. If you are commuting north toward Georgetown or frequently flying out of Bluegrass Airport, Masterson Station’s highway access makes the difference. One detail that matters more than people expect: Masterson Station’s Lextran Route 13 service gives households a backup commute option worth factoring into your decision.
How Lexington KY’s Affordability Advantage Benefits Relocators in Both Subdivisions
Here is the bigger picture. The Lexington-Fayette MSA’s median existing single-family home price of $284,700 as of Q1 2026 (per NAR data) sits roughly $150,000 below the national median of $434,900 reported for Q2 2026. Nationally, 80% of metro areas recorded year-over-year price increases in Q2 2026 according to NAR, and Lexington’s 3.0% year-over-year gain in Q1 2026 reflects the market’s own momentum.
Whether you choose McConnell’s Trace or Masterson Station, you are buying into a market where your dollar stretches further than in most comparable metros. As someone rated 5 out of 5 stars across 128 client reviews, I can tell you that this affordability story is the single most common reason relocators choose Lexington in the first place.
The difference between the two subdivisions is not whether you will build equity. In this market, the data suggests both areas are positioned well. The question is which neighborhood fits your family’s day-to-day life.
Frequently Asked Questions About McConnell’s Trace and Masterson Station in Lexington KY
Are McConnell’s Trace and Masterson Station in the same ZIP code?
Yes, both subdivisions sit in the 40511 ZIP code on Lexington’s northwest side. They share the same general geographic corridor, which means they are served by overlapping infrastructure and have similar proximity to major roads like New Circle Road and Leestown Road.
What schools serve McConnell’s Trace?
Based on current Fayette County Public Schools zoning, McConnell’s Trace is zoned for Meadowthorpe Elementary, Leestown Middle School, and Dunbar High School. I always recommend confirming current boundaries directly with the district before making a final decision.
What schools serve Masterson Station in Lexington KY?
Masterson Station is zoned for Sandersville Elementary, which is located within the subdivision itself, along with Leestown Middle School and Bryan Station High School. Fayette County Public Schools has purchased 14 acres within the neighborhood for a planned new elementary and middle school.
Is there public transit available in Masterson Station?
Yes. Lextran bus Route 13 serves Masterson Station and connects to the University of Kentucky campus and downtown Lexington. This provides a commute alternative for residents who want to reduce car dependency.
Does McConnell’s Trace have a pool and fitness center?
McConnell’s Trace features a neighborhood clubhouse with a pool and fitness center. Access is available for an additional membership fee, so you will want to factor that cost into your monthly budget.
How far is Masterson Station from downtown Lexington?
Downtown Lexington is approximately 10 to 15 minutes from Masterson Station, roughly 5 miles. During rush hour, Leestown Road can experience congestion, but I-64 Exit 65 offers an alternative route.
Can you bike or walk to work from McConnell’s Trace?
McConnell’s Trace is connected to Town Branch Trail, which extends toward downtown Lexington. For residents working in the urban core, this creates a viable non-motorized commute option depending on distance and weather.
Is Masterson Station Park at risk of future development?
No. Masterson Station Park’s 650 acres are permanently protected open space per the original land-transfer condition, which is a durable amenity for current and future homeowners.
Which subdivision is better for commuting to the Toyota plant in Georgetown?
Masterson Station has the advantage here. Its access to I-64 and I-75 puts the Toyota plant in Georgetown approximately 20 to 25 minutes away, making it one of the better-connected subdivisions in northwest Lexington for that commute.
How do I decide between McConnell’s Trace and Masterson Station?
It comes down to your priorities. If you value a boutique community with trail connectivity and curated amenities, McConnell’s Trace is likely the better fit. If affordability, scale, and access to a 650-acre park matter more, Masterson Station deserves a serious look. In my experience, the best way to decide is to visit both in person.
The Bottom Line on Choosing Between McConnell’s Trace and Masterson Station in Lexington KY
Both McConnell’s Trace and Masterson Station are relocation favorites for good reason, and as I see it, each rewards a slightly different family profile. McConnell’s Trace delivers a curated, amenity-rich experience with trail connectivity and proximity to downtown Lexington. Masterson Station offers scale, affordability, permanently protected green space, and strong commuter access.
With over 7 years specializing in homes for sale in Lexington KY and more than 230 closed transactions, I have helped relocating families navigate this exact decision. The right choice depends on your commute, your children’s school needs, and how you want to spend your weekends. If you are ready to explore both neighborhoods in person, call me at 859-361-2709 or visit my office at Tru Life Real Estate, 1406 N Forbes Road, Lexington, KY 40511. I am Carlos, and I would love to help you find the right fit.
