Executive Relo to Grand Rapids (Holland, Forest Hills: for sale, real estate, condos)

[sjletts]

I recently accepted a job in Grand Rapids and plan to make a trip to the area next week. My wife and I would like to look at several different housing options. Perhaps someone can provide feedback on the areas (cities, towns or neighborhoods) we should focus our attention.

1. High-end neighborhoods, gated communities, treed lots, acreage if possible, etc.

2. More rural, small town feel, acreage, nice older homes

3. Lake or waterfront property, higher end homes, new or older construction

4. Farm (horse perhaps) property, nice house, possible commute, large acreage, maybe stream or lake, etc.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and would make our trip that much more productive.

Thanks.

[HighlandsGal]

Caledonia or Ada Township or Lowell

[magellan]

Originally Posted by HighlandsGal

Caledonia or Ada Township or Lowell

I could be mistaken, but I think there is only one gated community in Caledonia.

I'd look at the following areas:

Gated:
) Grand Rapids Township, Ada Township and Cascade Township, anywhere from East Beltline and Knapp East to McCabe, South through Ada and Cascade Twp down to 28th. There are a slew of gated rural/suburban neighborhoods in that area: Catamount, Darby Farms, Treebrook, Highlands, Terra Sienna, Montreaux, The Ridge, The Preserve, Mountain Ridge, Highgrove, Skyevale, Manchester Hills (Cascade), Tall Pines, Tammarron North, just to name a few. Most are built out but you might find some resales now. Forest Hills Schools. Zip codes 49301 and 49525, priced anywhere from $500K and up. Downtown Ada will give you that small town, upscale feel. A lot of horse ranches scattered throughout the countryside, with a few riding clubs.

ada, michigan - Google Maps

Waterfront:
) Thornapple River frontage in Cascade Township. This could be along Thornapple River Drive, Thornhills Drive or Cascade Road. Hard to come by. You'll need the help of a good buyer's agent.
) Reeds Lake or Fiske Lake in East Grand Rapids. Again, hard to come by. EGR has a nice small town feel and great mix of housing prices and great schools. Plymouth Avenue, Robinson Road and San Lu Rae areas are the most prestigious, with many historic mansions. Think John Hughes movie sets (Home Alone, Sixteen Candles, Planes Trains Automobiles, etc.)
) Silver Lake, Myers Lake, Bostwick Lake in Rockford
) Lake Macatawa or Lake Michigan frontage in Holland; Lake Michigan or Spring Lake frontage in Grand Haven/Fruitport/Spring Lake. Amazingly beautiful areas, with a heavily boat-centered lifestyle, but busy in the Summer. Longer commute to GR.

Small "Hobby" Farm
) Ada, Lowell, Caledonia, Rockford.

Hopefully this gives you just some ideas. If you're not working with a relo company through your new employer, I strongly suggest hiring one to help narrow down what you are looking for. The options are pretty good, but there are some lemons out there.

Welcome to GR sjletts and I hope the move goes well!

[sjletts]

Thanks so much for the input. We'll be sure to focus on these areas. We'll also be certain to secure a good broker. Thanks again.

Any other input is appreciated.

[Softballfan]

I see that you are finding a realtor, that would have been my advice.

[bugbox]

Grand Haven,Spring Lake-Nice waterfront homes and condos not far from GR

[sjletts]

Again, thanks to all for the responses.

[mich2fla]

magellen gave an accurate desciption of the Ada/Cascade area. I live in Ada and my kids attend Forest Hills schools.

There are about 4 homes for sale on Cascade Rd with Thornapple River frontage. I live near by it.

Good luck on your move to GR!

[suydam]

I live in East Grand Rapids. You won't get acreage here, and there are no gated communities...but the entire "Gated Community" thing is less popular in Michigan than other areas I've traveled (north east, south east USA primarily).

There's a 10k sq. ft. mansion going up for auction on Reeds Lake in a few weeks.

In times of real estate strength, it'd be worth $2M-$3M. It's listed at $7.7M which is an utter joke. I have no idea what it'll sell for, but if you're carrying around a wad of money looking for a high-end residence, your neighbors would be living in homes worth just as much as you. Take a drive down Bonnell Ave when you visit. Those are the most expensive homes in EGR.

Here's some more info: Masterbid, Inc. - Real Estate Auction - 2905 Bonnell Street, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (http://masterbidinc.com/auctions/2905_Bonnell/ - broken link)

If they took off a couple zeros, I'd be in the market.

[mgordon1450]

hahaha, did you see the news last night that home is going up for aution Saturday!