Considering moving just outside of Traverse City? (Ann Arbor, Northport: job, hospital)

[dooface]

My husband and I love Traverse City and are considering moving to the area from Ann Arbor. We don't want to live right in TC and would like some opinions about outlying areas. We are considering Suttons Bay as well as Northport. What to you think of these areas? To far out to really get the benefits of living near Traverse City? Is there any night life, restaurants, galleries in Northport or SB? What about the schools? I know the job situation is bad in Michigan but otherwise what do you think of those areas?

[Jswee]

The Suttons Bay area is nice, lot's of galleries in downtown Sutton's bay and you are not too far from TC. Northport is primarily a summer community and is struggling with the closure of the hospital. I would not recommend going that far out the Leelanau Peninsula. The area between Suttons Bay and TC, is primarily agricultural and has some beautiful vistas on some of the ridges. Housing in Leelanau County is pretty expensive, comparable with the area right around Traverse City. Depending on your price range, the Old mission Peninsula is a beautiful area. Suttons bay has a good school system, although like with any smaller school system it does not have some of the opportunities that the TC public school system does. There is a Catholic school in Lake Leelanau, just a short distance from SB and also there is a Montessori school in Suttons Bay. Nice Jazz festival during the summer and a few good restaurants, although nothing to write home about. Personally, while SB is nice, I prefer the west side of Traverse City, out towards Long Lake or just a little north up in Southern Leelanau Co/Elmwood Township. Nice areas that are within a ten-fifteen minute drive of the downtown and all of the primary shopping areas. Feel free to direct message me if you want detailed information about specific areas.

[mackinac81]

Well, Northport's a drive, (45 minutes from TC) but they are offering the "Northport Promise" Basically it's a scholarship promise for all Northport graduates. I can't tell you about the quality of the schools, but last year they graduated 12 students (100% graduation rate!) Yeah, it's a tiny place.

[Northman]

One of my co-workers lives in Lake Ann, just southwest of town, and he loves it. Very rural, though.....