[jeka396]

A few questions about buying a home in Kalamazoo--and I'm not from the area.

Thinking about viewing a home off of Miller Rd (on the Milwood side)....

1. Is Miller Rd. a very busy road?

2. I see that Miller Rd. borders the Edison and Milwood neighborhoods, and have heard that Edison is not a good neighborhood. Is the Miller Rd. border pretty bad (crime, poor upkeep, etc...?)

3. Would you or would you not buy a home in this area? Why/why not?

Thanks!

[Westbury]

1. It depends on what you are referencing as far as "busy". It does have steady traffic but it's not busy like a road you'd see around a bigger city. If your house is off Miller road that would be fine.
2 & 3.Milwood neighborhood and schools generally have a pretty good reputation. I wouldn't go house searching very far north of there as the quality of life/neighborhoods do decline as you go that direction. Miller road south normally has houses that are well maintained and you'll be able to tell when you do a driveby and actually see the neighborhood.
As you search the area, definitely avoid anything north of downtown.
I think you will enjoy living in Kzoo. I was there for 15 years and if it wasn't for a job transfer would still be there. A medium sized city (Portage & Kzoo blend together), it has a lot to offer. Portage doesn't really have any "bad" areas so that is something you might consider (however, if you have kids, you won't qualify for the free college program they have).

[leadsquirter]

I can answer your Miller Road question seeing that I grew up on that street. Miller is a two lane thru street running east and west (east of Portage St.). It is fairly busy at certain times of the day, has a 30mph speed limit so not too bad. The houses are fairly well kept on Miller and most were built during the late 1940's.

The Edison neighborhood isn't really all that bad. The worst is around Washington-Lake street which is 8 to 10 blocks north of Miller. The three to four blocks directly north of Miller are very nice well kept homes. Like mentioned in the previous post the Milwood neighborhood to the south all the way to the city limits near I-94 is very nice and walkable. I lived between Cameron and Harvard streets. Of course this was awhile ago, but I have a part time delivery job and I'm in the neighborhood every week. So now I can only answer what I see on the surface in the daytime and can't give you as good an answer as someone living there today 24/7. Hope it helps and I too think you will like the Kalamazoo area.

[Softballfan]

Miller Rd. during the day can be busy. There are a lot of work trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks that travel up and down Miller Rd. all day long. And you have the post office there too.

Milwood is a great place to live. I lived there for 3 years several years back. I love the location. Its close to downtown, Westnedge Ave. and I-94.

Its a area of retired folks, families, and starter homes. There are always tons of houses for sale in Milwood, so you'll have your pick.