[MichiganMovesSouth]

Hey Everyone,
My husband and I are moving to either Mason or Holt soon. We have looked at about 25 houses total in both areas that range from 160k - 250k so we've seen a wide variety. We were thinking of buying a larger, more expensive home to stay in for 10 or so years to ride out this crazy market. BUT, now we are scared to make such a large investment in this market so we are thinking smaller, more affordable homes that need some TLC may be the way to go.

Anyway, the point is we need to be close to the highway for hubbys work (in Jackson) and a lot of homes in Holt are far from the highway. Therefore Mason has provided us more of a selection.

I'm wondering about both areas - to those of you who live in or around these areas -is there a general preference to either area? What is the "stereotype" for these places?

Thanks in advance!

[teachbeach]

Holt has more newer construction, and a brand new high school. There are parts of Holt that are close to 127~right near the college (Delhi Township area) off of Sandhill Road. Easy quick trip back to 96 as well.

[greyhoundgirl79]

My husband is from Mason and his parents just moved to Holt from Kalamazoo. They like Holt, although I think Holt is a little on the less fortunate side of things. There are some nice neighborhoods in Holt. But I think overall Mason is a good area. There aren't really any bad parts of Mason. Mason is a nice town. It doesn't have a whole lot by way of stores/restaurants. But the schools are good and it's close to Lansing. That being said Holt doesn't have a whole lots either.

[mich2fla]

I believe property taxes are much higher in Holt...check out the tax millage from both places then decide.

[greyhoundgirl79]

Might want to try looking into Leslie too. A decent area to live and a few minutes closer to Jackson than Holt and Mason. Seems like you can get more for your money in Leslie. Mason home prices were pretty high a couple years ago. Mason has lots of newer homes right now in developing subdivisions that are moderately priced. Friends of ours were trying to sell their home in town and buy a newer house, that was costing right around what they paid for their house a couple years ago. Bigger and newer. I personally would rather live in Mason than Holt or Leslie, because I like the small town feel, a sense of community. Plus you are close to a metro area, Lansing.

[walls]

both areas are nice, I lived in Holt many years ago, now it is basicly an extension of Lansing, its hard to tell when you have gotten to Holt from Lansing. Mason is a nice small town,not far from anything. Clean and well kept.