[hooligan]

Well, after having left MI in Feb 2007, the wife and I have all but decided to move back.


We've only spent about a week per year back in the mitten since we left. We were just home over Thanksgiving, though, and we MIGHT come back up for Christmas this year.


We are looking at the above cities currently - budget of sub-$300K if a fixer, maybe mid-$300s if pretty well updated (depending on taxes, some of the EL addresses are insane! $8K+ for a $350K house????). We're definitely after something mid-century modern, 1750-2250 sq/ft, 3/2 or 4/2 with a basement and a two car garage.


We're aware of Whitehills, Hiawatha, Indian Hills, Walnut Hills, plus a couple of neighborhoods over on the west side in Delta Township and the neighborhoods on either side of the Lansing Country Club.


Any areas of relatively high concentration of mid-mod homes we're missing?

[teachbeach]

Check out Haslett~few and far between (for mid-century mod) but they can be had. Your price range is fine. Haslett and Okemos fall under Meridian Township tax structure, so slightly less than East Lansing and school systems are very good. You may even find something in Williamston, Holt or Mason, but you'll be further away from the "suburbia" of East Lansing/Okemos/Lansing. A good realtor will be able to guide/steer you to your architectural desire. PM me if you'd like the name of someone to start sending you homes in the area.

Sticker shock will come with your auto insurance premiums~

[jakebarnes]

There's some nice midcentury homes in the Glencairn neighborhood in East Lansing, sprinkled amongst the older homes.

[hooligan]

Originally Posted by jakebarnes

There's some nice midcentury homes in the Glencairn neighborhood in East Lansing, sprinkled amongst the older homes.

Appreciate the tip! Seattle is a long way from mid-Michigan, Jake. Transplant?

[jakebarnes]

Originally Posted by hooligan

Appreciate the tip! Seattle is a long way from mid-Michigan, Jake. Transplant?

Grew up in mid-Michigan and still have family there. Lived in the Glencairn neighborhood for a bit post-college.

[hooligan]

Originally Posted by jakebarnes

Grew up in mid-Michigan and still have family there. Lived in the Glencairn neighborhood for a bit post-college.

[hooligan]

Well, we are scheduled to close on the sale of our home in Charlotte (NC) on the 18th of Jan - so the hunt is officially on!

We will keep this thread updated with our progress, in case anyone is interested. We've found neat little pockets all over the area, now just waiting for something really cool to hit the market.

Thanks to Jake for the Glencairn suggestion - what a cool neighborhood! Gay St. in Groesbeck has a TON of little MCM homes, but when I say little, I mean little - like 1000-1300 sq ft. Might be a tad too small even for our downsizing intent.

[Madame Noire]

Thanks for this post. I am in relatively the same position, except i have never lived in Michigan. Only there for work visits and now considering relocating. I appreciate any updates.

[hooligan]

Originally Posted by Madame Noire

Thanks for this post. I am in relatively the same position, except i have never lived in Michigan. Only there for work visits and now considering relocating. I appreciate any updates.

Well, we're in a much different situation - having spent my whole life in the Lansing area up until 2007. Also, we don't have kids, so school districts aren't a concern for us.

The guy in your other thread that suggested Okemos is probably right - that's the direction we're leaning, too, but for different reasons than schools (EL taxes are significantly higher).

Don't expect Okemos (or any Lansing 'burb) to be Naperville and you'll be fine. The Lansing metro is fantastically smaller than the Chicago metro, obviously. You're not going to have all of the things you had - and the thing you do still have, you won't have in the same quantity.

Say "hey" once you get settled. There's a lot to like about mid-Michigan, honestly.

[hooligan]

The market has been pretty slim pickings thus far. There is one that just got listed that is a possible - but in a less than ideal neighborhood. The house will have to be perfect.