Western Michigan real estate

[smoothmove]

My wife and I are just begining to look for a vacation home. We have considered a lot of things that we value in a second home and are seriously looking in the western Michigan area. We want an inland lake front with Lake Michigan access. Specifically, we are looking at Grand Haven (Spring Lake), Holland (Lake Macatawa), and Whiehall (White Lake) I lean toward the Holland area for some ease of transportation and cultural reasons, but it is early in the search. I know we have some Michiganders here on the forum. Any observations on the various lake qualities or thoughts from a boater's perspective? We aren't new to the second home scene, but this may ultimately end up being our retirement home so we want to hear from some of the natives.

Any and all thoughts would be appreciated.

Eric

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Our cottage is on Lake Huron,(the sunrise side). We are 12 miles north of Port Sanillac. The cottages in this area are great and ours is only 100 miles from our home near Detroit. If you live in the Detroit area, Lake Huron cottages are far more useful because the drive is much shorter. We run up to ours sometimes when we only have 24 hours available. If you get one too far from your home you will find that you don't use it much after the first year or so.

 

[spartonboat1]

Maybe the high priced spread (lakefront homes over here in W. MI) are depressed in prices, as they are way Up North. But in GR region realtors claim home prices are up 25%; of course that is area dependent. In my area around here some houses are selling in days, i.e. less than a week.

So it will be interesting in the prices you encounter, as I think some Chicago trade helps stabilize the waterfront prices.

I am partial to the Grand Haven area, so I think that puts Spring Lake into play. One of the several rough areas over here, but somebody has to live there (lol). I think it is one of the great regions in the country, if not the world!

 

[Man Hatt'n']

Man oh mister, I am a believer! I live half-way between Holland and Saugatuck and love it! Lots of (relatively) open space, beautiful nature, some job opportunities, great short season boating, decent work ethic, some good family values, even some culture! I would be pleased to help you research or give a nickel tour if you would like. Best Regards, Howard in beautiful west Michigan

PS I have also spent a lot of time in the Boyne City/Charlevoix area, which may deserve a serious look. I can help you there also.

 

[TopHattandTails]

As a tourist in Western MI for the past 17 years and via boat only - x2 on that as a great area! Check out Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor (might find some interesting deals here - but ask about the water quality due to the old cement factory seeping), Charlevoix. Other areas further south on the Lake MI side worth a looksie might be Pentwater areas. Happy hunting!

 

[StratPlan61]

Eric, you'd do well to look at the Charlevoix area, Petosky/Harbor Springs areas and the Cheboygan area. All are great boating areas. The river/lake system, 'inland waterway' in the Cheboygan area may easily satisfy your inland lake needs. Access there to Lake Huron is great and you'd be in the straits area with ample islands to visit, etc. Lots of great cruising in all of these towns/areas. I boated in the Grand Haven and Muskegon areas for over 20 years - and now really appreciate the pace, pristine water, smaller crowds and fun opportunities further up north.
The friendliest town, of the ones you mentioned, is the Whitehall/Montague area at White Lake, simply GREAT!! Having said that, I still like the Cheboygan area the best.

 

[guyerst]

I slip in Lake Macatawa, and go to Grand Haven / Spring Lake frequently. We live between Holland and Grand Haven, so we considered both for slipping the boat. We chose Lake Mac for it's quick access to Lake MI. Spring Lake is a good 45 min. idle to the big lake. Spring Lake is also no wake for larger boats.

That being said, if I was looking for a house on the lake I would lean towards Spring Lake. It's a more scenic setting IMO. However, some of the more scenic inlets on Spring Lake become heavy party spots with boaters. Try Googling "hanky pank bay". I think there's a web site where people post their pics after a day there. I know I had some good times there when I was younger, and am pretty sure I wouldn't want to live along that shore now. The main body of the lake is beautiful, and would be one of my top spots to look if I ever find myself in position to buy on the water.

Not to say Lake Mac is not worth a look. There really isn't a section of the lake that has issues other than
shallow water... And that applies to pretty much the entire shoreline. Something you will want to check carefully
if you plan on keeping your Hatt at the dock.

Both lakes get pretty busy on nice weather weekends, and are relatively quiet during the week. Season really
falls between Memorial and Labor days around here. September is some of my favorite boating time with very little boat traffic and still fairly warm water.

Let me know if you have any specific questions on these two lakes.

Steve

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I've boated in Western Michigan all of my life. We have kept the boat in Grand Haven, Saugatuck, Muskegon, and White Lake. I find Grand Haven and Holland too busy, at least on the water on summer weekends. Lake Macatawa has too many sailboats and Spring Lake has too many power boats.

I probably should keep this a secret, but White Lake is the best spot, IMO. It is more laid back and still close to Grand Haven if you want to go there by boat or by car. The lake is 6 miles long and even if Lake Michigan is rough, you can still take a nice little cruise up and down White Lake. There are also some nice spots to drop the hook.

I think you will find that you also get more for your money there as it is a little less touristy.

We have a good hardware, some good grocery stores and pharmacies, but not too many good restaurants. There is also a great paved bike trail on the old railroad bed that runs from Shelby down through Whitehall and south almost to Muskegon.

Give me a call if you get up that way. I can suggest some real estate agents, etc.

If I were in your shoes, I think I'd just bring the boat over for a season first. That way you can get used to the area and decide if you really like it before buying something. We have slips for rent at Ellenwood if you want to give it try.

 

[smoothmove]

Thanks, gentlemen.
I appreciate that you took the time to post your observations. There's a lot of factors to search out weigh when looking for a place like this and reading your comments is helpful. We spent a Summer and a half at Tower Marine in Saugatuck and we did some cruising up and down the shore there so we have an idea of what we're getting into. I like the Pentwater area and areas north of that a lot and we have some few friends up there, but I think it's a bit far for us. One nice aspect of the Holland area is the ability to hop on a train and get there in 3 hours. I wonder how crowded Lake Macatawa is compared to what we see here in Chicago? My initial impression is that we are going to have a pretty decent selection of listings and some motivated sellers. I'm not used to being on THAT side of the bargain.
Thanks again,
Eric

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Eric,
We have a couple of boaters at Ellenwood that came up from Tower. They all speak fondly of being there, but enjoy the boating on White Lake more.

Pentwater is nice too, but the lake is small and the closest real town is Ludington.

We have also kept the boat in Boyne City, Traverse City, and Acme on Lake Michigan for at least one season each. On Lake Huron, we were at Lexington and Port Huron. Of all of these places, we kept coming back to White Lake. I enjoy the waters of northern Lake Michigan, but the season is shorter up there and its a longer drive for us.

I probably sound like the Chamber of Commerce here, but I guess that's because I really do like the place.

 

[spartonboat1]

Eric,
We have a couple of boaters at Ellenwood that came up from Tower. They all speak fondly of being there, but enjoy the boating on White Lake more.

Pentwater is nice too, but the lake is small and the closest real town is Ludington.

We have also kept the boat in Boyne City, Traverse City, and Acme on Lake Michigan for at least one season each. On Lake Huron, we were at Lexington and Port Huron. Of all of these places, we kept coming back to White Lake. I enjoy the waters of northern Lake Michigan, but the season is shorter up there and its a longer drive for us.

I probably sound like the Chamber of Commerce here, but I guess that's because I really do like the place.

Sky, you are beginning to make a believer out of me.

I don't think I ever actually went up to Ellenwood, but maybe I should have! My brother-in-law, who was on White Lake for a time, did not speak highly on two points a) its 6 miles long (your point in favor) and b) the entrance is narrow and difficult to navigate when the seas are running hard out of the West, which they usually do, off Lk. MI. Oh, did I mention he is a life-long rag-sailor. That is probably why he does not like points a & b.

I have not made a firm commitment to NS yet, so maybe I better quickly get up to WL, while I can! Any marina's you recommend and pricing. You can PM me or maybe I should PM you...

Hope you see this!

 

[smoothmove]

Result

Update. We closed on a place on Spring Lake last week. It wasn't really our plan to move on this as quickly as we did, but we ran into what we thought was the perfect place for us for a lot less than we thought we'd have to spend so we took a shot. There's apparently not much action out there. Have a nice but low maintenance place with a BIG garage and a BIG dock. I will probably bring the boat over from Chicago this fall to take advantage of some very favorable storage rates. We have really enjoyed boating in the Chicago area for the past 7 years, but it's time for a new adventure. I want to say thanks for the comments the members posted here. They were helpful.

Eric

 

[captddis]

Congrats it looks beautiful. I wish I up there right now.

 

[34Hatt]

perfect place for us for a lot less than we thought

Well those are great words to be saying !!!
Best of Luck Enjoy