Why Live in Glen Arbor
Glen Arbor in Empire offers diverse housing options, including condos, cottages, and modern beach houses for both year-round and seasonal residents. Cozy cottages near Western Avenue, classic log cabins, and modern beach houses with outdoor showers are common. Glen Arbor Township Park features tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic pavilions. Glen Arbor Gardens, a small park, focuses on native plants and pollinators. The Lake Street Beach and Boat Ramp provides access to Lake Michigan's sandy shores, ideal for swimmers and kayakers. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, nearly 20 miles long, leads to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, offering scenic views and winter activities like sledding. Old Settlers Park on Glen Lake offers a safer beach for young children and inexperienced swimmers, with picnic grounds and a kayak launch. Western Avenue's town center has cedar-shingled buildings housing restaurants, markets, bookstores, and coffee shops, including the Cottage Book Shop and Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co. Cherry Republic on South Lake Street features a winery, public house, ice cream shop, and pit-spitting arena. Glen Arbor is walkable in the town center, but a car is needed for travel to larger cities like Traverse City, about 30 miles away. Students may attend Glen Lake Elementary, Middle, and High School, or the highly-rated private Leelanau School. The neighborhood has a low crime risk compared to the national average, making it a safer place to live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glen Arbor a good place to live?
Glen Arbor is a good place to live. Glen Arbor is considered car-dependent and somewhat bikeable. Glen Arbor has 5 parks for recreational activities. It is sparse in population with 0.3 people per acre and a median age of 68. The average household income is $140,842 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 70.5% of residents. A majority of residents in Glen Arbor are home owners, with 4% of residents renting and 96% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Glen Arbor can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Glen Arbor neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Glen Arbor?
The median home price in Glen Arbor is $415,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $83,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.5%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $2,100 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $90K a year to afford the median home price in Glen Arbor. The average household income in Glen Arbor is $141K.
What are the best public schools in Glen Arbor?
The best public schools that serve Glen Arbor are:
What are the best private schools in Glen Arbor?
The best private schools that serve Glen Arbor are:
- The Leelanau School has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 3:1 and an average review score of 4.6.
What are the most popular zip codes in Glen Arbor, Empire, MI?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Glen Arbor, Empire, MI?
Are home prices dropping in Glen Arbor?
Yes, home prices in Glen Arbor are down 54% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in Glen Arbor, MI
On average, homes in Glen Arbor, Empire sell after 71 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Glen Arbor, Empire over the last 12 months is $492,500, down 66% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$492,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$450,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$400,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$412
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Last 12 months Home Sales
24
Median List Price
$415,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-66%