Why Live in Bear Lake
Bear Lake in Frederic County, North Michigan, is a rural neighborhood known for its scenic lakes and outdoor recreation. Residents enjoy forested streets and access to Bear and Cub Lakes, which are popular for boating, kayaking, and fishing. Homes in Bear Lake are primarily log cabins and lake houses, many with private docks and large barns for storing recreational equipment. The area is mostly residential, with limited commercial businesses, so locals travel 15 miles to Kalkaska or Grayling for shopping and dining. Bear Lake Inn & Dingman’s Beergarden is a local favorite, offering food and drinks year-round, with lawn games in the summer and a snowmobile-friendly parking lot in winter. Public access beaches provide sandy shores for summer sunbathing, while the lakes are also popular for ice fishing in winter. Pickerel Lake in Kalkaska State Forest Campground offers rustic camping and hiking opportunities with a 2-mile loop trail. The neighborhood is zoned in the Kalkaska Public School District, which has average ratings. Bear Lake is a car-dependent area, with snowmobiles commonly used for winter travel. The nearest grocery store is Family Fare Supermarket, located 14 miles east in Grayling. For fresh produce, residents can visit the Grayling Farmers Market during the summer months. The neighborhood’s rural setting and recreational attractions make it a popular spot for seasonal residents and weekend retreats, although a small population lives there year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bear Lake a good place to live?
Bear Lake is a good place to live. Bear Lake is considered very car-dependent and somewhat bikeable. Bear Lake is a neighborhood with a crime score of 1, making it safer than the average neighborhood in the U.S. It is sparse in population with 0.2 people per acre and a median age of 52. The average household income is $62,799 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 12.4% of residents. A majority of residents in Bear Lake are home owners, with 8.8% of residents renting and 91.2% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Bear Lake can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Bear Lake neighborhood guide.
Is Bear Lake, MI a safe neighborhood?
Bear Lake, MI is safer than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 1 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Bear Lake?
The median home price in Bear Lake is $332,450. If you put a 20% down payment of $66,500 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.09%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $1,610 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $69K a year to afford the median home price in Bear Lake. Learn how much home you can afford with our
Home Affordability Calculator. The average household income in Bear Lake is $63K.
What are the best public schools in Bear Lake?
The best public schools that serve Bear Lake are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Bear Lake, Kalkaska, MI?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Bear Lake, Kalkaska, MI?
Home Trends in Bear Lake, MI
On average, homes in Bear Lake, Kalkaska sell after 78 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Bear Lake, Kalkaska over the last 12 months is $308,500, up 52% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$308,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$269,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$206
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
10
Median List Price
$332,450
Median Change From 1st List Price
6%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
52%