Ada is a higher-end suburb 20 minutes from Grand Rapids
Set among the rolling hills along the Grand River, Ada is mostly made up of newer subdivisions with an upscale feel. Prices here are among the highest of any Grand Rapids suburb, but that high price tag comes with spacious homes, strong schools and scenic parks. Plus, the recently redeveloped Ada Village gives the community a charming town center, complete with a small grocery store and regular local events. You won’t find much activity outside Ada Village, but it takes less than 20 minutes to reach Downtown Grand Rapids, about 11 miles west. For buyers looking for suburban luxury or quiet space, the subdivisions of Ada might be the place to call home.
Newer subdivisions with their own identity
You’ll find a real mix of neighborhoods across the community. “Ada is the land of subdivisions,” says Dan Steffee, a Realtor with Green Crown Real Estate who has over 16 years of experience in the area. “You’ll see some pocket neighborhoods from the 1960s or 1970s, but there’s a lot more subdivisions from the 1990s up to the present day.” Older ranch-style homes often start in the $400,000s, and new construction is typically in the $500,000 to $900,000 range. Luxury custom homes sell between $1 million to over $2 million. Many neighborhoods have their own HOAs, with community amenities such as tennis courts or clubhouses.
You'll find a few raised ranch-style homes throughout Ada.
There are several large estates on the hills overlooking the Grand River and downtown Ada.
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More for your money than in East Grand Rapids
The median home price in Ada is around $700,000, which is more than double the median in Grand Rapids but slightly lower than in East Grand Rapids. “People like that the lots are a little bigger outside the city, but you’re still within a 20-minute drive of downtown Grand Rapids,” Steffee says. “You can get a little more privacy and a little more for your money than in East Grand Rapids.”
Forest Hills schools are some of the best in the state
Most of Ada is part of the Forest Hills Public School District, though some homes on the eastern side are part of Lowell Area Schools. Both are highly rated, but Forest Hills is ranked among the best school districts in Michigan. Students benefit from its unique facilities, including the modern Forest Hills Fine Arts Center and the Forest Hills Aquatic Center. According to Steffee, the schools are a major part of the community culture in Ada, with locals who turn out for Friday night football games. Michigan's state-wide school-of-choice system means families can apply to send their kids outside of their home district.
Central Middle School in Ada, Michigan.
Ada Elementary School in Ada, Michigan.
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Schnitz Ada Grill serves up classic burgers and fries.
Recently developed shopping and dining at Ada Village
Starting in 2015, major investment has turned the old town center into the modern, mixed-use Ada Village. “They have totally redeveloped the downtown in Ada,” Steffee says. “There’s a ton of restaurants and shops now, and it’s very walkable.” You’ll find spots like:
Schnitz Ada Grill: European-inspired comfort dishes in a cozy environment
Zeytin: Traditional Turkish and Mediterranean food like kabobs and gyros with an airy outdoor patio
Nonna’s: The Trattoria: Elevated Italian fare and a popular weekend brunch in a renovated bungalow
MudPenny: Sit-down brunch, locally roasted coffee and homemade pastries in a modern storefront
Ada Fresh Market: All your grocery essentials, right within town
Fifteen minutes to downtown Grand Rapids and the airport
Despite Ada’s suburban setting, Grand Rapids is an easy 10- to 15-mile commute. It depends on where your home is located, but Interstates 96 and 196 are close by, so you can usually get to the city in 15 to 20 minutes. You're also on the east side of Grand Rapids, so it’s about 15 minutes to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and the major shopping along 28th Street.
Ada has outdoor activities and sprawling parks
Spacious parks along the river offer a little more breathing room than neighborhoods farther into the city. There are many ways to get outdoors, including:
Ada Park has sports courts, including space for pickleball, and wooded walking trails around a fishing pond.
Seidman Park and the riverside Roselle Park are both sprawling nature preserves with miles of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Cannonsburg Ski Area, a few miles north, has tubing and beginner ski slopes, with zip-lining and concerts in the summer.
Egypt Valley County Club is a private golf club with two 18-hole courses, tennis courts and a pool.
Roselle Park is a great place for you and your furry friend to get some fresh air.
Cannonsburg State Game Area in northern Ada has several long trail systems.
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Family-friendly things to do in downtown Ada
While the rest of Ada is pretty quiet, there’s plenty to do in Ada Village. In the summer, the Ada Farmers Market is a popular stop with over 30 local vendors. You can meet up with neighbors for a drink overlooking the Thornapple River at the Beers at the Bridge concert series or watch the fireworks explode overhead after the Fourth of July Celebration parade. When the weather gets cold, local businesses put out holiday lights and Christmas trees for the Winter Wonderland Light Walk. “The community events there are really well-attended,” Steffee says. “In the summer, there’s something happening like every weekend.”
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Photography Contributed By
Tyler Bolduc
Video By
Kyo Nguyen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rhiannon McCalmont,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Ada, MI sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Ada, MI over the last 12 months is $700,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this classic-style condo in the heart of downtown Ada! Open concept design, end unit; offering plenty of natural light, features include a covered porch, sunroom, hardwood floors, stained wood tread stairs, quartz countertops, shaker-style cabinets w/soft close doors & drawers, recessed lighting 9' ceilings and remote Lutron blinds throughout. Minutes away from downtown, to all its
Welcome to 101 Carl Dr NE in Ada. Completely rebuilt in 2025, this 3,043 sq ft home blends modern systems with timeless character on a beautiful just over one acre setting. Taken down to the studs and thoughtfully reconstructed, the home offers three bedrooms and three fully renovated baths. The primary suite features a spa-inspired bath with soaking tub, tiled walk-in shower, and generous closet
Former Parade Home in the highly sought-after Canyon River neighborhood, offering an exceptional blend of luxury, craftsmanship, and setting. Perfectly positioned on a private wooded backdrop, this home delivers a true retreat experience with a stunning saltwater pool featuring a new liner, expansive concrete pool deck, and fully fenced backyard enhanced by beautiful new stone exterior work and a
Beautifully fully remodeled 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath ranch with an open floor plan featuring quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy a very spacious main-floor laundry room with abundant cabinetry and storage. Major upgrades include a brand new septic system and drain field (approximately $22,000 value). Outside features include high-quality decking, a convenient circle drive, and a
Hard-to-find family home set on a private 2-acre blend of lawn and woods in a highly sought-after area. This spacious and thoughtfully updated home offers the perfect balance of character, function, and modern improvements--while being conveniently located near trails, downtown Ada, parks, schools, and major commuting highways.The main level welcomes you with a tiled foyer, leading into a
Everything new in 2020 and an addition in 2022, this move-in ready home sits on nearly 5 private acres just minutes from downtown Ada and sits next to the Ada Nature Preserve. Enjoy wooded views and a 2 decks with over 350 sq. ft. overlooking a tended lawn edged in native plants. The open kitchen with custom cabinets, quartz counter tops, and butler's pantry flows into a great room ideal for
A stunning single-story standalone condo spanning over 2,000sf of elegant space thoughtfully crafted with comfort, functionality and style in mind. At the heart of the home, an expansive open-concept living, dining and kitchen that is chef's delight featuring walk-in panty and large island.
A stunning single-story standalone condo spanning over 2,000sf of elegant space thoughtfully crafted with comfort, functionality and style in mind. At the heart of the home, an expansive open-concept living, dining and kitchen that is chef's delight featuring walk-in panty and large island.
Buildable Home Plan – Photos are Representational The Marley is a two-story home plan, offering three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, with the option to add a fourth and fifth bedroom and additional bathroom. This popular home plan is known for its main floor owner's suite and two-story great room. Step into your new Marley home from the elegant front porch. The entryway takes you past a coat closet,
Buildable Home Plan – Photos Are Representational The Balsam, named after the most fragrant fir tree, evokes freshness and a feeling of open spaces. The Balsam is our latest ranch plan, featuring 1773 of flexible living space. Enter the Balsam home through your front porch or through the two-car garage, immediately finding the mudroom to your left. The conveniently located mudroom includes a coat
Buildable Home Plan – Photos are Representational The Maxwell home plan is a contemporary ranch style home. Walk into your new Maxwell home from the front porch to the main entryway. The dining area is positioned just off the front hall and can be transformed into an office with stylish French doors. The dining room and entryway lead into the family room, which can be further enhanced with one of
Welcome to The Reserve at Knapp Bluff, where luxury, craftsmanship, and comfort come together in this stunning stand-alone condominium community. Currently under construction, this new home offers 3,210 sq. ft. of beautifully designed living space and a spacious 3-car garage, located in one of the area's most desirable communities. Step inside to an inviting great room with soaring ceilings, a
Buildable Home Plan - Photos are Representational The Fitzgerald home plan is an elegant, contemporary ranch style home with three bedrooms, two full baths, one half bathroom and 2220 finished square feet. Walk into your new Fitzgerald home from the pillared front porch to the main entryway. The formal dining area is positioned just off the front hall and can be transformed into an office with
Buildable Home Plan – Photos are Representational Welcome to this newly improved, Americana Series home plan, the Grayson! Enter your new Grayson home from the front porch into the main entryway, or through the two-car garage into the mudroom. The conveniently located mudroom includes a coat closet and an optional bench and connects with the entryway in the hall. The front hall opens into the
Buildable Home Plan - Photos are Representational Stately and contemporary, the Hadley home plan is a two-story design offering 2328 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, and two and a half baths. Enter your Hadley home plan and see a conveniently located flex room, perfect for an at-home office, playroom, or hobby room. Continue down the hall into your two-story great room, dining room and
Discover the distinctive lifestyle of Stone Falls Of Ada, where you can indulge in unparalleled community offerings, luxurious amenities, chic interiors, and an incomparable setting in Ada, MI. Our inviting selection of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom floor plans presents expansive designs and distinctive elements to fulfill your every desire.
Welcome Home! Village East of Ada offers one, two, and three bedroom luxury apartments in the heart of an amenity-rich village. Complete with upscale finishes, several parking options, and a 24-hour on-call staff, Village East of Ada delivers quality, class, comfort, and convenience under one roof. The charming Village of Ada offers locally-owned boutiques, grocery, pharmacy, health + wellness
2 and 3-bedroom townhomes at Ada Flats! Spacious, pet friendly townhomes with tons of storage, attached garage, and large master suites make Ada Flats a perfect place to call home. We are located in a beautiful neighborhood adjacent to the historic Ada covered bridge, green space, the Thornapple River, and a pleasant walk away from downtown Ada Village. Contact PURE Real Estate Management today
The Knoll is one of Ada’s finest luxury townhome communities . Situated on nearly 20 acres, The Knoll delivers a variety of two and three-bedroom townhomes with attached garages, basements, quartz countertops, fireplaces, custom kitchens, private balconies/patios, high-efficiency appliances, and plenty of convenient storage.***To complete this rental application:1. You must be
Now leasing brand new 2 and 3-bedroom townhomes at Ada Flats! Spacious, pet friendly townhomes with tons of storage, attached garage, and large master suites make Ada Flats a perfect place to call home. We are located in a beautiful neighborhood adjacent to the historic Ada covered bridge, green space, the Thornapple River, and a pleasant walk away from downtown Ada Village. Schedule your tour or
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