$465,308Average Value$296Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Community-oriented living in northwest Ann Arbor
Sister Lakes sits tucked away on the northwest edge of Ann Arbor, but those who settle down here find an active community hidden among its wooded streets. A family-friendly feel comes with living next to Lakewood Elementary and nature trails surrounding First and Second Sister Lakes — the community's namesake. When asked what made this neighborhood unique, Patricia Jessup, a resident of over 40 years, says, "It's the people who choose to live here. It's a very community-oriented neighborhood with a range of ages, and everyone is eager to connect."
Ranches are another standard home style found in Sister Lakes.
The Sister Lakes neighborhood is a ten-minute drive to downtown Ann Arbor.
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The lakes of Sister Lakes
Dolph Nature Area is a 75-acre matrix of water and vegetation, home to Ann Arbor's only two naturally formed lakes. Dog walkers use the network of trails and bird-watchers can spot up to 140 species of birds here. Each season brings a unique experience, from blooming flowers and competing birdsongs in the springtime to stillness and serenity in the wintertime — occasionally broken by the sounds of skates on ice. "Someone will go out and check the thickness of the lake's ice," Jessup says. "If it's safe, people will set up nets for hockey games and the kids can try ice skating. But it depends on the weather — it doesn't happen every year." While the Dolph Nature Area has a slight risk of flooding, the neighborhood itself is largely unaffected.
Enjoy the scenic views at one of Ann Arbor's local parks.
Saginaw Forest is used year-round by locals.
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An active neighborhood association
The Sister Lakes Association, or the SLA, was founded in 1970 to steward the neighborhood's natural lands. While the association still cares for the lakes, it also works to support the people who live here. It's not a traditional HOA — so there aren't mandatory fees or restrictions, but the SLA plans events like the biannual Help Yourself Day, a neighborhood exclusive yard sale where everything is free. In the future, the SLA hopes to hold an annual ice cream social and proposed plans for a neighborhood playground or a gathering space in the nearby Dolph Nature Area.
The SLA also aims to address any resident concerns. "If there are neighborhood wide issues, like street quality or power problems, we look for opportunities to connect with the city to address the issue," says Jessup, who has served as the association president for many years. "It's like our motto says: We aim to achieve and preserve a diverse and inclusive community for living, working, playing, and aging."
Playgrounds and parent involvement at Lakewood Elementary
The neighborhood is zoned for Lakewood Elementary School, located less than a mile from most homes. The school receives an A-minus rating from Niche and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. The active Parent-Teacher Organization plans community events like get-togethers at the playground. "There's a big track that goes around the field that is open to the public outside of school hours," says Helen Tyler, a member of the Lakewood PTO. "Anyone can use it and it's really flat, so it's accessible to older people and wheelchairs too. We also have a community garden!" Lakewood feeds into A-rated Forsythe Middle and the A-plus-rated Skyline High School.
Children are offered an excellent education at Lakewood Elementary.
Forsythe Middle School helps connect peers for an easy transition to high school.
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Midcentury homes with green lawns and sidewalks
Various home styles, including bungalows, ranch-style homes, split levels, and Colonial Revival designs, usually built between 1920 and 1960, populate the neighborhood's winding streets. The average lot size is a quarter-acre and often shaded by mature trees. Two-bedroom properties can start in the mid $300,000s but prices can reach as high as $700,000 for larger, more expansive homes. The majority of the neighborhood has a suburban feel with sidewalks and crosswalks. However, the areas along Lakeview Avenue and Westover Street are disconnected from the main neighborhood and feature rustic unpaved streets and more private lots.
Colonial Revival homes stand out in the Sister Lakes neighborhood.
Mid-century modern homes are found throughout Sister Lakes.
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Local coffee shop and Westgate commercial strip
At the corner of the neighborhood, family-owned 19 Drips Coffee & Tea is a local favorite known for its Yemeni coffee and hot breakfasts. "19 Drips is great," Jessup says. "And it's right within the neighborhood, so you can walk there." Right across the road, Weber's Hotel has a fine-dining steakhouse that opened in 1937.
Less than a mile away, Westgate Shopping Center is one of Ann Arbor's biggest shopping destinations. "You could walk to Westgate from here," Jessup says. "But it's not the most pleasant walk along busy Jackson Road." Westgate has a variety of restaurants, as well as Plum Market and Kroger; and its also home to the Westgate Branch Public Library.
Rawaq Coffee in the Sister Lakes neighborhood is the local hot spot to meet friends.
Visit Weber's Restaurant in Sister Lakes for delicious American cuisine.
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The west side of Interstate 94
Downtown Ann Arbor is 3 miles away from Sister Lakes. A bus line runs down Jackson Road every half hour, offering a 10-minute commute into downtown. The University of Michigan's main campus and the university hospital are located there.
Sister Lakes is cut off from Ann Arbor by Interstate 94, however, both I-94 and Jackson Road bring some noise to the area. However, a cemetery along its eastern edge buffers it from some road noise. The community's immediate access to I-94 makes for quick commutes east and west, and the interstate connects residents with the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, 28 miles away.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Sister Lakes, Ann Arbor sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Sister Lakes, Ann Arbor over the last 12 months is $450,000, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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