Wildlife and wooded views surround homes in Bagley Township
Bagley Township is an Otsego County community where nature is everywhere, from the glittering Otsego Lake and towering trees that surround the homes to the abundance of wildlife. “There are deer roaming around. You can’t have planters or anything like that out because they’ll eat them,” says Realtor Anna Tomaski with a laugh. Tomaski sells with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors throughout Northern Michigan. “But that’s also part of its draw—you’re surrounded by nature.”
Quiet streets and wooded yards create a rural neighborhood feel
Bagley Township offers a range of home styles including split-level, lake cottages, New Traditional and ranch-style. Houses sit on lawns landscaped with grass and mature trees. Some lot sizes span an acre or more, giving residents the space to have barns or large patios and firepits. Houses along Otsego Lake often have private boat docks and picturesque water views. Residential streets are quiet and winding, giving the community a rural feel. Home prices typically range from $160,000 to about $500,000. Higher priced properties are often 3,000 square feet or more or have a prime waterfront location.
Public schools offer choice options and after school care
Gaylord Community Schools serves the community and has a B-plus rating on Niche. It participates in Michigan’s Schools of Choice program, allowing out-of-district transfers based on available space; the district does not operate magnet schools, and placement follows local policy rather than a lottery.
Kids may attend B-plus-rated South Maple Elementary or B-rated North Ohio Elementary. From there, they head to B-rated Gaylord Intermediate, B-plus-rated Gaylord Middle and B-rated Gaylord High. Families can utilize the district’s after school childcare program, which serves from preschool to sixth grade. There are also several faith-based private schools in the area.
Otsego Lake State Park and trails provide year-round activities
Otsego Lake is the main outdoor recreation spot in the community, popular for its boating and fishing. Trails around the lake become snowmobiling destinations during the winter. Nearby Otsego Lake State Park offers year-round recreation: boating swimming, picnicking and walking during the summer, and ice-fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Golfers head to The Loon Golf Resort and choose from several public nine-hole layouts: The Ridge, The Loon and The Lakes. Michaywe Pines Golf Course is nearby and has a public 18-hole layout. The Gaylord KOA Holiday campground is on the community’s south side and offers RV sites, tent sites, and cabins, a playground and jump pad for kids, and a dog park.
Essentials and dining options line Otsego Avenue near the lake
Residents pick up essentials at Dollar General. Multiple local businesses and services line Otsego Avenue, one of Gaylord’s main thoroughfares just outside the community. Bennethum’s Northern Inn near Otsego Lake is a favorite for steak and seafood. “It’s one of the finer restaurants in the area,” Tomaski says. “They have a great happy hour.” Mama Leone’s is popular for its classic Italian dishes, and those looking for quick meals can grab fast food from Burger King and Subway. More shopping, dining and the closest hospital, Otsego Memorial, are in Gaylord.
Nearby farmers market and brewery nights bring locals together
Downtown Gaylord is a go-to for regular events, like the weekly farmers market and trivia nights at local brewery Snowbelt Brewing Company.
Interstate 75 connects Bagley Township to nearby cities
Residents get around by car because the community doesn’t have a fixed bus line. Interstate 75 runs through the community and connects to Gaylord and other nearby cities. The closest airport with commercial flights is Cherry Capital, which offers non-stop routes to 20 major cities and is about 60 miles away.
Winter snowstorms are frequent but summers stay pleasant
Winters can dip well below freezing and bring snow and ice storms. “The snow is one of our biggest headaches, but it’s also one of our biggest assets,” Tomaski says. “Plus, six months out of the year, it’s not too hot, not too cold, there’s no erratic weather, no hail; it’s ideal as can be.”
