Commercial convenience on Holland's spacious north side
Beechwood is an unincorporated community on the north side of Holland. Located just outside city limits, this neighborhood offers lower taxes and more space. "There's a distinct north side and south side, split by Lake Macatawa," says Tantzi Habsburg, a Holland local and Realtor with Re/Max Lakeshore. "On the south side, it's more walkable and feels like one larger community. You tend to get more land on the north side, and houses come in individual subdivisions." Beechwood is surrounded by strip malls and big box stores — which are lacking in downtown Holland — and residents typically get around using a car. Beachwood offers a quieter pace of life and direct access to Holland's standout waterways.
No matter where you live in Beechwood, you are only a short ride to Lake Macatawa.
Included in Beechwood's footprint are a collection of big-box stores om M-31.
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Quiet streets and lower property taxes
In general, the residential streets of Beechwood are not busy and feel secluded by the cover of mature trees. There are no sidewalks or street curbs, and many properties have quarter-acre lots or larger. At the heart of the neighborhood, the train rumbling along the railroad tracks brings some noise to the area. Most houses were built between the 1950s and the present day. Cape Cod and ranch-style homes are common, ranging in price from $225,000 to $450,000 depending on renovations. "This area is part of Holland Township, so the property taxes are lower than in the city," Habsburg says. "But you don't get city services like yard waste pick up and road maintenance."
The properties along Lake Macatawa are highly sought after and have significantly larger price tags. Offering sweeping views and private docks, these homes typically cost between $1 million and $3.5 million. A few condo communities also have lakeside access. These luxury units range from $650,000 to $1 million. Some parts of the lakeshore are designated flood zones, meaning special insurance may be required to obtain federal loans.
There are many luxury homes along the shores of Lake Macatawa, with many in Beechwood.
Beechwood is a great place to raise a family.
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AP and IB classes at West Ottawa High
Beechwood is part of the West Ottawa Public School District. Though school zoning can vary based on home location, most kids can attend Woodside Elementary, which gets a B-minus grade from Niche. Macatawa Bay Middle is rated B-plus, and West Ottawa High School earns an A. Niche also ranks West Ottawa High is ranked as the second-best public high school in the county, offering AP classes, the International Baccalaureate diploma and dual enrollment courses with local colleges. The district also offers West Ottawa Virtual Academy, an online learning alternative for students from third to 12th grade. WOVA students can still participate in the district’s sports teams.
Macatawa Bay Middle School has an overall B+ rating on Niche.com.
West Ottawa High School has a student population of 2,211.
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Recreation on Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan
The namesake Beechwood Park has pickleball courts and was renovated in 2023 to add lighting and public restrooms. However, the main outdoor attractions on the north side are the two lakes — Macatawa and Michigan. Dunton Park borders Lake Macatawa, offering boat launches, fishing docks and picnic pavilions. Five miles west, Holland State Park's sandy shores are among the best places to catch the sunset on Lake Michigan. The park sees thousands of visitors each year and can get quite busy during the summer season. "The north side has the beach, so if you live on that side, you don't have to cross the bridge," Habsburg says. "Holland State Park is just absolutely stunning. People who have never seen it before think that they are at the ocean."
The Holland Inlet opens up to the vastness of Lake Michigan, located minutes from Beechwood.
A boat enters Lake Macatawa at the Dunton Park boat launch in Beechwood.
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Drive to big-box stores
The intersection of Douglas and River avenues is surrounded by strip malls filled with chain restaurants, gyms and a D&W Fresh Market. There are also a few locally owned businesses. Bearded Dutchman Meats is a family-run butchery, and Beechwood Grill has been a north-side staple since 1974. DeBoer Bakkerij is a Dutch bakery and breakfast spot. After the deBoer family opened this location in 2008, it was such a hit that the restaurant expanded into two other locations across the city.
Beechwood is also about a mile from U.S. Route 31, a major commercial corridor with big-box stores like Walmart, Target, Sam's Club and Meijer.
The River Avenue Bridge leads to downtown Holland
Depending on location, Beechwood homes are about 1 to 3 miles away from downtown Holland. The MAX Transit bus system has fixed routes to the north side, but buses do not run on Sundays. To get into the city, north-side residents must cross the River Avenue Bridge—the only crossing on Lake Macatawa. However, with six lanes, the bridge is usually devoid of traffic.
The largest nearby metropolitan center is Grand Rapids, 30 miles away. The major city has the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and is home to several major healthcare facilities. Holland has its own hospital, located 3 miles south of Beechwood.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Photography Contributed By
Christopher Shires
Video By
Conar McDaniel
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jason Carpenter,
an experienced agent in this area.
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