Brighton Township is a rural community between Detroit, Lansing and Flint
Brighton Township is a community of over 19,000 residents between Detroit, Lansing and Flint. Settled in the 1880s as an farming commuity, it remains rural. Buyers can encounter large front lawns and backyards with plenty of pine and oak trees. The township has a mix of older homes and newer subdivisions. Properties can back onto lakes, allowing for private fishing and boating access. General Motors’ test track and proving grounds see GM employees settling in the area, says Patricia Lotz, a realtor with Real Estate One. “When people move into the area, Brighton Township is always desired first, says Lotz. “It’s more of a rural community, so you’re away from town; they have bigger yards.”
A mix of housing styles with some HOA activity
The median home price is $520,000, higher than the state and national medians. Homes include split levels, New Traditional and Cabin styles. Land is available. Homeowners’ associations control some subdivisions but are not common, says Lotz. “People do like the municipality, it’s easy to work with, taxes are what (residents) feel is reasonable,” says Lotz. The area also receives around 38 inches of snow annually.
GM’s Milford Proving Ground
General Motors is one of the leading employers in the area and its Milford Proving Ground extends into the township. The site has over 5 miles of testing roads and 150 buildings for stress-testing vehicles, and many employees also elect to live in the township.
The township is zoned for different school districts
Students are zoned for several school districts, including Brighton Area Schools, which has an A on Niche. Huron Valley Schools has a B-plus grade, while Hartland Consolidated Schools is ranked A and Howell Public Schools has a B-plus grade. B-plus-graded Cleary University is in nearby Howell.
Nature parks, golfing and a ski resort
Green spaces include the Island Lake Recreational Area in Brighton, which features multiple biking and hiking trails, swimming holes and a shooting range. The Kensington Metropark Nature Center has numerous amenities, including fishing and boating spots, a mountain biking trail, playgrounds and a farm center.
The Public Kensington Metropark Golf Course is a public facility with a 6,600-yard Par 71 layout. Huntmore Golf Club, in the northeast corner of the township, is 6,000 yards long and offers a practice facility.
Mount Brighton Ski Resort opens in winter and features 24 trails and a base elevation of 1,100 feet. Indoor entertainment includes Brighton Bowl on Grand River Avenue, which offers over 20 bowling lanes and hosts leagues and tournaments. The Arcade, also on Grand River, features multiple classic arcade games and pinball machines.
Dining on Old U.S. 23 and Grand River Ave, shopping in Brighton
Dining locations can be found on the southern end of the township, which features a mix of chains and local spots. Cheryl’s Place on Old U.S. Highway 23 offers breakfast items, sandwiches and salads. The Block Brewing Company has craft beer and barbecue. The Cozy Inn on Grand River Avenue serves burgers, pizza and salads. More restaurants are in downtown Brighton along Grand River and Main Street.
Grocery stores in the township include Kroger and Busch’s Fresh Food Mart. Big-box retailers, including Costco and Kohl’s, are south along Whitmore Lake Road. Trinity Health Medical Center is 7 miles west.
Mass Transportation Authority and Interstate 96
The Mass Transportation Authority provides bus connections from Brighton to Flint. Interstate 96 runs along the southern end of the community and connects to downtown Detroit and the Ambassador Bridge. U.S. Highway 23 connects to Flint. Flint’s Bishop International Airport is 32 miles north, while Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County is 44 miles southeast.
