Caro is an active, friendly community in Michigan's Thumb Region
Caro is a small city in Michigan’s Thumb Region that is big on amenities. This community of about 4,200 features a charming downtown district and offers an array of recreational destinations. Residents enjoy access to local shops and restaurants, community parks, golf courses and the Cass River, which winds its way through the rural Tuscola County landscape. Caro has traditionally been a farming community, and its economy is bolstered by a sugar-processing plant and a corn ethanol production facility. It is also the county seat and home to McLaren Caro Region hospital. “It’s a friendly area. It’s not cliquish at all,” says Roger Hood, a local Realtor with J. McLeod Realty. “You move in and you feel comfortable right away.”
Stable housing market offers relative affordability
Prices typically range from around $80,000 to about $300,000. However, homes with additional land can list for more. “The housing market is good, very affordable compared to the areas south of us,” says Hood, who adds that stability has been a hallmark of the local market. “When the housing market crashed in 2008, our market didn’t drop as fast because of the prices we were working with. And when COVID hit, a lot of people moved up from the metropolitan areas because they could work from home, and they enjoyed the surroundings and the quiet atmosphere.” A diverse mix of older homes is concentrated in the heart of the city. Many of the streets have sidewalks, which provide appealing walkability. The community is home to a walking club that hosts regular afternoon strolls through tree-filled neighborhoods. Dogs and children in strollers are welcome. Ranch-style homes are prominent among a variety of options on spacious lots outside of the city limits. Manufactured homes can also be found on the outskirts. Lake Huron is about 50 miles away, close enough for this area to experience heavy lake-effect snow in the winter.
Local shops and restaurants downtown
An appealing collection of boutique shops and local eateries highlights the community’s downtown district, which stands out for the historic architecture of its buildings. Residents can also bank, fill prescriptions and get their hair done on this section of State Street. The commercial corridor runs through the community and offers additional options away from the center of town, including big-box retailers and grocery stores.
Big community events in the summer, fall and winter
The active community also hosts several signature events. “We have the Pumpkin Festival in October that draws a lot of people,” Hood says. The Cars and Crafts event takes place downtown every summer. Three days of festivities for the most recent Gingerbread Village event was capped by a doble feature of “Charlie Brown’s Christmas” and “Frosty the Snowman” at the Strand Theatre downtown.
Several parks, golf courses, access to a local river and Saginaw Bay
Atwood Park is a downtown gathering place that hosts a popular summer concert series. Other parks offer amenities that include athletic fields, playgrounds and trails. Chippewa Landing City Park on the shores of the Cass River is another community attraction. Paddling trips are a popular activity on the Cass River Water Trail. Arrowhead Golf & Grill features an 18-hole public course near the river. After a round, golfers can choose from an expansive menu and relax over a meal on the patio. The nearby Caro Golf Course offers a 9-hole layout. The Great Lakes region is a haven for outdoors enthusiasts. “We’re a half-hour drive from Saginaw Bay, which offers prime walleye fishing,” Hood says.
Community school district earns a C-plus from Niche
Caro has its own school district made up of five schools, including an alternative school. Niche gives Caro Community Schools a C-plus. Students begin at McComb Elementary School, which is rated B-minus and serves students in pre-kindergarten through second grade. Up next are Schall Elementary School and Caro Middle School both rated C-plus. Caro High School is rated B. The district offers a wide range of extracurricular athletics, including equestrian activities and a clay target shooting team. Michigan offers a choice program that allows qualified students to transfer out of the districts in which they live.
Transportation
Caro is a fairly isolated, car-dependent community about 30 miles east of Saginaw and Interstate 75. Saginaw County’s MBS International Airport is about a 45-mile drive. I-69 can be accessed about 40 miles south of the community.
Written By
Matt Pallister
