Cedar Springs has historic charm and Red Flannel
Cedar Springs is a quaint oasis of history and community heart that is surrounded by Michigan farmland. “It’s a nice town with a more rural atmosphere,” says Realtor Jeremy Crump of Bellabay Realty SW, who has 11 years of experience selling in the greater Grand Rapids Area. “At the same time, it’s only about 30 minutes from Grand Rapids, so it’s not as if you’re very far from the city amenities. There are lots of restaurants there and plenty of things to do, especially for a place so far away.” Despite a recent buildup, the town remains connected to its heritage through the annual Red Flannel Festival, a tradition for over 85 years. Its combination of small-town character and ready access to Grand Rapids makes it a unique suburban community.
Historic houses and recent construction blend in Cedar Springs
Homes on the residential streets of Cedar Springs are a mix of historic builds and recent constructions. “In town, you’ll find earlier builds from the 1920s and ‘30s,” Crump says. “But there are plenty of newer homes from the ‘90s and 2020s as well. For something with acreage, you’ll spend a bit more, but you can get a brand-new house in Cedar Springs for under $400,000.” Turn-of-the-century A-frame homes sit on small lots beneath tall, shady trees in the center of town, while the outskirts are populated by subdivisions of Modern Traditional homes. Prices typically range from around $145,000 to almost $500,000, depending on acreage, square footage, build year and number of bedrooms.
The annual Red Flannel Festival celebrates the town's heritage
Cedar Springs is a town that is very connected to its history. “They have a small historical museum there, and they host the Red Flannel Festival every year,” Crump says. “That has been going on within the town for over 85 years. It usually starts in October, and they shut down the entire Main Street for a parade.” Tradition holds that in 1936, while the United States was in the grip of a particularly cold winter, a New York writer bemoaned the lack of warm red flannels in the country. Cedar Springs’ local newspaper responded, informing the Associated Press that the merchants of their town were well-stocked with red flannels. Orders flooded in, providing a large boost to the local economy that has been celebrated annually since 1939.
Elementary school students move through three campuses
This small town is served by Cedar Springs Public Schools, a district that earns an overall B from Niche. Children attend Cedar Trails Elementary from kindergarten through grade 1. They proceed to Beach Elementary for grades 2 through 3. Both schools receive Bs. Cedar View Elementary, which scores a B-minus, educates students from grades 4 to 6. Cedar Springs Middle and Cedar Springs High are both also rated B. The Creative Technologies Academy, a public charter school that earns a C-plus, offers an alternative pathway for all students from kindergarten through grade 12.
Deer Tracks Junction offers close-up experiences with wildlife
Families can gather for outdoor entertainment at the Gardens of the Heart of Cedar Springs, which has a small performance area. The White Pine Trail, which at almost 93 miles is Michigan’s longest paved footpath, traces the western side of this green space. “Cedar Trace Golf Club is up there as well, and that’s a great course to play,” Crump says. “And they also have Deer Tracks Junction, which is like a drive-through safari kind of place where kids can see and interact with wild animals and even feed deer.”
Historic Main Street anchors Cedar Springs' commercial district
Aldi and Meijer are the two closest supermarkets to Cedar Springs, located west of Highway 131. Farmers can pick up animal feed at the Cedar Springs Mill and Supply in town, but the nearest big-box retailer is the Walmart in Grand Rapids. The town’s historic Main Street is lined with local restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. “The Cedar Springs Brewing Company is an excellent little restaurant,” Crump says. “Every time I show houses in town, I make sure to stop in for lunch.”
Simple commutes to Grand Rapids
U.S. Highway 131 is the main commuter lane of Cedar Springs, connecting residents south to Grand Rapids. “It’s a very reasonable commute down to the city. It only takes about half an hour,” Crump says. Highway 131 also intersects with Interstate 90, the most direct route to Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
