Coloma is a small town just off the banks of Paw Paw Lake
Coloma, a small town adjacent to Paw Paw Lake, benefits from the influx of summer residents who live in vacation homes on the lakefront while maintaining a strong community of full-time residents. The town’s downtown district is a year-round mainstay in the community, though it gets a little busier in the summer months, and residents are also close to wineries, fruit stands and other towns in the surrounding region. “There are lots of stores and restaurants right there in downtown Coloma, but you’re also close to areas like Saint Joseph and South Haven,” says Bryon Farmer, a realtor at Coldwell Banker Anchor Real Estate who specializes in the Paw Paw Lake area. “It’s just a short drive if you want to get away and experience dining in those other lakeside towns.”
Single-family homes are mostly from the 20th century
While waterfront properties on Paw Paw Lake are often used as vacation homes, Coloma tends to be more popular with full-time residents. Midcentury ranch-style homes and split-levels are most common, along with a scattering of early-20th-century cottages. Some new traditional properties with partial stone exteriors were also added in the 1980s and ‘90s. In the town center, homes are close-set with uniform setbacks and narrow sidewalks. Further out from the town center, properties are more spread out, often with more than a half-acre of land. Prices usually range from $145,000 to $540,000, depending on age and home size.
Close to local restaurants, fruit stands and wineries
Downtown Coloma is full of locally owned restaurants and businesses along North Paw Paw Street. The Friendly Tavern has been a local favorite for over 20 years, serving classic American fare and daily specials, while Al Asadero offers Mexican cuisine in a casual setting. Also downtown, Loma Theatre hosts showings for new releases. Nearby grocery stores include Harding’s Market, though many locals prefer to get their produce from seasonal fruit stands like Fruit Acres Farm Market & U-Pick. Residents are also a short drive from upscale wineries and vineyards. “There are so many wineries all across Southwest Michigan,” Farmer says. “Lots of people come here for that experience.” Contessa Wine Cellars, just south of Coloma, is owned and operated by a third-generation winemaker with scenic views of Coloma Valley.
Neighborhood parks in town and nearby lakefront recreation
Randall Park is a central community gathering space with a wood-built, pirate-themed playground and a summer splash pad. Near downtown, Laura Baker Park is a peaceful grassy spot with park benches and a small veterans memorial. Paw Paw Lake has several lakeside parks, including Sunset Park, which has a boat launch and fishing dock. Forest Beach Park is popular for swimming with its sandy beaches. Paw Paw Lake Golf Club has an 18-hole course open to the public.
Local schools offer lots of athletics and career-oriented programs
Coloma Elementary earns a C-plus from Niche, serving kindergarten through third grade. Students attend the C-rated Coloma Intermediate for fourth and fifth grade. The C-rated Coloma Junior High has many athletic programs, such as wrestling and volleyball. The B-rated Coloma High offers career-focused programs in automotive technology, health science and industrial technology. Each pathway provides hands-on training to prepare students to take their certification tests and enter the workforce in entry-level positions.
The Coloma Glad Peach Festival is held every August
The Coloma Glad Peach Festival takes place every August for three days, with community gatherings and games taking place across the downtown area. Attendees can participate in sporting events like cornhole and pickleball tournaments or 5K and 10K fun runs. In addition to scheduled events, there is a continuous roster of live music, food vendors and carnival rides.
Easy access to Interstate 94
Interstate 94 borders Coloma on the south side, leading about 40 miles east to Kalamazoo and less than 15 miles west to Saint Joseph, on the banks of Lake Michigan. South Haven, another lakeside town, is about 20 miles north on Interstate 196. Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital is less than 5 miles away, and South Bend International Airport is about 40 miles away.
