East China Township has lower prices along the St. Clair River
In East China Township, you can find all the riverside charm of Marine City or Saint Clair at a lower price. This semi-rural community is less than 10 minutes from both cities and offers waterside living in rustic cottages or luxury homes. A kid-friendly park and solid schools make this a popular choice with families, but be prepared to hop in the car to reach any shopping or dining options. With Detroit about an hour away, East China Township is a lesser-known option for commuting workers hoping to live in the peace of the Blue Water area on Michigan’s eastern shore.
Riverside living and lower township taxes
Waterfront living is a main draw to East China, but these homes come with a higher price tag than inland properties. In general, East China is priced lower than the surrounding cities. “A huge benefit to East China compared to some of the other municipalities along the river is that it’s a township, so it has lower taxes, but it’s located between two very popular cities,” says Trent Attebury, a principal broker with J. A. Bachler Realtor with over 20 years of experience in the area.
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect when it comes to home pricing:
- Riverfront living starts in the mid-$300,000s for older cottages and gets up to $1.2 million for luxury homes.
- Off the water, older bungalows start in the low $100,000s, while freshly renovated ranch-style homes can reach the mid-$400,000s.
- Recently built New Traditional homes with large inland yards can range from the mid-$400,000s to the high $600,000s.
Some homes along the Belle River are at risk of flooding, unlike those on the larger St. Clair River.
Riverside recreation and a family-friendly park
Most of the waterfront is taken up by private homes, but there are public boat launches onto the Belle River and the St. Clair River. “Access to the river is one thing, but the view here is also unique,” Attebury says. “It’s one of the thinnest areas [of the St. Clair River], so when the freighters go through, you get incredibly close views of these massive ships. A lot of people really enjoy that.”
On the banks of the Belle River, East China Township Park also offers sports courts, open fields and an enclosed dog park. A paved trail connects south to Marine City. “It’s one of the nicer parks in the county,” says Attebury, adding that it’s a big draw for families. “There’s a massive sledding hill that people always go to when we get snow in the wintertime.”
East China schools are some of the best in the county
The township is part of the East China School District, one of the higher-rated districts in St. Clair County. The East China Performing Arts Center and the district's football stadium are located right within the township. “The football field in East China is probably the nicest in the entire county,” says Attebury, adding that football games are a big part of the local community. “There’s a Friday Night Lights kind of feeling.” Parents can also choose to apply to other districts in the region, as part of Michigan’s Schools of Choice program.
The rural community feels friendly and connected
Even though it’s a less developed area, it never feels that rural in East China. Most homes have municipal water and sewer, and trash is picked up at the curb every week. Especially along the water, the community is close-knit enough to get to know your neighbors. “Being in a more rural area is a little bit safer —people still feel safe leaving their doors unlocked,” Attebury says. “East China is just south of St. Clair, so it’s really similar as far as lifestyle, but the big difference is that St. Clair has a downtown area and East China doesn’t have a downtown at all.” You will have to drive a couple of minutes into town for grocery stores and restaurants, and Marysville has a lot of big-brand options less than 20 minutes away.
Long commutes to Detroit are the norm
East China attracts many retirees and remote workers, but for a lot of locals, the hour-long drive to Detroit is their daily commute. Hop on Interstate 94, about 15 miles away, and it’s pretty much a straight shot to downtown. It’s also about an hour to reach major employment suburbs like Sterling Heights or Troy.
A cold climate means plenty of snow
Like much of southeast Michigan, East China experiences warm summers and cold, gray winters — with plenty of snow. Because it is one of the smallest townships in the county, and so snow plows have less ground to cover, East China’s roads are often cleared quickly. “They are probably one of the better townships in terms of getting the roads clear,” Attebury says. “The snow is never too bad or that much of a problem.”
![Catherine Lashley]()
Written By
Catherine Lashley
