Once an amusement park, now Kent County’s most expensive city
Arranged around a central lake, the small city of East Grand Rapids first gained prominence during the early 1900s as the location of Ramona Park, an upscale amusement park. The park’s wooden coaster and iconic Ferris Wheel were torn down in the 1950s — but a feeling of leisure and luxury remained.
Often referred to as simply “East,” the city is nestled just a few miles from Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second-largest metropolitan area. “East is like its own little world,” says Shuyan Shi, a local Realtor with Success Realty West Michigan. “The property taxes are really high, and the city is really small — so all that funding pours into developing every aspect of life.” East is especially known for its quaint downtown, highly rated schools, lakeside parks and overall walkability. However, living here comes at a cost. In addition to high taxes, East Grand Rapids has the most expensive average home price of any city in Kent County.
Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids has dozens of locally owned boutique shops and eateries.
John Collins Park's amenities include a boat launch for East Grand Rapids boaters.
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Vintage homes and high taxes
The city is best known for its impressive early 1900s estates, which showcase Tudor and Colonial architecture. However, there are plenty of properties from more recent years, including ranch styles and contemporary construction. The city's median home price is $680,000, which is more than twice the average home price in Grand Rapids. “You can’t buy much in East for under half a million, and I’ve seen a lot of homes go for over a million,” says Linda Pell, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices with over 25 years of experience. “Especially on the higher end, about 30% of buyers pay in cash. It’s a very desirable area.”
A few condo communities offer units for under $400,000, and those in the luxury market can find sprawling homes and lakeside lots ranging from $1 million to $5 million. “The lakeside properties here sell at a higher price per square foot than homes on Lake Michigan do,” Pell says. Properties tend to move quickly, averaging 16 days on the market. In 2023, East Grand Rapids had the highest property tax in Kent County, about 40% more than the city of Grand Rapids.
The edges around Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids are lined with large, unique homes.
Colonial-style homes are not uncommon all over East Grand Rapids.
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Educating state champions at well-regarded schools
The East Grand Rapids Public School District gets an A grade from Niche and is rated as the best school district in the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area. “The schools are often a draw for people,” says Faune Benson, a Realtor with Five Star Real Estate who has several years of experience in West Michigan. “Because of the high taxes, they have huge budgets.”
With more than 150 state championships in East Grand Rapids Athletics’ history — notably in lacrosse, cross country and swimming — Niche ranks the district as the third best for athletes in Michigan. “I just went to a basketball game at the middle school, and it was so packed I couldn’t find parking,” Pell says. “This is a community that gets together and coalesces around family, and you see that especially at the schools.”
Welcome to East Grand Rapids High School.
The East Grand Rapids schools share many well-maintained sports fields along Reeds Lake.
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Year-round recreation on Reeds Lake
The city's centerpiece is Reeds Lake, a 283-acre boating hub surrounded by parks and walking trails. Anglers catch bluegill and largemouth bass off Waterfront Park’s boardwalk, and kayakers push off from John Collins Park’s boat launch. When the lake freezes over, residents can bring a pair of skates to glide around in their backyard. “Even in cold and snow, you see people out jogging, pushing a baby carriage or walking with friends on the trails around the lake,” Pell says.
East Grand Rapids experiences four distinct seasons, but winter can be overcast and frigid. According to the National Weather Service, snowfall typically exceeds 70 inches annually. For those looking to escape the cold, the East Grand Rapids Community Center provides various indoor classes for all ages, including art, fitness and dance. The lakeside community center is also home to a branch of the Kent Public Library.
Reeds Lake is a popular attraction in East Grand Rapids.
Waterfront Park in East Grand Rapids has lots of great fishing spots.
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Spend the Fourth of July on the lake
The city plans events year-round, including weekly farmers markets, outdoor concerts and holiday celebrations. For 40 years, athletes have gathered in East Grand Rapids for the Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon, which takes place along the lake’s trail in September. But perhaps the city’s best-known event is the Fourth of July Celebration. This all-day summer extravaganza features a parade, carnival activities, food trucks, live music and a bright fireworks display over Reeds Lake.
Walkable shopping at Gaslight Village
Right off the lakeshore, Gaslight Village is a quaint collection of 55 restaurants, shops and businesses. In the summer, visitors can stroll the brick streets of the village’s social district to walk around, drink in hand, to colorful buildings housing artisan boutiques, local restaurants and more. In the winter, heated sidewalks melt away the snow beneath the flickering gas lights that give this area its name. Gaslight Village is slated for a major renovation in the coming years, with plans to add seven new structures for parking, housing and more commercial space.
Bang Salon is a boutique full service salon in Gaslight Village, centered in East Grand Rapids.
Kilwin's in East Grand Rapids is the destination for anyone looking for chocolates and sweets.
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Proximity to hospitals and downtown Grand Rapids
The largest employers in East Grand Rapids are Corewell Health Blodgett Hospital and the public school system. East also borders the city of Grand Rapids, which is known for its healthcare and higher education employment sectors. Downtown Grand Rapids, a major hub of culture and employment, is just 3 miles away. Grand Rapids’ local bus system, The Rapid, has several lines that connect into East.
East Grand Rapids is about a mile from Interstate 196 and Interstate 96, offering cross-country routes to Detroit and Chicago. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is 7 miles south, about a 15-minute drive.
Crime
According to the East Grand Rapids Department of Public Safety, the city’s violent crime rate was 14 times lower than Grand Rapids in 2022. The property crime rate was twice as low. East Grand Rapids’ violent and property crime rates have both decreased since 2021 and have consistently been below the national average. “It’s a community where people let their kids bike over to each other's houses,” Pell says.
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