$782,701Average Value$376Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
East Grand Rapids has a feeling of luxury and leisure
Surrounded by the neighborhoods of Grand Rapids, the separate city of East Grand Rapids has long had its own identity. Simply called East by locals, this community got its start as an upscale amusement park on the banks of Reed Lake — a place where people weary of the city would come for a summer retreat. More than 100 years later, that sense of leisure and luxury still remains. East is best-known for its sprawling vintage homes, walkable lakeside downtown and some of the highest-rated schools in Michigan. However, its desirable lifestyle comes at a cost. In addition to high taxes, East Grand Rapids has the most expensive median home price of any city in Kent County.
Find historic homes or more modern construction in East
Most of East’s homes date back to the first half of the 20th century, including brick-sided Colonial Revivals, stone bungalows and half-timbered Tudor Revivals. While many buyers want that historic charm, Dan Steffee, a Realtor with Green Crown Real Estate, who grew up in East Grand Rapids, says that the area has been modernizing. “There’s been an increase in buyers who knock down homes to add new ones or completely renovate the home,” he explains. “It’s evolving to be a lot newer of a community.”
Many homes in East Grand Rapids have large front yards.
The edges of Reeds Lake are lined with large, custom-built homes.
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How prices and property taxes compare to Kent County
The median sale price in East Grand Rapids is around $850,000, more than twice the median of Grand Rapids. You might find smaller ranch-style homes on the city’s south side in the $300,000s and $400,000s, but it’s not common. “You can’t buy much in East for under half a million,” explains Linda Pell, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices with over 25 years of experience. Larger luxury properties can sell for upwards of $3 million. “Especially on the higher end, about 30% of buyers pay in cash,” Pell says. “It’s a very desirable area.”
And it’s not just the high home price tag — property taxes in East Grand Rapids are also among the county’s highest. “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.”
Some of the highest rated schools in the state
A good portion of the city’s taxes go towards funding the school system, so nearly every aspect of East Grand Rapids Public Schools is well supported. It’s one of the highest-rated districts in Michigan, known for both academic achievement and standout extracurriculars. In fact, East Grand Rapids High School has more state championship titles than any other school in the state. With such strong schools, it’s no surprise to find a community that shows up for every game. “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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Gaslight Village is a walkable community center
Lit by flickering gas lights that give this area its name, Gaslight Village is a quaint shopping center on the banks of Reeds Lake. It’s the heartbeat of the city, with a grocery store, artisan boutiques and plenty of restaurants, all within a few blocks. Grab a bite to eat at:
Rose’s on Reeds Lake: An iconic, historic spot offering waterfront views along Reeds Lake
Bowdie’s Chophouse: A classic, upscale steakhouse with an old-school feel
Olives: A from-scratch, seasonal restaurant known for curated cocktails and elevated comfort food
Jersey Junction: A nostalgic ice cream parlor serving up generous scoops since 1963
Bang Salon is a boutique full-service salon in Gaslight Village.
Kilwins is a go-to destination for anyone looking for chocolates and sweets.
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Plenty of family friendly parks and recreation
With several well-maintained local parks and a jogging trail along the banks of Reeds Lake, it’s easy to stay active in East Grand Rapids. Fishing is popular over at Waterfront Park’s boardwalk, and kayakers push off from John Collins Park’s boat launch. The East Grand Rapids Community Center has classes for all ages and is home to a branch of the Kent Public Library. The entire city has sidewalk-lined streets, making it easy to walk around your neighborhood. “It’s a place where you can let your kid ride their bike a mile over to their friends, and you don’t have to think twice about it,” Steffee says.
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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Year-round events include a standout Fourth of July show
The city hosts events year-round, including seasonal farmers markets, outdoor concerts and holiday celebrations. But perhaps the city’s best-known event is the Fourth of July Celebration. The all-day summer extravaganza features a parade, carnival activities, food trucks, live music and a bright fireworks display over Reeds Lake.
Residents can enjoy boating on Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids.
Reeds Lake is a popular kayaking and fishing destination.
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Shop close to home or commute 15 minutes to Grand Rapids
You’ve got most of what you need right within the city. In addition to Gaslight Village, there’s plenty of upscale shopping at Breton Village, including an Anthropologie, West Elm and Thyme Fresh Market. There's also Corewell Health’s Blodgett Hospital for healthcare needs. For more city activity, you're only 5 miles away from Downtown Grand Rapids, about a 15-minute car ride.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Photography Contributed By
Tyler Bolduc
Video By
Jacob Branchaud
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tina Drum,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in East Grand Rapids, MI sell after 82 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in East Grand Rapids, MI over the last 12 months is $860,000, up 24% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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