Egelston has a welcoming community and a growing population
Not far from Lake Michigan's shores, Egelston is a small town with convenient access to city amenities. The township is at the far east end of Muskegon, where neighborhoods fan out and crop fields take their place. "Egelston is a tight-knit community that's very welcoming," says Kim Colegrove, a Realtor and co-owner of Trensyd Realty LLC. "People who tend to move away for college or work often move back for that hometown feeling." The area also welcomes newcomers and is one of the fastest-growing townships in the county despite remaining very spacious. The population has grown in every census since 1920, with some large jumps, such as an almost 25% increase in residents from 1990 to 2000. Proximity to Muskegon is a draw, but according to Colegrove, the neighbors make Egelston stand out. "They'll take packages in for you while you're away or take the dogs out when you're working late," she says. "And it's not just one neighbor who will do that; it's the whole community."
A mix of housing styles for different lifestyles and budgets
Manufactured home communities include Apple Carr Village, Egelcraft and Maple Island Estates. The manufactured homes range from $20,000 to $80,000, while Cape Cods, bungalows and ranch-style homes around the township range from $100,000 to $260,000. "The main draw is Wolf Lake," Colegrove says of the area's housing. "There are a lot of lakefront properties around the lake with private docks." New traditional homes, two-story cottages and split-level homes around the lake sell between $270,000 and $550,000. Limited modern Craftsman homes in developments from the past few decades fall within the same range.
Students can walk to nearby schools in the district
Children living in Egelston fall under Muskegon's Oakridge Public Schools District and attend five different schools from kindergarten through graduation. The district has an overall grade of C-plus by Niche, with each school rated between C and B-minus. Three schools neighbor one another, while the others are a short drive or walk away. "A lot of students can walk to school from their homes," Colegrove says, "I walked to school when I was a kid living here, and people look out for one another and check in on each other." The district offers 16 athletic programs and has an equal technology-to-student ratio.
Nearby outlets for sports, hiking and hunting
Wolf Lake is an unincorporated community in the township that holds events in its parks and around the lake. "They do local parades and community picnics," Colegrove says. "There's also a fishing tournament for veterans and fundraising events for community members who have fallen on hard times or are sick." Holiday Park has baseball diamonds, soccer fields, a playground area and a concession stand for baseball and soccer league games. Mosquito Creek Trails is a nearby park with miles of hiking trails, and Lane's Landing is a local hunting and fishing area.
The Muskegon River flows through the northwest corner of the township, putting the lands around it at a major risk from flooding. The area is undeveloped, and no homes are in the susceptible area.
Shopping and dining options in nearby Muskegon
Pizza restaurants, fast-food chains and bars are along Apple Avenue, which heads west into downtown Muskegon. A few dollar stores and E&A Grocery, a local grocery store, are in the township. "There's really no shopping in Egelston Township, so most folks head into Muskegon," Colegrove says. The Lakes Mall, south of the city, has national retailers and big-box stores. Downtown Muskegon has local boutiques and family-owned restaurants.
Highway access to two bigger cities
Michigan State Route 46, or Apple Avenue, goes straight through the township, from east to west. Downtown Muskegon is 7 miles west along the road and Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital is 10 miles west. Interstate 96 is 12 miles south heads east to Grand Rapids. Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids is 48 miles southeast.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Fairfield
