South Side has a history that dates back more than 80 years. Sometimes referred to as “Black Bottom”, this neighborhood was once part of Floral Park, one of the few places where African Americans could purchase homes in the 1940s. With proximity to the General Motors Flint Assembly Plant, and plenty of land to develop, this area, along with Sugar Hill, would become a strong working-class community.
Eventually, years of municipal neglect, redlining and other discriminatory practices led to the decline of South Side. Urban renewal projects in the 1960s and 70s would then uproot the area. The construction of The Clover, an interchange where Interstates 69 and 75 meet, destroyed Floral Park and changed the landscape of South Side and Sugar Hill forever. Thousands of residents were displaced, housing values plummeted, and many homes sat vacant. Despite these struggles, a pulse of hope reverberated throughout South Side over the years.
“It’s changed drastically,” says Bradley LaBrie, a Realtor with Keller Williams First who works heavily in the South Side area. “10 years ago, especially around the time of the water crisis, you could definitely get a home for sometimes a few hundred bucks or a thousand bucks, whereas now, even the homes that are on the condemned list are closer to $10,000.”
LaBrie attributes this rise in housing values to a concerted effort by people who see the neighborhood’s potential -- “There's been a really strong effort by investors and homeowners to help bring the area up. We have been very proud to see the progress, and homeowners are seeing it, too, with their values going up.”
Along with rising home values, South Side offers a convenient location and passionate neighbors. While the neighborhood has seen hard times, the pride and commitment of lifelong residents never left. “Typically, the clientele that we sell for they are very mindful of their neighbors,” LaBrie says. “When they sell their house, they want to make sure that somebody comes in and is a part of the community and keeps up their home, so it is a very close-knit community of good people that look out for each other.”
The South Side neighborhood has many amenities.
There is a wide array of architectural styles found in South Side.
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Affordable, 1,000 square foot homes
The primary draw to South Side is its affordability. The 1940s bungalows, minimal traditional homes and cottages are usually about 1,000 square feet and sit on 4,000-square-foot lots. Most are made with shingle siding and feature small basements, although a few are built on concrete slats. Driveways and single-car garages offer off-street parking. Prices for handyman specials start at about $10,000 and climb to $45,000, while a newly remodeled home can sell between $50,000 and $150,000.
“When we list a house, we get a lot of first-time homebuyers looking for affordable housing in a good neighborhood,” LaBrie says. “For maybe $80,000 to $150,000, you can find a house that will qualify for first-time home buyer loans while also meeting the expectations of a buyer who wants something they don’t have to do a lot of work on.”
Traditional minimal homes in South Side are very charming and well-kept.
Bungalows can be found throughout the neighborhood of South Side.
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A convenient location for commuting and careers
Another draw to the area is its location. On-ramps for Interstates 75, 475 and 69 are less than a mile from the neighborhood. The Clover Interchange is less than 2 miles northeast, and an interchange for I-75 and I-69 is 2 miles northeast. “No matter if you commute somewhere in Genessee County or you take 475 down to metro Detroit, or you're going to Lansing or Ann Arbor, it’s a very easy commute to and from work,” LaBrie says.
But with the General Motors Flint Assembly plant just west of South Side, residents don’t have to travel far for blue-collar careers. It’s one of Flint’s largest employers and is the company’s longest-running manufacturing plant. McLaren Flint, a major general hospital, is only 4 miles north.
Shopping and dining within reach
Miller Road is a major shopping destination located about 4 miles north of South Side, home to department stores and national retailers including Target and Forman Mills. It’s a straight shot up Interstate 75 and can be reached in less than 10 minutes by car. Corunna Road, another shopping district, is about 5 miles north and can also be reached in less than 10 minutes. It has big-box stores including Walmart, Kroger and Sam’s Club.
While Miller Road and Corunna Road are a short drive from the South Side, Fenton Road is within walking distance for most. Landmark Food Center #2 is a small grocery store offering fresh cuts, produce and plenty of deals. There’s also a Dollar Tree on Fenton, along with various restaurants and bars.
Bristol Road borders the neighborhood to the south and is home to Latina Restaurant & Pizzeria. The casual Italian restaurant offers a lunch buffet and sports bar, making it a local favorite. The line of patrons at Donna's Donuts usually wraps to the entrance. With about 20 donut variations to choose from, and fresh coffee brewed daily, this small shop has outlived many of the franchises that came up with it.
South Side locals head to Latina Restaurant & Pizzeria for comfort food.
South Side locals head to Donna's Donuts to fill their sweet tooth.
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South Side Reunion and alley events
The South Side Reunion, which takes place on the third Saturday of August, attracts hundreds of people to Brennan Park annually. Current and previous residents meet up for a day of food, music and good times. The sounds of R&B and laughter mingle in the air, along with the sweet smell of barbeque. Vendors set up tents, and kids enjoy the bounce houses while adults reconnect with old friends.
South Side residents are also minutes from downtown Flint, home to various events throughout the year. Brush Alley is home to several events including the monthly Flint Night Market, which features vendors, artists, live music and more. The annual Alley Fest in Buckham Alley is an all day event with over 50 vendors, live music, food and a buzzing atmosphere.
Sitdowners Memorial Park and Broome Park
Sitdowners Memorial Park, as the name suggests, commemorates the sit-down strikes that swept through Flint in 1936 and 1937. Tired of dealing with dangerous working conditions, poor pay, and mistreatment from General Motors, the United Auto Workers Union organized the strikes to advocate for better conditions. It became one of the most pivotal moments in labor rights history. Broome Park, also known as Lincoln Park, features a playground and open field space.
Broome Park has plenty of places to take your dog for a walk.
Sitdowners Memorial Park statue represents the Women's Emergency Brigade.
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Neithercut Elementary, Ainsworth Middle, Southwestern and Genesee Early College
Flint has choice schools so students can attend any school within the city or the surrounding suburbs. Neithercut Elementary School sits at the center of South Side and serves pre-k through sixth-grade students. It has a D-plus rating on Niche. Carman-Ainsworth Middle School has a C-minus rating and serves sixth through eighth graders. Southwestern Classical Academy, which has a C rating, is just north of Broome Park and serves ninth through 12th graders.
Neithercut Elementary School provides education in the neighborhood of Flint.
Carman-Ainsworth High School offers a variety of programs that challenge children.
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Elevated noise levels and crime risks
South Side has higher noise and crime levels than surrounding neighborhoods, such as Woodcroft Estates. The Bishop International Airport is just 3 miles west of the community, and there’s a train track bordering it to the north, so residents deal with elevated noise levels throughout the day. South Side receives a 7 out of 10 crime index score, whereas the national average is 4.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the South Side neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
South Side
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
South Side Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South Side, Flint sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in South Side, Flint over the last 12 months is $62,450, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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