The resilient Eastside is building and growing again
One thing Flint is known for is its strong communities made up of actively involved residents, and perhaps nowhere is that better demonstrated than in the Eastside. Sandwiched between the Flint River and Dort Highway, this resilient community has weathered the effects of urban renewal and deindustrialization thanks to its active network of community organizations that have built community gardens, launched park cleanups and provided services to neighbors in need. As a result of their efforts, the Eastside is bouncing back with appreciating home values.
Churches and community centers provide produce and other crucial services
Because much of the Eastside is a food desert, community gardens have become a common fixture, dovetailing with a growing appreciation for environmental stewardship. The Latinx Technology and Community Center hosts regular community gardening days in addition to special events like luncheons with guest speakers and an annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration in downtown Flint. Asbury Church is more than just a place to worship on Sunday morning. The center is home to a public cafe serving sandwiches and other meals. Ingredients are grown a few blocks north in greenhouses that the church built on 50 previously vacant lots.
Residents maintain parks through city programs and community cleanup days
Some locals are park adopters, like Grace Community Christian Fellowship, which maintains the grass and playgrounds at both Delaware Park and Amos Park. Whaley Park is maintained by the Greater Flint Baseball and Softball Association. "Whaley Park is a big spot where high school baseball tournaments are still played right along the riverbank. And then Riverside Park to the north of that runs all the way up to Carpenter Road," says Tom Esper, education manager for the Flint River Watershed Coalition.
Stewardship Day occurs every spring in parks all across the city, including several in the neighborhood. At Kearsley Park, the event offers activities to keep kids occupied while parents volunteer to clean up the walking paths, playgrounds and ball diamonds. "This will be the second year the Watershed Coalition has done a Stewardship Day. And Keep Genesee County Beautiful has done a Stewardship Day too, so now the two organizations are working together," Esper says. "We are working together at over 20 different sites for one big day of cleanup. But then for the rest of the year, the park adopters are expected to be keeping their eye on the park and reporting things and picking up trash."
Grocery access limited in some areas
Davison Road is home to several beloved businesses. Luigi's Restaurant has been a staple choice for casual Italian dinners since opening in 1955, continuing to serve pizza and antipasto in its Americana dining room decorated with football memorabilia. Maude's Alabama BBQ recently opened a secondary location on Davison Road, meaning resident's don't have to drive to Lapeer anymore for some pulled pork. Davison Road is also home to a Save A Lot grocery store, but some parts of the neighborhood are over a mile away. Convenience stores provide these areas with basic grocery items.
Remodeled Craftsman homes and other investments raising property value
Since 2020, the average home value in the Eastside has increased by roughly $15,500 due to improvements made by the community and investors. While community organizations have repurposed empty lots into community gardens, private investors have meanwhile remodeled numerous 20th century Craftsman-style cottages and American Foursquares that dot residential streets. This has increased the supply of move-in ready starter homes and multi-story options, most of which now sell for between $65,000 and $125,000. Lower priced options usually are smaller or might require some lingering cosmetic repairs. Despite all the progress, there are still many investment opportunities remaining. These typically sell for between $5,000 and $50,000, with lower priced options usually requiring more intensive repairs.
Bus routes and riverside trails connect with downtown
Getting around the Eastside isn't too difficult. Most residential streets and even some busy thoroughfares have a sidewalk. Bus routes also make stops all throughout the neighborhood, providing alternative connections to downtown than driving on Interstate 475. Residents can even use the Flint River Trail to reach downtown, Kearsley Park and additional parks along the Flint River.
Public academies and charter school alternatives
Although Flint allows students to apply to any school in the district, most begin at either Potter Elementary or Doyle Ryder Elementary, both rated D-plus by Niche. By seventh grade, students age up to the Accelerated Learning Academy, rated C-minus, then stay there until graduating twelfth grade. Some parents prefer to send their kids to private or charter schools nearby, such as the Flint Cultural Center Academy, which does not have a Niche rating but earns a 5-out-of-10 rating from Greatschools.
Crime lingering while recovery from drinking water crisis concludes
Although Flint has nearly completed recovering from its 2014 drinking water crisis — a process that involves replacing all lead pipes in the city with state assistance — the crisis hit the Eastside particularly hard. In the years since, many businesses have closed and many homes have sat vacant in disrepair. Some residents are also hesitant to stop buying bottled water even though Flint's tap water now meets federal safety standards. Even so, as a precaution, the EPA still recommends using an approved lead filter if consuming tap water. Meanwhile, crime remains the community's top concern. The neighborhood has a CAP Index crime score of 5, one point above the national average.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Robert Condie,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Kearsley Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Whaley Park
Transit
Airport
Bishop International
24 min drive
Bus
Leith & Dort
Bus
Leith & Cook
Bus
Franklin & Leith
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Eastside
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Eastside, Flint sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Eastside, Flint over the last 12 months is $33,332, up 14% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Attention Investors, Handymen & Entrepreneurs! Incredible opportunity to acquire a large portfolio of homes—perfect for short- or long-term investment. These properties offer low acquisition costs with high rental return potential, making now the ideal time to start or expand your real estate portfolio. Distressed properties—may require substantial repairs. All taxes paid to date—no liens or
Attention Investors, Handymen & Entrepreneurs! Incredible opportunity to acquire a large portfolio of homes—perfect for short- or long-term investment. These properties offer low acquisition costs with high rental return potential, making now the ideal time to start or expand your real estate portfolio. Distressed properties—may require substantial repairs. All taxes paid to date—no liens or
Attention Investors, Handymen & Entrepreneurs! ??Fantastic opportunity to acquire a large portfolio of homes—ideal for short- or long-term investment. With low acquisition costs and high rental return potential, now is the perfect time to start or expand your real estate portfolio.? Distressed properties—may require substantial repairs? All taxes paid to date—no liens or outstanding water bills?
Featuring oversized bedrooms, living space and bathrooms, this property has plenty of space for whoever will be living here. Schedule your private tour today!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Robert Condie,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,485
Median Age
38
Population under 18
25.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$30,879
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$38,282
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
78.7%
College Graduates
6.3%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.8%
% Population in Labor Force
50.1%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
36''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
48/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
34/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
28/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
