Gaines Township has lower property taxes and easy access to Grand Rapids
A few miles south of Grand Rapids, Gaines Township attracts homeowners with its convenient location, amenities and low cost of living. “Gaines has a fairly low property tax, which is a real draw,” says Dave Kooistra, a broker at Apex Realty Group. “There are some nice parks, the school districts are really good, and it’s got quick access to Grand Rapids.” With around 29,000 residents, this Kent County township encompasses many communities and neighborhoods, providing various housing and lifestyle options. And with steady construction, that doesn’t appear to be changing soon. “It’s getting pretty populated – lots of new neighborhoods,” says Kooistra. “Gaines is pretty friendly when it comes to development.”
The area has 21st-century neo-traditional homes and midcentury designs
The newest homes in the area tend to be in the Corinth community. Based around the southwestern section of the township, 21st-century neo-traditional homes are arranged neatly in planned communities with modern amenities. Homes are priced between the mid-$420,000s to the low $690,000s. Cutlerville has traditional subdivisions filled with midcentury architecture, ranging from the low $210,000s to the mid-$420,000s. “You’re starting to see a lot of young families buying the older, dated houses and renovating them,” says Kooistra. Two-story condos are popular in Crystal Springs and generally sell between the mid-$320,000s and the low $420,000s.
Caledonia High School employs 2025's Michigan Teacher of the Year
Most of the area is served by Caledonia Community Schools, which has six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The district has an A-minus from Niche. In 2024, one of Caledonia High School’s social studies teachers was named Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Center for Civic Education. Smaller sections of Gaines Township are serviced by Bryon Center Public Schools, which has an A grade from Niche, and Kentwood Public Schools, which has an A-minus.
Prairie Wolf Park is filled with apple blossoms
The trails of Prairie Wolf Park are known for the natural beauty that surrounds them. “It’s full of apple blossoms in the spring – the whole park smells like them,” says Kooistra. “Lots of wildlife around there, too.” Shadyside Park has traditional recreational amenities: a playground, public grills and a picnic pavilion. The Briarwood Golf Club is a public, 18-hole course.
Railtown Brewing Company is literally a piece of the city
Railtown Brewing Company has been serving craft beer and upscale eats to the community since 2014. In fact, the locals like it so much that in 2025, they renamed a street in its honor. “There are a few local, standout restaurants,” says Kooistra. “But mostly, you’ve got a lot of commercial places and fast food.” Gaines Marketplace is a standard stop for retail like Target and grocery stores like Meijer.
The city is convenient to Lake Michigan
Two of the main highways in the area are U.S. Route 131 and Michigan Highway 6. “M-6 runs right through the middle of town,” says Kooistra. “It gets you around fast, and there’s hardly any traffic.” Location is one of the best things about living in the area, Kooistra says. “You’re 15 minutes from the airport, 30 minutes from Lake Michigan and less than 20 minutes from the center of downtown Grand Rapids,” he says. Public transportation is provided by The Rapid bus line, which has several stops along Kalamazoo Avenue.
The Fall Heritage Festival is celebrated every October
Every October, the Fall Heritage Festival celebrates the turning of the leaves with a day of live performances, food trucks, hayrides and a farmers market. Every summer, the Gaines Community Rodeo invites the community for two days of roping, bull riding and steer wrestling.
