Gladwin offers a quiet, nature-filled lifestyle year-round
In the rural community of Gladwin, nature is a way of life. It is surrounded by woods, water and trails for hiking and off-road vehicles. “The community that lives here matches the surroundings — flannels & jeans in the winter, bathing suits in the summer,” says Rebecca Tomac, broker and owner of Cedar & Crow Realty. “My cousin once visited from Grand Rapids and the first thing she said upon arrival was, ‘There is a proportionately large number of trucks up here!’" She calls her hometown a “quiet tree-filled heaven.” Outside of the city, the county has several lake communities. Summer and hunting season attract many part-time residents, and most of the houses around Gladwin are bought as second homes.
Housing options include ranch-style homes, cabins and new construction
Houses in Gladwin vary from historic homes to new construction. Tomac says that the 1990s and 2000s were a time when people bought two or three cabins to tear down and build large lake homes. “That trend continues on some of our bigger all-sport lakes; however, you can still find an original one-room beauty with slab floors and solid wood walls on some of the smaller lakes,” Tomac says. “Each cabin has its own history."
The city's streets are laid out in a grid with sidewalks and large established trees. The median lot size is about a quarter of an acre. Houses needing some repairs range from around $50,000 to $80,000. Two-story properties in a mix of styles, raised ranch-style and ranch-style homes, sell for about $80,000 to $275,000. Larger homes and waterfront properties start at around $320,000 and go up to $400,000.
Area schools offer a mix of ratings and enrollment paths
Gladwin Elementary serves preschoolers through second graders and has a B grade from Niche. C-plus-rated Gladwin Intermediate is for third through fifth grades. Gladwin Junior High has a B-minus grade, and Gladwin High is C-plus rated. High schoolers can take dual enrollment classes through Kirtland Community College. Gladwin Community Schools has open enrollment under Michigan’s Schools of Choice law, which allows out-of-district transfers without tuition. Gladwin has a handful of private school options, including Southwell Amish School. It does not currently have a Niche score.
Campgrounds, beaches and biking trails near the Cedar River
Gladwin County is known for its access to recreation in all seasons, from hunting and fishing to boating and snowmobiling. The City of Gladwin has a few smaller spots to enjoy the outdoors. Gladwin Park & Campground has a sandy beach on the Cedar River, sports courts and a playground. North Park has a skate park and a launch for kayaks.
“There is also a biking trail from the city of Gladwin to the City of Beaverton,” Tomac says, referring to the Trail of Two Cities. “It’s about a 10-mile bike trip with many areas of it hugging the banks of the Cedar River for beautiful views.” Golfers can head to Gladwin Heights Golf Course or Sugar Springs Golf Club, which are both public 18-hole courses.
Local shopping includes groceries, antiques and Amish goods
Most of Gladwin’s restaurants are along West Cedar Avenue. Riverwalk Grill is part of Riverwalk Place Resort & Spa, but open to the public. Piper’s Pub has daily specials. "If you are shopping for antiques, second-hand goodies or fresh food, you can find all that locally,” Tomac says. “There are two large grocery stores in town [Family Fare and Save A Lot], and every lake community has a Dollar General, of course.” There are a handful of fast-food options as well. Tomac says Gladwin has a large and growing Amish population that sells fresh vegetables, butter and other goods at roadside stands. Midland, about 35 miles away, has more shopping and dining options.
Holiday lights, lake gatherings and summer traditions
The annual Gladwin County Fair runs in the summer, but the fairgrounds host other events throughout the year, like a snowmobile race. The Gladwin County Festival of Lights is a holiday event on the first Saturday of December. The Gladwin Farmers Market is every Saturday from early May to early October. “Most weekenders never leave the water,” Tomac says. “Most lake communities have their own holiday festivities on or near the lake.”
ATVs and golf carts are common on quiet country roads
Gladwin has some walkability downtown, but the county is more car-dependent. “There are no traffic jams and most roads are dirt,” Tomac says. “You can ride your golf cart or ATV anywhere in the county except major highways, of which we only have two.” The city is between Interstate 75 and U.S. Route 127, about 14 miles from each. Gladwin City County Transit offers an on-demand bus service for those who need it. The area has its own hospital, and the closest airport is in Saginaw, about 65 miles away.
