Green Oak offers a streetch of greenery between South Lyon and Brighton
Situated just beyond Metro Detroit’s western outskirts, Green Oak Township puts Motor City-style manufacturing within a semi-rural corner of Livingston County. “Green Oak has that in-the-woods, up north feel; it’s the bridge between South Lyon and Brighton,” says Mark Krysiak, a Realtor with Casablanca Real Estate LLC who grew up in Green Oak. Nearly 20,000 residents call Green Oak home, many of them working for local manufacturers like H.H. Barnum and Fortech Products or commuting to Green Oak’s neighboring cities. Beyond Green Oak’s northeastern industrial section lay thousands of acres of preserved parkland, golfing greens, farmland and small residential communities.
Green Oak includes manufactured homes, a retirement community and lakeside properties
Though Green Oak may have become a commuter exurb of Ann Arbor, even its residential sections retain a strongly natural feel. “The biggest thing about you notice about Green Oak is that it’s kind of hilly, and streets tend to meander through the woods,” Krysiak says. Green Oak has become a burgeoning retirement community; condos in its Centennial Farms 55-plus community sell for between $80,000 and $290,000. This land of lakes consists of several subdivisions, many of them developed as recently as the late 2010s and early 2020s. Hidden Lake, largely developed in the early 21st century, includes condos with prices between $700,000 and $1,210,000. Manufactured homes across Green Oak can go for between $80,000 and $150,000, while ranch-style homes built from the 1930s to 1970s cost between $120,000 and $620,000. New Traditional and split-level construction built from the 1980s to the present can cost between $340,000 and $830,000, while lakeside residences with between four and five bedrooms range in price from $850,000 to $1,750,000. Some private lakes are accessible through backyard boat launches from Green Oak’s larger homes. “It’s interesting because you can have Brighton mailing, South Lyon school zoning and Livingston County taxes, which are lower than in both cities. It’s a really nice location,” Krysiak says. Green Oak's quiet character is reflected in its CAP Index Crime Score of 1, indicating a minimal risk of crime.
Parks and golfing are central to the Green Oak experience
Massive parks scattered throughout Green Oak Township preserve swathes of pristine nature. The Island Lake Recreation Area’s 4,000 acres of woodlands and meadows are frequented by hikers and campers, while the Huron River - which cuts through the park - offers a local venue for canoeing and swimming. The Huron Meadows Metropark makes another 1,500 acres of nature accessible to the public. Trails lead to an observation deck and a boat launch along Maltby Lake, a popular fishing destination. This park also includes the Huron Meadows Golf & XC Ski Center, which doubles as a cross-country skiing location and a regulation golf course. “It has just about anything you’d want for outdoor activities,” Krysiak says.
Golfing is a big deal in Green Oak; “Where I grew up, within a 10-minute radius, there were probably around 11 golf courses,” Krysiak says. Moose Ridge Golf Course is open to the public, inviting golfers to play on a 230-acre championship course and relax at the course’s bar and grill. “Moose Ridge Golf Course is one of the nicest in the lower state area. It’s got super close proximity to Whitmore Lake and Silver Lake, which are really nice as well,” Krysiak says. The Futureball Paintball & Airsoft Park includes several courses that provide challenging battlegrounds for squads of diverse ages. Carousel Acres offers a more peaceful venue for family outings, offering pony rides and opportunities to meet llamas, deer and other animals.
Green Oak Village Place has plenty of supermarkets, big-box retailers and restaurants
U.S. Route 23 serves as Green Oak’s main retail thoroughfare, connecting local shopping centers with Brighton’s conveniences. The Green Oak Village Place includes big-box outlets like HomeGoods and JCPenney, while, across the street, Costco shares a plaza with several chain restaurants. Joe Kool’s serves as the local sports bar, and Don Juan Mexican Restaurant brings Mexican cuisine to the Metro Detroit suburbs.
A-rated education at Brighton and South Lyon schools
Students in northwest Green Oak can attend Brighton Area Schools, which Niche gives an A rating and the accolade of Livingston County’s best school district. Students living closer to South Lyon can attend the A-minus-rated South Lyon Community Schools. The A-rated Brighton High School prepares its students for their collegiate and career futures through STEAM pathways, an automotive technology program and a variety of AP classes.
Easy access to nearby cities
Green Oak’s access to Interstate 96 puts commuters less than 20 miles from Oakland County manufacturing hubs like Novi and 8 miles from Brighton and its Trinity Health IHA Urgent Care hospital. Ann Arbor’s technology, healthcare and college-town employment opportunities are reachable within a 17-mile drive down Route 23.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
Photography Contributed By
Scottie Davison
