What it’s like living in Greenwood Township
Living in Greenwood Township, you can expect a truly rural life, with open stretches of farms and fields, quiet backroads and spacious yards, free from any city commotion. The township with fewer than 1,400 people feels private and secluded. Still, the area is more connected to the outside world than it may seem, thanks to a few commutable cities, reliable utilities and nearby necessities.
Housing styles in the area and what they cost
There's a mix of housing styles in town, including manufactured homes, early-1900s builds and modern designs. One constant across all styles, however, is plenty of land to spread out on. Most homes have at least an acre, while others have more than 50. "People come here for the land. Your windows don't open right up to your neighbor's windows," says Eric Raymo, a Realtor with eXp Realty. "Anybody that's a hunter, the land brings them up this way. Especially if they can hunt on their own property," he says. You can also build outbuildings and farm your land with the right permits or lease it to local farmers and loggers. Recently, plots of land ranging from 5 to 30 acres have sold for well below $100,000, up to the high $200,000s. Manufactured homes, early-1900s cottages and farmhouses range from the mid-$100,000s to the mid-$300,000s. Only a few New Traditional homes have been built in the past 30 years, and they range from the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$400,000s.
Which companies provide services and utilities to the area
For those not used to country living, it's natural to wonder where necessities like water, energy and internet may come from. In Greenwood Township, residents receive services from a few providers:
- DTE Energy, a Detroit-based energy company, has an energy center right in town that supplies electricity to locals.
- SEMCO Energy Gas Company, headquartered in Port Huron, provides gas lines to most of the township.
- Frontier is the choice telephone service and internet provider in the area that relies on fiber-optic cables.
- Marcotte Disposal picks up garbage throughout the township on Thursdays.
All homes require private water wells and septic systems. Rules, regulations, and permits are issued by the county, but maintenance, testing and pumping are the property owner's responsibility.
Commuting from Greenwood Township to city jobs and nearby amenities
Working from home in Greenwood Township is possible with high-speed internet. Those working in a nearby city can expect a 30-minute to hour-long commute. Interstate 69 is a few miles south and heads west to Imlay City and Lapeer, while Port Huron is to the east. Detroit is just over an hour south.
A convenience store, a few churches and farmstands are in the community. For grocery trips and retail shopping, you'll have to venture elsewhere. "Everyone goes to Yale for groceries," Raymo says. "There are a few restaurants there, too."
Who lives in the community, and where they can hang out
Greenwood Township has many long-term residents, including those whose families have been in the area for generations. Still, the community sees a few newcomers each year. "There's a good mix of people who were born and raised there, then came back," Raymo says. "Then there are people who moved there from counties closer to the cities for more privacy and land." While you might feel far from activity living in Greenwood, you're less than a 30-minute drive from the events, community organizations and holiday festivals in Port Huron. "If you want to be involved, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved," Raymo says. "But, if you just want to stay out in the woods or on your land, no one is going to bother you or find it odd."
Yale Public Schools is highly rated and provides transportation
Michigan offers a school choice program, and children can attend public schools in any participating district. Still, most parents have their kids attend Yale Public Schools, the local district, because it's highly rated. Transportation is provided for all students within the boundaries.
Written By
Heather Haggerty