Jackson

Jackson’s Arts District is easy to identify, whether from the constant sounds of live music or the long, solemn brick wall with guard towers running along West North Street and Cooper Street. “This was the original prison for the state of Michigan,” says Ray Snell, a retired Jackson Realtor who currently serves on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. While it may have a harrowing past, the facility is now a hotspot for the city’s most creative neighbors. “They took the building and turned it into apartments, and they’ve done very well with it,” Snell says. Jackson locals also call this area “Fairgrounds,” and for good reason: the community is anchored by James J. Keeley Park, which comes alive each summer during the Jackson County Fair and other events year-round. Those living in the quiet residential streets surrounding these active epicenters will often come across folks traveling into town for the festivities, as well as Jackson’s own artists and performers. Once the Ferris Wheel goes up, the anticipation begins for the biggest event in the city. “Our Jackson County Fair has been going on for 171 years,” says Snell, who regularly volunteers during the festivities. “That is well-attended out-of-state, too.” Rides, fried carnival fare and glitzy games are staples of the event, though swine and goat judging, and Saddle Bronc Riding at the Twisted P Rodeo are also major draws. The sounds of live music wash over the entire neighborhood during the week-long festivities and during other events scheduled throughout the year. “We also do a beer festival in the late winter that’s awfully popular, and we hold that at the fairgrounds,” Snell says, referring to the Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival. “The Keely Park grounds are actually a part of our park system.” Juxtaposed to these active event grounds is the historic Michigan State Prison. Parts of the site not occupied by Armory Arts Apartments still offer educational tours, though little remains of the prison itself. “Most of the old buildings have been torn down,” Snell says. “The County bought the property, and with things like roof failure it was gonna cost too much to restore the buildings and keep them safe.” Other historic buildings in the area have also boarded the artistic train, like ART 634. The former wagon and carriage factory is the creative home to Jackson area artists, who make their living exhibiting their work in exposed brick gallery rooms and studio spaces. Aside from scheduled gallery shows, residents can book events like weddings, birthday parties and corporate events in The Carriage House, which is characterized by rustic brick, wooden beams and original hardwood floors. "No Parking” signs are scattered throughout the Art District’s single-family residential areas to help mitigate overcrowding during events, though James J. Keeley Park has plenty of parking and shuttles going to and from the grounds during the Jackson County Fair. Like the rest of central Jackson, homes were built between the late 1800s and the early 1900s, when the city established its industrial roots. National Folk homes, American Foursquares and Dutch Colonials sit beside bungalows with three-season rooms, most including detached garage space at the end of long driveways. Some homes still have wood siding that has been updated over the years, while others switched to vinyl. Cluttered front porches and yards with chain-link fences are common sights, and roads are in various states of repair, with those branching off busy thoroughfares like East Ganson Street or Lansing Avenue faring the best and those north of the fairgrounds with the most cracks and potholes. Prices in the neighborhood range from $41,000 for homes sold “as-is” needing extensive renovations, up to $190,000 for older turnkey properties and brand-new homes. The Arts Armory Walk traces along the Grand River and leads about a mile north to the softball fields, playground and pavilion at Lions Park, named for Jackson’s Lions Club. Nixon Water Park sits off Cooper Street next to the unassociated Nixon Skate Park, the former with paid entry and the latter a free resource. Besides these neighborhood options and the fairgrounds, Jackson residents travel about 3 to 5 miles south to larger city parks like Ella Sharp Park and the Cascades. Arts District area residents have limited dining and shopping options on Cooper Street or Lansing Avenue, which lead south to downtown Jackson. Besides Dollar General, Keyes Produce is a greengrocer offering fresh fruits and vegetables close to home. Neon string lights, darts and slots set the scene at Greystone Tavern on Lansing Avenue, a Jackson fixture with cold beers on tap and eclectic bites like the donut burger served on paper-covered trays. Folks head downtown for more popular restaurants before catching a show at the Michigan Avenue Theater, or shop for groceries at big-box stores like Kroger at Jackson Crossing, about 2 miles northwest. Pedestrians can take the tree-shaded Armory Arts trail all the way from Lions Park to the north to downtown Jackson, about 1 mile south of the Arts District. The trail is also bike-friendly, along with many of the roads that pass near or through these residential areas. Shuttle buses travel from the Keeley Park to the rest of the city during the Jackson County Fair, but there still may be heavier vehicle traffic in residential areas during fair season and other popular events. The downtown area is also cornered by Business US Highway 127 and Business Loop Interstate 94; exiting onto these thoroughfares takes drivers the 42 miles to Lansing, 36 to Ann Arbor or 77 to Detroit and the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Non-driving commuters can reach these cities via Amtrak trains that run through Jackson Station east of downtown, or by boarding Greyhound buses that stop at the Jackson Area Transit Authority (JATA) Transfer Station. The transfer station also serves as a hub for local bus routes that course through the Arts District. As for medical care, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital on East Michigan Avenue has been the city’s main healthcare space since 1918 and is surrounded by smaller practices. Kids living east of the fairgrounds are zoned for Northeast Elementary School, which scores a C-plus from Niche. Those living westward attend newly renovated Hunt Elementary, which also gets a C-plus. Middle School at Parkside, the city’s only public middle school, scores a C, and while Jackson High School gets a B-plus. Both offer a community closet program to help students and their families with supplies, from clothes to backpacks and toiletries. Jackson Public Schools allows families to choose from other district schools, and kids qualify for bus transportation if they live at least half a mile from their elementary school and at least a mile and a half from their middle or high school.

Sitting just two miles from downtown Jackson, Bennett offers a traditional city lifestyle with easy connections to the city’s most popular spaces. Updated 20th-century houses, long-running restaurants and a central location near everyday shopping blend old-school charm with contemporary convenience. “Everything’s five, 10 minutes away from everything in the city. You’ll never sit at traffic lights more than one or two times,” says Valerie Stover, a lifelong resident of the area and the head broker and owner of the Val Stover Real Estate Team. Stover has sold homes in Bennett and other Jackson County communities since 1992. Bennett's single-family homes were generally built between the 1900s and the 1950s. Earlier properties have simplified Colonial Revival touches, while later homes lean toward a minimal traditional aesthetic. Newly built houses in the area emulate the style of the area with materials consistent with today’s industry standards. Interiors vary from property to property, offering everything from renovation-ready spaces to fully updated living rooms and kitchens. Property values generally range from $50,000 to $250,000. Students in Bennett can study at schools within the city’s Jackson Public Schools district or other districts within the county through the area’s school choice program. One option, JPS Montessori Center, implements a curriculum focusing on sensory learning and encourages students to learn the material at their own pace. The school has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio and earns a C-plus grade on Niche. Middle School at Parkside earns a C grade. Jackson High School offers over 30 athletic and extracurricular programs and earns a B-plus grade on Niche. Bennett residents can enjoy one of the city’s largest selections of dining and shopping options, with quick access to local options and the businesses at the Jackson Crossing Mall. Along North West Avenue/US Highway 127 Business, the Roxy Café has been a staple for more than 40 years. Serving brunch favorites, the restaurant's whiteboard is filled with the latest specials and a ceiling is tiled with billboards for local businesses. Guests at the International Dog House can choose from 15 specialty hot dogs on the letterboard menu, while White’s Restaurant and Catering serves fried chicken and fish over newsprint placemats. Additional dining options await at the plazas just west of the neighborhood and in downtown Jackson to the south. Immediately west of the neighborhood, the Jackson Crossing Mall and the surrounding shopping centers provide a wide selection of mainstream shopping options, including Kroger and Aldi for groceries, Target, The Home Depot and Kohl’s. For most residents, Ganson Street Park is the closest recreational space. The small neighborhood park offers a playground, walking paths and a small green space for play dates or games of fetch. About a mile northeast along the Grand River, the larger Lions Park has a walking trail with a bridge crossing the river, a basketball court and softball fields. Indoor recreation is available at Optimist Ice Arena and Allskate Fun Center, which sit along North Street to the west, and Anytime Fitness, adjacent to the Bennett area along North West Avenue. North West Avenue/US Highway 127 Business is Bennett's primary north-south thoroughfare and connects to Lansing, 39 miles to the north. West North Street and West Ganson Street are the neighborhood’s primary east-west connections. Locals are about 2 miles northwest of downtown Jackson and 37 miles west of Ann Arbor, accessible via Interstate 94, less than two miles away. Jackson Area Transit Authority has bus stops on Ganson Street, North West Avenue and Lansing Avenue for local commutes. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is about 60 miles east of the neighborhood for travel beyond the south Michigan area. Henry Ford Jackson Hospital is 2 miles to the southeast. To the neighborhood’s east along Ganson Street, the Jackson County Fair has been an annual tradition in the city for more than 170 years. The fair began as an agricultural showcase, but today, it welcomes thousands of guests for concerts, rodeos, carnival attractions, and more. In the winter, the Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival takes place at the fairgrounds. Downtown Jackson provides even more entertainment opportunities year-round, including local bars and venues such as the Michigan Theatre and Weatherwax Hall. Houses of worship nearby include Ganson Street Baptist Church and Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church. Some areas within the neighborhood have Flood Factor scores of 2 feet or more, indicating the possibility of greater flood risks during inclement weather. Residents may also experience higher noise near major thoroughfares such as West Avenue and Ganson Street.

The Cascades neighborhood blends the charms of Midwestern life with close connections to the city of Jackson’s most appealing locales. Citizens don’t have to venture far to enjoy the distinctive light shows and fireworks at the Cascade Falls waterfall just south of the residential streets, while 20th-century houses contribute to the area’s easygoing day-to-day lifestyle. “It’s a city with a very friendly atmosphere. When people come here, they usually stay for a pretty long time,” says Valerie Stover, the head broker and owner at the Val Stover Real Estate Team. Stover has sold homes in Jackson for 30 years and is a lifelong resident of the area. The straight residential streets of the neighborhood are lined with single-family homes from the 1920s to the 1950s. Buyers can find ranch-style homes and minimal traditional properties, along with a few Craftsman-influenced homes. Most have small to medium-sized floor plans and two to four bedrooms, and many properties offer a contrast between the 20th-century aesthetics on the outside and updated, contemporary interiors within. Prices typically range from the $140,000s to the $260,000s. Public school students in the Cascades area can attend schools within the Jackson Public Schools district or in neighboring communities based on parent choice. Local schools include Cascades Elementary School, which has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio and a C grade on Niche. Middle School at Parkside also earns a C grade. Students at Jackson High School can prepare for technical jobs by taking classes offered by the Jackson Area Career Center. The school earns a B-plus grade on Niche. In addition to the area’s traditional schools, the Jackson County Intermediate School District operates the JCISD Central Campus on the neighborhood’s southwest side, an educational facility for youth and adult learners with additional support needs. The facility is unranked on Niche. Select specialty businesses are available within the neighborhood and its immediate area, while more general offerings are available to the north near Jackson’s shopping hubs. Close to Morrell Street on the north side, everyday food and household supplies are available at Polly’s Country Market, a Jackson grocery chain in operation for more than 90 years. Familiar brands nearby include Family Dollar, Rite Aid and Ace Hardware stores. Northeast of the neighborhood on Franklin Street, bargain hunters can find vintage clothes and consignment items at Clothing Carousel. Dining options in the immediate area are limited to a few casual picks on the area’s south side. In the spring and summer, Cascades Ice Cream Company offers a variety of traditional and gluten-free dessert choices. Wendy’s and Little Caesars are the most convenient fast food options in the area. For more carryout and formal dining options, residents can head north to downtown Jackson or to the shopping centers along West Avenue. Cascades shares its name with Cascade Falls, one of Jackson’s premier local attractions. These man-made waterfalls glow with a light show coordinated by more than 1200 LED lights, providing a spectacle on summer nights that’s made the park a local draw for over 90 years. Beyond the falls, additional amenities in the area include spaces for picnics, fishing and baseball at Sparks Foundation County Park, the 18 holes of the Cascades Golf Course and pickleball courts at Cascade Falls County Park. South West Avenue acts as the neighborhood’s primary north-south thoroughfare, while West High Street and Morrell Street are the most convenient east-west travel options. Locals are about 2 miles southwest of the city center, 38 miles west of Ann Arbor and 41 miles south of Lansing. For medical emergencies, Henry Ford Jackson hospital is about 3 miles northeast of the neighborhood. For travel beyond the south Michigan area, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is about 62 miles east. During the summertime, Cascades Park doubles as one of Jackson’s key hubs for local events. Jackson County hosts annual fireworks shows over the falls on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Throughout the rest of the season, locals can stop by for live music at the park’s outdoor amphitheater and food truck rodeos in addition to the light shows. Just west of the neighborhood on Spring Arbor Road, West Point Lounge offers a nearby spot to watch sports and enjoy beers on tap. More activities await in downtown Jackson, where the local Social District lets residents explore businesses while enjoying their favorite refreshments. Houses of worship nearby include Cascades Baptist Church and Queen of the Miraculous Medal Church.

Creglow Heights bridges Jackson’s outer western communities with the more tightly populated areas near the city center. Taking its name from Creglow Drive within the neighborhood, this tree-lined residential community on the city's southwest end makes it easy to enjoy a favorite pastime of locals. “Jackson has a really robust golf scene, it’s really nice and affordable to play out here,” says Matt Schaffer, the museum assistant at Ella Sharp Museum. The museum sits about a mile south of the neighborhood. Its focus on local history and location within Ella Sharp Park has made it an enduring stop for residents of all ages, alongside the 18-hole course on the grounds. Three additional golf destinations are west of the neighborhood, giving residents a range of options to improve their driving and putting games. “We’ve had a long history of golf, too. There’s a local hall of fame and multiple organizations that organize golf tournaments,” Schaffer says. Most of Creglow Heights’ homes were built between the 1960s and the early 2000s. Styles vary between Colonial Revival houses, including a few Cape Cod-style homes, and new traditional properties with ranch floor plans and split levels. Most properties offer attached garages and basements. Properties generally sell after about two weeks on the market, and prices typically fall between $245,000 and $267,000. According to the First Street Foundation's Flood Factor index, some areas in the neighborhood near Sunburst Drive may have higher risks of flooding. The neighborhood’s position near the southwest end of the city limits places residents between two of Jackson’s most popular casual golf courses: Cascades Golf Course at Sparks Foundation Community Park and Ella Sharp Golf Course at Ella Sharp Park. Both of these publicly owned courses offer 18-hole layouts and host competitions in the Jackson Amateur Golf Tour. “You can typically get on the green and play for less than $20,” Schaffer says. Additional golf destinations on the west side of Jackson County include the Country Club of Jackson, Hickory Hills Golf Club and Arbor Hills Golf Club, each within about 4 miles of Creglow Heights. Options for leisure beyond the fairway include family fun at Betsy Butterfield Memorial Park, educational activities at Ella Sharp Museum and biking or walking down the 10-mile Falling Waters Trail. Families can enroll students in the Jackson Public Schools district or neighboring districts in Jackson County. Sharp Park Academy has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio and a B grade on Niche. The school was granted $6 million in bond funds for renovations in 2018; updates have included accessibility features to improve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and new electrical equipment. Middle School at Parkside is just south of the neighborhood and earns a C grade. New additions to the B-plus ranked Jackson High School since 2021 have included a 500,000-gallon pool and a multi-use indoor athletics center. Creglow Heights’ most convenient dining and shopping options are spread across the south and west sides of Jackson. Residents can expect a short drive to popular restaurants like Knight’s Steakhouse & Grill, which offers sandwich meals and filet mignon under one roof. Ironbark Brewing Company offers flights and pints of its own craft beer. Three doors down, Kibby Cobb Liquor and Deli offers wine and other refreshments for sale alongside a sandwich counter that earned the shop a nod as one of ‘Michigan’s Best Local Eats’ from MLive.com in 2024. Polly’s Country Market is a close option for groceries and everyday goods, while familiar shopping options further north in Jackson include Walmart, Kroger, Rite Aid and Meijer. Creglow Heights’ primary connections to greater Jackson are Kibby Road on the neighborhood’s northwest side and West Avenue on the southeast side. Downtown Jackson is about 3 miles north of the neighborhood. The closest Jackson Area Transit Authority bus stops are available along South West Avenue. For medical emergencies, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital is 3 miles northeast of Creglow Heights near the downtown area. Ann Arbor and Lansing are each about 40 miles away. Residents traveling beyond south Michigan can catch flights at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, about 63 miles east of the neighborhood. While Jackson’s major parks are well-regarded for golf, residents can enjoy other events at the city’s best-known spaces. Just west of the neighborhood at Sparks Foundation Community Park, residents can watch Fourth of July fireworks and light shows at the Cascades waterfall, one of Jackson’s premier summer attractions. During the operating season, the Cascades also puts on live music nights and food trucks, while the park itself hosts gatherings like the Jackson Civil War Muster and the Palooza at the Falls block party. To the south, Ella Sharp Park brings hot air balloon rides and competitions to south Jackson during the annual Hot Air Jubilee in the summer. Locals can also visit Ella Sharp Museum in the springtime for the Sugaring & Shearing Festival, which offers education on wool farming and maple syrup production with a petting zoo and local vendors.

Photorealistic portraits, abstract paintings and geometric masterpieces are an everyday sight in downtown Jackson, the cultural and economic center of the southern Michigan city. A five year run of outdoor art festivals in the neighborhood was a key part of redefining the city's identity, drawing the attention of international creatives and invigorating the pride of the businesses along Michigan Avenue and its surrounding blocks. The murals around the district accompany a broad range of options for locals to spend some time out, with everything from casual dinners and days at the library to nights of axe-throwing and barhopping. “We take pride in our diverse and inclusive community. With a vibrant artistic culture, our members are always willing to roll up their sleeves to enhance our shared space,” says Beth Kuiper, the executive director of the Jackson Downtown Development Authority. The Jackson DDA organizes events in the community, promotes economic growth and handles preservation efforts in the area. On the weekends in spring and summer, the neighborhood’s Downtown Jackson Social District's businesses and parks provide entertainment for varied interests. Pinball tables and game cabinets line the walls at Tilted Arcade Bar, where the most skilled players can make it onto the chalkboard of high scores. Concertgoers can enjoy shows at Weatherwax Hall, home of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and the multi-genre Music on Tap series. The Cruise-In & Concert series also happens monthly during the summertime, blending live jams from local bands with one of the city’s largest car shows. Other options for outings include axe-throwing nights at Axe Play, happy hours at Grand River Brewery and movies in an old-school cinema setting at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson. “It’s an area that’s been redeveloping itself and getting better and better,” says Valerie Stover, a lifelong resident of the Jackson area and the head broker and owner at the Val Stover Real Estate Team. Stover has sold homes in the community for more than 30 years. Downtown Jackson offers some of the city’s most highly regarded restaurants and bars. RJ’s Metropolitan Ice Cream Co. offers a full suite of sweet treats, but visitors can also stop by for the popular smash burgers with unlimited toppings. Ogma Brewing Company has a rotating selection of house-made craft beer and elevated pub fare, while the menu at Junk Yard Dog lives up to its name with loaded hot dogs and other American classics. Mom-and-pop shops and independent retailers are also common along the streets of the neighborhood. Clothes, home décor and miscellaneous items line the shelves at the Jackson Antique Mall, while D&D Bicycles sales fitness equipment in addition to cycling supplies and services. For 40 years, Nostalgia Ink has been a local favorite for comics, collectibles and toys. Right next door, Game Place is a go-to for tabletop game materials. Locals can buy groceries and other necessities by following Michigan Avenue west to Walmart or heading north to Kroger and other big-box options. Select homes from the early to mid-20th century are available in the area, though availability can be rare. American Foursquares, older folk homes with minimal styling and other traditional properties share roads with businesses and commercial facilities. Most dwellings either have freestanding garages or rely on driveways and streetside parking, as integrated garages are rare. Prices generally range from about $90,000 to $310,000. Located at the heart of the neighborhood, Horace Blackman Park is a common gathering place and social square in the city. The park hosts events such as biweekly food truck rodeos and family film screenings during the summer, while installations such as a playground and an art showcase are available year-round. Right across Jackson Street, Bucky Harris Park has a fire pit available during the winter months, along with a stage for live performances. Other neighborhood parks in the area include Austin Blair Park to the south and Nixon Park, which has a skate park and an aquatic center, to the north. Public school students in downtown Jackson can attend local schools within the Jackson Public School District or other districts in the Jackson County area based on parent choice. Schools in the area include Hunt Elementary School, which has an 18:1 student-teacher ratio and a C-plus grade on Niche. Middle School at Parkside earns a C grade. Jackson High School offers college-bound students the option of enrolling in Advanced Placement classes or participating in the Jackson Area College & Career Connection program. The school earns a B-plus grade on Niche. With shops, dining and other points of interest close by, Downtown Jackson offers the area’s best alternatives to car-based travel. Jackson Street, Mechanic Street and a few other areas nearby offer bike lanes and trails, though cyclists will likely need to use shared roads in other parts of the neighborhood. For longer commutes and trips, Louis Glick Highway/I-94 Emergency and West Washington Avenue are Downtown Jackson’s two major thoroughfares, connecting the area to the Business 127 highway and major streets such as Michigan Avenue. The nearest hospital, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, is about 1 mile east of the neighborhood. Jackson Station, located on the east side of the neighborhood near Michigan Avenue, connects the city to the Amtrak rail system. The Jackson Area Transit Authority transfer center near Washington Avenue and Cortland Street offers services to most of the city’s bus lines and doubles as a Greyhound station for long-distance travel. Downtown Jackson is about 35 miles west of Ann Arbor, 41 miles south of Lansing and 76 miles west of Detroit. For longer out-of-state trips, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is about 60 miles away.

Sitting on the grid of city blocks near Ganson Street and Michigan Avenue, East Jackson provides a modestly timeless residential lifestyle. Neighbored by some of the automotive manufacturing plants that keep Jackson connected to its rich history in the industry, this community of homes provides easy access to the cultural charms of Downtown Jackson and everyday needs along Michigan Avenue. “Jackson isn’t as transient as some other places. In some cities, people stay for five, 10 years, but here they stay for 15 or 20,” says Valerie Stover, a lifelong Jackson area resident and the head broker and owner at the Val Stover Real Estate Team. Traditionally styled properties from the early 20th century line the vertical city blocks of East Jackson. Buyers can find renovation-ready and turnkey homes with minimal traditional and folk Victorian elements, sometimes with contemporary updates such as vinyl and aluminum siding. Many homes include enclosed or open-air porches, and most homes include Michigan basements or fully finished cellars. Single-family properties generally sell between $12,000 and $170,000, while duplex properties with similar styles range from about $70,000 to $179,000. East Michigan Avenue and East Ganson Street are East Jackson’s primary east-west connections to the greater Jackson area, while North Elm Avenue is the main north-south road. Locals are about 1.4 miles east of Downtown Jackson, 35 miles west of Ann Arbor and 42 miles south of Lansing. For medical concerns, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital is about 1 mile east. For car-free travel, locals can hop onto Jackson Area Transit Authority buses with stops on Ganson Street and Michigan Avenue. For out-of-state travel, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is 59 miles east of the neighborhood. Multiple casual food options sit on the neighborhood’s south side along Michigan Avenue, and locals can travel further east to reach several convenient shopping stops. Andy’s Pizza is a local favorite for large pies and Coney hot dogs, and to the neighborhood’s west, Schlenker’s Sandwich Shop has been a staple for burgers and pies in Jackson for nearly 100 years. Familiar fast food options are also available nearby, such as Little Caesars and Burger King. Shopping options include a mix of general retail and specialty stores. Reliable choices for everyday needs include a Family Dollar on Michigan Avenue Meijer, Walgreens and Aldi. Specialty retailers include Blue Planet Boardsports, a local outpost for outdoor activities like kayaking, snowboarding and skateboarding, and Dollar's Gaming & Collectibles, which provides modern and retro video game supplies alongside sports cards and other memorabilia. To the north at Kiwanis Park, locals can enjoy picnics under the awning or games of catch in the open field area. South of the neighborhood, Rotary Park offers neighborhood park amenities, including a playground and basketball court. Loomis Park provides the most spacious leisure area nearby to the east. In addition to amenities like outdoor exercise equipment and a pavilion, the park hosts the Boos Recreation Center, updated with fresh renovations in 2024. Residents can find a few options for events and nightlife in the neighborhood, while other parts of the city within a few miles offer a broader range of activities. Billiards enthusiasts can participate in eight, nine and 10-ball pool tournaments at Game On Sports Bar or Avenue Billiards, both immediately adjacent to the area. Beyond the neighborhood, Downtown Jackson provides a premier selection of local entertainment options, from bars and casual restaurants to classic movie nights at the Michigan Theatre. The Cascades is a summertime favorite for fireworks and light shows at a man-made waterfall, and the Jackson County Fairgrounds host the Jackson County Fair each August alongside other concerts and festivals throughout the year. Students in East Jackson can attend schools within the city’s Jackson Public Schools district or other districts in the area, including East Jackson Community Schools. Northeast Elementary School offers a STEAM-focused curriculum and implements community service as a pillar of the learning experience. The school has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio and earns a C-plus grade on Niche. Middle School at Parkside earns a C grade. Extracurricular activities at Jackson High School include clubs for genre fiction, art, robotics and more. The school earns a B-plus grade on Niche. Residents may experience higher noise levels along major streets such as Michigan Avenue and Ganson Street. According to the Flood Factor index, some areas may have higher flood risks. Buyers are advised to check a property’s adherence to local building codes and insurance coverage prior to making any purchases.