Kentwood

Mapleview lives up to the name, with mature maple trees lining its suburban streets. Located on the west side of Kentwood, only 8 miles south of downtown Grand Rapids, this community is well-suited for commuters. And although every street is not lined by sidewalks, neighbors often run into each other on walks and bike rides around the leafy neighborhood, especially along the East West Trail, a paved path that runs through the community. Lots in Mapleview are a bit larger than those in other parts of the greater Grand Rapids area, giving folks plenty of space to enjoy the view of mature oaks and maples shading their front and backyards. The median lot size is a couple thousand square feet short of a half-acre. Mapleview is largely a midcentury community. Many of its single-family ranch-style and split-level homes were built in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. They display simplistic Minimal Traditional architecture featuring vinyl or brick siding. Driveways are common features, while garages are less so. Overall list prices range from $146,000 to $388,000. Students in Mapleview are in the Kentwood Public School District. Elementary schools in the district ensure students receive both art and music lessons throughout the week, in addition to core academic subjects. That said, students on the neighborhood’s west side can begin their educational journey at Meadowlawn Elementary School, rated with a B-plus on Niche, while those on the east side can attend Bowen Elementary School, rated with a B. Both elementary schools are right in the neighborhood, within walking distance of many Mapleview homes. Academic pathways meet at Valleywood Middle School, rated C-plus on Niche, before going to East Kentwood Freshman Campus for ninth grade, rated B on Niche, and, lastly, graduating from East Kentwood High, which is ranked No. 5 on Niche’s list of standout high schools in Michigan and has an A rating. Burgis Park, tucked away on the northwest side of Mapleview, is a scenic green space with tennis courts, basketball courts and a playground hedged by towering trees. Outside of school hours, the Bowen Elementary School and Meadowlawn Elementary School offer larger playground areas. The East West Trail stretches almost 3 miles from Kelloggsville Park in the west to the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail. Homeowners walking or cycling from their homes in Mapleview can come upon many access points on sidewalks and streets. Though residents have to head outside Mapleview to find any grocery stores, restaurants or entertainment options, they don’t have to go far. The Towne & Country Shopping Center is right outside the neighborhood, less than a mile away, and is home to delectable eateries and convenient retailers. Mediterranean Island International Foods is a supermarket that has bulk spices, Middle Eastern brands, a well-stocked deli counter and more. Any other grocery shopping necessities can be grabbed at the local Family Fare Supermarket, just past 60th Street. As for local flavor, Lia’s Pizza is a community favorite on Eastern Avenue. The family-owned pizzeria is popular for hot and cheesy pizza by the slice and stacked subs. Mapleview is a central Kentwood community, so residents are never far from seasonal celebrations. The Kentwood Branch Library hosts the annual tree lighting ceremony and holiday parade event. Families enjoy the carriage rides, food trucks and spectacles at this early December event. And in the summer, folks head to Kentwood City Hall for the Summer Concert Series and Kentwood Farmers Market. Major regional attractions are located north in the Downtown Grand Rapids area. Just west of Mapleview, however, is the Grand Rapids Skate and Event Center Kentwood location. While mainly catering to children’s skating activities and clubs, the center also hosts reunions and corporate holiday parties in its brightly colored spaces. Mapleview is just a few miles from U.S. 131, so folks can conveniently commute to Downtown Grand Rapids without living next to the noise of the highway. As for carless commutes, residents can ride The Rapid, thanks to several bus stops along the neighborhood’s bordering throughways, such as 44th Street and Eastern Avenue. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is 6 miles to the east of the community.

Established in 1965, Princeton Estates is a suburb within Kentwood, Michigan. Bordered to the east by farmland and to the south by two local schools, this area gained traction in the early 1990s and quickly became one of Kentwood's most popular neighborhoods. "When it first started out, it was a lot of young families, so they were all in the same boast," says Emily Otten, a local Realtor of three years with Five Star Real Estate. "In the last three years, there's been a lot of turnover, so there are a lot of young families again," she says. The neighborhood is also known for its quiet, residential streets and proximity to walking trails and public parks. Princeton Estates is served by the Kentwood Public School District, which includes East Kentwood High, the No. 5 standout high school in Michigan. Most homes here were built between the 1960s and '90s, but some new builds are in the mix. Lot sizes here are generous but easily maintainable. "You get a little bit of space, but you're close enough that you can get to know your neighbor," Otten says. Homes vary in size and style, ranging from minimalist raised and single-story ranch-style to Colonial Revival and custom contemporary homes. Many feature three to five bedrooms, attached garages, and spacious yards. Homes sell for between $259,000 and $524,000, with a mean price of $357,628. Kids may attend Kentwood Public School District schools, including Discovery Elementary School, graded an A-minus on Niche, Pinewood Middle School, graded a B-plus, and the A graded East Kentwood High School, which has a separate freshman campus. East Kentwood High's athletic program is widely acclaimed and has produced nationally ranked and Olympic-qualifying athletes, such as Tia Brooks, who completed the shot put in the 2012 London Games. Kenwood Estates is almost exclusively residential, but part of a small shopping and dining corridor can be found in the southwest corner of town along Kalamazoo Avenue. The commercial area includes Clock Tower Center, a strip mall featuring a Family Fare Supermarket and specialty goods and services shops. Residents can also find familiar chain eateries like Steak 'n Shake and Biggby Coffee here. In the heart of Princeton Estates lies Pinewood Park. Trails snake through the park past athletic fields and courts, skate ramps, a playground and a seasonal splash pad. Large open fields allow for picnicking, and a shaded pavilion serves as a popular gathering space. Stauffer Station Park sits along the northern edge of town and serves as an entry point for the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail system, which will span 42 miles once completed. Several other recreation grounds, including the 30-acre Paris Park Nature Reserve, sit just outside the neighborhood. Downtown Kentwood is just 2 miles from Princetown Estates, making it a popular events destination. Every Thursday evening from June to September, the city hosts a community farmers market. Vendors offering local produce, meats and artisan goods fill Kentwood City Hall's parking lot. During the holiday season, the city also holds an annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Residents can head downtown to watch the holiday parade, snack on local cuisine, and watch the lights illuminate the tree. Princeton Estates' proximity to Grand Rapids makes attending cultural events there easy as well. One popular event is Art Prize, an 18-day international art competition where artists' works are displayed throughout the city. Michigan Highway 6 marks the southern border of the neighborhood. It connects to U.S. Route 131, which leads to downtown Grand Rapids, just over 12 miles away. Princeton Estates is served by Grand Rapids Public Transportation's #2 and #44 Rapid buses. Stops can be found along Kalamazoo Ave SE. To travel internationally, residents can head 6 miles west to Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

When Bailey's Grove was first established in 1995, it was designed with one main feature in mind — community. Curving streets with cul-de-sacs encourage small groups to form, and a central clubhouse invites the whole neighborhood to get together. Although housing options range from single-family homes to condo units, all are strategically placed to complement the surrounding natural landscape. "It's more sprawling than neighborhoods farther north but has really good infrastructure," says Brenda Pratt, Realtor at Keller Williams and native to the Grand Rapids area. "So, people enjoy walking and biking around the neighborhood." That infrastructure is maintained by the active Bailey's Grove Property Owner Association. So, for those looking for the structure of an HOA with the greenery of a more established neighborhood, Bailey's Grove is a high-demand choice in the Kentwood suburb just south of Grand Rapids.<br><br>Built from 1997 to 2007, Bailey's Grove has a mix of houses and condos. When homes hit the market, they usually sell in less than two weeks. "The market has picked up there. Those turnkey-type spots go really quickly," Pratt attests. Single-family homes can range in size from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet, with prices that range from $325,000 to $550,000. Two condo communities offer attached units for $250,000 to $350,000, with stand-alone units for up to $450,000. No matter the size or structure, properties share elements of New Traditional architecture. Multi-gabled roofs, shuttered windows, and mixed-texture brick, stone, and vinyl facades are common. All properties are also managed by the Bailey's Grove Property Owner Association. The BGPOA enforces home appearance regulations and offers amenities like snow removal and maintenance of communal areas. The association fee is $30 monthly and upwards of $300 monthly for condo units. Condos fees cover lawn care, trash and water. <br><br>The neighborhood is zoned for Endeavor Elementary School, which gets a B-plus rating from Niche. The school's campus is built right into the neighborhood, making it walkable for many local kids. It is ranked by Niche as the second most diverse elementary school in Michigan and is a showcase school for the Capturing Kids' Hearts learning model, which promotes student connectedness and emotional well-being. Pinewood Middle is the next stop on the public school track and also gets a B-plus ranting. East Kenwood High receives an A rating and has a separate freshman campus, rated B. East Kentwood High is known for its School To Career department, which helps students earn college credits, technical certificates, and internships. <br><br>Bailey's Grove really comes alive in the summer, when kids flock to the neighborhood pool for a day of sun and ice cream from the concession stand. The pool is only for residents and sits next to a rentable clubhouse with a TV, kitchen and outdoor patio. Bailey's Grove Park is used for summer movies in the park, and locals put out old furniture for the annual garage sale. But there are events planned all year long, thanks to the BGPOC. The clubhouse gets decked out in orange for the Fall Festival, and there's a holiday party at the end of the year. Plus, an active neighborhood Facebook page encourages residents to stay in contact even when no official event is planned. It's common to see kids playing outside, and the streets are well-lit at night. Bailey's Grove gets a 2 out of 10 CAP Index crime score, compared to the national average of 4.<br><br>The neighborhood's secluded setting is partly thanks to the surrounding nature areas. More than just a pretty backdrop, these parks also offer walking trails and a chance to see some wildlife. The East Paris Nature Park consists of classic West Michigan woodland and wetland where visitors can fish, bird-watch and walk around a mile-long trail loop. On the other side of the neighborhood, the Paris Park Nature Reserve has an unpaved path and a more rustic feel. Both natural areas connect to the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail, a major paved walking and biking trail that extends for miles south to Caledonia and beyond.<br><br>One strip mall north of the neighborhood has a few restaurants, including PJ's Pizza, a go-to for picking up dinner on the way home from work. Coffee Clubhouse is a combination coffee shop and children's play space. Parents living in Bailey's Grove can walk over to meet friends for coffee while their kids run loose. The space also hosts book clubs, mom support groups and craft nights. For grocery shopping, Kentwood has a weekly summer farmers market at their city hall, just over a mile from Bailey's Grove. However, locals usually head into Grand Rapids for more extensive retail and dining options. The major retail hub of 28th Street is 5 miles north, and downtown Grand Rapids is 12 miles away. <br><br>The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is conveniently less than 5 miles east, about a 10-minute ride away. Being close to the airport's flight path means that plane noise can often be heard. For getting into the city, downtown Grand Rapids is 12 miles away, a drive that takes about 20 minutes and involves getting on busy highways. Most Bailey's Grove residents are drivers since no bus lines serve the neighborhood.

Close to Gerald R. Ford International Airport and home to the religious college, Calvin University, East Paris is mostly a Kentwood city suburb, though some of the East Beltline area falls within the Grand Rapids city limits. Many Grand Rapids residents travel this way to access the Woodland Mall and other strips of shops and restaurants east of the city. “You’re close to everything, you’ve got all the shopping and restaurants right there, you’re not far from the airport, and not far from downtown, so you can get all you need right there,” says Scott Glisson, a Realtor with Goldwell Banker. “There’s not a ton of traffic either, with the exception of right by Woodland Mall, but not a ton on the freeways which take you wherever you need to go.” Folks that live here take advantage of large traditional suburban homes in slightly quieter subdivisions, though traffic noise can be a low hum throughout the day. Students here study within a few different districts, such as the Grand Rapids, Forest Hills and Kentwood public school systems. Condos south of 28th Street consist of units in either apartment-style buildings or communities with attached garages. One to three bedrooms can cost between $175,000 and $350,000. Single family homes near Forest Pointe Apartments are mostly constructions from the late 1990s and early 2000s, with traditional architecture and two-car garages. These homes can cost between $270,000 and $340,000. Homes west of I-96 can range from luxury condo homes to traditional-style suburban residences, fetching between $200,000 and over $550,000. East of I-96, buyers can find quiet cul-de-sacs under mature trees, where homes can cost between $350,000 and over $650,000. There are dozens of shopping and dining options along the 28th Street corridor. Folks come from all around Grand Rapids to go to Woodland Mall, a particularly popular spot for weekend shopping, its two-story Barnes & Noble and the Phoenix movie theater. The Woodland Mall is also set to open its Main Event entertainment venue very soon, which will include a bowling alley, arcade, laser tag and billiards. “This will be a great place that people will be able to go at nighttime and hangout, eat, bowl, you know? Especially since the mall started closing earlier,” Glisson says. Though the area is known for its many familiar chains, locally owned restaurants like Beer City Bread Co have Grand Rapids brews and tasty meals. For grocery trips, the local Sam's Club and Trader Joe's are right down the street, and the nearest Meijer is just across I-96 on 28th Street. Depending on their address, students can study within the Kentwood Public School district, first attending Endeavor Elementary School, which is graded a B-plus on Niche. They can then move on to Crestwood Middle School, graded a B, and finally East Kentwood High School, graded an A. Students may also study within the Forest Hills Public School district, which begins with Meadow Brook Elementary School for kindergarten through fourth grade, and then Northern Trails School for fifth and sixth grades. They can then move on to Northern Hills Middle School for seventh and eighth grades. All three schools are graded an A. Forest Hills Northern High School, graded an A-plus, has an expansive campus and several sports fields and courts. Residents can visit Calvin University’s Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens to enjoy over 100 acres of protected wetlands and woodlands. The preserve is noted for having trees that are almost 250 years old. The Helen and Vincent Bunker Interpretive Center offers educational programs and opportunities to see turtles and frogs. Most popular for its playground and basketball court, Camelot Park is connected to several residential sidewalks. At Northeast Park, locals can stroll along forested nature trails and enjoy views of the nearby pond. East Paris also has two indoor trampoline parks, Sky Zone and Launch Trampoline Park, where families can play together. Patterson Ice Center has a pair of ice rinks where folks can sign up for hockey leagues or enjoy open skating. East Beltline Avenue takes drivers from Grand Rapids all the way to bustling 28th Street before turning into Broadmore Avenue. Not far away is the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which is about 5 miles east on 28th Street. East Beltline Avenue takes residents 9 miles northwest to downtown Grand Rapids, which is about 15 minutes by car. Locals can go downtown to enjoy the many activities and attractions, or head to the many teaching hospitals and clinics at ‘Medical Mile’ on Michigan Street. The area’s main thoroughfare, 28th Street, stretches all the way through Wyoming to Grandville and the Rivertown Crossings Mall.