Lansing

Welcome to Averill Woods, where wooded parks dot classic residential streets in this signature South Lansing neighborhood. Unlike surrounding communities, Averill Woods isn’t home to an exclusive country club, large commercial district or warehouses transformed into eclectic eateries. What the community does have are quiet streets, comfortably sized homes and easy access to Lansing’s Capitol Complex.<br><br>“Most of the homes appear to be owner-occupied as they are well kept,” says Richard Child, a Realtor with NextHome Realty. “There is a variety of architectural styles including Craftsman bungalows, Cape Cods and smaller two-stories with Greek Revival columns.” You’ll also find the classic range of convenient ranch-style houses and roomy colonial-style homes, all of which blend well together to line established streets with that traditional neighborhood feel.<br><br>Most homes in Averill Woods are on a single lot, but they have backyards ready for barbecues. “Inside, these homes typically consist of roughly 1,000 square feet above the grade up to around 1,400 square feet,” Child says. You can find homes ranging in price from $100,000 to $250,000. Along Moores River Drive is Moores River Estates, a condo community overlooking the Grand River. This gated community welcomes residents with elegant, in-demand condos with state-of-the-art interior updates and ranch-style convenience.<br><br>Budding science and technology enthusiasts start their academic journey at Averill New Tech Elementary, a prekindergarten through third grade institution that offers a project-based approach. Students can alternatively be enrolled at Dwight Rich School of the Arts for a more arts-focused Lansing Community Schools location, complete with artist-in-residence programs and various art forms infused into core classes.<br><br>Wooded, welcoming and right in the heart of the neighborhood, Averill Park is where residents can play pickup soccer or stop by the small playground for a few hours. Ingham Park is home to the same amenities but also boasts a basketball court and disc golf course that ventures into the woods.<br><br>Moores River Drive not only offers a beautiful view of the Grand River but is also where you can walk or cycle along a paved trail all the way to Frances Park. Stop by for a stroll through the rose gardens or to enjoy postcard-worthy views of the Grand River at the end of the day.<br><br>Despite being a mostly residential area, Averill Woods has a great spot for authentic Mexican treats and eats. MexiTreats and Taqueria serves up cold treats, custom cakes and tacos for a quick stop or Friday night takeout. Holmes Road leads to your local Great Giant Market supermarket and other convenience stores. The nearest foodie and nightlife destination is REO Town, home to everything from early-morning specialty drinks at Blue Owl Coffee to late-night craft beer at Ellison Brewing Company.<br><br>As a South Lansing community, Averill Woods was affected when the automotive manufacturing plants of nearby REO Town began to relocate. While this may have caused employment opportunities and local businesses to leave the area, the Averill Woods Neighborhood Association and other local groups have stepped up and committed to revitalization in the community.

Tenacity is what it took for Lansing residents to establish their city as a leader in the automotive and manufacturing industry, and it is tenacity that allows them to overcome economic setbacks and come together as a community. Today, the Bassett Park community welcomes residents with competitive house prices and comfortably sized homes in Lansing’s northwest.<br><br>Homes in the Bassett Park neighborhood have a median home price of $70,000, and are characterized as, “mainly small ranches and two-story homes with 1,500 square feet or less,” says Richard Child, a Realtor with NextHome Reality. They range from two-bedroom houses, with less than 1,000 square feet, starting at $50,000, to newly remodeled homes with four bedrooms, priced up to $180,000. While most of the homes have a Minimal Traditional architectural style, you’ll find a few Cape Cods and homes with stylish Craftsman trim and other details in the community. The neighborhood can be a popular area for finding starter homes and investment properties.<br><br>At Willow Elementary School, teachers focus on building student character and resiliency through tutoring, culinary arts enrichment, and the Watch Dogs program, which encourages fathers and other father figures of students to volunteer in the school. The Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy inspires students from kindergarten through eighth grade with an alternative tuition-free academic environment. Before graduation, students at J.W. Sexton High School can participate in the robotics team, join the nurses club or even earn an associate’s degree with up to 30 college credits through its early college dual enrollment program.<br><br>Bassett Park ticks all the boxes for a classic neighborhood park, from a playground and full basketball court to more than enough green space for kids to play tag around the trees. Just west of the Grand River, Tecumseh Park’s playground and picnic shelter are worth a visit, and the kayak launch is your nearest gateway to exploring the waterways of the greater Lansing area.<br><br>Because of the decrease in skilled worker positions in Lansing automotive and manufacturing plants in the 1990s, “restaurant and retail options in the surrounding area can be scarce,” Child says. For many residents, the popular Old Town neighborhood is the place to be for an evening out, from slow-smoked sensations at Meat BBQ to drinks and arcade games at The Grid Arcade and Bar. Closer to home, El Azteco’s patio seating and Mexican fare are a good excuse for a leisurely lunch. Next-door Capital City BBQ is where you can get barbecue without a trip to Old Town, as well as pho, banh mi and other Vietnamese classics.<br><br>While you won’t find a convenience store around the corner, Gorman’s Food Market is your north-of-the-river, family-owned and -operated option for fresh produce and staple items. Head to the end of Sunset Avenue, past warehouses and treatment plants, to find Sunset Clay Studio, an art space that offers ceramic studio workshops, memberships and special events to celebrate local art in Northwestern Lansing.<br><br>Bassett Park may not have the popularity of other Lansing area neighborhoods but, for its residents, it has a welcoming blend of central community park, residential streets and that tenacious Lansing spirit.

A close-knit Lansing community <br>Churchill Downs, a community that prides itself on its close-knit, know-your-neighbor spirit, offers a range of annual events, accessibly priced homes and a convenient location. While it features the perks of planned living, this community is not an HOA. There are no dues, and neighbors work collaboratively to solve problems and organize events. <br><br>“We’re very community-driven,” says Churchill Downs Community Association president Jacquese West. “If someone’s loved on passes, we’ll send them a card. When the tornado swept through here in 2023, we all came together to clean up and help each other,” he says. <br><br>Events and other spaces to connect <br>This community hosts several annual events including a summer picnic, a Christmas party, an annual neighborhood cleanup, a crosswalk painting and a foot race for kids. “We’re one of the most active associations in Lansing,” West says. “We’re trying to connect with everyone.” <br><br>Outside of annual events, there are many opportunities for neighbors to build stronger bonds. “If you visited in the summer, you would see plenty of people doing yard work and kids playing outside,” says West. “The kids are pretty active, they run the neighborhood. There’s also a group of gentlemen who meet every week to bike the trails when weather permits.” The community also offers a group for new mothers to connect and a neighborhood watch. <br><br>The Churchill Downs Community Association Facebook page allows neighbors to connect at any time. There, residents share resources, talk about upcoming events and make announcements. <br><br>Parks and recreation <br>There are two parks in the neighborhood, the most frequented being Wainwright Park. The green space is at the community’s center and is where residents attend Pilates in the Park and Thursday night Summer Park Hangouts. The vast greenspace offers a playscape, sports fields and covered picnic areas. Hillborn Park is the second option and also features a playscape and open fields for sports. For indoor recreation, residents head to Alfreda Schmidt Southside Community Center which features a basketball court, computer lab, game room, gym, playground, swimming pool and more. <br><br>Older, single-family homes <br>Single-family homes make up the landscape of this community and more than 74% of residents own their homes. Most homes were built in the 1960s, but there are several older and newer options dappled throughout. Ranches, bungalows and split levels are the most common architectural styles. Prices range from $72,000 for a three-bed built in the 1920s to upwards of $200,000 for a newer four-bed. <br><br>Nearby public schools <br>“There are no schools in the Churchill Downs but all of our kids go to nearby schools,” says West. Popular options include Averill Elementary, Holly Park Academy and Everett High School. Averill serves students from Pre-K through 3rd grade and holds a B-minus rating on Niche. Families with elementary-aged students can also send them to Holly Park, which serves Kindergarten through 9th-grade students and holds a C rating on Niche. Everett offers programs for 7th through 12th graders and has a C-plus on Niche. The high school is mostly known for its comprehensive visual and performing arts program. <br><br>Nearby shopping and dining <br>Residents can head two miles west to the Kroger on Holmes to stuff their grocery carts. The nearest Walmart is about 10 miles west and can be easily reached by taking 496 to Howard Avenue. By heading 5 miles north to West Lansing, residents can shop at Lansing Mall, Target, Meijer and more. West says popular nearby restaurants include Crack Chicken which is beloved for its crack chicken seasoning mix. <br><br>Commuting options <br>West explains that while Churchill Downs is conveniently located near major highways, “There’s not a lot of through traffic, so people don’t usually come through here unless they need to.” Traffic in this area is usually light and residents can easily access Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, 496 and 96. There are no bus stops in the neighborhood, but there are paved bike lanes along Waverly, Holmes and Pleasant Grove. Paved sidewalks and a compact design make this neighborhood fairly walkable.

Clifford Park is a suburban community in southern Lansing, Michigan, about 3 miles from the campus of Michigan State University and a mile from REO Town, a shopping, dining and cultural hub with lots of local businesses and community events. Single-family starter homes are common here; but homes in Clifford Park vary from street to street, according to Brian Ozbun, a Realtor with Bellabay Realty, LLC, giving homebuyers an array of styles from which to choose. There’s also the neighborhood’s namesake park, where residents can enjoy the outdoors on the open field or at the tennis court. <br><br>The average home value in Clifford Park is about $130,000, but Ozbun says, “You’ll find houses going for anything from under $100,000 to $175,000.” In nearby neighborhoods, like Forest View (closer to Michigan State University) and REO Town, the average home value is $170,000 and $120,000, respectively. Common architectural styles here include late-century Colonial Revivals and Cape Cods, and mid-century bungalows; many have been restored in the past 20 years and are popular starter homes. Neighborhood streets are lined with sidewalks, and many homes feature bushy trees shading well-manicured lawns, attached one-car garages and modest porticos. <br><br>Local kids can attend Lansing District public schools like Post Oak Academy, which serves grades K-8 and is rated B by Niche; here, students can opt into the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program and learn to read, write and speak in Chinese. Teens can then move on to the B-minus-rated Eastern High, where a special program called Biotechnical Academy prepares students for higher education and careers in the STEM field. <br><br>Bordered by residential streets, Clifford Park’s namesake green space is a popular neighborhood spot for a picnic, an afternoon walk or a tennis match; locals can sign up for a plot in the community garden that’s been here for over 20 years. A mile away, the 87-acre Scott Woods Park offers nature trails shaded by a canopy of trees, as well as the off-leash Soldan Dog Park and easy access to the 13-mile Lansing River Trail, which winds through the city. Residents can also head about a mile away to Potter Park Zoo to spot penguins, lions and red pandas. <br><br>Clifford Park residents can always grab a bite at the 24-hour Fleetwood Diner on South Cedar Street; this spot is well-known for its menu variety, including American, Greek and breakfast options like their Hippie Hash, hashbrowns mixed with veggies and feta cheese. Locals can pick up groceries just a mile south at the Kroger on South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; along this commercial corridor, residents will also find national chain eateries, drug stores and retail stores. A mile north, locals have convenient access to REO Town, named after Ransom E. Olds, a pioneer of the automotive industry who helped put Lansing on the map. REO Town is styled with established mid-century architecture and locally owned spots for art, dining and shopping; listen to local music at Blue Owl Coffee, dig into smoked barbeque at Saddleback BBQ and shop for vintage clothing at REO Marketplace. <br><br>Every year, Lansing hosts a free event series called “Concerts in the Park,” featuring local and regional musicians at city parks like Sycamore Park, set about a mile from Clifford Park. Sycamore Creek Church and Riverview Church in REO Town have full event calendars of their own including days of service, community get-togethers and religious celebrations. <br><br>Outside of Clifford Park, the city of Lansing hosts several annual events that bring the community together, including the Best of Lansing Festival each May at the State Capitol Building, where local artists and business owners showcase their top creations, and the Lansing Beerfest in June, which features craft beers and ciders from more than 20 local breweries. Baseball fans can cheer on the minor league Lansing Lugnuts during their home games at Jackson Field, about 2 miles away. <br><br>Clifford Park doesn’t typically have much traffic, but Ozbun says the mile-long trip to REO Town along South Washington Avenue can get congested during rush hour. Residents in Clifford Park are about 3 miles from Interstate 496, which connects to Interstates 69 and 96, so getting around the greater Lansing area is generally a breeze; the 5-mile trip to East Lansing takes 10 to 20 minutes during rush hour. Capital Area Transportation Authority buses connect Clifford Park, with Downtown Lansing, East Lansing and Michigan State University; the latter is about a16-minute ride from the neighborhood. McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital is about 3 miles away, and Capital Region International Airport is 6 miles away.

In Lansing’s southside, the neighborhood of Colonial Village is home to quiet, residential streets occupied by residents who are proud of where they live and who know all their neighbors by name. “Colonial Village once had a thriving plaza, but when anchor businesses moved out, you had what I call the ripple effect of industry, and it left open some vacancies,” says area resident Brian Ozbun, a Realtor with Bellabay Realty, LLC. Despite automotive plants and subsequent local businesses leaving the area, the sense of community among residents is just as strong as ever and is still popular among Lansing-area homebuyers. “Colonial Village is located in the heart of Lansing, and many people love to live here because of the location,” says Missy Lord, a Greater Lansing area resident and a Realtor with Re/Max. <br><br>The resilient community has active neighborhood outreach programs through local organizations like The Southside Community Coalition, which offers youth programs including after-school tutoring, and maintains a community hoop house for residents to enjoy fresh produce while learning about the importance of nutrition. <br><br>As a well-established neighborhood, most homes in Colonial Village date back to the early-to-mid 20th century. Modest ranch-style homes, bungalows, split-levels and two-story builds with traditional architecture characterize the neighborhood and sit on well-maintained, grassy lawns. Many are shaded by large, mature trees given the age of the neighborhood. <br><br>Colonial Village offers competitive home prices and affordable living in a convenient location, making it popular among Lansing-area buyers. “When it comes to first-time home buyers, Colonial Village is a fan favorite,” Lord says. “The homes are all full of character at a great price point, offering great resale value, and wonderful curb appeal.” <br><br>Many homes have been renovated and well-maintained, adding to the appeal among first-time buyers. “Prices in the neighborhood really depend on the street,” says Brian Ozbun, a Realtor with Bellabay Realty, LLC. “You’ll find houses for $50,000, and houses over $200,00 right across the street.” Newly renovated homes with larger floor plans can go for up to $220,000. <br><br>Grocery shopping can be found in the neighborhood at Great Giant Supermarket, with fresh produce and a butcher shop, or at the nearby Kroger on the corner of Holmes Rd. And Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Retail shopping can be found just a couple miles away in REO Town, with an eclectic assortment of locally owned shops like The Record Lounge for new and used vinyls, secondhand stores like Thriftique and Vintage Junkies, and The Screamatorium and Voodoo’s World of Oddities for fans of all things creepy and off-the-wall. <br><br>Residents can stop into Fresh Fish & Fry, a Lansing staple that serves their locally famous “crack chicken” with house-made seasoning, as well as fresh grilled and fried fish, chicken wings and comfort sides. Those hooked on the flavor of crack chicken can buy the seasoning on-site to take home and use in their own cooking. <br><br>Also serving fried fish and wing dinners in a casual setting alongside classic burgers and sandwiches is A Burger N Wings, with the popular regional chain Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders serving specialty pizzas and large grinder sandwiches with house-baked bread. Residents can also find chains like Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, KFC, Rally’s and more. <br><br>Residents can enjoy the open green space and playground at Holly Park and Elmhurst Park. Elmhurst Park also has a basketball court for shooting hoops, and two tennis courts for doubles or singles action. Lansing Country Club borders the neighborhood to the north, with an 18-hole golf course and a golf simulator. Members can also enjoy the tennis and pickleball courts, as well as the outdoor pool. <br><br>At the south end of the neighborhood, residents can play soccer at the community-owned Beacon Soccer Field, a new addition to the Southside Community Coalition community center that was made possible due to fundraising in the community. As part of a three-acre park with a playground that was recently added to the community center, the field is intended to give local kids and teens an opportunity to play sports without any barriers to entry. It is fully lit for nighttime play and has no leagues or reservations, fostering pick-up games and youth connection from those of all cultures. <br><br>There are several pathways that students in Colonial Village can take in the Lansing School District due to the wide offering of magnet academies for all age levels. They may attend Dwight Rich School of the Arts from prekindergarten through eighth grade, which earns a C-rating from Niche. At this visual and performing arts magnet school, students can utilize creative art forms and connect them to each subject to enhance their understanding and foster self-expression. From there, students may attend the C-plus-rated Everett High School for a comprehensive education with a focus on creative and performing arts, complete with a brand-new auditorium, band room and dance studio. Everett High’s New Tech magnet program is also open to district students in grades 7-12, with a project-based curriculum and a focus on high-tech learning. <br><br>Colonial Village is serviced by the Capital Area Transit Authority bus system, providing public transportation to residents throughout the Greater Lansing area. Bordered to the north by Mt. Hope Avenue and to the east by Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Colonial Village is conveniently connected to downtown a few miles north, as well as the rest of the Greater Lansing area via these main arteries. Tucked between Interstate 496 and Interstate 96, Colonial Village also provides residents with direct and connecting access to surrounding lower peninsula hubs. <br><br>For air travel, the Capital Region International Airport is roughly 7 miles north. When in need of emergency and specialized medical attention, Sparrow Hospital is less than 5 miles northeast, and McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital is about 5 miles east.

The Creston community brings together large lots, established homes and easy access to both Lansing’s historic sites and DeWitt’s small-town charm. “None of this area was developed by a single builder to create a subdivision of similar homes,” says Richard Child, a Realtor with NextHome Reality. “Most of the roughly 800 homes in Creston were built between 1940 and the late 1960s. However, there are some as old as the late 19th century.”<br>“Creston is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Lansing with the average selling price in the range of $90,000 to $110,000,” says Child. “These homes are generally very simple in architectural design.” Most of the ranch-style houses and modest two-story houses are 1,500 square feet or less. Though you may not find many spacious houses in the community, lot sizes tend to be larger as the Lansing city limits give way to suburban and rural Clinton County. “Many of the homes have lots at least twice the size of a standard 1/8 of an acre city lot, and many are close to a full acre,” says Child. “The water table is high in this area, so many of the homes are built on slabs or a concrete crawl space.”<br>At the heart of Creston are Gier Community Center and Gier Park Elementary School, which provides specialized support for struggling readers and offers several student incentive programs to encourage young learners, like a student leadership board. Cyclists can practice their skills at the Capitol BMX Track, a local track that hosts Saturday races and weekly practices. You can find the track at Gier Park, which also features three ball fields for softball or baseball games.<br>“Old U.S. 27 runs north and south and roughly bisects the Creston neighborhood. This area is somewhat depressed economically mainly due to the closing of the former Motor Wheel Corporation plant and its surrounding suppliers in the late 1990s,” says Child. While Loc Performance Products, Inc. occupies the plant, it employs significantly fewer workers than the original Motor Wheel plant. “As a result, retail and restaurant businesses are scarce,” says Child. “Creston residents are likely to go north to DeWitt for shopping or southeast to Lake Lansing Road.”<br>Thankfully, both shopping areas are just a few miles from residents. Lake Lansing Road leads to Eastwood Towne Center, home to retail stores, chain restaurants and a movie theater. As you head north on Old U.S. 27 toward DeWitt, you’ll pass Granger Meadows Park, 76 acres of year-round outdoor recreation boasting trails, a Koi pond, an ice skating rink and a 70-foot sledding hill for winter visits. The Lansing River Trail is also just outside of Creston, a paved bicycle pathway that follows the Grand River as it winds its way past Old Town and downtown Lansing. Whether cycling, driving or taking the bus, Golden Harvest Restaurant is a must-visit Old Town icon. The eclectic restaurant is covered, inside and out, with street signs, murals and memorabilia. It’s a diner that’s full of character and serves up classic breakfast and brunch diner food. From Old Town eats to postcard-worthy downtown DeWitt, Creston residents and their established homes on large lots aren’t far from Mid-Michigan highlights.