Located just east of Lansing ’s Old Town , Northtown is a longstanding community of homeowners and small businesses offering proximity to many of the city’s most popular spots, like Jackson Field, as well as East Lansing and Michigan State University. “I grew up in the community, and it’s coming back,” says Brian Ozbun , a Lansing Realtor with Bellabay Realty, LLC.
Some parts of Lansing, like Old Town, are within walking distance, and CATA buses line the major streets in Northtown, taking residents without cars the 2 miles downtown and 4 to East Lansing and Michigan State University. They’re 2 miles north of E.W. Sparrow Hospital. Locals heading overseas or across the country can head just 3 miles northwest to Capital Region International Airport.
Those driving through Northtown pass American Foursquare homes with large porches, signature gambrel roofs of Dutch Colonials and colorful bungalows. Some of the homes were recently renovated, while others need a few repairs. Because of this, prices can range from less than $100,000 to around $300,000. Many of the streets are named after states, from New York Avenue to Indiana Avenue, so the area is also referred to as The State Streets. Northtown is also popular for families looking for creative alternatives for student housing. “It’s so close to Michigan State University and student housing can be expensive,” Ozbun says, “so some parents will buy a home here in Northtown, outside of the college area, while their children are at school and have them stay in the house with their college student friends.”
Northtown residents are easily drawn into the gravity of energetic Old Town, where modern murals adorn historic Classical Revival buildings featuring the city’s latest eateries and dive bars. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bad choice among the local establishments, but a crowd favorite is Meat BBQ, slow-smoking protein-heavy entrees and side dishes to deliver what they proudly refer to as “carnivore cuisine.” Neighbors can kick back at Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern, which serves up cocktail or craft beer and pub fare with unusual twists. For groceries, residents head east to the Meijer across U.S. 127, or pick up items from the reliable One Stop Food Mart on Cesar E. Chavez Ave.
Residents explore winding, paved pathways through Bancroft Park. These trails navigate the park’s rolling hills in the otherwise flat Lansing area, making them perfect for joggers and cyclists looking for some elevation change. That doesn’t mean, however, that dog walkers and nature lovers can’t enjoy a leisurely stroll in the woodlands and wetlands right in their backyard. Porter Park is another community park that welcomes residents looking for wide open spaces and playground play.
Before heading off to Michigan State University or Lansing Community College, students in Northtown can enroll in Gier Park Elementary School. Niche rates this school a C-plus; it offers low student-teacher ratios and one-on-one tutoring. They move on to Sheridan Road STEM Magnet School, which earns a C. At Eastern High School, students can enroll in Project Lead the Way, a STEM-based program that specifically focuses on biotechnological topics, from environmental protection to immune systems. The school earns a B-minus from Niche.
Though Northtown’s neighborhood association is no longer active, the area is also home to Cristo Rey Community Center, which runs a community kitchen and food pantry and has been the site for marches and other events for Northtown residents.
Thomas Barrett
Keller Williams Realty Lansing
(517) 777-0896
153 Total Sales
1 in Northtown
$119,400 Price
Lisa Fletcher
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
(517) 816-8074
254 Total Sales
1 in Northtown
$100,000 Price
Morgan Meredith
KELLER WILLIAMS LANSING
(517) 777-8043
314 Total Sales
5 in Northtown
$97K - $160K Price Range
Mohamed Abukar
EXP Realty, LLC
(517) 816-9164
86 Total Sales
11 in Northtown
$25K - $170K Price Range
Charles Teunis
Bellabay Realty LLC
(616) 816-4549
150 Total Sales
1 in Northtown
$98,600 Price
Brock Fletcher
Keller Williams Lansing East
(517) 696-6275
281 Total Sales
3 in Northtown
$89K - $110K Price Range
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Northtown | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 5 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Northtown, Lansing sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Northtown, Lansing over the last 12 months is $110,000, up 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$1,375 - $4,250 per month
$725 per month
$1,495 - $1,595 per month
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Retail, recreation and restaurants fill this Lansing neighborhood
An artsy Lansing hub with boutique shopping, restaurants and regular festivals
Lansing suburb with comparatively large lots is near shops and restaurants
Commercial convenience, natural land and lower taxes in northeast Lansing
Two CATA routes travel along this Lansing neighborhood
Explore this affordable community 5 miles west of MSU
