$115,358Average Value$78Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
A gem for first-time homebuyers, college students and investors
Located just north of downtown Lansing and west of Old Town, Old Forest offers competitive home prices, walkable streets and convenient access to essentials. With 60% of the population being renters, and home prices starting as low as $40,000, this neighborhood is especially popular amongst investors, college students looking for off-campus living and first-time homebuyers. “It’s good for short-term and mid-term investment properties since it’s close to downtown and a straight shot from the airport,” says Cabus Dewey, a Realtor with Exit Realty Home Partners and East Lansing resident. “It’s also a straight shot to Michigan State University.”
The Old Forest neighborhood is located close to downtown Lansing and exciting Old Town.
The Old Forest neighborhood is lined with traditional style homes along tree-lined streets.
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Accessibly priced, established homes
Older bungalows and Craftsman-style homes give the neighborhood a timeless feel, with a few head-turning, freshly remodeled American Foursquares standing proud along residential roads. Prices range from $40,000 for a 3-bed that needs remodeling to $175,000 for an updated 3-bed. Most homes feature stretching driveways, some of which lead to detached garages, providing off-street parking options.
American Foursquare homes are plentiful in the Old Forest neighborhood.
Cozy bungalow-style homes are quite common in the Old Forest neighborhood of Lansing.
Dutch Colonial, American Foursquare, and gablefront homes are common in Old Forest.
A typical American Foursquare home located in the Old Forest neighborhood of Lansing.
Unique two-story bungalow-style home in the Old Forest neighborhood of Lansing.
Newly-built Craftsman-style inspired home in the Old Forest neighborhood.
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Shopping and dining in downtown and Old Town
One of the main draws to Old Forest is that, as Dewey explains, “You’re close to downtown, several businesses and restaurants.” Lunch at Capital City BBQ is a capital idea thanks to the generous selection of barbecue, Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches and flavorful pho. Across the street, residents enjoy Margaritas and authentic tacos on the patio of El Azteco.
By crossing the Grand River, residents can experience everything Old Town has to offer. A former runner-up in the selection process for Michigan’s Capitol Complex site, Old Town has had new life breathed into it thanks to local businesses like Blue Owl Coffee. “Literally the last 10 or 15 years have seen people and businesses revitalizing the Old Town area,” says Brian Ozbun, a Realtor with Bellabay Realty, LLC.
Residents head to go to Gorman’s Food Market, north of the Grand River, or to Capital City Market, in Lansing’s Stadium District, for groceries. By driving 4 miles west to Waverly, they can visit Lansing Mall and the abundant number of shops in the surrounding area including Target, Aldi and Meijer.
Stop in to taste the Vietnamese cuisine of Capital City BBQ in Old Forest.
Friends gather to enjoy the nightlife in Old Town, located adjacent to Old Forest.
Get a coffee or a non-alcoholic coffee cocktail at Blue Owl Coffee in Old Town, near Old Forest.
Grab a hot cup of coffee while shopping at Capital City Market, close to Old Forest.
The Capital City Market is an urban grocery store operated by Meijer, near Old Forest.
Delicious Mexican food can be found at El Azteco, located in the Old Forest neighborhood.
Meet up with friends at El Azteco, which has both indoor and outdoor dining options.
Target can take care of all your needs, but grocery and homegoods, located near Old Forest.
Aldi is cost conscious, full-service grocery store, located near Old Forest.
Located near Old Forest, Aldi offers lower cost grocery items and fresh produce.
Bananas and other fresh produce can be found at Target, located near Old Forest.
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Convenient transportation options
This neighborhood is very walkable, bikeable and offers ample public transit options. Residents have access to bus route 3 to their north, and route 12 to their south. Capital Region International Airport is just 3 miles northwest of this neighborhood, and I-69 borders it to the south. To reach Michigan State University’s Lansing campus, residents can take Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard south to I-495 and make it to the campus in just 10 minutes.
The quiet streets of Old Forest are perfect for an afternoon bike ride.
Lansing's CATA bus line can take you virtually anywhere from the Old Forest neighborhood.
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Lansing Community College is located in downtown Lansing, minutes from Old Forest.
Schools in walking distance
Kids attend Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy from kindergarten through 8th grade. The tuition-free, public charter school holds a D-plus rating on Niche and is within walking distance for most. Also nearby is Willow School, which has a C rating on Niche and served Pre-K through 4th grade. The next and final step is usually J.W. Sexton High which has a C-plus and serves 7th through 12th graders.
Lansing Community College is just south of this neighborhood in downtown Lansing, and MSU is just 5 miles southeast. The community college has a B-minus on Niche and is a top choice for nursing students, while MSU holds an A rating and is ranked the 2nd best college in Michigan.
Crime, noise and flooding
Old Forest experiences slightly more crimes, with a crime index score of 6. For comparison, the US average is 4, with 1 being the least amount of crime and 10 being the most. Furthermore, although Old Forest experiences less flooding than neighborhoods closer to the Grand River, there are a few flood-prone areas to be aware of. And while airport access is an amenity, residents sometimes have to deal with the noise pollution from aircrafts.
Comstock Park and the Lansing River Trail
Old Forest’s Comstock Park features a small but well-loved playground in a sea of green space. Residents use the park to play soccer, have picnics and walk four-legged friends. In Old Town, they enjoy walking or cycling along the Lansing River Trail. The 20-mile pathway curves through the heart of Lansing, connecting highlights from Old Town to REO Town, the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball stadium, and the Impression 5 Science Center.
A mother an daughter walk across the spacious Comstock Park.
While living in Old Forest, you can attend a Lansing Lugnut game at Jackson Field.
While with the kids, be sure to visit Impression 5 Science Center in The Stadium District.
Walk your dog along the Lansing River Trail, located just outside the Old Forest neighborhood.
A mother and child walk towards the Comstock Park playground in Old Forest.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brock Fletcher,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Comstock Park
Burchard Park
Durant Park
Dietrich Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Edmore Park
Hawk Island Park
Ferris Park
Transit
Airport
Capital Region International
8 min drive
Bus
Sbd Pine Past W Maple St
Bus
Nbd Walnut Past Maple St
Bus
Ebd Willow Past Mlk Jr Blvd
Bus
Nbd Walnut Past Saginaw St
Bus
Ebd Willow & Christopher St
Bus
Nbd Walnut Before Willow
Bus
Wbd Oakland Past Pine St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Old Forest
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Old Forest Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Forest, Lansing sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Forest, Lansing over the last 12 months is $105,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
BACK ON THE MARKET - no fault of the home or seller! 2 unit home in Lansing features a 1st floor unit with 2 bedrooms, large living /dining area, and 1 full bath unit. Apartment upstairs features a sun-porch, full kitchen, living room, 2 bedrooms, and 1 full bath. Basement includes a shared laundry. Each unit has own meter for electricity. Storage space in the detached garage with room
Welcome to 402 West Cesar Chavez! Conveniently located to Lansing's Old Town and downtown area. This former 2 unit has been converted back to a large single family home. This home offers 6 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms including a first floor primary bedroom with a private full bath. The remaining first floor consists of a spacious dining room and living room as well as the kitchen. Upstairs are
Are you ready to build equity and looking for an investment? Large stately home that affords the opportunity to design and update to your taste. Built in 1905 with cut stone foundation - home is just awaiting new investors or owner to put the finishing touches on this wonderful home. Original woodworK, butlers staircase, formal parlor/ dining and living rooms. 4 total bedrooms and 2 bath
Zachary SoderbergFive Star Real Estate - Potterville
Property Id: 1700434Looking for stress-free living close to everything Lansing has to offer? This 1-bedroom unit comes fully furnished with all utilities (including high-speed internet) included for 1 reasonable monthly rate!Available August 1st, applicants with income greater than 3X the monthly rent before taxes are encouraged to apply. Pets welcome!Act fast, I don't
Welcome to this charming vintage home, boasting many wood details and ample living space. As you step inside, you’ll notice the beautiful wood accents throughout the house, giving it a warm and cozy feeling. The home features three large bedrooms. The master bedroom also has a walk-in closet, providing plenty of storage space. There is one full bathroom, ideal for everyone to use. The full dining
HUGE modern townhome with 3 large and airy bedrooms. Centrally located close to LCC, downtown, shops and restaurants.- Main floor has a living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry and a powder room- Second floor has 3 bedrooms and a bath- Attic is open for storage or recreation- Basement is dry and clean- Ample parking in the back
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brock Fletcher,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,527
Median Age
33
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$39,390
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$46,905
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
82.5%
College Graduates
29.6%
Advanced Degrees
4.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
72''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
78/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
72/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
44/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
