$119,744Average Value$85Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Lansing's creative epicenter
A runner-up in the site selection process for the State Capitol Building, Old Town didn't settle for second best. Instead, it reinvented itself as Lansing's cultural epicenter, with mural-splashed brick commercial buildings and colorful, ornate Victorian homes. "Businesses thrive, restaurants thrive, it's like Lansing's little Royal Oak," says Lansing native Brian Ozbun, a Realtor with Bellabay Realty. "It has shops and eateries and street dining in the summer. It has revitalized homes, loft-style apartments right above restaurants, and the Grand River — there's a lot to do."
Old Town is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Lansing with a stock of quality homes.
Meandering roads course through the Old Town Lansing neighborhood.
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Vintage homes within walking distance of shops
Surrounding the commercial center, historic Victorians and vintage American Foursquare houses stand out along tree-lined residential streets. Most homes here are from the 1900s, so properties often require renovations. Fixer-uppers can go as low as $50,000, but move-in-ready properties range from $150,000 to $250,000. Homes are only a stone's throw from their neighbors, but locals enjoy walkable proximity to Old Town's shopping and dining. Closer to the heart of the action, residential streets give way to apartment buildings and a few condo options.
Many colorful American Foursquare-style homes are located in Old Town.
Victorian-style homes peppered throughout the Old Town neighborhood.
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Parks make "a string of pearls" along the river
The Lansing River Trail, a waterside walking and biking route, runs through Old Town and connects to downtown. Old Town's section of the trail is home to the historic Brenke Fish Ladder and the surrounding Burchard Park. The park is slated for renovations in 2024, including the addition of fire pits, creative lighting and a stage. "We had a lot of demand from Old Town residents to see the Fish Ladder area turned into a venue for music and other entertainment," says Laurie Baumer, the President & CEO of the Capital Region Community Foundation. Her local non-profit is leading the renovation, and the Fish Ladder is just the Foundation's latest step in developing Lansing's riverfront. "We call it our string of pearls," Baumer says. "We are creating one contiguous group of venues connected by trails along the river."
A local performer uses Turner Mini Park as a venue for an impromptu concert in Old Town.
The fish ladder, located in Old Town, was built to help fish swim up the Grand River.
A colorful installation on the ArtPath is set along the Grand River in Old Town.
A cyclist enjoys an autumn ride along the Lansing River Trail in Old Town.
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Public school options with high demand
Students are part of Lansing Public School District, which has open choice enrollment. For Old Town residents, the closest school options include Pattengill Academy, a biotechnology magnet for kindergarten through eighth grade. Pattengill only gets a C-minus rating from the website Niche, but attendance means kids move on to Eastern High School, the best-rated high school in the district. The B-minus-rated Eastern High offers an International Baccalaureate program and dual-enrollment courses from Lansing Community College. However, both schools often have high demand, and a lottery system determines entry.
Eastern Lansing High & Middle School is a public institution.
Pattengill Academy is a public elementary school in Lansing, Michigan.
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Artsy events all year round
Old Town hosts some of the city's quirkiest festivals, like ScrapFest, which highlights art made with repurposed and eco-friendly materials. The neighborhood gets decked out in rainbow colors in June, as pastel murals fill the streets during the Chalk of the Town festival and vibrant flags announce the start of Lansing Pride. During JazzFest and BluesFest, Old Town hums with soulful performances from local and international street artists. Musicians have another chance to shine at the waterside Dam Jam Music Festival. And the Old Town Commercial Association plans smaller events all year round, from the sweet Chocolate Walk to the beard-filled Lumberjack Festival.
Grocery stores are a drive away
Old Town might be a hot spot for a night out, but it's far away from amenities like big brand shops and large grocery stores. The closest grocery option is Capital City Market, less than a mile away, but it's in the bustle of downtown. The major Frandor Shopping Center is another option, but it is also frequently surrounded by traffic. It's also a longer commute out to Lansing's biggest employer, Michigan State University. However, bus lines connect to all of these destinations, and Old Town has easy access to the Capital Region International Airport, which sits just 4 miles north.
Old Town's central location affords a wid
Old Town residents can take a quick ride to Aldi's located on W Saginaw Hwy.
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Quirky shops, restaurants and pampered pets
With patios that spill out onto streets and live music filtering out from local bars, Old Town has plenty to offer for a night on the town. Meat BBQ is one of the city's most iconic restaurants, boasting Southern barbecue and quirky pop-culture décor that got it featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives." Pablo's Old Town serves up authentic Mexican food on large platters, and The Creole Burger Bar is known for its brunch. Amidst the restaurants, a collection of art galleries, thrift stores, and quirky boutiques make up a locally sourced shopping scene. One of the most beloved shops is Preuss Pets, the largest family-owned pet store in the state. With weekly toddler time, animal education events, and dog trick-or-treating in the fall, Preuss is more than a pet store; it's a community center.
Locals enjoy eating at Meat BBQ on Turner Rd in Old Town.
Residents have many different dining options to choose from, such as Pablo's Old Town.
Metro Retro is a favorite Old Town vintage clothing store among Lansing residents.
Katalyst sells a variety of fashion jewelry and products, as well as art from local artists.
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A resilient community spirit
As the name suggests, Old Town is one of Lansing's oldest communities and was one of the first thriving business districts in the city. Although the neighborhood fell on hard times in the late 20th century, a strong network of local organizations worked hard to turn things around in the last 30 years. What was once an abandoned area has seen a reduction in crime rates, with building vacancies dropping from 90 percent to 10 percent. One prominent leader in the revitalization is the Old Town Commercial Association. With grants for building rehabilitation as well as beautification and clean-up efforts, they work to make Old Town a place to be proud of. Their regular networking events help to uplift the community, and projects to increase street lighting and sidewalks make the area safer. Currently, Old Town and the surrounding residential areas have a CAP Index Crime Score of 9 out of 10, a score driven more by property crimes than violent crimes.
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
Lisa Fletcher,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Burchard Park
Durant Park
Oak Park
Lansing River Trail
Dietrich Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Edmore Park
Hawk Island Park
Turner Mini Park
Larch Park
Transit
Airport
Capital Region International
8 min drive
Bus
Wbd Grand River Past Cedar
Bus
Nbd Washington Past Oakland Av
Bus
Wbd Grand River Past Washington
Bus
Wbd Grand River Past Larch
Bus
Ebd Grand River After Cedar
Bus
Nbd Turner Past Grand River Ave
Bus
Sbd Capitol Before Kilborn St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Old Town
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
10
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
10
4
Larceny
10
4
Crime Score
9
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Old Town Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Town, Lansing sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Town, Lansing over the last 12 months is $100,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Public and marketing remarks: Opportunity awaits at 749 N Larch St in the heart of Lansing. This 3-bedroom, 2 full bath home is mid-renovation with great potential, ideal for investors or handy homeowners ready to add their finishing touches. Located just minutes from downtown, it offers a central location and a spacious layout with many improvements already underway. With a little work, this
This well-maintained duplex is ideally located close to LCC and the Capital, offering excellent investment potential. Both units feature 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, each providing around 700 sqft of comfortable living space.Unit 1: Currently occupied by a long-term tenant on a month-to-month lease at below market rate, offering steady rental income.Unit 2: A vacant unit, ready for new tenants or
Chris RoelofsColdwell Banker Professionals -Okemos
Looking for the perfect rental in Lansing? Look no further! This amazing 2 story townhouse with a basement has everything you need and more. Centrally located and close to downtown, LCC, and Cooley Law, you’ll never be far from the action. With 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and 2 parking spots, this home is perfect for families or friends. The private backyard is the perfect place to unwind after a
This stunning rental house offers spacious and comfortable living with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath, spread out over a generous 1850 square feet of living space. The contemporary design throughout the home is magnificent, boasting sleek and modern finishes that perfectly complement the open floor plan.Located within walking distance to old town, you’ll be able to easily explore the many shops,
This amazing 2-story townhouse with a basement is perfect for those who want to live centrally located, near downtown, LCC, public transportation, and shops. It boasts 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and 2 tandem parking spots, providing ample space for everyone in the household. The private backyard is perfect for relaxing or entertaining guests, and the washer and dryer hookups make laundry a breeze.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lisa 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
1,198
Median Age
35
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$42,548
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$55,142
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.2%
College Graduates
38.9%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
17.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.8%
On par with 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®
89/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
82/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
48/ 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.
