Leighton Township offers country living in Allegan County
Leighton Township is a small, rural community in Allegan County. With houses scattered across stretches of farmland and country terrain, the area offers residents plenty of privacy and a slower pace of life not too far from Grand Rapids. “It’s a bedroom community that has easy access to Grand Rapids,” says Steven Hanson, owner of Hanson Real Estate Group with over 30 years of experience. “The biggest reason people are looking into Leighton Township is because of the price. Everything in Grand Rapids is so expensive, so people are looking at the outlying areas to find something more affordable.” The area has a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4, and the community association organizes events so neighbors can connect and socialize.
Leighton Township has many homes to choose from
Leighton Township has a mix of 1900s workers cottages, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes, as well as some 21st-century Colonial Revivals and New Traditional homes. Houses are spread apart and sit alongside stretches of country roads. Single-family homes go from $200,000 to approximately $550,000; larger builds, many of which are over 3,000 square feet with acres of land or views of Green Lake, can go from $600,000 to $1.1 million. Lots can vary from a quarter-acre to over 5 acres. Condos are between $200,000 and $300,000. “Condos are popping up because baby boomers are retiring and want to downsize, and the younger generation is also interested because the cost for single-family homes is so high,” Hanson says.
Outdoor recreation by Green Lake and at nearby venues
The 309-acre Green Lake is considered the area’s main hub for recreation, offering opportunities for fishing, paddleboarding, sailing and water skiing. People also jog or walk around the lake, and it's a popular spot for lakeside get-togethers. Caledonia Lakeside Park has a play area, walking trails and a fishing pond, and the 27-hole course at Briarwood Golf Club is open to the public. YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin has recreational programs and camps for children, which offer horseback riding, archery, zip lines, water activities and rock climbing.
School districts that serve Leighton Township
The township is served by several public school districts. Students zoned for Caledonia Community Schools may attend Paris Ridge Elementary, Kraft Meadows Intermediate School and Duncan Lake Middle School, all of which have an A grade from Niche. Caledonia High School gets a B-plus, offering Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses, as well as a selection of trade programs in business and engineering design. Those attending Wayland Union Schools may attend Wayland Union Middle School and Wayland High, which get a B and a B-minus, respectively. The Thornapple Kellogg Schools district also serves the area.
Shopping and dining options in Wayland and Middleville
The area is surrounded by small pockets of businesses. Riverdog Tavern is in Middleville and serves American pub food. Wayland Hotel Bar and Grill has similar tavern fare, and Maria’s, located by Green Lake, offers classic Italian cuisine. Grocery options include Harding's Market, Leppinks Food Centers and D&W Fresh Market. Walmart is slightly over 10 miles north, on the way to Grand Rapids.
Events organized by a-Round Green Lake Association
The volunteer-based a-Round Green Lake Association organizes events like ice cream socials, fishing tournaments and the Fourth of July celebration, featuring a boat parade, fireworks and a pancake breakfast. Additional events include the Green Lake 5K run and walk in August, and Leighton Township Library has story time hours for children, craft workshops, hobby clubs and community socials.
Distance to Grand Rapids
The community is near U.S. Route 131, which connects to downtown Grand Rapids, about 20 miles north. Gerald R. Ford International Airport and University of Michigan Health-West are both about 15 miles away.
