Leoni's new housing developments and lower costs bring in new residents
Leoni is a sprawling township, full of trees, fields and spacious yards just east of Jackson. However, the landscape is slowly changing as newcomers and relocators move to the area. New housing developments and land to build on are in high demand as more people move to Jackson and its surrounding county from nearby Michigan Cities like Lansing and Ann Arbor. Additionally, Jackson residents who grow out of their homes and want the charms of lake life look towards Leoni for their retreat. "There are quite a few lakes in the township, which is a draw," says Kirsten Knueppel-Mogle, Realtor at Re/Max Mid-Michigan, who has been selling in the area for nearly 30 years.
Man-made canals run inland to provide lakeside homes in Leoni easy boating access to its lakes.
Michigan Center Lake has public access for boats and local Leoni fishers to take advantage of.
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Different styles of homes around the lakes and in subdivisions
While houses are all around the township, most homes surround Gilletts Lake and Center Lake. Center Lake is in Michigan Center, an unincorporated community in the township's southwestern corner. Styles vary significantly, from Cape Cods and Bungalows of the early 1900s to ranch-style and split-level homes from the middle of the century and homes from the past 10 years. The older and smaller homes sell from $80,000 to $200,000. Those from the middle of the 20th century are in the middle of both size and price, ranging from $175,000 to $400,000. New traditional and Colonial Revival homes sell between $350,000 and $680,00. Plots of land are $10,000 and $185,000, and "The cost of new construction here is less than older homes in Ann Arbor," Knueppel-Mogle says. "I think people moving here from Ann Arbor got priced out or want to build their own homes, but it's too expensive there." Property taxes are also lower in Leoni, compared to the city property taxes of Jackson and Ann Arbor.
Contemporary homes south of Gilletts Lake provide Leoni home shoppers with a modern option.
Many of the sprawling Cape Cod homes in Leoni have seen additions through the years.
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Commuting to Jackson and Ann Arbor within 30 minutes
Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 127 go through the township, and Jackson is directly to the west. Because Ann Arbor is only 30 miles east along Interstate 94, "Leoni is a good place for people working in Ann Arbor who want to be on a lake but not at Ann Arbor prices," Knueppel-Mogle says. Henry Ford Allegiance Health is a significant employer close to Leoni. Jackson County Airport, a domestic airport, is about 10 miles west, while Capital Region International Airport in Lansing is about 50 miles north.
Children are divided between two similar school districts
Depending on where they live, children attend either Michigan Center School District or East Jackson Community Schools. "Each school district in the Jackson area is similar," Knueppel-Mogle says. "The biggest difference is in demographics." East Jackson students learn from kindergarten through sixth grade at East Jackson Elementary School, rated C-minus by Niche. East Jackson Secondary School, for seventh grade through graduation, is rated C. Michigan Center students start at Arnold Elementary School, then Keicher Elementary School, rated B and C-plus, respectively. Michigan Center Junior/Senior High School earns a B-minus.
East Jackson Elementary School has an average teacher-to-student ratio of 15-to-1.
Over 300 students from Michigan Center attend Arnold Elementary School.
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Camping, birdwatching, golfing and swimming in town
Nature Preserves, forests and birdwatching sanctuaries take up much of Leoni's open land, and campgrounds are in the township, including Greenwoods Acres Family Campground and Oaks Campground. Two more, Camp Teetonkah and Portage Lake Campgrounds, are just outside Leoni's boundaries. Rather than a sandy beach entrance, Gilletts Lake Park has cement steps leading directly down into the water of Gilletts Lake. The neighborhood park also has a playground and pavilion. Lakeland Hills Golf Club is a public course in Michigan Center that offers an all-you-can-play deal from Monday through Friday. Regular tee times and fees are also available.
A small pavilion at Gilletts Lake Park provides beachside shade for families visiting the park.
Golfers throughout Leoni can enjoy affordable tee-times at Lakeland Hills Golf Course.
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Local restaurants are beside department stores and national chains
A shopping center with Target, Home Depot, Kroger and more national stores is 8 miles west, in the northwest corner of Jackson. Menards, Meijer, Tractor Supply Co. and fast-food chains are on either side of U.S. Route 127 in Leoni. Locally owned restaurants are along Ann Arbor Road and Page Avenue, including Rudy's Drive-In. Patrons park beneath a bright red awning to order from their car. Bellhops take their orders and return with chili dogs, floats, burgers and chicken entrees.
Rudy's Drive-In has been a summer tradition in Leoni for over 40 years.
On Michigan Center's west side in Leoni is a close by big box retail store, Menards.
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Written By
Heather Haggerty
Photography Contributed By
James Gordon
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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