Lowell blends natural beauty with proximity to Grand Rapids
Lowell rests less than 20 miles outside of Grand Rapids, and it includes both the city of Lowell and the Lowell Charter Township — the land surrounding the actual city of Lowell. “We have an abundance of nature and culture, while being minutes away from big-city conveniences,” says Amanda Rogers, broker with Rogers Neighborhood Realty, who has lived in Lowell for more than 20 years. “The North Country Trail Association is headquartered here, and we have two large rivers that converge here, many miles of paved trails and a thriving downtown.”
In recent years, Lowell has increased in popularity, which has led to a few growing pains. “It’s a real bottleneck to get through the city of Lowell during rush hour,” says Township Supervisor Jerry Hale. Plans are in place to build a business park near Interstate 96. “Our goal is to alleviate some of the traffic by moving future growth closer to I-96,” Hale says.
A mix of historical homes, new builds and rural properties
There's a variety of home options in the area. Downtown Lowell has a large stock of homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s, and sidewalks and private driveways are relatively common. “There are also neighborhoods from the ‘60s and ‘70s, and now we have many newer-construction neighborhoods,” Rogers says. These suburban-style neighborhoods typically feature ranch-style homes or New Traditional designs. In the township, properties often span multiple acres, and home designs vary widely.
Manufactured homes may sell between $30,000 and $90,000, plus about $500 in monthly lot fees. Condos often range from $260,000 to $480,000, and monthly HOA fees can add between $150 and $300. Residences with up to 3,000 square feet tend to range from $180,000 to $650,000, while larger ones may go between $490,000 and $1.37 million.
City homes are connected to public utilities, and township residents maintain their own wells and septic systems. Some properties near the rivers are prone to flooding, so lenders may require flood insurance. The area's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Strong ratings for Lowell schools
Children who live to the north of the river can attend Bushnell Elementary for kindergarten and first grade, which gets a B Niche rating. They continue learning at Cherry Creek Elementary, rated an A-minus. The A-minus-rated Alto Elementary serves students who live south of the river. Lowell Middle School and Lowell High School serve all area students, and both receive A-minus ratings. Lowell High School offers a variety of extracurricular sports, including crew, wrestling and cheerleading.
Lowell has riverside parks, hiking trails and indoor recreation
Lowell offers a variety of green spaces, including the 20-plus-acre Creekside Park with its castle-like play structure. Along the river, a pedestrian bridge connects South Riverfront Park and North Riverfront Park. Together, the two parks offer sports fields, a kayak launch and a seasonal ice cream stand. Residents can also connect with trail systems, including the multiuse Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Trail and the nearly 5,000-mile North Country Scenic Trail.
The community has a few indoor recreation areas as well. Members of the Litehouse Family YMCA can take group exercise classes and use its fitness equipment. The GQT Ada-Lowell 5, along West Main Street, screens first-run movies, and The Old Theater hosts dances and concerts.
Downtown shopping district near the Flat River
In the downtown area, where Main Street crosses over the Flat River, sidewalks lead past antique stores, clothing boutiques and restaurants. “My favorite spots are the Flat River Grill for a nice date night, or Sabor Mexicano for a flavorful and authentic Mexican lunch,” Rogers says. To the west of downtown, chain businesses are more common, including a Meijer grocery store.
Annual events include BridgeFest and a Christmas craft fair
Both the city and township host events throughout the year. In June, people gather at the riverfront parks for BridgeFest, a day filled with sports competitions, live music and local vendors. “During BridgeFest, the nearby church buys out the ice cream stand for the whole day, so anyone can just walk up and order for free,” Hale says. The Kent County Youth Fair also takes place in the summer, with rodeo events, auctions and carnival rides. In November, the holiday season begins with Christmas Through Lowell, a holiday market and craft fair that draws shoppers from around the state, Rogers says.
Route 21 and I-96 link locals to Grand Rapids jobs and services
Flat River Outreach Ministries provides as-needed transportation for some Lowell residents, but most people rely on cars for travel. State Route 21 and Interstate 96 connect drivers to Grand Rapids, about 20 miles west. Grand Rapids is a major metropolitan hub with several hospitals, large shopping centers and major employers. The city’s Gerald R. Ford International Airport is about 15 miles away.
Potential water quality issues in Lowell
Some older homes may still be connected to lead service pipes, and homeowners should check with the city to see if their pipes need to be upgraded. Chemicals known as PFAS have been detected in groundwater and wells near the Ware Road Landfill. The city is continuing to test area wells and inform impacted residents.
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Photography Contributed By
Tyler Bolduc
