Marion Township offers wide open spaces between Michigan’s major cities
Marion Township is a community of over 11,000 residents between Michigan’s major cities of Detroit, Lansing and Flint. It was established in the 1830s and named after Revolutionary War general Francis Marion. Homes in the township can have large front lawns and backyards with oak and pine trees overhead. Some properties can also back onto lakes, with private fishing and boating docks. Newer communities have also sprung up in the township, giving buyers smaller lot sizes and homes closer together. “What makes it unique is that it is situated off of I-96 with easy access to metro Detroit, to Ann Arbor, to Lansing and north to Flint,” says Michael McGivney, the vice president of sales and marketing at Allen Edwin Homes. “It gives you all of the conveniences of retail shopping, recreation, several state and local parks in the area, which makes it pretty unique.”
A mix of housing styles with older and newer homes
The median home price is $425,000, higher than the state and national medians. New Traditionals, split levels, ranch styles and estate homes are present. Land is available. McGivney notes the area has a mix of older and newer builds.
McGivney says the community has a lower property tax rate than other areas in the Detroit metro, which is an attraction for the township. Renee DeKroub, a team leader at Re/Max Platinum, says the area attracts a mix of young families and professionals who commute to job centers in the local cities. Still, multigenerational families have established roots in the township as well. DeKroub notes that an HOA oversees some properties, but fees are “reasonable.”
Low flooding risk but occasional tornadoes
According to Federal Emergency Management Agency maps, some properties have a slight flooding risk. DeKroub also notes the area has snow and ice in the winter and occasional tornadoes, but alarms are present to warn residents. “Tornadoes are part of life in the Midwest,” says DeKroub.
Local green spaces, Howell Nature Center and golfing locations
Green spaces include Marion Township Park #1, which features a baseball diamond, playground and walking trail. Jack Lowe Memorial Park has disc golf and a gazebo.
The Howell Nature Center, on the southern end of the township, has over 320 acres of space, a wildlife park and is a host site for youth camps.
Golfing spots outside the township include Chemung Hills Golf Club, a public 6,400-yard facility with indoor simulators. Timber Trace Golf Club has a 6,200-yard layout and a practice facility.
Downtown Howell, north of the community, hosts numerous events, including the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest. The festival features hot-air balloon displays, a carnival, a classic car show and other activities.
Served by several school districts and a local community college present
Dining options are south of the township or in Howell along Michigan Avenue or Grand River Avenue, featuring a mix of chain and local spots. South of the community is HorseFeathers Kitchen & Cocktails, a higher-end establishment that serves steaks, salads, pasta dishes and other entrées. Along Michigan Avenue, the Block Brewing Company serves craft beer and barbecue. Chello Italian Restaurant on Grand River Avenue serves pasta dishes and salads and has an extensive wine list.
Grand River Avenue has several boutique stores. However, grocery stores like Aldi and Meijer and big box stores like Walmart are east on the avenue. Kensington Valley Outlets are west of downtown Howell along Interstate 96. Trinity Health Livingston Hospital is 5 miles north.
Interstate 96 and access to several airports
Interstate 96 is on the northern end of the township and connects residents to downtown Detroit and Lansing. Flint’s Bishop International Airport is 46 miles northeast, while Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County is 55 miles southeast.
