On the north-facing coast of Michigan's upper peninsula, Marquette is home to a state university and about 20,000 permanent residents, many of them drawn to the area by its way of life. “Most of my out-of-state buyers have come here to escape bigger cities,” says Realtor Kelsey Gatiss of Keller Williams First Up. “They want a quieter lifestyle than in Chicago, and remote work is so common now that people have the opportunity to do that.” Waterfront parks along Lake Superior, a handful of major employers and stunning views make Marquette not just a viable spot to plant roots, but a picturesque one as well.
South Beach Park in Marquette features playgrounds right on the shores of Lake Superior.
Northern Michigan University in Marquette is known for having top innovative programs.
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A range of prices and property sizes in Marquette
Home styles vary, and the median price of about $515,000 is about $100,000 more than the national figure. Prices tend to fluctuate on proximity to Lake Superior and its views. New construction condos are selling for $660,000 to nearly $800,000 along the shoreline, though lower priced single-family homes with three bedrooms on about a quarter-acre lot range from $230,000 to $610,000. Typically, homes in the $500,000 range are larger and were built on bigger lots.
New Condos with lakefront views are a popular housing option in Marquette.
Colonial Homes in Marquette are often on large lots and surrounded by trees.
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Enjoying Lake Superior from Presque Isle Park
Most of Marquette’s iconic parks hug the waterfront on the east side of town. Shiras Park and McCarty’s Cove Park share a beach. Of all Marquette’s parks, the most renowned is Presque Isle Park. Apart from its picturesque hillside, the area has a trail system that winds through the park’s forested interior. This park’s peninsula makes a great kayaking launch point or place for a picnic. “A lot of people swim in Lake Superior,” says Gatiss, though water temperatures only occasionally climb above 70 in the summer. “There are black rocks you can jump off into the lake.” Some of the city's recreational waterfront once was part of a regional iron-ore port, though some of the facilities are now retired. The Presque Island terminal is still in operation, though.
Shiras Park and McCarty’s Cove Park beach in Marquette are popular year-round.
Presque Isle Park in Marquette has picturesque views, hiking trails, and beach access.
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Keeping busy, even in the winter
Marquette has things happening year-round. Winter keeps folks especially busy, whether it’s participating in the annual Ishpeming Ski Jumping Tournament, attending the Upper Michigan Ice Races -- for motorcycles and four-wheelers -- or checking out some Division I college hockey at Northern Michigan University's Berry Events Center. Ice climbing and ice fishing are two of the more extreme winter favorites. When things get warmer, residents might stop by Open Mic Night at Drifa Brewing Company or catch live music on Third Street.
Winter activities like ice climbing are plentiful in the Marquette area.
Some of the best ice fishing in the state can be found in the Marquette area.
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Always something to eat on 3rd Street
Many of Marquette’s restaurants are clustered on Third Street. These include pizza, pasta and coffee shops. A bit farther south along the harbor lie a few bars and inns for residents to grab a drink after work. Co-ops and markets also appear here. Farther west along U. S. Route 41, there’s a Super One Foods and a Target.
Enjoy a fresh and delicious pie at Third Coast Pizzeria in Marquette, off Third Street.
Discover fresh, organic, and local products at Marquette Food Co-Op.
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Car rides are short in Marquette
Everything within city limits is no more than 3 miles away from downtown. Life in Marquette is car-dependent, so most commute by driving to work. A hop downtown from the outermost homes in the city lasts about 10 minutes. Life on the Upper Peninsula means that driving to the remainder of Michigan requires a trip over the nearly 5-mile long Mackinac Bridge on Interstate 75 or a longer ride around Lake Michigan through Wisconsin and Illinois. Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport is served by two airlines, with flights to Chicago O'Hare and Detroit. The UP Health System has a facility just off U. S. Route 41. "The hospital is a major employer," says Gatiss.
Attending Marquette Area Public Schools
Marquette Area Public Schools earns an overall B-plus from Niche. Seven schools enroll some 3,200 students, with an average of 19 students per classroom. Northern Michigan University, which enrolls about 7,000 students, is built in the center of the city. “There’re a lot of kids who grew up here who attend NMU,” says Gatiss, “but many from out-of-town as well.”
Students are challenged to excel at Graveraet Elementary in Marquette.
Northern Michigan University has a campus size of 360 acres right on Lake Superior.
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Crime and freezing temperatures in Marquette
Marquette’s violent crime rate remains consistently on par with or lower than the state’s and the country’s, with rare and infrequent exceptions. The same is true for property crimes that occur year to year in Marquette: they remain far lower than Michigan’s and the United States’ overall figures by population.
Fires and floods aren’t a factor for residents of Marquette, but low temperatures certainly are. “Lake Superior is a pretty desirable waterfront,” says Gatiss. “But you do get lake effect snow and weather, so that’s something to consider.” According to Weather Spark, winter temperatures average below freezing and often hit lows of single digits or even below zero.
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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.
