Mt. Morris a suburb of Flint with appealing access to recreation
Mt. Morris is a small city in eastern Michigan that offers a convenient suburban setting north of Flint. This community of about 3,000 is less than 10 miles from the heart of the city. Its location provides suitable distance from Flint and its issues with proximity to the amenities of the greater metropolitan area. While Flint still wrestles with the fallout of the water crisis, the surrounding suburbs were not affected. The crime rate in Mt. Morris is also significantly lower – a Cap Index Crime Score of 4-out-10 compared to a 7-out-of-10 for Flint. Proximity to outdoor activities is especially appealing for a community whose median age is 35. “The Mt. Morris area has quite a few recreational destinations,” says Jackie Stratton of Keller Williams First, who sells homes throughout the region. “There’s Hogbacks, where you can ride four-wheelers, and there’s also an area where you can bring horses to ride trails. That’s all part of the Genesee County Parks system. There’s also a nice little beach out that way.”
Hogbacks, Bluebell Beach among top recreational destinations
Hogbacks also offers opportunities for hiking, fishing and bird-watching. Bluebell Beach is a popular regional attraction about 5 miles away along the shores of Mott Lake. The lakeside park is located along the Flint River Bike Path. Richfield County Park, about 8 miles away, offers everything from tennis to a BMX bike course across 345 acres. Visitors can also launch a canoe into the Flint River. Within the community, Ronald F. Batterbee Memorial Park is the center of activity. Athletic fields and a large children’s play structure are featured amenities. Beechwood Greens Golf Course offers a par-32 executive course about a mile from the park.
Housing options are varied and relatively affordable
From small frame houses built before World War II to recently built homes in a small subdivision setting, the community offers a diverse mix of options. “That area really has a wide range of homes,” Stratton says. “You’ll find older homes in the city, and when you step outside of that, you’ll find more ranches.” Aside from the prominence of mature trees that tower over many of the homes, no two streets in Mt. Morris look the same. Older homes feature Colonial-inspired designs -- from Cape Cod to farmhouse – but also include Craftsman and other traditional architectural styles. Housing in the community is about a 50/50 split between owners and renters. Prices range from about $40,000 to around $250,000. “Mt. Morris is probably on the lower end, price-wise, than most of Genesee County,” says Stratton, who adds that the many older homes tend to bring down overall prices. While the median sales price in Flint is lower, the Mt. Morris median of $126,500 is significantly lower than other Flint suburbs in the county such as Grand Blanc and Davison.
Early elementary is the highest rated of five community schools
Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools consists of five traditional institutions. Pinehurst Early Elementary, which serves students in pre-kindergarten through first grade, is the highest rated at B-minus. The other four schools, including E.A. Johnson Memorial High School, are rated C-minus. The district also features an Ignite Academy that offers an alternative pathway for students to complete high school. Michigan allows students to apply for transfers to schools outside of their districts, but parents must provide appropriate transportation.
Convenient access to grocery stores and hometown restaurants
Kroger and Save-A-Lot offer convenient grocery stops on each end of Saginaw Road, a commercial corridor that runs through the community. “They’ve got a fair amount of shopping and dining options there, but it’s more of a hometown feel,” Stratton says. “Gillie’s Coney Island, those types of small restaurants.” Gillies is a local staple on Dort Highway, a commercial corridor just outside of the neighborhood. Big-box retailers, boutique shops and more contemporary dining destinations can be found in Flint.
Nearby I-475 bypass leads directly into Flint
The Interstate 475 bypass runs just south of the community, and it connects to Interstate 75 to the west. Residents can take I-475 directly into Flint, home of Bishop International Airport. The bypass connects with Interstate 69 in downtown Flint. I-75 provides access to McLaren Flint Hospital, about 13 miles away. I-75 also connects to Saginaw about 30 miles away. Lansing is a little over 60 miles away via I-69. Closer to home, residents can catch the bus along Saginaw Road. The Mass Transit Authority serves Genesee County.
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Written By
Matt Pallister
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Gregory Hayes
