To be clear, Muskegon is a Great Lake city, but only a sliver is immediately alongside the third-largest of the five northern waterways, separated from Lake Michigan by a narrow channel connecting to Muskegon Lake, giving the city an inland lakefront all its own. The Lakeside neighborhood is the city’s front-facing destination, with parks, restaurants, bars, shops and historic spots. Blocks inland, residential zones begin to take over to the south and east, though homes with access to Lake Michigan are not far to the west. Each area comes with its own vibe, says associate broker Linda Crouse of Re/Max of Grand Haven. “There’re different cities in Muskegon County lumped together that everybody calls Muskegon.''
Jackson Hill is located just a short distance away from downtown Muskegon and Muskegon Lake.
Muskegon Lake is dotted with more new homes every day, growing the Nelson neighborhood.
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Homes are priced lower, considering the location
Foursquares, cottages and bungalows line both sides of Muskegon Lake, but the majority of home sales occur on its south side. The median is around $200,000, about half the national figure. “Home prices are lower in Muskegon County than they are in Ottawa County,” says Crouse of the county just to the south. In the Beachwood-Bluffton neighborhood, homes often include boat docks and water views. Some single-family homes can reach more than $1 million, and condos typically sell between $500,000 and $600,000. In Glenside, mid-century homes have often been renovated to modern standards, selling close to the citywide median. More modest homes can be found in such neighborhoods as Steele, on the eastern side of the city. Pratt and Whitney and GE Aviation are among the top employers in the Muskegon area, manufacturing aerospace components. Bayer Crop Science is another big employer as a maker of agricultural products.
Many cozy homes line the streets of the Steele neighorhood.
A row of Cape Cod homes lines a street filled with mature trees in Muskegon.
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Spending time at Muskegon's waterfront
Muskegon Channel is a hot spot for outdoorsy fun, in both winter and summer. Pere Marquette Park is one of several on the shoreline, recognizable for its lighthouse and white sands. The adjacent Margaret Drake Elliot Park has more classic amenities like an open grassy field for dog walking or sitting down at its benches for a picnic. On the other side of the channel, but not reachable by bridge, is Muskegon State Channel Campground. This area is sought after for the camping spaces overlooking the water. And when winter sets in, Muskegon residents don’t necessarily hunker down. “You can ice fish, ice skate and snowmobile,’’ Crouse says. In warmer months, Crouse says, concerts and watersports are prevalent. A Farmers Market operates three days a week downtown, but only on Saturdays in December through April.
You can find people enjoying Lake Michigan year-round in Muskegon.
People walk towards the Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse in Beachwood-Bluffton.
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Supporting Muskegon's small businesses
Muskegon’s business heart is along its lakefront. Casual cafes and diners are the norm here, as are local breweries and wineries. Few of these restaurants occupy real estate on the shore, and more can be found a few blocks closer to the suburban subdivisions. More than one dozen grocery stores lay scattered throughout the city, from Aldi to Meijer to locally owned spots.
Pigeon Hill Brewing is a famous local brewery on the shores of Muskegon Lake.
Muskegon locals enjoy lakefront views and fine dining at The Lake House Waterfront Grille.
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Attending class in Muskegon Public Schools
Students can attend Muskegon Public Schools, which gets a C overall from Niche. Some 3,000 students attend class across seven schools. With 22 students for every teacher, the district has a higher proportion of students than the national average of 17-to-1. Muskegon Community College is also in town.
Muskegon High School is located in Muskegon, Michigan, and earns a C grade from Niche.
Charles Hackley Middle School is a new public school located in Muskegon, Michigan.
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Catching the Muskegon Area Transit System
Downtown Muskegon sits on the lake, with the farthest point in the city just 4.5 miles southeast. Those living on the southeast end of the city have a 5.5-mile, 13-minute drive ahead of them if they commute downtown for work. The Muskegon Area Transit System is also available to residents who need to catch the bus. The same trip from southeast Muskegon to downtown takes about 20 minutes. Ferry boats connect across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee, a ride of about 2.5 hours. Muskegon County Airport’s two scheduled air carriers fly to Chicago’s O’Hare International.
Crime and weather in Muskegon
Water quality along the lakes has been monitored since 2021, following concerns in the 1980s over pollution and a subsequent cleanup effort. Muskegon’s proximity to Lake Michigan contributes to more moderate temperatures in winter and summer, but it can also fuel lake-effect snow.
According to FBI-collected data, Muskegon’s rates of reported violent crime and property crime generally run higher than state and national norms. According to the police department’s most recent annual report, the city recently installed license-plate reading cameras to help collect vehicle data or detect the presence of stolen vehicles or wanted suspects.
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