$185,880Average Value$167Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
A growing community on the coast of Muskegon Lake
Nims is a fast-growing community on the shores of Muskegon Lake, building on its industrial past. Muskegon's legacy as a foundry town is due in part to the former West Michigan Steel plant in Nims, which became a prominent steel producer for World War II but ultimately shut down in 2012. Its scenic location on one of the lake's peninsulas drew developers to create Adelaide Point, a community of luxury waterfront condos slated to be finished by May 2025, along with a marina and a brewery already in operation. The neighborhood is also home to a former furniture factory being converted into condos, all while surrounded by modest single-family homes where many of the steel and furniture workers once lived. Whether a resident lives in a $100,000 bungalow, a $600,000 lakefront house or a $2 million penthouse, everyone has easy access to the lake, the neighboring downtown, and the scent of garlic bread that fills the air from the neighborhood's Cole's Quality Foods plant.
New restaurant, located on Adelaide Pointe in Nims.
Cole's Quality Foods is located in Nims, which employs many neighborhood residents.
The landmark Shaw-Walker Building, a former factory, is being converted to condos in Nims.
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From modest bungalows to million-dollar penthouses
Nims is predominantly made up of bungalows and ranch-style homes built between the early and mid-1900s. Many of these homes are built right next to each other on approximately 0.15-acre lots. They typically sell for around $150,000 to $250,000, though some can reach as low as $20,000 if they need renovations. While most houses in Nims are inland, about 50 line Lakeshore Drive overlooking Muskegon Lake. These lakefront homes include, but are not limited to, bungalows, Colonial Revivals and American Foursquares that sit atop a grassy hill above the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail, with prices ranging from $550,000 to $850,000. Those who move to Adelaide Pointe will also have the luxury of living right next to the lake. "Every home has a waterfront view," says Adelaide Point's marketing and operations manager, Aubrey Glick. "They are already increasing in value as time goes on, so it's not only a beautiful place to live but a great investment opportunity." Units range from $760,000 to $2 million. They include two- to four-bedroom condos with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows and five-bedroom penthouses with more than 3,000 square feet of living space and large vistas overlooking the lake. Nims is also home to the former Shaw-Walker furniture factory, which will eventually have more than 500 units, 30% of which will be condos and the other 70% apartment rentals. The renovated buildings will feature a rooftop pool, fitness center and dog park. An estimated completion date has yet to be announced.
Well-maintained homes, like this bungalow, can be found in the neighborhood of Nims.
New Condos on Adelaide Pointe are almost complete in neighborhood of Nims.
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Strolls from Muskegon Lakeshore Trail to Heritage Landing
About 2 miles of the 12-mile Muskegon Lakeshore Trail runs through Nims along the edge of Muskegon Lake. "The trail is a big deal," says David Medendorp, a local broker with The Medendorp Group. "People will ride their bikes all the way to Lake Michigan." The trail takes walkers, joggers and cyclists along the water's edge past marinas and parks. One of those parks is Heritage Landing on the north side of Nims – also considered Downtown's Western Waterfront. People can visit the park to hang out on the pier in the shape of a compass rose, walk the winding, tree-lined trails or have fun on the sandy playground. It also features an amphitheater used for events throughout the year and a port for cruise ships that explore the Great Lakes.
The former Nims Elementary School closed down in 2012, but the grounds are still used by the community and unofficially dubbed Nims Park, according to Jen Sanocki, president of the Nims Neighborhood Association. It features a large grassy field and a playground. The former school still stands and is now owned by AvaSure, a virtual nursing business.
Heritage Landing is a lakefront park located near Nims.
The 11 miles of paved path makes the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail a popular Nims location.
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State football champions at Muskegon High School
Muskegon Public Schools offers a school choice program for elementary students. Two of the closest options include Bunker Elementary, which earns a C-minus from Niche, and Glenside Elementary, which doesn't have a Niche grade, but teaches students in English and Spanish through its Two-Way Language Immersion Program. Charles Hackley Middle School has also yet to be graded because it was built in 2023 with its first school year starting in 2024. Muskegon High School gets a C grade and is notable for its football program, which won the Division II state championship in 2023.
Muskegon High School has a C+ rating on the Niche.com website.
Charles Hackley Middle School is a new public school located in Muskegon, Michigan.
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Cruise ships stop for the Muskegon Irish Music Festival
The Nims Neighborhood Association hosts annual events for the community at Nims Park. Sanocki says they'll partner with Hume Home, an assisted living facility, to have everyone come out for the annual Nims Picnic in June. They also participate in National Night Out, which brings neighbors and law enforcement together. In 2024, they used the event as a back-to-school drive, supplying backpacks and other school supplies for kids.
Adelaide Pointe draws inspiration from Queen Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, who was known for her generosity. "We have several events that circulate around the mission of Queen Adelaide – to be noble and give back to the community," says Glick. "One event we host is called Adelaide Day. We'll hand out fishing poles to kids and have charter fishermen give them lessons."
Heritage Landing hosts several events throughout the year – the Muskegon Irish Music Festival is one of the most popular. Not only does it draw tons of locals, but it attracts cruise ships as well.
Heritage Landing has several locations available for lakeside picnics near Nims.
The Marina at Adelaide Pointe is filled with beautiful boats during the summer months.
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Between downtown and Lake Michigan beaches
Residents can drive 1 to 3 miles to downtown, depending on where they live in Nims. It's also a 3- to 5-mile drive to Pere Marquette Beach on Lake Michigan. For farther travels, U.S. 31 and Interstate 96 are both about 7 miles away – the same distance to Muskegon County Airport. Flyers can take Southern Airways Express to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, though the carrier's single propeller-powered airplanes take more than 90 minutes to complete the trip, according to flight data. A new, jet-based airline is awaiting federal approval under the Essential Air Service program to take over the route, cutting flight time to 30 minutes.
Cafes, breweries and frozen garlic bread
Nims has a few restaurants along Laketon Avenue on the neighborhood's south side. Lakeside Café serves breakfast all day in a homey atmosphere, while Sandbar draws people looking to grab a beer and chili dog while hanging out over a game of pool. Muskegon Brewing Company, established in 1876, eventually went out of business but was resurrected by Adelaide Pointe in 2023. It's located right next to Muskegon Lake, where people can eat, drink and mingle while looking out at the water. For everyday shopping needs, Walmart and Meijer are about 2 miles south. Sanocki says many people also drive 8 miles south to Norton Shores, which has dozens of national chain retailers. Many of these retailers sell a familiar product made in Nims – Cole's frozen garlic bread. The Cole's Quality Foods plant opened as a bakery in the 1940s. It switched gears after developing the first frozen garlic bread in the 1970s, and the scent of garlic bread has wafted through the neighborhood ever since.
The Sandbar is a popular watering hole in Nims, especially in the summer.
New restaurant, located on Adelaide Pointe in Nims.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Pamela Derks,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
McGraft Park
Marsh Field
Hackley Park
The Hidden Park
Pere Marquette Park
Heritage Landing
St Joseph Park
Muskegon Lakeshore Trail
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Nims
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Nims Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Nims, Muskegon sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Nims, Muskegon over the last 12 months is $182,750, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming Craftsman in the Heart of Nims!Fall in love with this character-rich Craftsman-style home located in the highly sought-after Nims neighborhood. Featuring 3 spacious bedrooms, an upper-level office, this home offers both comfort and functionality. Enjoy the warmth of original woodwork, beautiful hardwood floors, and a partially finished basement perfect for extra living space or storage.
This investment opportunity is a rare find in the highly desirable Nims neighborhood, just a stone's throw from the lake. Situated on a spacious lot, this property is primed for renovation and offers incredible potential for investors or buyers looking to build equity. While it requires work, its prime location near downtown Muskegon, and beautiful waterfront areas makes it a smart investment.
Welcome to 1086 W Dale Ave, a turnkey Cape Cod nestled in the heart of Muskegon's sought-after Nims neighborhood! This home is full of charm, style, and good energy—professionally designed by the current owner (an interior designer!) and it shows in every detail. Inside, you'll find 2 cozy bedrooms, 1 full bath, hardwood floors, and a clean, unfinished basement ready for your creative touch. The
Charming and versatile, 3 Unit rental. Each Unit is a 1 bed 1 bath. **Long-term rental certificate only** This 2-story, 3-bedroom, 3-bath home is nestled in a quiet Lakeshore neighborhood--offering both comfort and income potential! Whether you've seeking a primary residence, vacation rental, or long-term rental investment, this property checks all the boxes. Located just moments from Muskegon's
Fully renovated unit including new central heating and cooling, up to date electrical, and brand new water heater! So up to date, even basic internet is included.Features a built in high top dining nook in a spacious kitchen with quartz counters and brand new appliances. New flooring runs through the space, highlighted by 9ft ceilings and a plethora of windows to let daylight keep
Welcome to this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom house located in Muskegon, MI. This cozy home features a spacious yard, perfect for outdoor activities. The basement provides extra storage space. Relax and unwind on the porch swing, enjoying the fresh air and peaceful surroundings. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make this lovely house your new home. Contact us today to schedule a viewing!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Pamela Derks,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,052
Median Age
37
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$40,357
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$55,523
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.5%
College Graduates
13.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
45/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
38/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
