Island Lake

Island Lake is a neighborhood that embodies luxurious lakefront living with unlimited access to water and outdoor recreation. This private community sits south of Interstate 96 and 35 miles from downtown Detroit. “What drew me here to begin with is the location,” says Island Lake resident and Relator at REMAX Classic Crystal Halley. “We were living in Novi, and the schools there are great. You got the water, and you can’t beat that.”
Island Lake resembles a movie scene with grand houses, manicured lawns, and perfectly paved sidewalks. Walking around Island Lake, you’ll see the places are similar in colors, featuring either brick-front properties or light brown and yellow hues. Many homes were built in the early to mid-2000s. These are primarily two-story detached homes or condos with colonial or Cape Cod-inspired architecture. Interiors come with more than 2,500 sq ft of space and three bedrooms. Some homes carry private views or access to the lake through the patios and sitting areas. If you’re looking for a condo, prices range from $500,000 to $700,000. Then, single-family detached homes will range from $900,000 to $1,100,000.
You’ll find Island Lake is an active community as residents have private access to many forms of outdoor recreation. “A big attraction point is the lake. It spans about a mile,” Halley says. “There’s nothing like it in the area. There are seven associations that encompass the development. There’s fishing. You can paddle boats and motorboats.” You can also spend a relaxing day in the beach area or by the swimming pool. If you want to stay out of the water, there are tennis, volleyball and pickleball courts. Ride your bike or walk the dog along the several well-maintained sidewalks and trails. Spend the afternoon having a lakeside picnic while the kids or furry pups enjoy the green space and playground within North Park.
Students in Island Lake can get their education from Novi Community School District, which is Number 1 in Niche’s 2024 Best School Districts in Michigan. Grades K through fourth-grade students can attend Woods Elementary School, which holds an A plus Niche grade. Afterward, Novi Meadows Middle School educates students in grades five and six, which has an A plus Niche grade. Students start to expand their subjects from elementary years, offering art, band, music, world language, and robotics. Grades seven and eight are at Novi Middle School, which also holds an A plus Niche grade. Students can enroll in honors-level math courses or participate in the 14 after-school clubs. Novi High School has an A plus Niche grade. This school offers over 20 AP courses and 15 IB courses. Their athletics teams are highly praised, as their Baseball team won the 2023 Division 1 Championship.
If you head northeast along Wixom Road, you’ll discover several dining options varying from local shops to national giants. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are coming fresh off the grill of The Grand Diner. You find there classic American and some Greek-inspired dishes. If you stay along Wixom Road, you’ll find a Sam’s Club, Target and Aldi. If you're heading south, a Kroger can be located along 10 Mile Rd.
“There’s all kinds of events all year round,” Halley says. “Our social committee is very active. We have the dinners, book clubs.” Other notable events include the garage sale, classic auto show, and for the kiddos trunk or treat. “It’s a multi-cultural and very friendly area,” Halley says. “For the trunk or treat event, I had a lot of people say to me thank you for doing this.” If you need to commute, you’re only a mile from Interstate 96, which can connect you to other interstates and cities. “Interstate 96, it takes you to the state capital, and then if you head east, it takes you to Detroit,” Halley says. “Then, 275 runs north and south, which can take you into Ann Arbor and link you to downtown Detroit.” Every day is a vacation when you’re living in Island Lake.

Written By

Courtney Murphy

Photography Contributed By

Christopher Shires

Video By

Taylor Gilbert