Portland is a thriving river city outside Lansing
The Grand and Looking Glass Rivers meet in Portland, Michigan, which is why it's called the City of Two Rivers. Portland is a small residential city, less than 30 miles northwest of Lansing, Michigan's capital and home of Michigan State University. Years ago, the rivers were a vein of transportation that established Portland, but today, Interstate 96 connects the community to Michigan's larger cities. "Portland is between Lansing and Grand Rapids, which are metropolises in comparison, so it's what we would consider a bedroom community," says Realtor Brock Fletcher with Keller Williams Lansing, who's been selling in the area for 21 years. Rather than being a suburb, Portland is outside of Lansing's metro area, allowing it to be a city of its own. "It's a thriving community with good schools and a nice little walkable downtown," Fletcher says. "When a home goes on the market, it's under contract pretty quickly."
1800s farmhouses in town and spacious newer suburbs on the river
Portland's residential grid covers both sides of the Grand River. These tree-lined blocks, and their sidewalks and grassy lawns, have barely changed since the 1800s. Mid-1800s cottages and farmhouses make up much of the streetscape, along with midcentury ranch-style homes added many decades later. Such options can range from $130,000 to $250,000. If older homes have been remodeled, they can cost $250,000 to over $300,000. Large colonial-style or New Traditional homes in communities outside of town with spacious lots near the riverfront can range from over $400,000 to almost $800,000.
Park space and fishing spots on the Grand and Looking Glass Rivers
Portland has multiple riverfront parks. "There's lots to do on the waterfront," Fletcher says. "The fishing on these rivers is especially good." Two Rivers Park and William Toan Park are directly across the water from downtown. Two Rivers Park is at the intersection of the two rivers. Here, anglers can get right down to the bank to cast a line. William Toan Park has a well-maintained riverfront promenade, playground and gazebos. These parks are connected to downtown by the Portland Riverwalk. This walking path runs along the downtown riverfront and into the woods north and south. There's plenty more space to play throughout the city. There are basketball courts and ball fields at Alton Park, and Bogue Flats Recreation Area has fields, courts, a butterfly garden and wooded space on the Grand River. Portland State Game Area is an expansive wilderness preserve 6 miles south of Portland, where people can hike, hunt and fish.
All roads lead to Portland's walkable downtown district
The Portland Riverwalk and sidewalks throughout town lead into Portland's riverfront downtown district. Kent Street and Maple Street are downtown's walkable main drags, lined with buildings from the 1800s and early 1900s. They're home to locally run cafes like Courageous Coffee, and watering holes like Riversedge Bar & Grill. There are also trendy spots like 118 Proof Speakeasy. Shops like Tap House Boutique and Kats and Kittens Thrift Shack also line the blocks. Tom's Food Center is the closest supermarket, located on the southeast end of Grand River Avenue, near Interstate 96. Most of the city's chain restaurants and stores are located here as well.
Students are educated through Portland Public Schools
Local students are served by Portland Public Schools, which receives a B-minus overall grade from Niche. The district's four schools are all in town, within a short walk or drive of most homes. Oakwood Elementary lays the foundation with kindergarten through second grade and gets a C-plus. Third through fifth grades are covered at Westwood Elementary, given a B. Students may continue at C-plus-rated Portland Middle, and finish at Portland High, which earns a B-minus. Michigan State University is typically the most popular college choice among Portland High students, with the institution being less than 30 miles away, in East Lansing. MSU is one of Michigan's largest universities, earning an A from Niche.
Less than 30 miles to Lansing on Interstate 96
Lansing, Michigan's capital, is the nearest large city to Portland. It's less than 30 miles southeast on Interstate 96. It's home to multiple hospitals. The largest is McLaren Greater Lansing near Michigan State University's campus. Their rival, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, also has health facilities in the city. Capital Region International Airport in Lansing is the nearest international outlet. Interstate 96 also leads to Grand Rapids, less than 45 miles west. Along with being another one of Michigan's largest cities, Grand Rapids is home to Gerald R. Ford International Airport, the air travel hub for Western Michigan.
