Roscommon offers essentials and easy access to Higgins Lake
The village of Roscommon has just about everything its residents need: a variety of homes; amenities like doctors’ offices, a fire department, a grocery store and a library; and a central location not far from Grayling and Interstate 75. But one of the biggest perks of living in Roscommon is its proximity to Higgins Lake. The crystal clear, spring-fed body of water is one of the most popular in Michigan and draws a mix of full-time residents looking for a nature-filled lifestyle and seasonal residents looking to escape the summer heat.
A mix of home styles sit on lawns surrounded by trees
Homes in Roscommon are a mix of ranch-style, Dutch Colonial, split-level and manufactured. They sit on lawns landscaped with grass and mature trees. Most homes have driveways and garages, which keep residential streets clear. New Traditional and lake cabin-style homes are most common near Higgins Lake, and range in size from tiny one-bedrooms to sprawling five-bedroom estates. Homes in town typically range from around $150,000 to around $300,000, while homes on Higgins Lake can cost $1.5 million or more. While homes can have amenities like heated garages and walk-out basements, Erica Blair, a Realtor with Midge & Co - Luxury Lakefront Homes and a longtime resident says, “It can be hard to find to find houses with air conditioning. But it doesn’t usually stay that hot that long here.”
High schoolers can explore early college and vocational pathways
Roscommon Area Public School District serves the village, offers school choice and rates a B on Niche. Kids attend B-minus-rated Roscommon Elementary, B-minus-rated Roscommon Middle, and B-rated Roscommon High. The high school partners with Kirtland Community College and Wexford-Missaukee Career TechCenter to offer students career tech or early/middle college programs. Students can also take dual enrollment classes.
Higgins Lake and Metro Park offer outdoor fun
Higgins Lake is about 8 miles from Roscommon and is the go-to for swimming, camping, boating and fishing. Metro Park is the community’s green space and features ball fields, a playground and pump track for biking and skating. The Community Recreation Activities and Fitness (CRAF) Center has indoor amenities like a weight room, fitness classes and a pickleball court. The Roscommon Community Garden gives residents an opportunity to learn about alternative landscaping and grow produce for the community. Ye Olde Country Club is the closest golf course, located in Roscommon County. It offers a public, nine-hole layout.
Essentials, groceries and fresh meat available in town
Residents pick up essentials at Dollar General and groceries at Family Faire Supermarket. Bob’s Butcher Shop is a local favorite for fresh cuts of meat. Dining out options include locally owned Matt’s Lake Street Grill & Pizzeria, and Fred’s of Roscommon. Both spots serve pizza, burgers and other classic American dishes; Fred’s also offers bowling. The Roscommon Area Public Library has book clubs and programming for kids and adults. Roscommon Community Health Center is off Lake Street, one of the community’s main thoroughfares, and offers primary care, physical therapy and x-ray services. The closest medical center with an emergency room is in Grayling, about 16 miles away. More shopping and dining options are also available in Grayling.
Residents gather for the Fireman’s Memorial Festival
The Annual Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival takes place in September and features kid-friendly events, a blood drive and a parade.
Lake Street and South Fifth connect to I-75 nearby
Roscommon doesn’t have public transportation, so residents get around by car. Lake Street and South Fifth Street run through the community and connect to nearby Interstate 75 a few miles away. The closest airport with commercial flights is Cherry Capital in Traverse City, about 70 miles away.
Winters bring snow, ice storms and occasional power outages
While summers don’t often exceed 80 degrees, winters can dip into the teens. “When it’s winter, it’s definitely winter,” Blair says. “We had an ice storm last winter and sometimes we lose power because trees fall on power lines. But most of the higher-end homes have generators.”
