Rural life with rows of corn, soybeans and wheat
Salem Township is an area that most people may not even know they’ve driven through. This small township sits between rows of corn, soybeans, wheat and farms, with an occasional small cluster of homes appearing between the crops. The farms will rotate crops, typically on a yearly basis. “This is definitely a rural area,” says Terry Cwik, who has been the president of the Salem Area Historical Society since 2007. “It has the country feel, but in 30 minutes you can be in downtown Detroit.” Residents enjoy the country-feel with little through-traffic, even from larger agricultural vehicles, on a mixture of paved and gravel roads as well as a reliance on well water and septic tanks. Salem has a crime score of 1 on the CAP Index compared to the National Average of 4. Salem has no stoplights, but the Salem Bible Church sits in the middle as a landmark for residents. “Salem would be called a hamlet more than anything,” says Cwik. “It’s the seat of government and considered to be the more central area of the township.”
Nature preserves and state parks to enjoy
While the hamlet of Salem has a small Veterans Park across the street from the township hall that includes a gazebo, memorial and walking path, there are no traditional parks within the township. “There are some nature preserves nearby,” says Cwik. “As well as some golf courses and equestrian centers.” The Creekshead Nature Preserve, 3 miles south of Salem, is 27 acres and has a beech-maple-basswood Forest where residents can call for frogs along the half-mile trail and watch for the seasonal creek. Maybury State Park, about 4 and a half miles north from the hamlet, has trails for hikers and horseback riders through the 1,000 acres. The state park also a pond for fishing. In the southern portion of Salem, the Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center has 3 courses on the 500 acres along with an indoor performance center with simulators.
Generational farmhouses with a few custom-builds
Salem homes often consist of various farmhouses, with a few Cape Cod’s and Colonial Revival within the township as well. There is a manufactured home neighborhood to the north, the Northville Crossing, with prices beginning around $140,000 and reaching $290,000. There are some custom-built homes scattered throughout the area, and homes within Wilderness Ponds can begin around $760,000 and reach $1.9 million. There is some land for sale within the township, with prices varying depending on how much land the property contains. Less than an acre can begin at around $75,000, while over 160 acres can cost $3.4 million. Homes within the Salem hamlet, typically ranch-style, Cape Cod or farm homes, generally cost about $180,000 and $350,000. “Some people have smaller farms on their land, like for raising chickens and growing fruits and vegetable gardens, small things for their homes,” says Cwik. “And most of the farms are family-owned.” Most homes are set further back from the road, hidden behind mature trees and rows of crops, and are generational homes with new homes rarely built.
South Lyon schools and one elementary school within the hamlet
Most of the area is covered by South Lyon Community Schools, but a portion within the southeastern section attend Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. The majority of students start at Salem Elementary School, which receives a B from Niche and is located within the hamlet, for kindergarten through fifth grade. Students can then attend Millennium Middle in South Lyon for sixth through eighth grade and South Lyon East High for ninth through twelfth grade and participate in Advanced Placement courses. Both schools receive an A-minus from Niche.
Interstate and highway to the south
There is no public transportation in Salem, but M-14, a Michigan east-west highway, is to the south and connects to Interstate 96. I-96 begins in Muskegon to the west and ends in Detroit to the east.
Farm family activities in the fall
In the fall, Three Cedar Farms has pumpkin picking and apple cider along with a corn maze. At Obstbaum Orchards, residents can pick apples and enjoy freshly pressed cider. There are also a few golf courses in the township, including Salem Hills Golf Club where children can participate in the Junior Golf Camp for either half a day or full day.
Traveling to markets, convenience stores and restaurants in South Lyon
While most shopping will be done in South Lyon or Northville, there are three grocery and convenience stores at the corners of the area. The Corner General Store is at the intersection of 7 Mile Road and Pontiac Trail, Edith’s Market is at the intersection of Pontiac Trail and North Territorial Road and finally Country Fair Market is along 7 Mile Road closer to Chubb Road. For gardening supplies, Willow Greenhouse is open seven days a week. In the south of the neighborhood, Karl’s Cabin Restaurant and Banquets reopened in November 2023 after a fire broke out in February of 2023, selling American fare like bison burgers. South Lyon is home to a Kroger, while 12 miles east, Novi has a Walmart Supercenter.
