Saline

Downtown Saline may get more attention due to the number of local stores and shops, but South Side’s cul-de-sac living, neighborhood elementary school, as well as some new developments and peaceful parks make it the place to call home. “South Side is a lot more residential than the rest of Saline,” says Margaret Bushey, a former resident of Saline. “But downtown Saline, albeit pretty small, has some great spots to visit.” With downtown Saline acting as the northern border of the neighborhood, residents of South Side are never far from the local businesses, breweries and eateries. “Saline overall is a pretty small town, but it has some great hidden gems throughout,” says Bushey. Downtown Saline also has several houses of worship, while South Side itself has two churches within its boundaries. South Side receives a crime score of 3 from the CAP Index. South Side is mostly a residential neighborhood, with some Homeowners Associations within the neighborhood itself. There is a wide range of home-styles within the neighborhood, from ranch and ranch-style to Colonial Revivals and bi-levels. There are also some new traditional homes with Colonial Revival and Craftsman elements within the HOA sections. With a median price of $350,000, ranch and ranch-style homes built in the 1950s generally cost between $230,000 and $350,000. A bi-level can sell between $300,000 and $400,000. New traditional homes also have a large range of prices, with homes built before 2000 costing between $300,000 and $450,000, while Craftsman-style homes built more recently can begin around $550,000 and reach $800,000 for a home built in 2023. Homes tend to be set further back from the road and sidewalk, with large trees creating some coverage for the streets. While most homes have garages, carports are also found with ranch and ranch-style homes. Students living in South Side can begin at Pleasant Ridge Elementary for kindergarten through third grade before moving on to the Heritage School for fourth and fifth grade. Students can then attend Saline Middle for sixth through eighth grade and participate in over 20 clubs and activities before attending Saline High School. At Saline High, students can participate in drama club and the annual plays, such as Beauty and the Beast. Saline High also offers Advanced Placement classes as well as Honors classes. All four schools receive an A from Niche. While Saline does not have public transportation, they do offer the People’s Express, where low-income and senior citizens can reserve a ride from Monday to Friday for $2 within town. The express does go out of town and is generally $6 or less for more common destinations. Residents can also take East Michigan Avenue northeast about seven miles to Interstate 94, which begins in Montana and finishes in Port Huron, Michigan. Saline’s downtown features several local restaurants and stores, from the Salt Springs Brewery in a converted church to Bill’s Barber Shop and home good items at Cobblestone Rose. “Salt Springs Brewery is my favorite,” says Bushey. “They have great food selection and some house-brewed beers, as well as some intact stained glass.” Residents can start the day at Carrigan Café for a breakfast bagel and coffee before grabbing a book from the Fine Print Bookshop or getting Michigan-made items from McPherson Local, where local artists are the focal point. “Another favorite is Benny’s Bakery,” says Bushey. “My dad and I used to go on Sunday mornings drives, followed by a stop at Benny’s for an apple fritter and soft pretzels—still some of the best I’ve had.” At the Saline Shopping Center, about half a mile from the neighborhood, has a Busch’s Fresh Food Market as well as several restaurants and a pet supply store. South Side has several parks within the neighborhood, including two mini-parks. Marlpool Park, one of the mini-parks, has a playset and swings overlooking the fields while Risdon Park, the other min-park, has a greenspace bordered by lilac bushes and has a little free library. Canterbury Park covers 4-acres and has a playground and a spot for soccer and picnics. Wilderness Park, with 22-acres, has walking trails and the claim that a tree from every state is planted within the park. Mill Pond Park, to the northwest of the neighborhood, has a dog run as well as some trails throughout the woods. “Mill Pond Park has a big hill that was always perfect for sledding in the winters,” Bushey says. Saline hosts several events throughout the year, from seasonal events like the Holiday Parade in December to the Summerfest in August and the Celtic Festival in July. The Saline Farmers Market has both a summer market and an indoor Winter Farmers Market so residents can get fresh produce and dairy items year-round. “You can’t go wrong with some fresh Saline corn in the summer months,” Bushey says.