Lake living in the bedroom community of Skidway Lake
Named after one of its many small lakes, Skidway Lake is a woodsy, rural community about 15 miles from West Branch. “It’s a cute little bedroom community for people who work in West Branch. It’s pretty laid back — the kind of place people bebop over to their neighbors on golf carts,” says Cheryl McDonell, a broker at Happy Acres Real Estate who has been selling homes in the region since 2015. Together with the Rifle River that runs through town, the area’s residential lakes are also used recreationally. While West Branch has more opportunities for shopping, dining and events, Skidway Lake has a few stores, restaurants and celebrations of its own.
Homes from the 1950s to 1980s on large lots
Most houses were built between the 1950s and ’80s. Ranch-style, split-level and manufactured homes are common, many on an acre or more. Homes with original interiors can range from $40,000 to $100,000, while renovated properties sell for around $110,000 to $160,000. Waterfront homes rarely hit the market. In recent years, small homes close to the water have sold for $30,000 to $145,000, and two larger lakefront homes sold for $200,000 and $270,000. The closest post office is in the nearby town of Prescott, so homes tend to have Prescott addresses.
Lake beaches, the Rifle River and Newman Park
The community’s namesake lake and Elbow Lake Park have beaches, fishing piers and playgrounds. And those are just two of many lakes in the region. “The lakes are small, so they’re usually not very busy,” McDonell says. “You’ll see a few people out there fishing.” The Rifle River, another popular spot for casting a line, has a designated access point on the north side of town. The river weaves and winds for more than 3 miles to Rifle River Park, where kayakers and canoers will typically hop out. Locals also enjoy the outdoors at Newman Park, which features a grassy playground, ball fields and a walking path.
A few stores and restaurants on Greenwood Road
Most stores and restaurants sit on Greenwood Road. Locals can dine out at Dee’s Pizza Pad or grab some comfort food at Kimmie’s Pub N Grub. For dessert, locals head over to Short & Sweet to order ice cream from the window and eat at a picnic table. Shoppers can get groceries from Rosati’s Marketplace, hardware items at Bargain Depot and find other essentials at Family Dollar and Dollar General. More national retailers like Walmart, The Home Depot and Old Navy are about 20 minutes away in West Branch.
A small student body at Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools
Public school students travel about 15 to 20 minutes out of town to attend Whittemore-Prescott Elementary School, which receives a C-minus grade from Niche. Whittemore-Prescott Jr./Sr. High School, right next door, receives a C-plus. The combined middle and high school has fewer than 300 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1.
Fourth of July celebrations and more events in West Branch
The community celebrates the Fourth of July every year with a parade along Greenwood Road and fireworks at Newman Park. According to McDonell, locals also head to West Branch for other events, including the Ogemaw County Fair, the Pioneer Power Antique Tractor Show and the Christmas Light Parade.
I-75 to West Branch, MBS International Airport and Detroit
It’s about a 6-mile drive to Michigan Highway 76 and another 8 miles to West Branch. Locals also have access to Interstate 75, about 7 miles away. From I-75, it takes about an hour to drive 50 miles to MBS International Airport near Saginaw and more than 2 hours to Detroit.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
