Spencer Township offers nature, lakes and a rural lifestyle
Spencer Township feels remote and rural while still being connected to nearby towns and cities. “The farmland, wooded areas and beautiful lakes create a unique feeling of living closer to nature, without being isolated or having a long commute in any direction,” says Taylor Docter, an employee of the Spencer Township Branch of the Kent District Library.
Residents have a variety of housing options in three different school districts. “Many young families, or couples looking to begin a family, are drawn here for the opportunity to raise their children away from the hustle and bustle of a city, surrounded by kind neighbors, while other families have lived in the area their entire lives, or for several generations.”
Streets reveal open land, subdivisions and water access
"Being an area that has grown slowly over the span of several decades, there's anything from old farmhouses to lake cottages and modern construction,” Docter says. Split-level and ranch-style houses are also common. Most homes under 1,500 square feet range from around $120,000 to $340,000. Larger homes typically sell from about $340,000 to $700,000. Driving down the gently curving streets reveals stretches of open land and leafy canopies of trees. There are some small subdivisions where homes sit closer together, but other properties are much more spaced out, with many acres. There are many lakefront neighborhoods where houses on the water have their own docks. Some have a severe flood risk, according to First Street.
High schools partner with Montcalm Community College
Spencer Township is divided into three different school districts. Cedar Springs Public Schools serves the western section of the area past Lincoln and Maston Lakes and earns a B grade from Niche. Students to the east can attend B-rated Greenville Public Schools. The northern portion of the township is zoned for Lakeview Community Schools, which has a C-plus. All three districts participate in Michigan’s Schools of Choice program, allowing non-resident enrollment based on availability. Cedar Springs High, Greenville High and Lakeview High offer dual enrollment classes through Montcalm Community College.
Trails connect parks with equestrian and hiking access
Anglers can fish at Cooper Creek, Bass Lake and Lincoln Lake. Both lakes have public boat ramps. White Pine Park has a single trail that’s only used for hiking. Spencer Forest and Cooper Creek Park are connected. They both have equestrian and cross-country skiing trails. The Kicks at Bowen Lake has a 9-hole footgolf course, which is like golf played with a soccer ball. In the winter, they have indoor events like trivia and live music. The Links at Bowen Lake is a public 18-hole golf course that’s open seasonally.
There are a few local festivals in the towns around Spencer Township. In the fall, Cedar Springs has the Red Flannel Festival that includes a parade.
Seasonal restaurants and small-town eats dot the area
Most shopping and dining options will require a drive to Cedar Springs, Greenville or Lakeview. “[There are also] any number of hole-in-the-wall restaurants in the small towns sprinkled through the surrounding areas,” Docter says. Charley’s Ice Cream & Grill is open from May to October and serves burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs. The Clubhouse at The Kicks at Bowen Lake is a restaurant and bar. The township has a Dollar General, and Aldi and Meijer are around 12 miles west in Cedar Springs. There is a Spencer Township branch of the Kent District Library.
Community ties balance limited walkability and services
The township is car-dependent with little walkability and no public transportation. “Spencer Township is an area that thrives on community and sharing what's available for everyone,” Docter says. “No one town or city would be complete without all the others, which creates a wonderful blend of familiar and ever-changing surroundings... The trade-off is the willingness to drive or seek those things out.” The nearest medical center, Corewell Health Greenville Hospital, is 10 miles away. Grand Rapids and Gerald R. Ford International Airport are 35 miles away on U.S. Route 131.
