Summit, also called Summit Township, is the City of Jackson's suburban counterpart. Subdivisions and housing developments, new and old, are scattered throughout the township between golf courses, parks, lakes and forests. "There's a mix of new construction, lake houses and also some older homes in more traditional neighborhoods," says Kirstern Knueppel-Mogle, a Summit resident and Realtor at Re/Max Mid-Michigan who has been selling in the area for 28 years. The area manages to hold onto its suburban atmosphere despite nearly 23,000 residents calling it home. "It's a smaller feeling here than in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor or Lansing," she says. "People who grew up here and went away for college or work tend to move back for that small-town feel while still being close to a city."
Neatly ordered subdivisions break up the wide forested areas in Summit.
Ella Sharp Park is home to a public 18-hole golf course with a series of challenging greens.
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Prices correspond to a house's age, size and location
The style, size and age of houses vary significantly in the township, and prices range from $50,000 to over $1 million. "There are a lot of affordable neighborhoods for first-time buyers, but also some of the more 'luxury' neighborhoods with prices as high as $750,000," Knueppel-Mogle says. She adds that some houses around the area's two biggest lakes, Brown and Vandercook, sell for $1.5 million. Cape Cods, bungalows and simple Victorian homes are the least expensive in the area, priced between $50,000 and $180,000. Ranch-style homes, split-level and bi-levels sell between $170,000 and $300,000. The newest homes, with modern Craftsman and Colonial Revival designs, range from $350,000 to $750,000. The land around the township's lakes and rivers is vulnerable to flooding, and additional insurance may be mandatory for nearby homes.
Cozy ranch homes are often grouped together in planned subdivisions in northern Summit.
Home prices in Summit range from $50k for starter homes to over million for lakeside mansions.
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Two districts serve the area's students
Vandercook Lake is an unincorporated community in the township with its own school district. Vandercook Lake Public Schools' two schools are Townsend Elementary School, for kindergarten through sixth grade, and Vandercook Lake Middle School/High School, for seventh through 12th grade. They are rated C and C-plus by Niche, respectively. Students in the rest of the township attend Jackson Public Schools, which has an overall rating of B-minus. The district has five elementary schools, a middle schools and a traditional high school, as well as a few specialized schools. There is also an online school for all grade levels, South Central Michigan Virtual. Lumen Christi Catholic School is a private school in the township. Also nearby, Jackson Community College enrolls about 7,000 students.
Townsend Elementary School serves southeast Jackson with a 15-to-1 student to teacher ratio.
Vandercook Lake High School's roof sports the bright team color of the Vandercook Lake Jayhawks.
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Cascade Park has year-round, outdoor activity
Locals and tourists visit Cascade Park to see The Cascades, a lighted, artificial waterfall attraction synced to music year-round. Cascade Park also has a full public golf course, baseball diamonds, an amphitheater, a fishing pond and a splash pad. There are eight new pickleball courts, and an ice cream stand is close to the playground. "There are festivals at the park during the summer, and in the winter kids go sledding on the big hills during snow days," Knueppel-Mogle says. Four public and private courses are in the township, including the Country Club of Jackson, which has 27 holes, a pool, a clubhouse and social events.
A play structure for kids is just a walk from the Cascades at Sparks Foundation County Park.
Those visiting Ella Sharp Park looking for a less intense variety of golf can find mini-golf.
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Residents shop and dine local in Summit
Polly's Country Market is a family owned, local grocery store chain with a few Summit locations. Department stores, more grocers and chain restaurants are north, at Westwood Jackson Mall and in the Jackson Crossing shopping center. The town has a collection of locally owned restaurants and shops, such as Prime Cuts butcher shop. "Knight's is a well-known restaurant in the area," Knueppel-Mogle says. "Klavon's Pizzeria and Lucero's, a new Mexican food spot, are also well-liked."
Klavon's Pizzeria & Pub in Summit is a hotspot for Vandercook Lake locals.
A pair of Polly's Market locations in Summit mean easy access to groceries wherever you live.
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Michigan cities are accessible via I-94 and U.S. Route 127
No major highways or busy roads go through the bulk of Summit, and traffic is limited. Residents can take U.S. Route 127, at the neighborhood's eastern edge, north toward Jackson and Interstate 94. Lansing, Battle Creek and Ann Arbor are each within 50 miles. Capital Region International Airport is 50 miles north in Lansing, and the nearest hospital is Henry Ford Allegiance in Jackson.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
Photography Contributed By
James Gordon
Video By
Kellan Beaver
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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