Texas Township is a melting pot of environments
Tucked in southwestern Michigan, Texas Township puts its own spin on the saying “everything is bigger in Texas.” This community just outside the city of Kalamazoo is big on variety in terms of environments. Parts of Texas Township offer vast swaths of farmland, others offer suburban convenience and some come with the opportunity to live by the water in an area known in part for its series of lakes. “There are several nice lakes,” says local Realtor David Howard of Century 21 C. Howard, who has been in the business for over four decades. “That’s why Texas Township is as good as it is. The location is good.”
With several lakes, water is a key part of the community
Texas Township has seven lakes in total. Eagle Lake is the biggest at 224 acres, a public space open to boating, fishing and swimming. Paw Paw Lake is another public spot, stretching 126 acres. The 105-acre Pretty Lake is private but hosts a long-running, free summer camp for children around Kalamazoo County. Texas Township’s 741-acre Al Sabo Land Preserve features 25 miles of trails through a varied terrain from wetlands to forests. The community also has three traditional parks, including Texas Drive Park, where there’s a playground, a paved trail and a splash pad.
Modern homes are a defining feature of Texas Township’s inventory
Homes built over the last quarter of a century are prevalent from Texas Township's rustic outskirts to its suburban subdivisions. The location, close to everything from lakes to well-rated public schools, has made the area attractive for development, Howard says. "It’s a typical bedroom community. Very safe,” Howard says. “And then if you need to come [to downtown Kalamazoo] it’s only 15, 20 minutes.” Many homes have new traditional styling, but there are some midcentury ranch- and colonial-style options. Some properties, particularly to the west, come with multiple acres, but most have at least half an acre. The median sale price in Texas Township is about $460,000, but numbers vary anywhere from $110,000 to $2.2 million based on condition, square footage, acreage and proximity to the water.
Farmers Market and concert series cultivate a sense of community
Texas Township is home to a twice-weekly farmers market for much of the year. The Joyce I. Neubauer Farmers' Market Pavilion hosts gatherings on Saturday mornings from May to October and Tuesday evenings from June to August. The market attracts several area farms, selling locally grown products like berries, vegetables and meats. The Concert in the Corners music series comes around mid-year and features free, once-a-month outdoor shows at Texas Drive Park, from June to August.
Texas Township’s core is a hub for commercial amenities
Texas Township has a central business district around the intersection of Q Avenue and 8th Street. The area is full of restaurants in particular. “There are a lot of good restaurants within 15 or 20 minutes away,” Howard says. “A lot of them.” BOLD is known for its shareable small plate dishes with options including lollipop lamb chops, wasabi steak tacos, and roasted corn and crab dip. Rykse & Co is a hotspot for breakfast, and its massive cinnamon rolls are a signature item. Other amenities in the business district include the Texas Corners Ace Hardware, Texas Corners Car Wash and Texas Corners Specialty Meats, a butcher shop. A Meijer supermarket and a Costco are within 7 miles, just outside Texas Township.
Multiple area school districts carry high ratings
This community spills into four school districts, and high Niche ratings are common across them. Districts include the A-rated Portage Public Schools, A-minus-rated Mattawan Consolidated Schools, B-plus-rated Schoolcraft Community Schools and C-plus-rated Kalamazoo Public Schools. Mattawan covers a majority of Texas Township. The B-rated Mattawan Early Elementary covers prekindergarten to second grade, and the curriculum features technology instruction like word processing and Internet skills. Mattawan Later Elementary has an A-minus grade and Grades 3 to 5. Extracurriculars at Mattawan Later Elementary include a Mile Club, in which students walk or jog around the nearby track and earn prizes for racking up miles. The A-minus-rated Mattawan Middle offers an eighth-grade mobile app development class. Mattawan High also has an A-minus grade, and a robotics club.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a higher education option in Texas Township. It has over 9,100 students, more than 800 associate degree programs and 91 certificate programs.
Interstate 94 is conveniently close for commuters
Drivers in Texas Township have quick access to Interstate 94 and the Interstate 94 Business Loop, which are routes toward the heart of Kalamazoo. Downtown Kalamazoo is about 12 miles away. The 434-bed Bronson Methodist Hospital is located downtown. Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport is 10 miles away on I-94, in Portage.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
