On the edge of Lake Michigan, the resort town of Traverse City stands as the largest producer of tart cherries nationwide and a vantage point for stunning views of northern Michigan. “It’s a gorgeous area— there’s a special beauty. You don’t have to drive far to be in touch with nature,” says Brian McGillivary, a resident and Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. “The community really values the environment.” The city of 16,000 is also home to the state’s wine country, three historic lighthouses and a center for arts and culture. Though known for its vacation destinations, Traverse City's year-round employment sectors include healthcare, retail and education, though manufacturing and hospitality aren’t far behind.
Welcome to Downtown Traverse City.
Center Point Marina offers stunning views of the Grand Traverse Bay.
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Early 20th century housing next to Lake Michigan
The median sale price is $455,000, higher than the national benchmark and trending upward. Most homes were built before 1939, though a 30-year building boom that ended in 1999 created more options, but housing shortages in the city still exist. Prices vary depending on the neighborhood. Greilickville features spacious lots and stately New Traditional homes with lakefront views. The average sale price is just under $700,000. Traverse Heights , just south of Downtown Traverse City , features ranch-style homes and cottages on walkable streets, with an average sale price of $300,000.
The Boardman neighborhood includes properties with historic appeal.
Classic Foursquare homes can be found in the Boardman neighborhood.
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Culinary tours, fresh produce and a grand village
Regional cuisine takes center stage, with an emphasis on local ingredients. “We consider ourselves a foodie town,” says McGillivary. “We celebrate farm-to-table practices, with everything from fine dining to food trucks.” The city gathers every February for Restaurant Week, during which diners can visit a variety of restaurants to sample fixed-price menus from $25 to $45. There are more than 50 dining establishments downtown and over 50 wineries in the region, along with breweries and distilleries. The Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market operates twice a week during high season between June and October, when the region's population swells to more than 200,000. In May, the market is open on Saturdays only. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is home to unique locally owned boutiques and restaurants.
Deering Meat Market has been serving up local and fresh meat for decades in Traverse City.
The Little Fleet is homes to some amazing foodtrucks near Boardman.
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Recreation on the Old Mission Peninsula
Traverse City maintains over 30 parks and recreational facilities, including the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, Traverse City State Park and the Boardman River Nature Center. These parks provide access to over 100 miles of hiking trails, winter activities and water sports, like kayaking or parasailing. Nearby, the expansive Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore contains miles of sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, hiking trails and 450-foot-high bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. Camping sites are spread throughout the more than 110 square-mile park.
Clinch Park has a marina for boating enthusiasts.
The Boardman River runs along the north edge of Hannah Park and offers great fishing.
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A historic haven for cultural events
Arts and culture are a big part of community life in Traverse City. “We love our wineries, we love our cherries— and we’re lovers of the arts,” says McGillivary. Public artworks, both permanent and rotating, are found throughout the area. The Dennos Museum Center is part of Northwestern Michigan College’s campus and provides an array of exhibitions and visual arts programs. The center features art from the 1800s to the 2000s and hosts international musicians and concerts all year. The City Opera House opened in 1892 and is proudly known as the city’s “Grand Old Lady.” It’s one of only seven Victorian opera houses in Michigan and features national tours, educational programs and community events.
Held since 1925, the eight-day National Cherry Festival offers 150 programs and activities, like an air show, concerts and lots of cherry-based foods. There’s even a Beer Week every November, celebrating local and regional brews.
City Opera House is a destination attraction for arts & entertainment in Downtown Traverse City.
The Shopping and Dining of downtown Traverse City is only steps away from your door.
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Sidewalks, bike racks and Michigan state highways
Traverse City has a walkable downtown, an extensive multi-use trail network and a cross-town bike network. The cycling-friendly community has over 250 public bike racks and three covered shelters with repair stations. U.S. Route 31 and Michigan Routes 22, 37 and 72 run through Traverse City. The Bay Area Transportation Authority provides year-round local bus service in town, and Indian Trails offers routes to St. Ignace, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The city is also home to Cherry Capital Airport, which offers 20 flights to numerous domestic destinations.
Hannah Park rests on the edge of the Boardman River and downtown Traverse City.
The Leelanau Trail runs from the North West edge of Traverse City to Suttons Bay.
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Northwestern Michigan’s most extensive school system
The Traverse City Area Public School District serves much of Traverse City, earning a B-plus ranking from Niche. It educates almost 9,000 students annually across 16 school campuses. Suttons Bay Public Schools serves a small portion of the city as well.
For higher education, Northwestern Michigan College offers more than 60 academic programs for professional certificates and associate and bachelor’s degrees to about 3,000 students. The college also works with area high schools to provide dual enrollment programs.
Central Grade School is the oldest neighborhood school in Traverse City.
TCAPS Montessori School offers toddler, primary and elementary options.
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Environmental factors and crime
Proximity to Lake Michigan moderates Traverse City's summer temperatures and delays fall foliage colors compared to inland areas. But that same lake proximity also contributes to the 10-12 feet of snow the city expects to receive annually.
According to FBI data, property crimes are reported at a rate lower in the city than in the state or nation over the last five years. Rates of violent crime reporting are generally higher than state or national in Traverse City, though fluctuations often match the highs and lows of tourist season.
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