Central
Historic homes
Central’s streets are gridded and tree-lined with well-maintained sidewalks. Some yards are fully fenced, but more common is partial fencing that surrounds the side and back yards and leaves the front yard open. Off-street parking is found in garages and driveways behind houses, accessible by alleys parallel to the main streets. Most houses are Queen Anne or Victorian styles, featuring gabled roofs and bay windows. Other houses are in the Craftsman style, with covered front porches perfect for entertaining. “Most Central houses were built from the turn of the century to the 1940s,” says Hogan. “Traverse City has gotten super popular in the past few years, so it’s definitely a seller’s market right now, and prices are rising.” Currently, Central's average house price ranges between $500,000 and $700,000.BBQ, wings and whiskey
Several local restaurants are within walking distance of Central’s residential streets, including Blue Tractor Barbeque. Its building—built in 1886 as a bar called Novotny’s Saloon—was rebuilt in 1978 after a fire destroyed the original wood framing. Now, Blue Tractor is a popular restaurant known for its homestyle mac and cheese, pulled pork and fried pickles. Across the street, more formal fare with custom wine pairings can be found at Forrest, A Food Studio. Owned and managed by a local couple, this upscale restaurant is open on select days, offers communal seating and changes its fixed-price menu monthly. The restaurant posts its menu and reservation opportunities on the first of each month.In the evenings, locals meet up at Brady’s Bar for casual drinks and a plate of the self-proclaimed “Best Wings in Traverse City.” Across the neighborhood on East Fourteenth Street, whiskey aficionados can sample Traverse City Whiskey Company’s distilled drinks or take a cocktail class and learn to mix premium cocktails at home. Shops, fitness studios and beauty salons line South Union Street. Locals get groceries at Tom’s Food Market, just south of Central, and make quick stops at Deering Meat Market or Oryana Community Co-op for specialty products.
Walk to school
Students may attend Central Grade School, graded A minus by Niche, West Middle School, graded B plus, and West Senior High School, graded A minus. The public elementary school, on Seventh and Pine streets, is within walking distance of many Central students’ homes. “Kids can walk to the public elementary or to several private and religious schools without leaving the neighborhood,” says Hogan. Alternative schools include St. Francis High School and TCAPS Montessori School, both graded B plus by Niche.Riverfront strolls
Hannah Park is just outside the neighborhood's boundaries on the west bank of the Boardman River, close to downtown. The park has sturdy platforms for fishing and several picnic benches scattered along the walking path. Following the walking path east leads to the Boardman Lake Trail, which encircles the lake and offers plenty of spots to sightsee and enjoy nice weather.Cherry Capital of the World
Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City hosts the annual National Cherry Festival every June and July. With an average of nearly 500,000 visitors, the festival is a huge source of income for the city and surrounding areas. Most events are held at the Open Space Park, but satellite events are set up throughout the city. Over 100 events are held over the festival’s eight days. With community picnics, markets, orchard tours, pie-eating contests and even “Cherry-Pit-Spit” competitions, there’s plenty for locals and tourists to explore. There are also concerts held at the Pepsi Bayside Music State, with celebrity artists including the Goo Goo Dolls, T.I. and Stone Temple Pilots performing during the 2024 season. “The Cherry Festival is huge, and the organizers do a great job of getting locals involved,” says Hogan. “Young or old, everyone loves the concerts and events.”Environmental factors
The moderating effects of nearby lakes mean that Traverse City maintains warm and mild summers, perfect for growing cherries and grapes, and cold winters, with snowfall generally occurring between November and April.Commuting and traveling
“Downtown isn’t that big, so people don’t have to commute far for work or shopping,” says Shawn Schmidt Smith, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors in Traverse City. With major employers like Munson Medical Center, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City Area Public Schools and Tyson Foods located in the city, many Central residents can walk or bike to work during warm months, as the city’s snowy winters make pedestrian commutes difficult. Bike-friendly routes are available along Sixth, Wadsworth and South Union streets, leading to West Front and Pine streets' dedicated bike lanes, which continue downtown.Traverse City’s public transit bus system makes several stops in the Central neighborhood on South Union Street. For travel, Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is close by—just under 6 miles east of Central and around a 10-minute drive. “I’m absolutely excited about the city’s growth,” says Hogan. “People have realized all that Traverse City has to offer.”



Agents Specializing in this Area
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Danielle Jerome
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Schmidt Traver
(947) 886-8274
157 Total Sales
3 in Central
$388K - $519K Price Range
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Lydia Wiley
@properties Christie's Int'l
(888) 364-8716
32 Total Sales
2 in Central
$561K - $650K Price Range
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Ann Porter
Responds QuicklyREO-TCRandolph-233022
(231) 714-6828
369 Total Sales
3 in Central
$375K - $460K Price Range
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T. J. Shimek
Responds QuicklyThe Mitten Real Estate Group
(231) 714-6614
443 Total Sales
1 in Central
$387,285 Price
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Sander Scott
Responds QuicklyNet Real Estate
(231) 714-6871
84 Total Sales
1 in Central
$485,000 Price
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AG
Amber Griswold
Responds QuicklyCENTURY 21 Northland
(231) 714-6674
70 Total Sales
1 in Central
$392,000 Price
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Central | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 3 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
Robbery | 3 | 4 |
Burglary | 5 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
Larceny | 6 | 4 |
Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Central Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Central, Traverse City sell after 144 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Central, Traverse City over the last 12 months is $625,000, down 94% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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