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Downtown Traverse City

Downtown Traverse City

$688,633 Average Value
$146 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Modern condos in historic buildings

In a neighborhood where commerce and condos co-exist, residents of Downtown Traverse City often find themselves leaving their cars behind in a walkable and bikeable neighborhood with restaurants, entertainment, shops, parks and even a beach. “Everything we need is a few steps away,’’ said Barb Cooper, a Classic Real Estate agent and broker who moved downtown when her husband could no longer drive.
Downtown Traverse City is located on the shore of Grand Traverse Bay.
Downtown Traverse City is located on the shore of Grand Traverse Bay.
Large condo buildings can be found throughout Downtown Traverse City.
Large condo buildings can be found throughout Downtown Traverse City.
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Condos and townhouses

Living space above ground-floor businesses is common downtown. Higher-end condominiums can offer lakefront and city skyline views at the upper end of the price range. “Condos are more common than apartments here, and many are in refurbished historic buildings with an industrial feel,” says Shawn Schmidt Smith, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors in Traverse City. Condos sell between $800,000 and $1.2 million, although outliers, including a rooftop penthouse in a historic building, can be priced up to $2.5 million. Typical modern townhouses offer two bedrooms and two bathrooms, priced between $850,000 and $950,000.
Downtown Traverse City has mostly condos for city living.
Downtown Traverse City has mostly condos for city living.
Beautiful, spacious condos are situated near the Boardman River in Downtown Traverse City.
Beautiful, spacious condos are situated near the Boardman River in Downtown Traverse City.
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Walk to restaurants and shops

One of the neighborhood’s biggest draws is its dining scene. Traverse City showcases some of Michigan’s best restaurants, including Poppycocks, a New American restaurant known for its live jazz and martini menu. For a casual meal, there’s Millie & Pepper, a cozy spot serving crepes and tea. After dinner, Le Macaron is a popular stop for French pastries. Front Street's Peace, Love and Little Donuts specializes in a Traverse City delicacy, the cherry pie doughnut.

“The main two blocks have expanded and grown so much in recent years,” says Cooper. “Some of the restaurants have been running for over three decades, and new spots pop up every year. There’s a lot of support for our local businesses—downtown takes care of its people.”

When dining in makes more sense, Front Street’s Burritt’s Fresh Market or neighboring Boardman’s Family Fare Supermarket are convenient choices for groceries. Every Saturday morning from May to October, the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market is held at the parking lot by Clinch Park, offering fresh produce, art and wine. There’s no shortage of places to shop downtown, where antique stores and boutiques line the streets that criss-cross the Boardman River. Locals stop into Nifty Things for jewelry, art and home goods or check out Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars for gourmet ingredients.
Millie & Pepper in Downtown Traverse City serves sweet and savory crepes.
Millie & Pepper in Downtown Traverse City serves sweet and savory crepes.
In Downtown Traverse, buy some apparel from the Michigan Dogman at Enjoy Michigan.
In Downtown Traverse, buy some apparel from the Michigan Dogman at Enjoy Michigan.
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Beaches, parks and theaters

Clinch Park Beach is filled with colorful towels and umbrellas in spring and summer along the shore of Traverse City Bay, which connects to Lake Michigan. During the summer swimming season, water temperatures typically stay above 68 degrees while high air temperatures average about 80. There’s space for swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding, and boaters can set off from the docks at the Duncan L. Clinch Marina next to the beach. Public lifeguards are on duty from June through August. Directly west of the beach, Clinch Park’s walking paths connect to the multi-use Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART) and the William G. Milliken Waterscape, an outdoor splash pad perfect for cooling off on hot days. Hannah Park, along the shoreline of the Boardman River near several townhouse complexes, features wooden platforms along the river, making it a popular fishing destination. Open Space Park is aptly named as the largest waterfront space in the city and is adjacent to beach volleyball courts and includes a jetty that extends into the bay.

Indoors, Bijou by the Bay, a nonprofit theater whose walls are covered in large-scale murals painted by award-winning local artists, is nearby. There's also Crooked Tree Arts Center, which hosts art classes, events and free exhibits and the City Opera House, a 700-seat Victorian theater hosting plays, concerts and films, and the State Theatre, a historic building that presents an annual film festival and weekly screenings.

“We’ve got outdoor activities for every season,” says Cooper. “When it’s warm, people enjoy the volleyball courts and beaches. In the winter, people go snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. There’s always something to do.”
Enjoy sun and fun at the beach in Clinch Park, located in Traverse City, Michigan.
Enjoy sun and fun at the beach in Clinch Park, located in Traverse City, Michigan.
State Theatre, which hosts the Traverse City Film Festival, is found in Downtown Traverse City.
State Theatre, which hosts the Traverse City Film Festival, is found in Downtown Traverse City.
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Traverse City Area Public Schools

Students are zoned in the Traverse City Area Public School District—listed as the best-rated school district in Grand Traverse County, according to Niche. Students may attend Central Grade School, graded A minus by Niche; East Middle School, graded B plus; and Central High School, graded A minus. Located next to the Northwestern Michigan College campus, Central High School offers an Early College Program for students to earn college credits.
Central Grade School is a public school located in Traverse City, Michigan.
Central Grade School is a public school located in Traverse City, Michigan.
Central High School is a public school located in Traverse City, Michigan.
Central High School is a public school located in Traverse City, Michigan.
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The National Cherry Festival

Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City hosts the annual National Cherry Festival in June and July. Most events are held at Open Space Park, though satellite stages are set up around the city. About half-a-million attend over the eight days for picnics, markets, orchard tours, pie-eating contests and even “Cherry-Pit-Spit” competitions. National rock bands play the Pepsi Bayside Music State. Goo Goo Dolls, T.I. and Stone Temple Pilots were scheduled in 2024.

Mild summers and snowy winters

The moderating effects of nearby lakes mean that Traverse City’s summers are mild, peaking in July with average highs around 80. January is the coldest month, with highs averaging about 28 and lows around 15. Snowfall averages 125-145 inches a year. Traverse City’s downtown area can be louder than surrounding neighborhoods due to traffic from East Grandview Parkway and the proximity of foot traffic on Front and State streets.
Clinch Park has a marina for boating enthusiasts.
Clinch Park has a marina for boating enthusiasts.
Downtown Traverse City features many fabulous shops and restaurants.
Downtown Traverse City features many fabulous shops and restaurants.
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Traverse City's variety of transportation options

With major employers like Munson Medical Center, Northwestern Michigan College, and Tyson Foods located in the city, many downtown residents are close enough to consider walking or cycling -- distances are under 2.5 miles from most parts of Downtown, though auto travel is often needed beyond the Downtown area, though the Bay Area Transit System network of buses operate on several fixed routes and on-demand services. Downtown is about 50 miles from Interstate 75, one of the region's longest highways. Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is close by—just under 5 miles east of downtown and around a 10-minute drive.
Caitlyn Tierney
Written By
Caitlyn Tierney
Jonathan Fairfield
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Fairfield
Wengel Abiy
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Wengel Abiy

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Lydia Wiley, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Cherry Capital

11 min drive

Bus

Hall St. Transfer Station - Westbound

Bus

Front St. & Cass St.

Bus

Cass St. & Lake Ave. (Inbound)

Bus

State St. East Of Union

Bus

8th St. & Lake Ave. (Inbound)

Bus

State St & Cass St

Bus

W. Front St. & Record Eagle

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Traverse City US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Downtown Traverse City Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$199,000
Median Sale Price
$489,900
Median Single Family Sale Price
$199,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
17%
Last 12 months Home Sales
7
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$146

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
731
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
2016
Months of Supply
1.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,434
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,925
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,128
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
904
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,524

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Lydia Wiley, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,135
Median Age
47
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$63,455
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$85,842

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.8%
College Graduates
57.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
29''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
87''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

92 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

88 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Traverse City