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South Traverse City

South Traverse City

$448,168 Average Value

Suburban living near Boardman Lake in South Traverse City

South Traverse City, or as locals call it, “SoFo” for being south of Fourteenth Street, offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle next to Boardman Lake, the largest lake in city limits. Most residents live in subdivisions away from the water, though there are a few waterfront developments. Stores, restaurants and bars are all nearby, some even within walking distance of homes. The community is also home to Traverse City Country Club and is only a few minutes from downtown and Grand Traverse Bay beaches.

Homes on and off Boardman Lake

South Traverse City has a suburban layout of mostly single-family homes built between the late 1800s and 2000s, with lot sizes typically close to a quarter of an acre. Older one-to-four-bedroom bungalows range from around $250,000 to $360,000. Midcentury ranch-style houses, bi-levels and Cape Cods sell for about $390,000 to $560,000. New Traditional homes built in the 2000s typically cost between $560,000 and $675,000, though one with upscale interiors recently sold for $1 million. Single-family homes along Boardman Lake rarely come on the market. In recent years, only one sold for $860,000. Waterfront condominium units range from $520,000 to $590,000. Three-bedroom townhouse condominiums built in 2016 range from around $550,000 to $700,000.According to flood map data, there are some flood risks along Boardman Lake. However, most waterfront homes are elevated away from the shoreline, adding a layer of protection. Several homes on and near Veterans Drive are also at risk of flooding.

Sailing at Boardman Lake and golfing at Traverse City Country Club

Boardman Lake features 339 acres of water and is a common spot for boaters to practice before heading out to Lake Michigan. “It’s a great fishing lake, but it isn’t heavily used. The biggest user is probably Traverse Area Community Sailing,” McGillivary says. “It’s a non-profit organization that teaches how to sail.” The lake is also home to Traverse City Tritons Rowing, which offers competitive rowing programs for middle and high schoolers. Hull Park lies on the north side of the lake with a boat launch and access to the Boardman Lake Loop, which wraps around the lake. It also connects to the TART Trail, which leads to downtown. Traverse City Country Club has been part of the community since 1915. “It’s the city’s only country club,” McGillivary says. “I’ve had dinner there and the food is great.” Members have access to a private golf course, outdoor pool, tennis courts and a fitness center. During winter, the golf course is used for sledding, cross-country skiing and other winter activities.

Stores, restaurants and two Traverse City watering holes

The neighborhood is home to two popular Traverse City watering holes. Locals hang out at Right Brain Brewery, which offers more than 30 beers on tap with unique flavors, such as Creamsicle Breeze nitro cream ale and Cake Walk vanilla cream ale. A few blocks away on Fourteenth Street, Traverse City Whiskey Co. serves a variety of whiskey concoctions, including American Cherry, which infuses cherries from the city’s orchards. Also on Fourteenth Street is Leone’s Frosty Treat, where locals hang out over ice cream, and Common Good Bakery, known for its homemade pastries. On Division Street, also known as U.S. Route 31, residents have access to the city chain grocery store Tom’s Food Market, fast food chains and Flap Jack Shack, a local breakfast staple serving the community for more than 30 years.

Traverse City Area Public Schools and NMC University Center

Public elementary students may attend Central Grade School, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. They can go on to East Middle School, also graded a B-plus. Students in grades 8 through 12 go to Central High School, which receives an A-minus. The high school expanded its STEM education by opening the Innovation and Manufacturing Center in 2025. Though the high school is about 3 miles away, the Central Trojans’ football stadium is in the neighborhood. The Greenspire School, an independent public charter school focusing on environmental education for sixth through 12th graders, is next to Boardman Lake. Right next door is Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) University Center, where students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees from NMC or several other affiliated institutions.

A 1-mile trip to downtown via car or BATA City Loop bus

Locals can get around the city and reach downtown by taking a Bay Area Transit Authority (BATA) City Loop bus. Downtown is about 1 mile away, and it takes approximately 5 minutes to drive to its shops, restaurants, beaches and entertainment venues. U.S. Route 31 runs through the neighborhood, and it’s about a 4-mile drive to Cherry Capital Airport, which takes about 10 minutes.
Nicolas Stuart
Written By
Nicolas Stuart

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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

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Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Cherry Capital

13 min drive

Bus

Bay Hill Terrace & Garden

Bus

Hillview Apts

Bus

Cass St. & 16th St. (Inbound)

Bus

14th St. & Veterans Dr.

Bus

Fitzhugh Dr. & Us-31

Bus

Veterans Dr. & Bay Hill Dr.

Bus

Bay Hill Office

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime South Traverse City US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 8 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
672
Median Year Built
1985
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,466
Significantly below the national average
1,927
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,947
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,043
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
565
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,018

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Jul 26
    12 - 2pm

    1219 S Union St, Traverse City, MI 49684

    $480,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,494 Sq Ft
    • 1219 S Union St
    • New 2 days ago

    Charm meets convenience on the edge of downtown Traverse City. Just a stone’s throw from grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers the perfect blend of peaceful neighborhood vibes and close-to-it-all living on a large corner lot. Step inside and you’re greeted by beautiful hardwood floors that add warmth and character to the bright, open living space. The

    Matthew Dakoske REMAX Bayshore - Union St TC

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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 Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,490
Median Age
43
Population under 18
20.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.5%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$42,066
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$60,501

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
38.5%
Advanced Degrees
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.4%
Below the national average
65.1%

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®

91 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

75 / 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.

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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
South Traverse City