The city on the water
The city of Walled Lake is mostly known for the namesake lake to its south, but this community offers more than water recreation. “The lakes are a big factor because a lot of people want to be around the water,” says Rick Nessel, a Walled Lake resident and realtor with the Nessel Real Estate Team. “But it’s also close to all of the expressways, so you have easy access to Detroit, Ann Arbor and the airport,” he says. Along with lake activities and highway access, Nessel says Walled Lake offers highly rated schools, plenty of shopping and dining and a broad selection of housing.
Lakes, parks and trails
Walled Lake offers a variety of parks and recreation opportunities. Mercer Beach is situated along the shore of Walled Lake and is a popular summertime destination, featuring a 200-foot swimming beach. “Also, if you want to be on the water, we've got options other than Walled Lake,” says Nessel, including Wolverine Lake and Mud Lake.
And while Hiram Sims Memorial Park doesn't have a beach, residents spend warm days enjoying the walking trail, playground, tennis court, volleyball court and basketball court. Whether they want to appreciate the park's natural beauty or let furry friends run laps, Hiram Sims provides a quiet escape to spend summer days with loved ones.
The city also offers more than 69 trails covering 535 miles for residents who enjoy long walks, runs and bikes. The Michigan Air Line Trail (MALT) stretches nearly 30 miles between Wixom and Pontiac and conveniently cuts through the center of Walled Lake.
Walled Lake Consolidated School District
The Walled Lake Consolidated School District holds an A-minus on Niche and offers 12 Elementary, five middle and three high schools. “A lot of people love the school district,” says Nessel. Out of the 580 school districts in Michigan, Walled Lake ranks as the 57th best. It also ranks as the 10th-best school district in Oakland County. Hickory Woods Elementary, which serves Pre-K through 8th grade students, and Walled Lake Northern High School are among the most popular options. Both hold A-minus ratings on Niche.
A selection of housing options
There are a variety of housing options in Walled Lake, including manufactured homes, ranches, Colonials and Cape Cods. The average home can sell for anywhere between $150,000 for a three-bedroom ranch that needs some TLC and upwards of $600,000 for a move-in-ready five-bedroom. On the other hand, lakefront homes can go for upwards of $1 million.
There are also a healthy number of condos and townhouses throughout the city, especially in its southeast corner. Townhouses and condos generally sell for about $150,000 for an older two-bed to upwards of $300,000 for a newly constructed four-bed.
M-5, 696 and 275
By driving east along North Pontiac Trail, East West Maple Road or West 14 Mile, residents can easily access Highway M-5, which connects directly to interstates 696 and 275. This highway access allows residents to get to Romulus, Ann Arbor or Detroit in less than 40 minutes.
Shopping on Pontiac Trail and East West Maple Road
Retailers, diners and other services are spread throughout Walled Lake, but most are concentrated around North Pontiac Trail and East West Maple Road. Places like Walled Lake Commons Shopping Center and Maple Plaza offer a selection of shopping options, like Freshway Market and Sushi Den.
Along with diners along Pontiac and Maple, lakeside restaurants, like The Beach Tiki Bar & Boil, serve up fresh seafood with lake views. And while residents can always grab groceries at Freshway Market or Penny Lake Marketplace, box stores like Costco and Target are just 3 miles east in Commerce Charter Township. The sprawling 12 Oaks Mall is also just 4 miles south of this community in Novi.
Walled Lake annual events
Walled Lake hosts a slew of annual events. Every summer, Hiram Sims Park becomes a venue for the Summer Concerts Series. The spring Easter Egg Hunt in also held in the park. The annual Farmer’s Market happens every Wednesday from May to October at the lot next to the Walled Lake Fire Department, and the Tree Lighting follows every December.
