Washington Township

A suburb where wide open spaces meet modern amenities, Washington Township is full of natural areas and residential pockets. "Washington Township is growing very quickly," says Mary Rayman, a local real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty Lakeside. "It's still a rural area, but you will find all the big-name franchises here. New subdivisions continue to develop, and the home prices in the area are higher than you'll find in the surrounding townships." The area's past is rooted in agriculture, with a particular focus on apple orchards, which remain a significant presence in the community today.

The average listing price here is around $500,000, but newly built craftsman-style homes with four bedrooms and over 3,000 square feet can hit the market for $1 million or higher. You can snag a 1,000-square-foot, 1950s ranch-style home or a two-bedroom condo for less than $300,000. Homes are often off the market within a month of being listed. Most houses sit close together on quarter-and-half-acre lots, but you can find all the space needed for outdoor recreation just outside the area's residential streets, perfect for sitting on your porch and gnawing on an apple.

For groceries and household essentials, locals aren't limited in their options. Kroger, Meijer and Target are all located at the intersection of Van Dyke Avenue and 26 Mile Road. Once you've crossed off everything on your shopping list, treat yourself to a meal at Romeo Family Restaurant, which has served the community for the past 30 years. If you're dining in for breakfast, order the chocolate chip pancakes or the farmhouse skillet. When the afternoon rolls around, patrons can enjoy pub classics ranging from fish and chips to hearty, homemade chili. At Westview Orchards and Winery, you can shop for baked goods, fresh produce and seasonal décor or meet a friend to taste some local Michigan wines and hard ciders. Hop on Route 53 and head to Georgio's Apple Orchard Inn, a cozy spot serving American-style food. It's a community gathering place that hosts fund-raising events and has dedicated patrons who visit the restaurant frequently, both to grab a meal and spend time with each other.

"The highly rated public schools in the township are another big draw, especially to parents of young kids moving to the area," says Rayman. Indian Hills Elementary, Romeo Middle and Romeo High School all earn an impressive B-plus overall grade from Niche. Indian Hills Elementary School also earns an A-minus grade for its teachers. Just over 400 students attend Indian Hill, which has a student-to-teacher ratio of 17-1. Romeo Middle School ranks in the top 30 percent of Michigan's public middle schools, according to Niche. Romeo High School has launched the Academies at Romeo program, which allows students to explore career pathways and take courses aligned with their interests. Students get hands-on workplace experience in the field of their choosing, with options including hospitality and culinary arts, media production and health services.

Golfers in Washington Township can spend their days off at one of the area's three golf courses. The Orchards Golf Club is home to a public, beautifully maintained, 18-hole course, which was the site of the 2013 Michigan Open Championship. When the weather is nice, residents can enjoy the sun at Eastwood Beach on the shores of Stony Creek Lake or take the hiking trails north further into Stony Creek Metropark. Here, folks can walk or bike along the six-mile paved trail, launch a canoe, kayak or small motorized boat for a trip around the lake, or fish for bass, pike and walleye. In the winter, Stony Creek is a popular spot for sledding and cross-country skiing.

30 miles from Detroit, Washington Township is ideal for residents who want space to themselves. Thanks to sidewalks in the residential areas, you can get around your neighborhood easily enough, but having a car is essential for getting around town. The neighborhood is convenient to travel from thanks to Route 53, which runs alongside the area and provides easy access to the surrounding area. Plus, you can take it all the way into downtown Detroit. For homebuyers looking for open space and a convenient location, Washington Township is an option worth considering.

Written By

Jillian Pillow

Photography Contributed By

Kyle Arn

Video By

Tyler Hall