West Ishpeming is a close-knit community with a family vibe
West Ishpeming is a census-designated place with all the makings of a family-oriented neighborhood. Basketball goals hang in carports, while playgrounds stand in backyards and bicycles race past contemporary homes in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. “This is your Hallmark kind of town. Being on the city council, I see so many new people moving in who are active in the community,” says Benjamin Argall, broker and owner at NextHome Superior Living and a lifelong native of the Ishpeming area. “It has newer housing, lower taxes and bigger lot sizes. People want their privacy, and the outdoor recreation is huge here.”
Contemporary homes from the 1970s along tree-lined streets
The streets rest alongside neatly trimmed lawns with young pine and maple trees. West Ishpeming features New Traditional and ranch-style homes, which are priced around $90,000 to $490,000. Many homes are more recent than much of the area’s construction. “It has newer housing, which around here means they are from the 1950s and 1970s,” Argall says.
Because of its proximity to Lake Superior, Marquette County receives significant snow accumulation in the winter, sometimes more than 150 inches annually. As a result, many residents have vehicles with all-wheel drive. In January, temperatures can drop to an average low of 7°F.
Cross-country skiing and access to Teal Lake
Nearby Ishpeming has strong ties to cross-country skiing and is known as the sport's birthplace. There are abundant cross-country skiing trails in areas such as the Al Quaal Recreation Area, the RAMBA trails and the UP Nordic Ski Complex. "We have around 80 miles of trails for winter and summer biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing," Argall says. "Both Negaunee and Ishpeming share Teal Lake, which has kayaking and swimming access." The Ishpeming Township Recreation Area has playground structures, a baseball diamond and tennis courts. The Iron Ore Heritage Trail is a 47-mile gravel trail along a rail line. Approximately 20 miles east, the Lake Superior coast has beaches and scenic recreation areas.
Schools earn B grades with family resources and technical skills
The NICE Community School District enrolls about 1,100 students across two schools. Aspen Ridge School serves prekindergarten to eighth grade and has a family resource center with family workshops, playgroups and after-school childcare. Grades eight through 12 attend Westwood High School, which offers industrial technology courses focused on welding, woodworking and automotive repair. Both Aspen Ridge and Westwood High earn B grades from Niche.
Tourist-friendly shops and eateries are in downtown Ishpeming
West Ishpeming has limited options for shopping and dining. One of its convenience stores is Dollar General. Da Yoopers Tourist Trap is a local gift shop with UP-themed merchandise, a collection of outdoor sculptures and a rock shop with native minerals. The area's most recognizable eatery is Sherrie's Restaurant, a local breakfast café. Downtown Ishpeming is about 3 miles east, and the trail system connects it to the western neighborhoods through the local trail system. It features Victorian architecture in a commercial district with restaurants like the Congress Lounge & Pizza, which serves a Cudighi sandwich, a famous culinary feature known throughout the UP. Jim's Jubilee Foods is an IGA supermarket just minutes away.
Negaunee and Marquette are within a short drive
West Ishpeming has quick access to U.S. Highway 41, which connects it to nearby cities. Negaunee is about 5 miles east on US-41, while Marquette is approximately 17 miles east. The nearest emergency room is at the UP Health System facility in Ishpeming. The Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport is roughly 25 miles southeast, with daily passenger flights to Detroit and Chicago.
