A scenic town in Oakland County
White Lake Charter Township is mostly known for its natural beauty, highly-rated schools and lakefront homes. “White Lake is really more of a bedroom community,” says Renee Unger, a Realtor with Real Estate One. “There’s also lots and lots of lakes for fishing, wakeboarding and boating, and plenty of public and private golf courses. The schools are also pretty amazing.”
Township Supervisor Rik Kowall describes the township as “a cross-section of small-town America.” He says, “There’s still a rural feel and some farming going on, but you can get anywhere you need to be if you’re in corporate.”
Community parks and lakes
White Lake is well-known for its numerous parks and recreational amenities. Locals often spend summers at Indian Springs Metropark, which offers over 2,500 acres of green space and contains the headwaters of the Huron River. The park also features wetlands, woods and 60 acres of restored native prairie ecosystems. For golf lovers, Indian Springs Metropark Golf offers nearly 7,000 yards of rolling fairways and four sets of tees for different skill levels.
At Highland State Recreation Area, 5,900 acres of wooded areas, marshes and 10 lakes come together for the perfect outdoor setting. During warmer months, residents hike, fish, camp and swim to pass the time. When Michigan winters bring snowy weather, snowmobiling and skiing are popular activities. Also popular in the winter is Alpine Valley Ski Resort, which attracts thousands of people from across Southeast Michigan every year.
White Lake’s proximity to several prominent lakes makes it a popular destination for homeowners who love boating, fishing and water sports. Pontiac Lake and the namesake White Lake are popular among water sports enthusiasts.
A wide selection of homes
There are various homes in this small town. According to Kowall, homes north of M-59 tend to be larger and sit on lots between two to 30-40 acres. South of M-59, homes tend to be on the smaller side and offer a more typical suburbia feel. “That’s where you’ll find most of the full utility services. When you go north, most properties are suburban farmland,” says Kowall.
Homes can sell for as low as $150,000 for a ranch that needs a full flip and up to $3 million for a luxury, custom-built waterfront home. Most houses, including move-in ready ranches, colonial revivals and new traditionals, sell between $250,000 and $800,0000. For homebuyers looking to build from the ground up, parcels tend to sell for upwards of $25,000 per acre, depending on the location. “We are still in the growing phase in terms of housing, our open lands are our biggest asset,” says Kowall.
Shopping in White Lake Township
Regarding dining, some well-regarded restaurants in the area include Stella’s Table Urban Italian Cuisine, which boasts a Sunday brunch featuring Chef’s Special Lasagna. The White Lake Inn is a longtime waterfront restaurant with typical pub fare like hamburgers, chicken and seafood. It also has a tiki bar and holds seasonal events and live music.
For grocery shopping, residents can access various options, including big box stores like Kroger, Meijer, and Walmart. Ruggles Farm Markets also sells fresh, locally grown produce during harvest season.
Unger says residents often travel to neighboring “quaint” towns like Wixom and Milford for their groceries and farmers’ markets. As for shopping for clothing and other retail items, White Lake has a few stores and boutiques, but residents can also drive to nearby cities like Novi or Commerce Township, where larger shopping centers and malls are available.
Five school districts to choose from
Five school districts are within the boundaries of White Lake Township: Clarkston Community Schools, Holly Area Schools, Walled Lake Community School District, Huron Valley Schools and Waterford Community Schools. Walled Lake Consolidated School District is the largest option with 20 schools, more than 12,000 students and an A-minus rating on Niche.
Lakewood Elementary, White Lake Middle and Lakeland High School are all located on Bogie Lake Road and are popular public options for residents. Lakewood Elementary has a B-plus rating on Niche and serves kindergarten through fifth graders, while White Lake Middle has a B rating. Lakeland High School is a popular last step for teenage students and has a B-plus rating. The high school is mostly known for its championship sports teams.
Commute options
White Lake is primarily a driver-centric community with very few paved sidewalks and a spread-out design. Highway M-59 cuts through the middle of the township and is the most convenient way to access interstates 75 and 96. Large cities like Detroit and Lansing are about an hour’s commute, and Flint is about 40 minutes north of the township. There are currently no public bus routes, but the Western Oakland Transportation Authority is an on-demand, door-to-door transportation service for disabled adults and seniors 55 and up.
Flood concerns
While water access has its upsides, flash flooding is a concern for most residents on the southeast side of the township.
Photography Contributed By
Colette Lane
