Ypsilanti Township

From constructing airplanes to rebuilding the community, West Willow has a history of coming together to get the job done. Ashley Gartrelle, a local Realtor at More Group Michigan with over 12 years of industry experience says, “West Willow has always given me a sense of community.” For decades, the West Willow Neighborhood Association has been the glue of the community, organizing small local events that bring the whole neighborhood together. Gartrelle adds, “The community has been showing so many signs of growth with recent revitalization efforts, and I’m excited to see it fully bloom.” While West Willow is a unique community on its own, bordering interstates connect the neighborhood to all Ann Arbor has to offer. West Willow homes were built between the 1940s and 1960s to accommodate the Willow Run Bomber Plant factory workers just across Ward Road. 1,050 modest ranch-style homes are neatly organized along the neighborhood’s flat residential streets. Neighbors chat from small, shaded front patios and retreat to fenced-in backyards for a bit more privacy. Most of the brick homes offer two to three bedrooms and private parking with side driveways leading to detached garages. Homeowners can find houses under $100,000, with few homes reaching values over $300,000. West Willow homes are significantly cheaper than surrounding neighborhoods where the average price is about double. West Willow sits on a triangular plot of land cornered between Interstate 94 and US Route 12. Locals can head east on I-94 and arrive at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in about 20 minutes or drive west to easily access Downtown Youngstown. On the east side of the neighborhood, Ward Road runs north-south between West Willow’s homes and the Willow Run Bomber Plant and Airport. Tyler Road intersects the center of Ward Road and divides the neighborhood’s residential streets. From here, residents can use bus line 44 as an easy and affordable way to get around the city. Residents aren’t far from the hometown dining along Ecorse Road and Depot Town’s hip, historic commercial streets. Big Sky Diner is the closest local spot, with a family feel and comfort food served 24 hours a day. It’s just down the road from Ice Cream Time, where neighbors enjoy soft serve, sundaes and summertime memories. Residents can sample their way along the popular restaurants in Depot Town, with Maiz Mexican Cantina being a crowd favorite for taco Tuesdays, any-day fajitas and happy-hour drinks. The Kroger on East Michigan Avenue is the neighborhood's go-to store for groceries and household essentials. The community gathers for basketball tournaments on the courts at West Willow Park. The spacious playground offers tall climbing towers and swings for older kids and a smaller tot lot for little ones. Down the street, the Community Resource Center is where residents go to pick farm-fresh produce during the summer at the community garden. History takes flight across the street at the Yankee Air Museum. Located at Willow Run Airport, the museum allows visitors to learn about the area’s aviation history and even ride in a historic plane. West Willow students can attend Van Buren public schools or opt for the Ypsilanti Community School District. Kindergartners can ride the bus to Tyler Elementary, which scores a B-plus on Niche. Sixth graders can join the championship robotics team at McBride Middle School or join the state championship football team at Belleville High School. Both of these schools score a solid B on Niche. Every summer, Thunder Over Michigan takes over the skies above the West Willow neighborhood. This world-class Air Show is a family-friendly experience where locals can explore the massive static aircraft display, meet real fighter pilots and watch spectacular military jets soar overhead.

Prospects look good in Prospect Park, where mid-20th century homes sit just outside Ypsilanti, close to the excitement of the long-established Depot Town. Many residents are just a short walk, cycle or bus ride to the events and eateries of this popular part of Ypsilanti. "It's a family-friendly neighborhood that's also conveniently situated near other attractions, like Ford Lake," says Darryn Brundage-Forrest, a Realtor with More Group Michigan, LLC. Brundage-Forrest has sold homes across the area for nearly five years and has lived in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor.<br><br>Community streets are covered with leaves in the fall. The woodsy neighborhood brightens with natural reds, oranges and yellows, leaving locals to rake up their close-quartered yards. Tucked behind sidewalks and under the shade of tall trees are a collection of modest Cape Cods, bungalows and cottages. And very few ranch styles and colonials are mixed in. Most homes in Prospect Park are under 1,500 square feet with three bedrooms. Often, houses have about 800 square feet with two bedrooms. Home prices range from around $100,000 to $300,000. Many surrounding Ypsilanti communities are quickly growing. "In terms of development and growth, we have seen a huge increase in its infrastructure as well as its housing developments," Brundage-Forrest says. "It truly is turning an eye when it comes to vitality and sustainability as we see its housing market spike as well as many plans being drafted to better the Ypsilanti community."<br><br>Kids growing up in the area attend Ypsilanti Community Schools, which earned an overall C-minus on Niche. Students kickstart their education at Holmes Elementary School, which has a student-to-teacher ratio of 11-to-1 and an overall C-minus on Niche. Students advance to Ypsilanti Community Middle School, earning a C-minus from Niche. Students head to Ypsilanti Community High School to earn their diplomas. The high school features the STEMM Middle College Program, a five-year program that partners with Washtenaw Community College to help students earn college credit. The program's five years include three in high school and two in college. Niche gave YCHS an overall C-plus. <br><br>Locals often walk to the corner of Cross Street and Prospect Road to the community's primary green space and namesake, Prospect Park. The nearly 10-acre park is Ypsilanti's oldest, featuring a skatepark and a playground connected by a paved walkway. The park also features ample open green space where locals can picnic or kick the ball around. Locals also enjoy a few parks outside Prospect Park, like Frog Island Park. The park covers five acres tucked into a bend of the Huron River, with a central amphitheater, soccer field and running track. A three-point bridge at the park's southern edge connects to Riverside Park. Frog Island and Riverside Park hold outdoor concerts and events throughout the summer, including the Ypsilanti Jazz Festival and Michigan Summer Beer Festival.<br><br>Depot Town is under a mile south of Prospect Park and is a rustic center of local shopping and dining. The small area was created in 1838 after the Ypsilanti Train Depot opened. It has since developed to include a few local restaurants and collectible shops adored across Ypsilanti. Locals grab a burger and a beer from Sidetrack Bar and Grill or shop for a few new goods at Silver Spoon Antiques. But Prospect Park has a few gems of its own. Arbor Brewing Company's Corner Brewery serves everything from flatbread pizza and burgers to seasonal beers and patio seating. Locals take a step back in time at Chick Inn Drive-in, a burger joint with retro flair. First opened in 1953, Chick Inn is where locals can still order burgers, shakes and curly fries from a classic carhop.<br><br>The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority serves Prospect Park and is fondly called TheRide. A few bus stops scatter Prospect Road and Forest Avenue. Commuters working in Ann Arbor have a 15-mile trip down Highway 94 before reaching the city's heart. Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital is about 3 miles west down North Huron River Drive. And when catching a flight, the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is about 17 miles east.

Tucked away southwest of Interstate 94 in Ypsilanti Township, Nancy Park is a quiet residential community with urban convenience. The neighborhood centers around its namesake, Nancy Park, and is located just north of Ford Lake, with plenty of local access points to this artificial yet scenic freshwater reservoir. Ford Lake is part of Huron River, which feeds into Lake Erie to the east. “Ford Lake is a hidden gem,” says Ashley Gartrelle, a real estate agent and broker with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, as well as the Office Manager for the Ann Arbor location. “It’s a step into lakeside living at its finest.” While most homes are not on the lake, condos are the more likely option, residents can walk to Loonfeather Park and enjoy the lake from there. In Nancy Park, deciduous trees line the streets, while residents congregate in shared park spaces that add to the sense of community. Prospective homeowners can choose between a selection of single-family ranch homes, each offering its own sense of color and design. “This community boasts an array of housing options,” says Gartrelle. “It truly caters to very lifestyle.” Ranch homes may dominate the landscape, but there are a few condos, bungalows, split-levels and raised ranch homes throughout the neighborhood as well. Most homes range between $149,000 and $260,000, but condos can start around $80,000 and reach around $160,000 for a lakeside view. The median price for homes in the neighborhood is $163,000, with many having two to four bedrooms. Ypsilanti Food Co-Op, two and a half miles to the north, has vegan and organic snacks in addition to household self-care products. Residents can also head a mile north for La Espiga Dorada Market which features Hispanic bakery favorites like freshly prepared churros. Down the street from the market is Big Sky Diner, open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is known for its traditional diner fare such as burgers, fries and a classic selection of breakfast entrees. Howard’s Hoagies is about two miles to the east, and is known for its low-key vibe, burgers and steak hoagies. Ypsilanti hosts their own mix of more locally focused activities, such as the Michigan Summer Beer Festival in July. Since 1999, Ypsilanti has hosted this event and features local beers and live music from a variety of Michigan bands. Ypsilanti has a variety of festivals throughout the year, some of which are annual events, like the previously mentioned beer festival, and some are more everyday, such as live music at Ziggy’s Tuesday through Saturday. Nancy Park students can begin at Perry Early Learning Center, which earns a B-minus from Niche, for prekindergarten through first grade before attending Erickson Elementary School for first through fifth grade. Erickson Elementary receives a C-minus from Niche. Ypsilanti Middle School, for sixth through eighth graders, receives the same grade. At Ypsilanti Community High School, students can participate in the STEMM Middle College program where students can receive technical certifications such as Certified Nurse Assistant, aviation technology and machine tool technology. While Ypsilanti Community High School does not have a Niche rating, STEMM Middle College receives a B. Given Nancy Park’s location along Ford Lake, homeowners can spend time on the water kayaking or canoeing. The lakefront space at Loonfeather Park provides another way to take in the great outdoors, as locals fish on Ford Lake or explore the park’s playground. Parking at the park is $3, and swimming or wading from the shores of the lake is not allowed. “Picture-perfect lake views greet residents every morning,” says Gartrelle. Located along the southwestern border, the neighborhood’s namesake Nancy Park has open green space for frisbee, a soccer field for practice on and a playground for children to enjoy. The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority has two bus lines through Nancy Park, Route 68 along the southern border of Grove Road and Route 45 on Service Drive. Grove Road has a bike lane as well. Rides are exact change only and cost $1.50 for a single ride, $3 for a day pass or $45 for a 30-day flex pass. Interstate 94, which covers the states between Michigan and Montana, serves as the neighborhood’s northern-most border.

The curve of Interstate 94 cuts Gault Village off from Ypsilanti, creating a residential community that feels separate from the rest of the bustling college town. “Gault Village has a suburban feel, but it’s really only five minutes from downtown,” says Erin Cicero, a Realtor with Howard Hanna who has experience selling in the area. “There’s also an elementary school and a park right there, which is a draw for young families.” Technically, Gault Village is part of Ypsilanti Township, not the city itself, so there are also lower taxes. And with Ford Lake to the south, residents enjoy unique waterside views. However, the nearby interstate and regional airport bring occasional noise, and the neighborhood is not that walkable to retail and restaurants. The streets of Gault Village feel neat, with well-maintained sidewalks and lines of mature trees. House styles are primarily brick ranchers, and bungalows are interspersed with split-level properties. There’s a vintage feel, as most houses were built between 1950 and 1970, and many include detached garages. Additionally, condominiums are located on a peninsula extending into Ford Lake, offering scenic views. Home and condo prices range from $150,000 for fixer-uppers to $300,000 for newly renovated properties or larger yards. “In the past 10 years, the home prices there have increased three to four times what they once were,” Cicero explains. “But the whole housing market has had such a boom, so Gault Village is still a more affordable choice compared to somewhere like Depot Town.” The neighborhood is arranged around Erickson Elementary School, which serves grades first through sixth and gets a C-minus rating from Niche. Parents with young kids can find community at school events, including family fun curriculum nights, cultural celebrations, and the open house picnic. Older kids can attend the Ypsilanti Community Middle School, rated C-minus, and AC Tech High, rated C-plus. Some families enter the lottery system to get into Washtenaw International Middle Academy (WIMA) and Washtenaw International High School (WIHI). Both are in Ypsilanti, and Niche ranks WIHI as the number one public high school in Michigan, so admission can be very competitive. Gault Village is further from retail options compared to elsewhere in Ypsilanti. Big brand grocery options are 3 miles away, and downtown Ypsilanti is 2.5 miles away. But, there are some hidden spots just north of Interstate 94 that residents can reach in less than a mile. Perfect Pizza is a locally-owned takeout spot, and Ice Cream Time is often called the best ice cream in Ypsilanti. And La Espiga Dorada Market is an authentic Hispanic bakery. Towards the south, Howard’s Hoagies is known for its low-key vibe and great deals. The namesake shopping mall at the northwest corner of Gault Village was demolished in late 2023. The mall had significantly declined in recent years, and although some residents lamented the loss of a convenient shopping center, most hope it will be replaced with something better. As of the demolition date, an ongoing legal battle of ownership meant there was no official plan yet for what would replace the mall. Only a few homes have direct access to Lake Ford, but anyone can enjoy the waterside views at Loonfeather Point Park. Stretching across 11 acres, it’s a popular spot for a summer picnic or watching the sunset. There is a fishing dock, but no boat launch and the park has a $3 entrance fee during the warmer months. Further inland, the smaller Nancy Park is the go-to spot for a playdate, with colorful play structures, a soccer field and a ball diamond. And about a 3-mile drive away, the Eagle Crest Golf Club is the most popular spot to hit the greens in Ypsi. Some homes in the north of the neighborhood experience the road noise from Interstate 94. However, the proximity to Interstate 94 means easy access to commuters heading 12 miles to Ann Arbor or 30 miles to Detroit. The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is only 15 miles away for longer trips. There’s also an airport closer to home called Willow Run Airport. It’s not a commercial airport, but it still brings some noise to the area, especially during the annual Thunder Over Michigan Air Show.