Ypsilanti Township has many recreational and dining options
Ypsilanti Township is a community with many homes, recreational options and restaurants. Outdoor amenities here range from pocket parks to the nearly 1,000-acre Ford Lake, a scenic boating and fishing destination in the heart of the township. The dining scene here has anything from classic drive-in food to a mix of Asian and North African cuisines. This place of about 55,000 people also surrounds the smaller city of Ypsilanti, which locals call “Ypsi.” “I would say it’s part of the Ann Arbo area and also part of the metro Detroit area,” says Ron Yarbrough, a Realtor with Remerica Integrity II Realty. “It’s a diverse community that’s home to Eastern Michigan University. It’s a nice community with a lot of good places to eat and a lot of good things to do.”
Dense neighborhoods offer homes from several generations
The township has several dense neighborhoods and subdivisions. Many homes in the area were built between the World War II era and today. Some neighborhoods offer amenities like walking trails and small parks with fields, basketball goals and playgrounds. Housing in the area includes Colonial Revival, bi-level, split-level and modern traditional homes. There are also small Craftsmen, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes. Most homes go from roughly $150,000 to $450,000, while a few traditional homes from the 2000s fetch for above $500,000. Most condos go from about $140,000 to $300,000. “It’s the affordable place to live east of Ann Arbor, which has just priced everybody out,” says Glenn Silvenis, broker and owner of Re/Max Crossroads in Belleville.
Food options include sushi, Moroccan fare and classic comfort foods
At Paint Creek Crossing, Aki Sushi Bar and Grill and Dos Fuentes offer diverse options. The shopping center also has a Kroger grocery store. More options exist in the strip mall area just north of Paint Creek. Staples there include Leo’s Coney Island, a laidback spot serving anything from classic American breakfasts to comfort foods like chili-covered hot dogs and crinkle fries. Around Fountain Square Shopping Center, Casablanca serves a blend of authentic Morrocan and Middle Eastern cuisine. The Fountain Square area also has a Fresh Thyme Market, known for its organic and natural foods. Staples along Michigan Avenue include Bill’s Drive In, which runs out of a yellow shack. The small building features a “Hot Dogs” sign and lettering that reads “Root Beer.”
Recreation ranges from water park and golf to Ford Lake outings
Ford Lake Park has a canoe and kayak launch and numerous sports amenities. Pickleball, soccer, horseshoe games and volleyball are a few activities at the nearly 100-acre park. Other lakeside areas include North Bay Park, where a boardwalk goes over the water. A section of the more than 40-mile-long Border To Border Trail, or B2B Trail, also passes near the lake. Rolling Hills Water Park is a summer destination. The seasonal venue’s attractions include a splash pad, wave pool and several slides. The aquatic center forms part of a larger 150-acre park featuring forest trails, a fishing pond and a winter sledding hill. Other community amenities include Pine View and Green Oaks golf courses, both public 18-hole courses. “It’s got a lot of things going on as far as quality of life,” Silvenis says about recreation.
Three school districts serve Ypsilanti Township
Most of the township falls under the coverage of Ypsilanti Community Schools and Lincoln Consolidated School District. The Ypsilanti district gets a C-minus from Niche, while Lincoln receives a C. The third district in the area, Van Buren Public Schools, gets a B. Grizzly Learning Camp is one of the Ypsilanti district’s annual activities. The summer camp, which lasts several weeks, involves partnerships with institutions like Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan. Students from all grades learn about topics ranging from insects to more career-oriented subjects like coding and car repair.
Ypsilanti area hosts free jazz shows and celebrates bourbon
Hundreds come to Ford Lake Park during the summer for the John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz Series. The free and weekly night shows typically occur in July and August and feature a mix of guitar and brass performers from the greater Detroit area. City events include Ypsilanti Bourbon Fest, which occurs in January at the Michigan Firehouse Museum. In addition to bourbon and whiskey samplings, the event brings out food vendors and live bands.
I-94 goes to several destinations
TheRide system has several bus stops in the township. Interstate 94 takes commuters directly to Ann Arbor, 15 miles west. “We’re also just outside of Detroit,” Silvenis says. “You’re probably about 50 to 55 minutes, depending on where you go.” I-94 also goes toward the Detroit Metro Airport, 16 miles east. Located north of the township, Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital provides medical care for the area.
Newcomers should prepare for snow
The township area gets well over 20 inches of snow annually, which is more than several parts of the country. The Ann Arbor area is prone to some lake effect conditions.