Homes for Rent in Nelson Township, Nelson Township

Nelson Township is on the north side of Kent County, where stretches of uninterrupted farmland surround the small community of Cedar Springs. Grand Rapids is 30 minutes south along the highway, but the major city's growth has yet to reach this far north. "Cedar Springs is what Rockford was 10 years ago," says Curtis Gross, a local Realtor with Re/Max United. "This area is the next step for development as Grand Rapids runs out of space to grow." But for now, Nelson residents enjoy large yards, a small-town community and a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. With preservation guidelines in place to protect the area's farmland, it's unlikely that large-scale developments will fully pave over this rural way of life anytime soon. With the exception of some compact communities clustering around Cedar Springs and Sand Lake, homes in Nelson Township are spread far apart, often on several acres of land. There are also several lakes within the township, offering properties with private docks and waterfront views. "It's a more easily obtainable market than the Rockford area," Gross says. "You can still find a home in the $200,000 to $300,000 range."