Explore some of the best neighborhoods to raise a family in East Lansing, MI. Great public schools, low crime, and family friendly amenities.Explore some of the best neighborhoods to raise a family in East Lansing, MI. Great public schools, low crime, and family friendly amenities.Local Guide

3 Great Family Neighborhoods in East Lansing, Michigan

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East Lansing, Michigan is a nice city that is very suitable for those raising a family. It has a little over 48,000 people. It is adjacent to Lansing, which has about 115,000 people. Lansing is Michigan's capital. If the surrounding metropolitan area is included, there are over 464,000 people who live in this part of Michigan. The Lansing/East Lansing area is geographically in the center of the state of Michigan.

Best East Lansing Neighborhoods

  • North Harrison Road/West Saginaw Street
  • Whitehills
  • Grand River

The median home price in East Lansing is $176,500. This is 38% higher than the median home price found in other cities in Michigan. The median rental rate in East Lansing is $896 per month. This is 12% higher than the rental rates experienced in other Michigan cities. The median household income is about $34,000. This is $14,000 less than the median household earnings in other Michigan cities and around $19,000 less than America's average household income. The cost of living in East Lansing 8% higher than the cost of living in other parts of the state and 4% lower than the national average.

The median age is 21 years old. The statewide average is 40 years old. This median age in this area is lower because East Lansing is a college town. About 40% of the people who live in East Lansing are enrolled as students at Michigan State University located at the southern edge of the community.

There are 10 public schools and four private schools in East Lansing. There are five colleges and universities with the largest one being Michigan State University (MSU) with an enrollment of around 39,000.

The nicest neighborhoods for families in East Lansing are:

  • North Harrison Road and West Saginaw Street
  • Whitehills
  • Grand River

North Harrison Road/West Saginaw Street

This neighborhood does not have a unique name. The center of this neighborhood is at the intersection of North Harrison and West Saginaw. The rough boundaries are Highway 12 on the west, West Saginaw Street on the north, Abbot Road on the east, and Highway 143 on the southern side.

Home Styles

The houses in this area are a mixture of many styles. They include modest, one- and two-bedroom single-family homes, tract houses of three and four bedrooms, and a few luxury mansions built on the hillsides and larger lots. Some homes are historic and were built before 1940. Most of the newer homes were built between 1940 and 1969.

Housing Prices

The median price for a home in this neighborhood is $256,531. This is 82% higher than the median home prices found in other Michigan neighborhoods and 58% higher than the American average.

The average monthly rental rate is $1,022. The rents in East Lansing are 56% lower than the other parts of Michigan. Rents are lower in this neighborhood because of its proximity to MSU and the number of apartment complexes that cater to college students. These include the Abbott Pointe Apartments, the Hillcrest Village Apartments, and the Hidden Tree Apartments.

Things to Do in North Harrison Road/West Saginaw Street

There are many amenities in this area, which include the Frandor Shopping Center, the Hannah Community Center, and the Municipal Park. To the south, is the Zoo and Crego Park with its Fenner Nature Center. Continuing south towards MSU, there are the MSU Museum, Spartan Stadium, and the Wharton Center for Performing Arts.

Whitehills

The Whitehills neighborhood is designed for families rather than college students. This neighborhood is northeast of the intersection of West Saginaw Street and Abbot Road. It has the Whitehills Elementary School. It is near the East Lansing High School and the private St. Thomas Aquinas School.

Home Styles

This is a safe neighborhood with large, upscale homes made for big families. Many of the streets are tree-lined with a large center divider. The yards are big and fun for the kids to play in.

Housing Prices

The median home price in Whitehills is $351,649. This is 94% more than the median home price found in other neighborhoods in Michigan and 73% higher than the American average. The median rent is $1,150. This is 61% higher than the rents found in other parts of the state.

Things to Do in Whitehills

This neighborhood is anchored by the huge Whitehills public park. This is mostly a residential neighborhood. Families enjoy the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center that is across the street from the Abbot Road Park.

Grand River

The Grand River neighborhood is located on the southeastern side of East Lansing. It is still close to all the activities at MSU and the amenities that surround the university; however, it is more focused on families than solely on college students. This neighborhood has McDonald Middle School and McDonald School. It has East Lansing High School.

Home Styles

This neighborhood is characterized by about half of the homes built during the 1940s to 1970s that are historic styles. The other half were built between 1979 and 2000. They are mostly ranch styles.

Housing Prices

The median price for a home here is $184,145. This is more expensive than 66% of other neighborhoods in Michigan and higher than 43% of the neighborhoods across America. The median rent is $1,509. This is higher than 87% of the other neighborhoods in Michigan. Most of the homes are owner-occupied.

Things to Do in Grand River

There is a very nice, large, public park called John M. Patriarche Park. There is also a smaller one called Burcham Park that has playgrounds for the children to enjoy. There are small neighborhood green areas called Stoddard Park and Hidden River Park. The Red Cedar River runs along the southern side of this area.


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