Affordable Benton Harbor Storage Units

Moving and storage go hand in hand. Whether traveling across town or the country, moving is an exciting and fresh start. While Storage Rentals of America is here to help you with all your storage needs, we also want to help you get familiar with the area. That's why we compiled this resource guide for Benton Harbor, Michigan.

About Benton Harbor, MI.

Benton Harbor is a city near Lake Michigan near towns like Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Its sister city of St. Joseph combines with it to produce a population of around 156,813 people. Benton Harbor is a significant portion of that population and generally provides critical manufacturing, tourism, and shipping jobs to the area.

Benton Harbor has been home to many industries, including farming and manufacturing. However, they are home to a major international corporation, one that provides many jobs to the area and keeps it afloat financially in many places.

What to Do in Benton Harbor, MI.

Benton Harbor is currently the home of a handful of festivals yearly. For example, it is a co-host of the Blossomtime Festival with St. Joseph. This event brings thousands of people annually and adds a lot of tourist money to the area. Expect a lot of concerts, exceptional food, outdoor events, camping, and much more during this downtown event.

Other nearby places that provide entertainment include the Sarett Nature Center, Corners Vineyards, Rocky Gap County Park, Jean Klock Park, The Mendel Center At Lake Michigan College, North Pier Brewing Company, Higbee's Farm, Lake Cliff Gardens, Eden Springs Park, and places like Harbor Shores. These options provide a myriad of different entertainment choices for the area.

Working in Benton Harbor, MI.

Benton Harbor is home to Whirlpool Corporation, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in the world. As a result, it is a vitally important employer for the area, including the design, construction, and shipping of these items. While not everybody in the city works for this company, most people know someone who probably does work there.

However, Benton Harbor is also close to Lake Michigan and many major roads (I-94, I-196, U.S. 31, M-63, and a few others) and connected to an Amtrak rail station, meaning many people visit the city annually for tourism. During the summer, thousands of new people stay on Lake Michigan or other nearby bodies of water, creating a steady trade of tourist dollars.

Benton Harbor, MI. Neighborhoods

The most expensive neighborhood in Benton Harbor is Twelve Corners/Higman Park. This area bucks the general trend of the city by having a median real estate price of $283,814. This cost is more than 75 percent of all sites in Michigan. Rent price, though, is relatively low at $621. This cost is lower than nearly 99 percent of Michigan neighborhoods, meaning residents can save much money.

The median neighborhood is Millburg/Benton Center, with a price of just $138,133. Rent is a little higher here at $1,176, still lower than 43 percent of Michigan. Benton Heights is the city's lowest-cost area, with home prices of just $85,382. These are less than nearly 80 percent of homes in the area. Rent is $962, which is still lower than 73 percent of the state.

Benton Harbor, MI. School District

The Benton Harbor School District operates a handful of elementary schools that funnel students to the Benton Harbor High School. The town's medium-sized nature means there are few public options at this level. However, students who don't mind traveling can attend Dream Academy and Arts & Communications Academy at Fair Plain for specialized education.

Options like S.T.E.A.M. Academy at M.L.K., Hull International Academy, and Discovery Enrichment Center also help the city. These unique educational options allow residents to get technical or highly advanced education to advance their careers. Likewise, Lake Michigan College offers two-year degrees perfect for technical jobs and appropriate for transferring to other schools.

Moving to Benton Harbor, MI. Resource Guide

New residents to Benton Harbor should contact city officials to learn more about electricity, heating, water, and garbage utilities. The city usually handles this process for free, though the individual companies may want some residents' deposits. Usually, this type of deposit is only necessary if you have poor credit or a bad repayment history on bills.

Benton Harbor's parks and recreation department has its work cut out for it, as many parks and outdoor recreational areas are scattered throughout the city. These allow residents and visitors to relax and have fun in an endearing environment. They include Armory Community Center, Broadway Park, and City Center Park, all free to visit anytime.

Benton Harbor, MI. Housing

While Michigan's cost of living rating (65.5) and median home cost ($151,400) is well below the national average, Benton Harbor is lower-cost than most states. It has a rating of just 25 and a median home cost of $57,700 for one of the least expensive places to buy a home in the state.

The city is comparable to the state in more areas (like grocery or miscellaneous) costs or even pricier in a few others. As a result, the overall balance is 72.2 for the city and 89.6 for the state. The high concentration of low-entry jobs makes this a good option for those with minimal training.