A college town with a highly rated public school system
Just north of Michigan State University, waves of green and white apparel light up the streets of East Lansing during college football gamedays, when up to 75,000 fans pack into Spartan Stadium. Aside from being a source of local pride, the college is the city's top employer. "It's not just for college students," says Realtor Leanne Johnson, who sells homes in the city with Weichert Realtors – Home Town. "The neighborhood is really great for families and has an extraordinary school system." East Lansing also offers residents a highly rated public school system and access to 21 different public parks. About 48,000 people live in the city.
The MSU campus is a beautiful, walkable college campus that anchor's East Lansing.
The MSU Broad Art Museum, by architect Zaha Hadid, makes a bold statement at MSU in East Lansing
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Suburban blocks with a range of housing styles
Tall hardwood trees shade the front yards set back from the sidewalk-lined streets. Homes range from condos and townhouses to single-family Craftsman-style, split-level, Colonial Revivals and contemporary properties. The median single-family home price is $305,000, over twice Lansing's median price and over $100,000 less than the national median. Prices range from $155,000 for early 20th-century bungalows to $750,000 for mid-century brick ranch styles. The city's various condos are priced from $140,000 to $325,000. "The homes have a lot of character," Johnson says, "They don't have a cookie-cutter feel." Lot sizes tend to increase as residents head east and north, away from Michigan State University and downtown East Lansing.
Tax rates may discourage some buyers. "Lansing city has the highest property taxes in the area, and East Lansing is right behind it," says Realtor Troy Seyfert, who sells homes in both cities with Re/Max Real Estate Professionals. "Lansing and East Lansing also have 1% income taxes."
A colorful row of newer Craftsman-style homes on Virginia Ave in East Lansing.
Beautiful ranch homes are found sprinkled throughout East Lansing.
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The highly rated East Lansing Public School District
The East Lansing School District has an 89% graduation rate and receives an A rating from Niche. The district has six elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. East Lansing High School's reading proficiency is 68%, and its math proficiency is 43%, which are higher than state and national averages. Over 50,000 Spartans attend Michigan State University, making it the second-largest university in terms of enrollment in Michigan.
MacDonald Middle School, in East Lansing, serves students in grades 6-8 and holds an A rating.
With an A rating from Niche.com, East Lansing High School offers an excellent education.
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Twenty-one parks within walking distance of residences
A network of paved trails and sidewalk-lined roadways link together parks throughout East Lansing. These range from the White Memorial City Park with its fishing pond and sledding hill to open green parks with athletic amenities and multi-use fields. On the city's outskirts, Nancy Moore Park has 40 acres of paved and dirt trails, baseball fields, volleyball courts and basketball courts. The East Lansing Family Aquatic Center has a 190-foot tube water slide, diving board and splash park. It's part of a complex with four ball fields and the Northern Tail Dog Park, where locals and their pets can socialize in a leash-free area. Two public golf courses are north of the city, while Michigan State University is also home to two public courses. Lake Lansing, with public launches, sailing clubs and fishing, is only a mile east of city limits.
A visitor to Albert A. White Memorial Park, enjoys a quiet moment beside the park's pond.
Albert A. White Memorial Park is a large park with a fishing deck and walkable trails.
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Dining along East Lansing Road and shopping at Eastwood Towne Center
Several fast-food franchises and local restaurants line West Grand River Avenue, while East Lansing Road only has local options. Constellation Cat Cafe serves warm beverages while cats crawl around, many of which are available for adoption. Just down the street, Grand Grillin serves chicken wraps and nachos. Kroger and Meijer are in the city's northwest corner for groceries, while a Whole Foods and a Trader Joe’s are in the southeast. Eastwood Towne Center is just outside the city and has several big-box retailers and a movie theater.
The busy sidewalk seating of local restaurants in downtown East Lansing come alive in spring.
MSU students enjoy a good meal at Dave's Hot Chicken in East Lansing.
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Entertainment at the university and an annual jazz festival
Michigan State's campus is home to several entertainment options besides its football stadium. The Wharton Center for Performing Arts features Broadway shows, local performances and touring musical acts. The Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens is a 14-acre springtime oasis of perennials, annuals, vegetables and a children's garden with playhouses and whimsical shrubbery. For entertainment off campus, East Lansing's downtown hosts the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, featuring both national and local artists.
You watch a variety of performing arts programs at MSU's Wharton Center in East Lansing.
Enjoy a Spartan game at Spartan Field on MSU's campus in East Lansing.
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Access to public transportation and employers
"Michigan State is a top employer, but lot of state workers commute to downtown Lansing," Seyfert says. Folks also commute to the city for jobs at General Motors, Auto-Owners Insurance Group and Peckham Incorporated.
The Michigan State Capital is in downtown Lansing, about 5 miles west of East Lansing via Interstate 496. The Capital Area Transit Authority operates bus stops throughout the city, connecting residents to Lansing. Capital Region International Airport is about 8 miles northwest of East Lansing via West Grand River Avenue and Interstate 96.
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is the nearest 24-hour emergency care hospital, 4 miles away in Lansing. U.S. News & World Report rates the health system as "high-performing" for its treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, heart failure, heart attack and prostate cancer surgery.
Crime
East Lansing's violent crime rate is below the national and state medians, while the property crime rate is above them. The city of East Lansing saw a 28% decrease in violent crime in 2023, while the Lansing Police Department saw an increase in violent crime overall.
Always having an eye for real estate, she bought her first home at 18, her first farm at 29, and now owns several investment properties. Whether buying or selling a home, Patti will work diligently for you and look out for your best interests.
Serving others and having an industrious drive have been a part of her life from an early age. Born and raised on a Clinton County dairy farm. Patti was milking cows solo by the age of 12. On weekends at age 14, she would get the morning milking done, clean up and then ride her bike to the local restaurant to wait tables. As a young person 4-H activities would fill any free time she had, and now she enjoys giving back to the local 4-H program.
Her dad served as township supervisor and assessor and she continued the tradition by serving residents and looking out for their best interest as Essex township treasurer for 14 years.
Along the way she was married to her still perfect husband John (celebrating 33 years) and together they are raising 9 God loving, hard working, and independent children.
Call, text or email Patti today for any of your real estate needs!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
