Holland rests along the shores of Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan, and is home to more than 34,000 residents. Originally inhabited by the Ottawa tribe of Native Americans, Dutch pioneers settled here in the mid-1800s, naming the city after a Netherlands province. Holland continues to have a strong Dutch influence celebrated in the spring with the Tulip Time Festival when thousands of tourists flood the town to experience the blooming fields.
Though tourism is a significant part of the city, Holland has a quieter small-town feel outside of tulip season. Midwest Living's 2023 "Best of" list named Holland the Best Small Town, largely thanks to its walkable downtown and regular events. "I hear over and over again from my clients what a fantastic place this is to live," says Holland native Doug Klaasen, a Realtor with Keller Williams who has over 27 years of experience selling in the city. "People come here as visitors and then end up moving here later in life, drawn to the quaint lifestyle and the beaches."
The city of Holland sits on the banks of Lake Michigan, offering a little bit of everything.
Street performers entertain visitors during Holland's 4th of July program.
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Diverse home styles in a growing market
Holland's properties range from luxury lakeside estates to starter homes. Most of the city was built in the early half of the 1900s, though some neighborhoods at the edges of town were built in the 1980s and '90s. There are only a few opportunities for new construction within city limits, mostly condo units. According to 2023 data from The Council for Community and Economic Research, Holland's cost of living is 10% below the national average, and housing costs are almost 30% below the average.
Appreciation rates are strong in Holland, with the city showing a 134% increase in property values in the past 10 years. Over 900 properties were sold in 2023, and the median home price is $350,000. Smaller ranch styles start around $250,000, and luxury condos in downtown get over $1 million. Waterfront property rarely hits the market, but these large estates are typically $1.5 million and above. "It's a pretty high demand area, and there's low inventory, so a lot of homes sell within a week," says Larry Kleinheksel, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt who has lived in Holland for over 70 years. "We often see multiple offers, especially homes under $500,000."
There are many waterfront properties surrounding Holland's Lake Macatawa.
Updated traditional homes are dotted throughout older Holland neighborhoods.
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A walkable downtown, even in the wintertime
With cobblestone sidewalks and eclectic storefronts, downtown Holland epitomizes the city's small-town charm. The streets are home to more than 100 locally owned boutiques, breweries and gift shops. Downtown functions as a social district, meaning visitors can enjoy alcoholic beverages outside. Amidst a global selection of cuisines, Holland is known for its authentic Mexican food, craft beer selection and its breakfast spots. Businesses tend to close early — there aren't many places to stay out past 11 p.m., and many are closed all day on Sunday.
In the winter, a snowmelt system keeps downtown streets and sidewalks clear of ice and snow. By pumping hot water underneath the roads, downtown is always open for business, even when it's 20 degrees outside.
Bowman's on 8th is a bakery and cafe operated by Bowman's Blueberry Farm in Holland.
Holland has several breweries, including famed New Holland Brewing Co., located downtown.
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Tulip Time and other cultural offerings
Holland has become a destination for Dutch arts and culture in Western Michigan, most notably for the Tulip Time Festival in May. This century-old tradition was named Best Flower Festival in the country by USA Today and involves the cultivation of millions of blooms throughout the city. The festival has a variety of events, such as traditional Dutch dancing demonstrations, parades, carnival rides and walking tours. Tulip Time is the city's busiest event, attracting tourists and traffic.
The city plans a wide range of events — aimed at visiting tourists and local residents. Parks come alive with outdoor concerts, local theaters put on performances, and breweries host trivia nights. Autumn is full of fall-themed festivities, and in the wintertime, LED tulips and visits from Sinterklaas — the Dutch version of Santa Claus — brighten up the city. One of the most popular events is the local farmers market, held twice weekly from May to December.
Another significant part of Holland's culture is religion. When the Dutch first settled here in the 1800s, many fled from religious persecution in the Netherlands. Holland was the founding place of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, a denomination that now has over 100,000 members. Today, the greater Holland area is home to 140 churches, many with ties to Reformed denominations.
People gather in Kollen Park to watch fireworks on the 4th of July.
Windmill Island Garden prepares for Tulip Time with their flowers in full bloom.
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Beaches, park development and a historic Dutch windmill
The most popular summer attraction in Holland is the coasts of Lake Michigan. Located 5 miles from downtown, Holland State Park draws thousands of visitors to its white sand beaches and is home to Michigan's most photographed lighthouse, Big Red. "The beaches definitely get crowded in mid-summer if you don't get there early," Klaasen says. Holland also borders the smaller Lake Macatawa, which has marinas for boat storage and a canal connecting to Lake Michigan.
Holland has 23 public parks, including a nature center, live music stages and sledding hills. Parks along Lake Macatawa and Macatawa River are popular year-round but really come to life during the tulip season. One of the most iconic spots in Holland is the De Zwaan Windmill, the oldest functioning Dutch windmill in the United States. “My favorite aspect of living in Holland is the intentionality in the way that the community takes care of where we all live,” says Linda Hart, executive director of the Holland Area Visitor Bureau. “The parks department plants flowers in every single park in the spring, they maintain 150 miles of bike paths, and they really focus on keeping downtown beautiful in every season. The top things that visitors say to me is how clean, friendly and beautiful our community is.”
The city's waterfront is facing an upcoming renovation, which will connect downtown to the coast of Lake Macatawa. Although it is still in its early stages, the renovation will include new green spaces, mixed-use developments and a multi-million dollar ice rink. “The waterfront is a project that has been in the works for a long time,” Hart says. “If there are new projects like that, where there might be a tax charge, the city really wants the public to get involved. We are going to get an ice rink thanks in large part to private donations. Last year, we voted yes on a project that brought fiber internet access to all residents. There aren’t many municipalities that have the capacity to do that.”
Big Red, the most photographed lighthouse in Michigan is near Holland State Park.
Centennial Park includes a Wizard of Oz sculpture; the book was written in Holland.
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Major employers and transportation
Holland's primary industry is tourism, though it also has manufacturing, education and healthcare opportunities. Some of the area's leading employers are Hope College, Holland Hospital and manufacturing companies like Gentex and Herman Miller. "Even though we are a small town, we have a strong economy, thanks to the global industries headquartered here and the high tourism," Klaasen says. The Heinz factory on the edge of Lake Macatawa is another major employer and one of the world's largest pickle processing plants. Occasionally, the parks around the factory have a distinctive smell of pickles.
The greater Holland area has 68 miles of sidewalks and trails, as well as more than 150 miles of bike paths. For public transportation, the Macatawa Area Express Bus has multiple routes serving Holland and the next-door city of Zeeland.
For bigger city amenities, Grand Rapids is about 30 miles away, typically a 35-minute drive. The larger city is home to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, the closest option for commercial flights. The airport flies direct to more than 20 destinations across the country. Holland is also home to an Amtrak station, with trains that get to Grand Rapids in about an hour and Chicago in about 3 hours.
Hope College, a private college operated by the Reformed Church was founded in 1866.
Holland Hospital is a large hospital in Holland with branches in surrounding communities.
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Several school districts and a historic religious college
The Holland City School District serves most of the city. It earns a B-plus from Niche and is ranked as Michigan's ninth most diverse district out of the state's 522 school systems. The city's southeast edge is zoned for Hamilton Community Schools, which receive an overall A-minus grade. Since Michigan's school-of-choice laws allow families to apply to other districts, the nearby Zeeland Public Schools and West Ottawa Public School Districts, both rated A, are also common choices. Several private options are available, including Holland Christian, which has its own elementary, middle and high school.
The city is also home to Hope College, a liberal arts school serving over 3,200 students yearly. It is affiliated with the Reformed Church of America and offers a faith-based education. The college's first building, built by early Dutch settlers in 1857, is an impressive structure that still stands today. “Hope College is a big draw,” Kleinheksel says. “You can go see plays and sports games there and the campus is very walkable as part of downtown.”
Holland High School
Holland Heights Elementary is located in the Holland Heights neighborhood.
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Important to know
Holland experiences four seasons, though winter can be long and cold. According to U.S. Climate Data, temperatures drop below freezing from November to March, and the average annual snowfall is 70 inches. The city provides snowplowing for streets and offers a sidewalk plowing service.
According to FBI crime statistics in 2023, the crime rates in Holland were 29% lower than the national average and slightly lower than Michigan's average. “There isn’t anywhere in Holland I couldn’t walk around and feel completely safe,” Hart says. Holland's Fire and Police Departments are combined to form a Public Safety Unit, offering 24-hour service to city residents.
Matt is a life long resident of West Michigan that puts his buyers and sellers in position to make the best decision for them. Matt was a mortgage lender for 6 years and is currently in his 16th year of real estate. He has earned his Associate broker classification and currently sits on the board of directors for the RE/MAX of Michigan Salas Advisory Council. With Matt's experience, education and fun personality you will no doubt be able to make the best housing decision for you, and have a lot of fun doing it. Give Matt a call today 616 494-1541. To find out what your home is worth go to www.mattsleeman.com and click on the home value tab.
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