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Hope

Hope

Neighborhood in Holland, Michigan

Allegan County 49423

$270,576 Average Value
$196 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

An academic hub in the heart of Holland

The Hope neighborhood gets its name from Hope College, a faith-based university in downtown Holland. Although many of the neighborhood’s residents are students, there are plenty of single-family homes at some of the city's more affordable price points. Houses tend to be smaller and older this close to the city center, and the proximity to all that Holland has to offer is a huge draw. “The walkability is amazing,” says Lori Appeldoorn, a neighborhood connector with the local non-profit 3Sixty. “You can walk to the library, downtown, and, of course, the college. Everybody loves being close to Hope College and the great programs and performances they offer.”

Historic homes are filled by student renters

Most homes in the Hope neighborhood range from $225,000 to $300,000. Properties here are close to the city’s core, so they date back to the early 1900s — some even from the late 1800s. Bungalows often come with enclosed front porches, and some elaborate Victorian-era homes have been restored to their former glory. With proximity to the college, many homes are split into multiple units for students to rent out. About 65% of the neighborhood’s residents are renters, and the median age is 25. Hope College is a residential school, so students typically must live on campus for the first three years. To accommodate, this neighborhood has residential halls, apartments and the iconic Hope “cottages”—student-only single-family homes on the streets surrounding the school. But it’s not only students here. “I sold a home to two music professors in that area,” says Tantzi Habsburg, an associate broker with Re/Max Lakeshore. “They could walk to work, and the house was big enough for both of their grand pianos.”

The Hope neighborhood is full of bungalows and other unique home styles.
The Hope neighborhood is full of bungalows and other unique home styles.
There is plenty of student housing on the Hope College campus in the Hope neighborhood.
There is plenty of student housing on the Hope College campus in the Hope neighborhood.
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Theater, arts and sports at Hope College

Hope College offers a faith-based education grounded in the teachings of the Reformed Church of America. It serves around 3,200 students and has been a part of Holland’s landscape since 1862. The historic buildings and walkable downtown are the centerpiece of this neighborhood, and the school brings in plenty of activity, even for those who are not students. The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts was built in 2015 and hosts a variety of musical concerts. The Hope Repertory Theater and Knickerbocker Theater showcase local and national talent in lectures, films and live performances. The Kruizenga Art Museum draws in collections from different periods and cultures across the world. For sports fans, the Hope neighborhood borders the college’s sports complex, putting residents minutes away from football, volleyball, basketball games and more. “The games are certainly not as big as the University of Michigan,” Habsburg says. “But there are some serious rivalries between Hope and Calvin University.”

The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts hosts musical concerts in the Hope neighborhood.
The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts hosts musical concerts in the Hope neighborhood.
Hope's Kruizenga Art Museum displays collections from different cultures from across the world.
Hope's Kruizenga Art Museum displays collections from different cultures from across the world.
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One of Holland’s most walkable neighborhoods

Since Hope is less than a mile from downtown Holland, most of the city’s amenities are right within walking distance. “The neighborhood has pretty much the highest walkability score you can get in Holland,” says Jake Norris, the executive director of 3Sixty. “When we went door-to-door and polled all the residents, the number one asset that they mentioned was our walkability and the snowmelt system.” The snowmelt system is a network of heated sidewalks that run through downtown and down Central Avenue to connect with the Hope neighborhood. Residents can enjoy clear pathways on their way into the city all winter long. Downtown is home to over 100 shops and restaurants, a public library and Centennial Park — the site of spring tulips, summer concerts and year-round holiday events. A bit closer to home, there’s a Family Dollar for picking up essentials, and Mi Favorita Grocery, which serves some of the most authentic Mexican takeout in the city. There’s also a Meijer and Save A Lot about a mile east.

Located near Hope, Centennial Park's gardens make for some wonderful photos.
Located near Hope, Centennial Park's gardens make for some wonderful photos.
Mi Favorita Grocery sells authentic Mexican food to Hope neighborhood residents.
Mi Favorita Grocery sells authentic Mexican food to Hope neighborhood residents.
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Celebrating the neighborhood’s diversity

In recent years, the non-profit 3Sixty has been making an effort to transform Hope and the adjacent Rosa Parks Green neighborhoods. By organizing neighborhood clean-ups, planting flowers and community gardens, and commissioning artists to paint murals, 3Sixty has changed the façade of this side of the city. “People used to think that anything south of the college was a less desirable area,” Appeldoorn says. “Because of perceived biases about it being a lower-income neighborhood.” She explains that the organization wants to use art and community building to dispel that stigma and showcase the area’s vibrant diversity. “You meet people from all over the world living here, and they each have rich experiences and gifts to offer the community,” Appeldoorn says.

In recent years, the non-profit 3Sixty has changed the façade of the Hope neighborhood.
In recent years, the non-profit 3Sixty has changed the façade of the Hope neighborhood.
3Sixty commissions artists to paint colorful murals in the Hope neighborhood.
3Sixty commissions artists to paint colorful murals in the Hope neighborhood.
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Graduate from Holland High with an associate’s degree

To the west of Lincoln Avenue, homes are zoned for West Elementary, which gets a B-plus rating from Niche. To the east, homes are zoned for Holland Heights Elementary, rated B. Holland City School District has only one middle school and one high school. Holland Middle gets a B-minus rating, and Holland High receives a B-plus. Holland High was completely renovated in 2014 and has two amphitheaters. Students can attend Holland Early College at the high school to earn an associate’s degree upon graduation.

Holland High School in Michigan receives a B-plus rating from Niche.
Holland High School in Michigan receives a B-plus rating from Niche.
Holland West Elementary has a B-plus rating on Niche.com.
Holland West Elementary has a B-plus rating on Niche.com.
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Less than a mile from the city’s Amtrak station

Hope is less than a mile away from Holland’s Amtrak train station. Amtrak runs daily trains out to Grand Rapids and Chicago. However, the train tracks that run through the neighborhood can bring some noise. “The Amtrak comes through every morning, and there are a couple of coal trains throughout the day,” Appeldoorn says. “You get used to it; we are an urban neighborhood, so there’s plenty of city noise day to day.” The neighborhood also has several MAX Transit stops, which connect into downtown, out towards grocery stores and north to the beach. MAX Transit can also be reserved ahead of time for commuters. The closest major city is Grand Rapids, which is 30 miles away by car and is home to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Catherine Lashley
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Jonathan Fairfield
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Fairfield
Chris Norton
Video By
Chris Norton

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Emily Garcia Homes, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Gerald R Ford International

45 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Hope US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$252,650
Median Single Family Price
$250,150
Median Townhouse Price
$249,900
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$196
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
16
Months of Supply
1.50
Median List Price
$249,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
-1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
5%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
179
Median Year Built
1906
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,348
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Emily Garcia Homes, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,684
Median Age
25
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
4.2%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$54,843
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$67,213

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
83.4%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
33.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.8%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
78°F
Annual Snowfall
54''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

69 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

67 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Hope