On Christmas Eve, Oakland/Winchell transforms into a glowing wonderland. As dusk falls, the streets come alive with the warm, flickering light of luminaries, each one carefully placed by residents in a show of community spirit. "The Winchell neighborhood is the only neighborhood in Kalamazoo that gets together, and they do luminaries on Christmas Eve, which is cool," says Ben Barber, a local realtor from Keller Williams Kalamazoo Market Center. "For my family, that's our tradition. We drive over to that neighborhood after Christmas service at church. The whole neighborhood is decorated with luminaries. It's really, really cool."
Plenty of homes built in the mid-20th century
Oakland/Winchell offers a diverse range of architectural styles. Homes in the area typically have large front yards full of grass and trees, deep driveways, and only a few sidewalks, making it common to see neighbors walking their dogs or riding bikes in the streets. Some homes even have basketball courts in the driveway. The neighborhood's architectural styles range from Bungalows and Cape Cods to Colonial Revivals and Mid-Century Modern homes. Prices vary significantly, accommodating a wide range of buyers. Ranch-style houses are among the most affordable, ranging from $90,000 to $285,000. Colonial homes are typically priced between $119,000 and $275,000, while Bungalows are around $150,000. Cape Cod-style homes are priced at approximately $170,000, and Tudor Revival homes range from $180,000 to $350,000. Craftsman-style houses are between $200,000 and $290,000. Condominiums offer another housing option, priced around $222,000, for those seeking more upscale properties; traditional two-story homes are priced around $299,000. Colonial Revival homes can reach up to $825,000. The median home price is $304,000.
A wide variety of homes can be found in Oakland-Winchell, with both older and newer builds.
A group of older homes set along Oakland Dr.
Both colonial-style and Tudor Revival are well represented in Oakland-Winchell.
Oakland-Winchell includes Frank Lloyd Wright-designed houses and humble bungalows alike.
Many homes in Oakland-Winchell have beautifully cultivated gardens, like this Cape Cod.
The Oakland-Winchell neighborhood has a sizable stock of larger homes.
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Try a donut of the day at Sweetwater's Donut Mill
The neighborhood has many local shops and dining options, including favorites like Sweetwater's Donut Mill, which has been serving daily special donuts since the 1980s. It is a local favorite for its unique flavors, such as apple crumble and New York cheesecake. Bilbo's, a staple since 1976, is renowned for its pan pizza and smoked chicken wings. Coffee lovers can enjoy a variety of beverages and snacks at Water Street Coffee Joint, which offers Mocha Del Sol coffee, iced chai tea lattes, and seasonal smoothies, along with food items like smoked chicken and bacon sandwiches, ham and cheese turnovers, and BBQ chicken cornbread muffins. Dessert enthusiasts can enjoy treats like blueberries and cream, coffee cake, ice cream, and sorbet.
Amorino Gelato serves Italian gelato, while Cafe 36 offers natural, sustainable, and organic foods. Nearby shopping includes the Maple Hill Pavilion, home to stores like Target, Marshalls and Hobby Lobby. A Trader Joe's and a Costco are even closer, off of Drake Road.
Sweetwaters Donut Mill, located in Oakland-Winchell, is a Kalamazoo favorite.
Bilbo's Pizza has been serving Kalamazoo and the residents of Oakland-Winchell since 1976.
Oakland-Winchell residents enjoy the wide variety of offerings that Trader Joe's in known for.
For larger grocery hauls, community members of Oakland-Winchell go to Costco.
Maple Hill Pavillion is a large shopping center located close to Oakland-Winchell.
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Christmas spirit takes over the neighborhood during the luminary light display
Oakland/Winchell is known for its strong community spirit, with events like the luminary display on Christmas Eve drawing families together. Arcadia Creek Festival Place, just outside the neighborhood, hosts festivals all year long, says resident Graham Couch. "They will have the Blues Festival in July, the Caribbean Festival in late June, and they'll have Kalamazoo Pride."
Third Christian Reformed Church plays a vital role in local outreach, partnering with organizations like Kalamazoo Youth for Christ. The city also started a pilot project in the neighborhood to improve safety with curb bump-outs and mini-traffic circles.
Kalamazoo students who meet state requirements can attend public colleges and universities for free
Oakland/Winchell is part of the Kalamazoo School District. Young children can attend Winchell Elementary School, rated A-minus by Niche. Middle school students can attend Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts, which has a B rating, while high schoolers go to Loy Norrix High School, which has a B-plus rating. Graduates who meet state requirements can receive a full scholarship to any public community college or university in Michigan. For private education, Heritage Christian Academy is a popular choice, boasting a B-plus rating.
Winchell Elementary School has earned an outstanding A- rating on Niche.com.
Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts has earned a solid B rating on Niche.com.
Kalamazoo's Loy Norrix High School has earned a B+ rating on Niche.com
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Cast a fishing rod at Asylum Lake Preserve
The neighborhood is rich in green spaces, providing many opportunities for outdoor activities. Woods Lake Park and adjacent Woods Lake offer plenty to do, from kayaking to fishing and a scenic walking path. There are also picnic tables perfect for summer outings. Kleinstuck Preserve, owned by Western Michigan, is a nice place to take a nature walk. Asylum Lake Preserve also has trails and is another popular place to go fishing.
On a hot day, take a dip in Woods Lake's public beach, in Oakland-Winchell.
In addition to a public beach, Woods Lake, located in Oakland-Winchell features a playscape.
A man and his dog walk along Asylum Lake in Oakland-Winchell.
While in Oakland-Winchell, drop a line at Asylum Lake, a great local fishing spot.
Kleinstuck Preserve is a hidden gem in Oakland-Winchell.
Leashed dogs are welcomed at the Kleinstuck Preserve in Oakland-Winchell.
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Take Interstate 94 into Detroit
"We actually have two highways," says Barber. "Here we have U.S. Highway 131, which is a main north and south highway, and then we have Interstate 94, which is a main east and west. Highway 94 connects Detroit and Chicago. So, we get lots of traffic from that." The Kalamazoo Metro public bus system runs through the neighborhoods and connects locals throughout the city. The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport is just six miles away, facilitating travel. For healthcare, Bronson Methodist Hospital is less than three miles from the neighborhood, ensuring medical needs are met promptly.
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
Cathy Smolinski,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Kleinstuck Preserve
Dutton Street Park
Crane Park
Kal-Haven Trail State Park
Knollwood Park
Woods Lake Park
Asylum Lake Preserve
Canyon Park
Glen Park
Transit
Airport
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International
18 min drive
Bus
Oakland & Winchell
Bus
Stadium & Howard
Bus
Stadium & Lakes Edge Drive
Bus
Stadium & Jc Auto Parts
Bus
Oakland & Spruce
Bus
Stadium & Bw-3 Bar And Grill
Bus
Oakland & Whites
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Oakland-Winchell
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Oakland-Winchell, Kalamazoo sell after 24 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Oakland-Winchell, Kalamazoo over the last 12 months is $336,543, up 5% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Wonderful Winchell Waterview Lot. Great opportunity to enjoy a new home, with award winning Winchell Elementary school right around the corner. This lot already has sewer and water leads. Rare opportunity for a Winchell lot. Located near the end of a quiet cul-de-sac overlooking Woods Lake.
Wooded setting in the heart of the city. 2 lots over 1.04 acres. Dead end cul-de-sac. Build your dream home. Lots to be sold together. Seller has stake survey and topographic map available. Site family condo development with quality built custom built homes. Pick your builder or seller has plans with Abueva Builders seller would consider sharing the plans for the right offer. Kalamazoo Promise
Wonderful Winchell Waterview Lot. Great opportunity to enjoy a new home, with award winning Winchell Elementary school right around the corner. This lot already has sewer and water leads. Rare opportunity for a Winchell lot. Located near the end of a quiet cul-de-sac overlooking Woods Lake.
Welcome to Winchell Way Apartments, a residential community featuring one and two bedroom apartments in Kalamazoo, MI. Spacious layouts and amenities welcome you home, along with exceptional service and an ideal location within walking distance to shopping, dining and entertainment options. Are you looking for an apt for rent in Kalamazoo, MI? Contact our friendly, professional office staff to
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cathy Smolinski,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,985
Median Age
39
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$89,327
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$112,165
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.1%
College Graduates
73.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
37%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
33''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
28/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
33/ 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.
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.
