Jade poortenga
Local Expert
Alaska
Great schools with outdoor access
The quick answer
Alaska is a neighborhood, part of Caledonia Community Schools and about 13 miles from downtown Grand Rapids. Homes here typically sell for around $577,000.
24 homes for sale·Median $577K·Walkability 0.9/10·Schools 8.5/10
The Thornapple River runs through this stretch, creating a defining ribbon of water that shows up in property listings and estate plans with striking regularity—homes here tend to face the water, or at least acknowledge it. You're roughly 26 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids and just under 11 minutes from Gerald R. Ford Airport, which means you can actually live at a distance without the distance being a problem. A restaurant or coffee shop is steps away, and 66 dining spots sit within a mile, so the rural character doesn't mean you're cooking every meal from a freezer. Caledonia Community Schools serves the area, and properties here typically run to four or five bedrooms on half-acre to multi-acre lots—the walkout ranch and daylight basement styles show up constantly in sales. Parks cluster nearby; Thornapple Riverbend is a five-minute walk, and four more sit within a mile, including access to the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail for anyone who actually uses paved paths. The nearest grocery is 1.3 miles out, and Campau Lake Launch for boat access sits 2.3 miles away, which sums up the whole vibe: rural enough to feel real, close enough to not feel stranded.
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Why people love it here
Lake life
- Campau Lake within walking distance
- 12 parks within 1 mile
- Ruehs Park: 8 min bike
- FRED W. RUEHS PARK: 8 min bike
Kettle Lake Elementary School
- Elementary — 1.8 mi away
- Caledonia
- 6 rated schools in district
$577K median
- 72 sales in last 12mo
Explore Alaska
Same name, different focus — Alaska is also covered as:
- Alaska Community — community details
Videos from Alaska
1 video
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Alaska
Estimated Monthly Payment
$3,917/mo
Property tax and insurance are estimates you can edit — not a quote. Tap either figure to enter your own.
The interest rate shown is not an annual percentage rate (APR). Rate displayed is the current average 30-year fixed rate from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey and is subject to change without notice. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS Consumer Access. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to underwriter approval; terms and conditions may apply. Subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deduction.
72 homes sold in Alaska this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthBased on 4 rated schools nearby
Range: 7/10 to 10/10
School District: Caledonia Community Schools
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
THORNAPPLE RIVERBEND PARK
0.3 mi
Parks Nearby
12
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Campau Lake
0.5 mi
Median Sale · Houses
$579K
67 sales in last 12mo
Median Sale · Condos
$515K
5 sales in last 12mo
Parks Nearby
12
within 1 mile
Nearest Park
THORNAPPLE RIVERBEND PARK
0.3 mi
Expected Rent
$1,425/mo
$1,250 – $1,600 · estimated range
Walkability
Car-dependent
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Meijer
Bricks at Campau Corner
+1 more
Starbucks
Real Arriero Mexican Bar & Grill
+1 more
Ruehs Park
+1 more
Ruehs Park Playground
Campau Lake
+1 more
East Paris Nature Park Trail
dog_park
Unnamed bike path
Campau Lake Launch
Caledonia Township Branch Library
Milestones Child Development Center
Celebration Cinema South
Crime in Alaska is reported at the city level, not the neighborhood level. The FBI doesn't publish reliable crime rates for individual neighborhoods, and within any community crime varies street to street. For an accurate, comparable picture, see the jurisdiction-wide figures for Kent County.
Kent County crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced Alaska home (around $576,950) at today's 6.65% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $104k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $3,886 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $3,886/mo | $103,631 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $4,473/mo | $119,278 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $4,670/mo | $124,537 |
Estimates use a 6.65% 30-year fixed rate (current Freddie Mac average), an aggressive ~45% housing-to-income ratio (roughly what FHA underwriting can allow for a buyer with no other monthly debts — your number depends on your debts and credit), this area's median sale price, plus estimated insurance and PMI below 20% down. Not a commitment to lend, and not an APR — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Land for sale
Listings
4 parcels
Active / pending
Typical Land Value
$74K/acre
Median asking
Median Price
$197K
Per listing
Who actually lends in Alaska, and how homes here are financed — from 2024 federal mortgage records.
Loans to buy a home
Most active lenders
Homeowners refinancing an existing mortgage
Most active lenders
Source: 2024 HMDA (CFPB/FFIEC). Neighborhood figures are area-weighted estimates from census-tract data; loan amounts are rounded and all-cash purchases are excluded.
Local Government · area-wide
Caledonia Charter Township
Source: caledoniatownship.org · unconfirmed
Association and local-government details are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and state registries, and can change. Confirm directly with the association or municipality before relying on them.
Solar potential
~$871/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,350 kWh/yr · offsets ~60% of a typical home's use
Private well
Based on assessor parcel records
Municipal sewer
Based on assessor parcel records
Resident-arranged private hauler
Kent County Sheriff's Office (South Substation)
South Substation serves Gaines/Caledonia/Byron since 1995.
Caledonia Township Fire Department
Covers 36 sq mi; chief + FT inspector + 6 FT + 14 paid-on-call + 2 PT.
Services for Caledonia Township · Source: NREL Utility Rates API
Utility, solar, and service details for Alaska are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and NREL / U.S. data.gov, and can change. Electric/gas can vary by address — confirm with the provider before relying on them.
🛒 Grocery(3)
🍕 Restaurants(6)
Uccello's Ristorante
Restaurant
Uccello's - Caledonia
Restaurant
Bricks at Campau Corner
Restaurant
Subway
Fast Food
Mike's Pizzeria and Tavern
Restaurant
+1 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(10)
+7 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(10)
LiveGolf Studios at Thornapple Pointe Golf Club
Bar
Family Tavern
Bar
Real Arriero Mexican Bar & Grill
Bar
+7 more within 5 miles
🌳 Parks(5)
+2 more within 5 miles
🐕 Dog Parks(5)
North Shore Park Dog Park
Dog Park
Dog Park in 92nd St & Kraft Ave Area
Dog Park
Cascade Hospital for Animals Dog Park
Dog Park
+2 more within 5 miles
🚴 Trails(3)
⛵ Boat Launches(2)
Boat Launch
Boat Launch
🚌 Transit(8)
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
+5 more within 5 miles
👶 Childcare(3)
Childcare Center
Adventures Learning Center
Childcare Center
Childcare Center
📚 Libraries(1)
Caledonia Township Branch Library
“I worked with Jade Poortenga when we were buying our first home on Washington Avenue. She was super patient with all our questions, even the silly ones. Every time we called or texted, she responded right away. It felt like she was always i…”— DarinRead all 1 reviews of Jade →
Jade poortenga
Grand Rapids Real Estate Co
Local Expert
Ask Jade about this neighborhood — availability, schools, what it's really like to live here.
Living in Alaska: the details
Is Alaska a good place to live?
Alaska is a strong fit if you want a quick drive to downtown Grand Rapids and green space nearby — here is what the data shows. For getting around, it is mostly a drive-first area, so you will use a car for groceries, dining and errands. This neighborhood is part of Caledonia Community Schools. Homes here typically sell for around $577,000.
What does it cost to live in Alaska?
Homes in Alaska sell for a median of about $577,000. There are 24 homes for sale here right now and 72 homes sold here in the past year.
Frequently asked about Alaska
- What do homes cost in Alaska?
- The median home value in Alaska is about $576,950. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Alaska housing market?
- there are 24 homes for sale in Alaska right now, and 72 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Alaska?
- Alaska is served by Caledonia Community Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Kettle Lake Elementary School (10/10).
- Is Alaska walkable?
- Alaska scores 0.9/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
