Chicago Drive & 40th Avenue Area

This is country living with a Grand Rapids address — where your nearest neighbor might be a quarter-mile away and you can actually see the stars at night. With median lots stretching nearly 4 acres, you're looking at the kind of space that lets you build that workshop you've always wanted, keep horses if that's your thing, or just enjoy the rare luxury of true privacy. The 8 restaurants within walking distance might require a longer walk than most neighborhoods, but when your "walking distance" includes sprawling fields and mature trees, it's more like a pleasant hike to dinner.

The rural character here is the real draw — you're far enough out to feel completely removed from city life, but close enough that Georgetown Park Lake is just 6 miles away when you want to get on the water. Highland Park serves as your closest green space, though with lots this size, your backyard probably offers more recreation than most neighborhood parks. The 3 grocery stores within 2 miles means you're not completely cut off from civilization, but you'll definitely want to stock up when you make the trip.

Kids in the area attend schools in the Hudsonville Public School District, which consistently ranks among the stronger districts in Kent County. The rural setting means longer bus rides, but also means smaller class sizes and that small-town school experience that's increasingly hard to find near Grand Rapids.

This area is perfect for people who've had enough of neighbors, traffic, and the constant hum of suburban life. If you're the type who dreams of having space for a large garden, room for your hobbies to spread out, or just wants to come home to complete quiet after a day in the city, this is your spot. You'll need to be comfortable with driving for most errands, but in exchange, you get something increasingly rare around Grand Rapids: genuine elbow room.