Creston
Walkable and connected
Median $297K·Walkability 6.0/10·Schools 4.8/10
Plainfield Avenue runs through the neighborhood like the spine of something still very much alive—a commercial corridor lined with restaurants, shops, and the kind of local businesses that actually know your name. This is Grand Rapids's largest neighborhood, stretching north along the Grand River with nearly 30,000 residents, and it wears its history plainly: Victorian cottages and American Foursquare homes from the late 1800s sit comfortably next to newer restorations where character woodwork and hardwood floors matter. Riverside Park anchors the eastern edge, over 100 acres with nearly a mile of river frontage and the kind of space that makes the neighborhood feel less urban and more like living inside a community that actually has room to breathe. About three miles from downtown with easy freeway access, the area draws first-time buyers and investors, young families and people who've been here for decades—all drawn by the same thing: a neighborhood that's actively becoming something without pretending to be something else. The North Quarter Mural Tour threads 20+ large-scale pieces through the streets, and December brings Lights on Creston with trolley rides and the Crestkindlmarkt. This is the neighborhood that works because it's too real to perform.
Why people love it here
Very walkable
- Plainfield/Hollywood (NB): 4 min walk
- 17 places within a 10 min walk
$297K median
- 317 sales in last 12mo
City MiddleHigh
- High — 1.1 mi away
- Grand Rapids
- 9 rated schools in district
Explore Creston
Same name, different focus — Creston is also covered as:
- Creston Business District — the business district — shops, restaurants, and the commercial corridor
- Creston Neighborhood — the neighborhood — homes for sale and what it's like to live there
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Creston
Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,016/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.
317 homes sold in Creston this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthWalkability
Good
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
bp
+1 more
616 Batter Mix
Kobold's Kitchen
+1 more
Tap
Aberdeen Park
Unnamed playground
Soft Water Lake
Lamberton Lake Fen Nature Preserve Beach
Huff Park Short/Long Loop
dog_park
Unnamed bike_path
Comstock Riverside Park Launch
The Loading Dock
Plainfield/Hollywood (NB)
+1 more
Kay Pharmacy
Van Belkum Branch
+1 more
daycare
AMC Grand Rapids 18
Based on 15 rated schools nearby
Range: 2/10 to 8/10
School District: Grand Rapids Public Schools
Crime in Creston 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 Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced Creston home (around $297,000) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $53k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,975 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,975/mo | $52,678 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $2,274/mo | $60,649 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,374/mo | $63,314 |
Estimates use a 6.49% 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.
Multifamily for sale
Listings
12 buildings
Active / pending
Median Price
$388K
Per building
Price Per Unit
$162K
Median
Who actually lends in Creston, 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.
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
~$868/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,331 kWh/yr · offsets ~60% of a typical home's use
Municipal / public water
Based on assessor parcel records
Municipal sewer
Based on assessor parcel records
City of Grand Rapids Refuse & Recycling
City-run refuse/recycling cart program for residents.
Consumers Energy Co · ~13.7¢/kWh
Investor-owned utility serving the region.
Confirm by addressDTE Energy
DTE Gas serves much of Grand Rapids natural gas; verify by address.
Confirm by addressServices for Grand Rapids · Source: grandrapidsmi.gov
Utility, solar, and service details for Creston 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.
Nearest Park
Aberdeen Park
0.2 mi
Parks Nearby
30
within 1 mile
🛒 Grocery(28)
bp
Grocery Store
Rancho Bonito Supermarket MI
Grocery Store
Grocery Store
+25 more within 5 miles
🍕 Restaurants(13)
616 Batter Mix
Restaurant
616 Kabob Stop – Authentic Mediterranean Grill & Burgers in Grand Rapids
Restaurant
Fast Food
Hungry Howie's Pizza
Restaurant
Papa Johns Pizza
Restaurant
+8 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(18)
+15 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(13)
Tap
Bar
Switchback Gear Exchange - Bicycle Shop serving Kava & Beer
Bar
Vinny's bar
Bar
+10 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(30)
School
Wellerwood School
Palmer School
Kent Hills School
+25 more within 5 miles
💪 Gyms(13)
Fitness 19
Fitness Center
The Loading Dock
Fitness Center
Communitea Wellness
Fitness Center
+10 more within 5 miles
🐕 Dog Parks(7)
Dog Park in Northeast
Dog Park
Dog Park in North End
Dog Park
Dog Park in Celadon New Town Residential
Dog Park
+4 more within 5 miles
🚴 Trails(6)
+3 more within 5 miles
⛵ Boat Launches(2)
Boat Launch
Boat Launch
🚌 Transit(30)
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
+27 more within 5 miles
💊 Pharmacies(13)
+10 more within 5 miles
👶 Childcare(3)
Children's Choice Learning Center at Spectrum Health Child Development Center
Childcare Center
Childcare Center
Tutor Time on Grand Ridge Drive
Childcare Center
📚 Libraries(11)
+8 more within 5 miles
⚡ EV Charging(3)
Unnamed ev_charging
EV Charging
EV Charging
Unnamed ev_charging
EV Charging
Frequently asked about Creston
- What do homes cost in Creston?
- The median home value in Creston is about $297,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Creston housing market?
- there are 67 homes for sale in Creston right now, and 317 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Creston?
- Creston is served by Grand Rapids Public Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is City MiddleHigh (8/10).
- Is Creston walkable?
- Creston scores 6.0/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
Top contributors in Creston
Detailed statistics are being computed for this location. Demographics, home values, schools, flood risk, and more will appear here automatically.