Explorer Estates
Solid value in a growing area
Median $546K·Walkability 2.6/10·Schools 5.2/10
Explorer Estates is a small platted subdivision wedged into the 68th St & 60th St area, close enough to Gerald R. Ford airport that a 12-minute drive gets you there, but far enough that you won't spend your evenings listening to jets. Downtown Grand Rapids sits about 18 minutes away—reasonable for someone who wants city access without living in it. The subdivision itself is modest in footprint, but the neighborhood around it has real density: sixty restaurants within a mile, eighteen grocery stores within two miles, and a couple of parks nearby if you want to walk one off. An unnamed park is about a nine-minute walk, and a coffee shop sits roughly a mile down the road. Kentwood Public Schools serves the area. Homes here run in the mid-range for the region, so you're getting access to genuine commercial infrastructure without the premium zip code markup.
Why people love it here
$546K median
- Based on 3yr sales
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Explorer Estates
Estimated Monthly Payment
$3,708/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.
Based on 16 rated schools nearby
Range: 1/10 to 7/10
School District: Kentwood Public Schools
Walkability
Limited
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
ALDI
Panda Express
+1 more
Starbucks Coffee Company
FireRock Grille
Unnamed park
Crystal Springs East Community Park Playground
Krafts Lake
M-6 Trail
Planet Fitness
Meijer - Gaines Twp
+1 more
Meijer Pharmacy
KDL Library - Kentwood
My Little Munchkins Childcare Learning Center
Celebration Cinema South
Crime in Explorer Estates 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 Explorer Estates home (around $546,250) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $97k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $3,633 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $3,633/mo | $96,887 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $4,183/mo | $111,547 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $4,367/mo | $116,449 |
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.
Local Government · area-wide
Gaines Charter Township
Source: gainestownship.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
~$860/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,273 kWh/yr · offsets ~60% of a typical home's use
Byron-Gaines Utility Authority
BGUA operates/maintains water system; rural fringe on private well.
Resident-arranged private hauler
Kent County Sheriff's Office (South Substation)
South Substation serves Gaines/Caledonia/Byron with dedicated township patrol units.
Gaines Charter Township Fire Department (Dutton/Cutlerville)
Two stations: Dutton and Cutlerville.
Services for Gaines · Source: gainestownship.org
Utility, solar, and service details for Explorer Estates 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.
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Unnamed park
0.4 mi
Parks Nearby
10
within 1 mile
🛒 Grocery(30)
+27 more within 5 miles
🍕 Restaurants(9)
+4 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(19)
+16 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(21)
+18 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(27)
+22 more within 5 miles
🌳 Parks(5)
+2 more within 5 miles
🐕 Dog Parks(1)
Dog Park in 29th St & East Paris Ave Area
Dog Park
🚴 Trails(3)
🚌 Transit(30)
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
+27 more within 5 miles
💊 Pharmacies(9)
+6 more within 5 miles
👶 Childcare(1)
My Little Munchkins Childcare Learning Center
Childcare Center
⚡ EV Charging(1)
EV Charging
Frequently asked about Explorer Estates
- What do homes cost in Explorer Estates?
- The median home value in Explorer Estates is about $546,250. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- What schools serve Explorer Estates?
- Explorer Estates is served by Kentwood Public Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Explorer Elementary (7/10).
- Is Explorer Estates walkable?
- Explorer Estates scores 2.6/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.