Ivy Park

What catches most people off guard about Ivy Park is how close everything actually is—Big Pine Island Lake is just a tenth of a mile away. The condo community itself spans two acres with units averaging a third of an acre each, which means you get genuine space without feeling marooned, and homes here run around $524K. You're technically in the Byrne Park Area, which puts downtown Grand Rapids about 37 minutes out if you need it, but honestly most residents seem content staying local—there's enough going on nearby that the drive rarely comes up. The Belding Area School District serves the area, and water access is conveniently close, so outdoor recreation isn't some distant promise you make to yourself in January.