Merrill & Nims Add.
Walkable near top schools
Median $332K·Walkability 7.7/10·Schools 4.0/10
You're steps away from some of the best dining in the city—restaurants and coffee shops are right out your door—and the neighborhood moves on foot the way downtown does: a quick stroll to transit, to groceries, to Congress Park right next door for a morning run or an afternoon picnic. The red brick streets and historic homes dating back to the late 1800s give the blocks real character, and what keeps people here is the density of it all—391 restaurants within a mile, breweries you can walk to in five minutes, a farmers market and galleries woven into the daily rhythm. Downtown Grand Rapids is just four minutes away, yet you're in a genuine neighborhood with actual trees and breathing room, not the feel of being absorbed into the city. Updates matter here; most homes show new roofs, new HVAC, new electrical—people are staying and reinvesting. You'll catch the Medical Mile vibe nearby, but the real draw is waking up on a tree-lined block where you can grab breakfast, run errands, and be at work or play without a second thought about where to go.
Why people love it here
Walkability
Good
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Congress Elementary
- Elementary — within walking distance
- Grand Rapids
- 9 rated schools in district
$332K median
- 2 recent sales
Park-rich area
- 100 parks within 1 mile
- Congress Park: 0 min walk
- Hosken Park: 3 min walk
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Merrill & Nims Add.
Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,254/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.
Wealthy Market
RED BOWL | Chinese
+1 more
Stovetop Roasters
+1 more
Vivant Brewery & Spirits
+1 more
Congress Park
+1 more
Cherry Park Playground
Fisk Lake
+1 more
Unnamed beach
Grand Rapids Riverwalk West
Hillcrest Dog Park
Belknap Lookout Trail
Butterworth Park Launch
The Funky Buddha Yoga Hothouse
+1 more
Lake/Diamond (NB)
+1 more
CVS Pharmacy
Grand Rapids Public Library
+1 more
daycare
Wealthy Theater
+1 more
Based on 34 rated schools nearby
Range: 1/10 to 8/10
School District: Grand Rapids Public Schools
Recent Sale Price
$332K
2 recent sales
Parcels / Units
36
Median Lot Size
0.11 ac
1947 sq ft – 0.21 ac
Crime in Merrill & Nims Add. 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 Merrill & Nims Add. home (around $331,950) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $59k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $2,208 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $2,208/mo | $58,877 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $2,542/mo | $67,786 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,654/mo | $70,765 |
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.
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 ~6,334 kWh/yr · offsets ~60% of a typical home's use
City of Grand Rapids Water System
Regional water provider serving ~280,000 across Kent and Ottawa counties.
City of Grand Rapids Environmental Services (Water Resource Recovery Facility)
WRRF treats ~40 MGD of wastewater.
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 Merrill & Nims Add. 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
Congress Park
0.0 mi
Parks Nearby
100
within 1 mile
🛒 Grocery(30)
Wealthy Market
Grocery Store
Family Fare Supermarket
Grocery Store
Grocery Store
+27 more within 5 miles
🍕 Restaurants(10)
Restaurant
Grove
Restaurant
Restaurant
Greenwell
Restaurant
RED BOWL | Chinese
Restaurant
+5 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(13)
+10 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(18)
+15 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(30)
Congress Elementary School
School
Blodgett School
Henry School
Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic School
Southeast Career Pathways (2025)
+25 more within 5 miles
💪 Gyms(14)
Fitness Center
REVfit
Fitness Center
Communitea Wellness
Fitness Center
+11 more within 5 miles
🐕 Dog Parks(9)
Hillcrest Dog Park
Dog Park
Downtown Westside Dog Park
Dog Park
Dog Park in Northeast
Dog Park
+6 more within 5 miles
🚴 Trails(5)
Belknap Lookout Trail
Bike Path
Bike Path
Bike Path
Grandville Trail
Bike Path
+2 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(2)
📚 Libraries(12)
+9 more within 5 miles
Frequently asked about Merrill & Nims Add.
- What do homes cost in Merrill & Nims Add.?
- The median home value in Merrill & Nims Add. is about $331,950. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Merrill & Nims Add. housing market?
- no homes are listed in Merrill & Nims Add. right now, and 2 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Merrill & Nims Add.?
- Merrill & Nims Add. is served by Grand Rapids Public Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Center for Economicology (8/10).
- Is Merrill & Nims Add. walkable?
- Merrill & Nims Add. scores 7.7/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.