Carter Lake
Surrounded by nature
The quick answer
Carter Lake is a neighborhood, part of Hastings Area School District. Homes here typically sell for around $340,000.
Median $340K·Walkability 1.7/10·Schools 6.4/10
If you're drawn to sprawling lots where a golf course fairway might be your actual view, this stretch of West Michigan makes sense—acreage that actually means something, the kind of property where six acres isn't bragging, it's baseline. The area sits adjacent to Carter Lake Preserve, with Twin Lakes right here and two parks within a mile, so water and green space aren't theoretical amenities; they're the neighborhood's spine. Restaurants and grocers cluster a short drive away—under a mile to both—which means you're not sacrificing access for space. Gerald R. Ford airport sits about 40 minutes out, reasonable enough if you're weighing rural calm against convenience. These are homes on the scale of their land: finished basements, wraparound decks, pools, fireplaces, views of fairways or woods or both. It's the kind of place where you're genuinely choosing a lot over proximity, and the homes reflect that priority—substantial, well-maintained, built for people who wanted room to breathe.
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Why people love it here
Lake life
- Carter Lake within walking distance
- 10 parks within 1 mile
- Carter Lake Preserve: 9 min walk
- Bob King Park: 11 min bike
Northeastern Elementary School
- Elementary — 1.6 mi away
- Hastings Area
- 5 rated schools in district
$340K median
- Based on 3yr sales
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Carter Lake
Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,308/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.
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Carter Lake Preserve
0.3 mi
Parks Nearby
10
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Carter Lake
0.0 mi
Based on 5 rated schools nearby
Range: 5/10 to 8/10
School District: Hastings Area School District
Median Sale Price
$340K
Based on 3yr sales
Parks Nearby
10
within 1 mile
Nearest Park
Carter Lake Preserve
0.3 mi
Expected Rent
$550/mo
$500 – $600 · estimated range
Walkability
Car-dependent
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Tom's Meat Market
Northside Pizza
+1 more
State Grounds Coffee House
Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro
Carter Lake Preserve
Bob King Park Playground
Leach Lake
East
Hastings Dog Park
Hastings Riverwalk
Grit Strength Systems
Hastings Pharmacy
Hastings Public Library
Childcare Center on W Vedder Rd
Hastings 4
Crime in Carter Lake 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 Barry County.
Barry County crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced Carter Lake home (around $340,000) at today's 6.65% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $61k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $2,290 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $2,290/mo | $61,071 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $2,636/mo | $70,291 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,752/mo | $73,390 |
Estimates use a 6.65% 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.
Solar potential
~$913/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,387 kWh/yr · offsets ~61% of a typical home's use
Utility, solar, and service details for Carter Lake 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.
🛒 Grocery(4)
+1 more within 5 miles
🍕 Restaurants(5)
☕ Coffee(4)
+1 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(3)
🏫 Schools(16)
Little Brick School
Northeastern School
Algonquin Lake School
Central School
Altoff School
+11 more within 5 miles
💪 Gyms(4)
Grit Strength Systems
Fitness Center
Snap Fitness
Fitness Center
DeepWater Grappling and Striking House
Fitness Center
+1 more within 5 miles
🌳 Parks(3)
🐕 Dog Parks(1)
Hastings Dog Park
Dog Park
🚴 Trails(4)
+1 more within 5 miles
💊 Pharmacies(1)
Hastings Pharmacy
Pharmacy
👶 Childcare(1)
Childcare Center on W Vedder Rd
Childcare Center
🏥 Hospitals(1)
Hospital
📚 Libraries(1)
⚡ EV Charging(1)
Unnamed ev_charging
EV Charging
Atlas — Grand Rapids Real Estate
Local real estate specialists
Questions about Carter Lake? Our team can help with availability, schools, and what it's really like to live here.
Living in Carter Lake: the details
Is Carter Lake a good place to live?
Carter Lake suits buyers looking for green space nearby — here is what the data shows. For getting around, it is mostly a drive-first area, so you will use a car for groceries, dining and errands. This neighborhood is part of Hastings Area School District. The going price is around $340,000.
What does it cost to live in Carter Lake?
Homes in Carter Lake sell for a median of about $340,000.
Frequently asked about Carter Lake
- What do homes cost in Carter Lake?
- The median home value in Carter Lake is about $340,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- What schools serve Carter Lake?
- Carter Lake is served by Hastings Area School District. Its highest-rated assigned school is Northeastern Elementary School (8/10).
- Is Carter Lake walkable?
- Carter Lake scores 1.7/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.