Van Elst Plat
Great schools with outdoor access
Median $550K·Walkability 3.0/10·Schools 8.5/10
Lined with mature trees and set on just over seven acres, Van Elst Plat has the feel of a quiet residential pocket that's genuinely close to things—downtown is about 13 minutes away, and you're roughly the same distance from Gerald R. Ford airport. The neighborhood sits within Forest Hills Public Schools, and there's a café within a short walk plus a dozen restaurants within a mile if you don't feel like cooking. Reeds Lake is just over a mile south, Calvin University's Ecosystem Preserve is an easy walk away, and a couple of parks are scattered nearby. Homes here run in the $300K range, and the subdivision's small footprint means you get the suburban breathing room without feeling isolated from the city's pulse.
Why people love it here
Northern Trails 56 School
- Middle — 3.2 mi away
- Forest Hills
- 4 rated schools in district
Near the water
- Reeds Lake — 1.4 mi
- 10 parks within 1 mile
- Whiskey Pond: 8 min bike
- Reeds Lake Trail: 9 min bike
$550K median
- 1 recent sale
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Van Elst Plat
Estimated Monthly Payment
$3,734/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 4 rated schools nearby
Range: 7/10 to 9/10
School District: Forest Hills Public Schools
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Calvin University Ecosystem Preserve
0.4 mi
Parks Nearby
10
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Reeds Lake
1.4 mi
Walkability
Limited
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
D&W Fresh Market
Knollcrest Dining Hall
Foxtail Coffee East Paris
+1 more
O’Briens Deli & Burgers
+1 more
Calvin University Ecosystem Preserve
+1 more
Unnamed playground
Whiskey Pond
+1 more
Unnamed beach
Reeds Lake Trail
dog_park
Albert-Realtors Hall St. Sub. Area Trail
Butterworth Park Launch
Planet Fitness
Burton/East Beltline (WB)
+1 more
Walgreens
Hekman Library
daycare
Phoenix Theatres Woodland Mall
Crime in Van Elst Plat 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 Van Elst Plat home (around $550,000) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $98k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $3,658 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $3,658/mo | $97,552 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $4,212/mo | $112,313 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $4,397/mo | $117,249 |
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
~$872/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,358 kWh/yr · offsets ~61% of a typical home's use
Resident-arranged private hauler
Residents contract own refuse hauler; city ordinance governs container storage.
Services for Kentwood · Source: kentwood.us
Utility, solar, and service details for Van Elst Plat 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(29)
Forest Hills Foods
Grocery Store
D&W Fresh Market
Grocery Store
Grocery Store
+26 more within 5 miles
🍕 Restaurants(14)
Restaurant
Knollcrest Dining Hall
Restaurant
Jimmy John's
Restaurant
Zoup! Eatery
Restaurant
Big E's Sports Grill Grand Rapids Beltline
Restaurant
+9 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(20)
+17 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(18)
+15 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(28)
+23 more within 5 miles
💪 Gyms(11)
Planet Fitness
Fitness Center
The Other Body Shop
Fitness Center
Fitness Center
+8 more within 5 miles
🐕 Dog Parks(6)
Dog Park in 29th St & East Paris Ave Area
Dog Park
Hillcrest Dog Park
Dog Park
Dog Park in Celadon New Town Residential
Dog Park
+3 more within 5 miles
🚴 Trails(7)
Unnamed bike_path
Bike Path
Albert-Realtors Hall St. Sub. Area Trail
Bike Path
Unnamed bike_path
Bike Path
+4 more within 5 miles
⛵ Boat Launches(1)
Boat Launch
🚌 Transit(30)
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
Transit Stop
+27 more within 5 miles
💊 Pharmacies(9)
+6 more within 5 miles
👶 Childcare(3)
🏥 Hospitals(5)
+2 more within 5 miles
📚 Libraries(12)
+9 more within 5 miles
⚡ EV Charging(2)
ChargePoint
EV Charging
EV Charging
Frequently asked about Van Elst Plat
- What do homes cost in Van Elst Plat?
- The median home value in Van Elst Plat is about $550,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Van Elst Plat housing market?
- no homes are listed in Van Elst Plat right now, and 1 home sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Van Elst Plat?
- Van Elst Plat is served by Forest Hills Public Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Northern Hills Middle School (9/10).
- Is Van Elst Plat walkable?
- Van Elst Plat scores 3.0/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.