West Highlands Area
Space and nature
The quick answer
West Highlands Area is a neighborhood, part of West MI Academy of Arts and Academics. Homes here typically sell for around $551,000.
25 homes for sale·Median $551K·Walkability 2.5/10·Schools 7.3/10
Out here on the western edge, you're close enough to Spring Lake that the water feels like part of the neighborhood's identity—a quarter mile away, with boat launches and waterfront living woven into how people spend their time. Ranch homes on half-acre lots form the backbone of this stretch, and the walk to coffee, dinner, or groceries takes minutes rather than a car ride. Rycenga Park sits about six minutes on foot if you want green space and trails, while Grand Haven's beaches are just eight minutes by car when the itch strikes. Downtown Grand Rapids anchors the other direction at roughly 45 minutes, making this a real in-between place: close enough to water and small-town amenities to feel grounded, far enough from the city to breathe. West MI Academy of Arts and Academics serves the area, and the township itself has been investing in new non-motorized paths, so the slow-living impulse here isn't just about where the homes are—it's baked into how the place is evolving.
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Why people love it here
Lake life
- Spring Lake within walking distance
- 5 parks within 1 mile
- Spring Lake: 3 min walk
- West Highlands Area Trail: 11 min walk
23,671 sq ft avg lots
- 411 homes
$551K median
- 96 sales in last 12mo
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in West Highlands Area
Estimated Monthly Payment
$3,741/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.
96 homes sold in West Highlands Area this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthBased on 3 rated schools nearby
Range: 6/10 to 9/10
School District: West MI Academy of Arts and Academics
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Water Tower Park
0.3 mi
Parks Nearby
5
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Spring Lake
0.0 mi
Median Sale Price
$551K
96 sales in last 12mo
Parks Nearby
5
within 1 mile
Nearest Park
Water Tower Park
0.3 mi
Expected Rent
$1,650/mo
$1,500 – $1,775 · estimated range
Walkability
Limited
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Leppinks
The Arboreal Inn
Biggby
Stan's Bar
Water Tower Park
Rycenga Park Playground
Spring Lake
+1 more
Lakeside Beach
Segment 1 to 2
dog_park
West Highlands Area Trail
Mill Point Park Launch
+1 more
gym
Walgreens
Fruitport District Library
Grand Haven 9
Crime in West Highlands Area 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 Ottawa County.
Ottawa County crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced West Highlands Area home (around $551,000) at today's 6.65% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $99k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $3,711 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $3,711/mo | $98,970 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $4,272/mo | $113,913 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $4,460/mo | $118,935 |
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.
Land for sale
Listings
2 parcels
Active / pending
Median Price
$91K
Per listing
Multifamily for sale
Listings
1 building
Active / pending
Median Price
$400K
Per building
Price Per Unit
$200K
Median
Who actually lends in West Highlands Area, and how homes here are financed — from 2024 federal mortgage records.
Loans to buy a home
Most active lenders
Homeowners refinancing an existing mortgage
Most active lenders
Source: 2024 HMDA (CFPB/FFIEC). Neighborhood figures are area-weighted estimates from census-tract data; loan amounts are rounded and all-cash purchases are excluded.
Local Government · area-wide
Spring Lake Township
Source: springlaketwp.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
~$888/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,479 kWh/yr · offsets ~62% of a typical home's use
Municipal / public water
Based on assessor parcel records
Municipal sewer
Based on assessor parcel records
Township-contracted curbside trash/recycling/yard waste hauler since Jan 1, 2023.
Consumers Energy / SEMCO Energy
Regional gas utility; inferred.
Confirm by addressServices for Spring Lake Township · Source: springlaketwp.org
Utility, solar, and service details for West Highlands Area 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(12)
+9 more within 5 miles
🍕 Restaurants(8)
Village Baker
Restaurant
Two Tonys Tabeena Grill
Restaurant
Little Caesars Pizza
Restaurant
Butch's Beach Burritos
Restaurant
The Arboreal Inn
Restaurant
+3 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(15)
+12 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(9)
Spring Lake Country Club
Bar
Two Tonys Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Bar
Stan's Bar
Bar
+6 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(16)
Holmes School
Fruitport Middle School
School
Edgewood Elementary School
School
Elliott School
Ferry School
+11 more within 5 miles
💪 Gyms(3)
🐕 Dog Parks(5)
Eastern Park Dog Park
Dog Park
Dog Park in Gluecks Sub Area
Dog Park
Coast Guard Park Dog Park
Dog Park
+2 more within 5 miles
🚴 Trails(5)
Lakeside Trail
Bike Path
West Highlands Area Trail
Bike Path
Unnamed bike_path
Bike Path
+2 more within 5 miles
⛵ Boat Launches(6)
Boat Launch
Boat Launch
Boat Launch
+3 more within 5 miles
💊 Pharmacies(5)
+2 more within 5 miles
🏥 Hospitals(1)
Hospital
📚 Libraries(3)
⚡ EV Charging(7)
Spring Lake Waterfront Parking
EV Charging
Unnamed ev_charging
EV Charging
EV Charging
EV Charging
Meijer Stores 232 Fruitport - Chargepoint
EV Charging
+2 more within 5 miles
Atlas — Grand Rapids Real Estate
Local real estate specialists
Questions about West Highlands Area? Our team can help with availability, schools, and what it's really like to live here.
Living in West Highlands Area: the details
Is West Highlands Area a good place to live?
West Highlands Area is a strong fit if you want easy access to Lake Michigan and room to spread out on larger lots — here is what the data shows. When it comes to errands, it is mostly a drive-first area, so you will use a car for groceries, dining and errands. This neighborhood is part of West MI Academy of Arts and Academics. Homes here typically sell for around $551,000.
What does it cost to live in West Highlands Area?
Homes in West Highlands Area sell for a median of about $551,000. There are 25 homes for sale here right now and 96 homes sold here in the past year.
Frequently asked about West Highlands Area
- What do homes cost in West Highlands Area?
- The median home value in West Highlands Area is about $551,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the West Highlands Area housing market?
- there are 25 homes for sale in West Highlands Area right now, and 96 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve West Highlands Area?
- West Highlands Area is served by West MI Academy of Arts and Academics. Its highest-rated assigned school is Holmes Elementary School (9/10).
- Is West Highlands Area walkable?
- West Highlands Area scores 2.5/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
