Small Southwest Michigan town named one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the US
A small town in southwestern Michigan has been named one of the most expensive places to live in the country.
Lakeside in Berrien County, on the shores of Lake Michigan, has been named one of the most expensive and luxurious cities in the US, according to HGTV.
The quaint town full of historic houses has fewer than 300 inhabitants.
It is known for its rustic architecture, excellent public schools, and beautiful lake views.
The average home in Lakeside costs $2,652,417 — “although you might pay more for Lake Michigan facade,” HGTV reported.
The small town of only 300 residents is located on the shore of Lake Michigan
“A Georgian estate with nine bedrooms, a wine cellar, a swimming pool and a guest house is on track to be among the most expensive sales thanks to a list price of $9,450,000,” the report said.
The city became a popular vacation destination for those living in Chicago in the early 1920s.
Although small, the town still has plenty to offer visitors, including the 31-room 19th-century Lakeside Inn, which features a 100-foot veranda overlooking Lake Michigan.
The inn also has its own private beach for lakeside guests.
“Known as Ames Grove, this property served as a picnic area and recreation area beginning in the 1880s,” the inn says on its website.
The hotel once had its own zoo and a long history of hosting orchestras and other artists.
The city has something for everyone, including Burnison Galleries for the artistically inclined, showcasing works from all disciplines from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
There are also antique shops such as Lakeside Antiques, which sell a range of furniture, fine art and accessories.
Other cities that made the list of the most expensive places to live were Southampton, New York, and Stowe, Vermont.
Southampton is a celebrity hotspot, where the likes of Brooke Shields and Calvin Klein spend their summers in their beachside mansions.
Lakeside is located on picturesque Lake Michigan
The city has historic inns where you can stay on the shore of Lake Michigan
Vermont, while quieter, is no less prosperous, with wealthy visitors flocking there every winter to take advantage of the ski slopes.
The average price for a mountain home in Stowe this year was $2.6 million, and a 2022 listing for a $17.5 million mansion set a record for the most expensive home in the state.
Ann Arbor and Traverse City, Michigan were both in the top 25 best places to spend your retirement in 2024.
“With frontage on a Lake Michigan inlet, Traverse City has water sports, more than 30 area golf courses and a reputation as a top restaurant town,” Forbes magazine said of the selection.
While Traverse City has a typical home price slightly higher than the national average, the cost of living in the Midwestern city is 4 percent lower than the rest of the country.
It is also close to the famous Interlochen Center for the Arts, which hosts numerous musical performances.