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Real Estate for
Retirement
Active Adult Living
Master Planned
Retirement Development
Real Estate for
Retirement
Active Adult Living
Master Planned
Retirement Development
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| Cozy Holland is a
delightful small city (population 35,000) located on Lake
Macatawa, which feeds into Lake Michigan, in the
southwestern section of Michigan. Settled by Dutch
Calvin separatists in 1847, Holland has a strong
religious identity; it once was known as the City of
Churches and today has 170 churches, many of them
associated with the Reformed Church in America.
The town's Dutch roots run deep, reflected by the quaint
architecture and the colorful, annual Tulip Time
Festival each May, a time when six million tulips
bloom throughout the city. Holland's
cost-of-living is below the national average, which attracts
singles and families in addition to retirees. Of
the population, 16% is age 45 to 64, and 14% is age 65
years of age or above.
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The cost of living in Holland is about 3%
below the national average, and the median home price is roughly
$150,000, putting
housing costs also well below the national average. Architectural designs are varied and include Cape Cods, brick
ranch-styles, standard bi-levels, cottages, Victorians, turn-of-the-20th-century-bungalows and modern vinyl and brick
2-story homes. Comfortable three
bedroom, two bath homes with 1,200 to 1,500 square feet can easily
be found in the low $100,000s (and some needing a little fixing up
are under $100,000). The median home price of $150,000 and
up to $200,000 will fetch a pretty new home with upgrades or
an older home with renovations (which may include hardwood floors,
cathedral ceilings and a Jacuzzi), two or four bedrooms, two
baths, a large lot, a garage and mature trees. Condominiums
overlooking the lake can be found for $70,000 to $85,000. |
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This picturesque city has an appreciation for its
historical integrity and in 1986 designated as an Historic
District a section of town that
is home to 186 structures dating from the mid to late 1800s.
Located west of Hope College, this area is a lush neighborhood of
classic, well-kept homes in styles ranging from stately Queen Anne
Victorian to Tudor to American Foursquare. Smaller homes
here start in the mid-$200,000s, but $350,000 and higher seems
closer to the average as most of these houses are fairly large
(3,500 square feet is not unusual). Exterior
renovations to residences in this area must meet certain
city-issued guidelines, and homes here are often featured on the
Holland Historic Home Tour.
Some of Holland's most expensive homes are found on the south
shore of Lake Macatawa where residences can reach 10,000 square
feet and are priced in the millions.
The average
apartment rent in Holland is $550 per month for a two bedroom, one
bath unit, and availability seems good. There are also
fourteen mobile home communities, a handful of which are
age-restricted. Prices start at around $30,000.
If you are interested in ordering a free travel
brochure (trips, retreats, etc.) about Michigan, click on this
link: Michigan
- Order FREE Travel Brochure! (advertisement).
Perimeter Pointe (616-399-1104)
is a small, 55+ apartment complex and has units with two
bedrooms, one bath, a covered parking space and laundry facilities
in each building. Leases are for one year; rents are $500
per month with a $500 security deposit. Within walking distance of downtown is Freedom
Village (800-622-5474), an independent living complex with 335
apartment units that include studio apartments and deluxe
units. This facility has been designated an official
"Retirement Resort" by the Association of Retirement
Resorts International (ARRI), which means it meets high standards
when providing care for older folks. Holland has
a number of other independent living facilities, including
Fountain View Retirement Village, Wildwood Creek Manor and
Pinewood Christian Home. We were unable to locate an
active-adult, 55+ retirement community at this writing.
This is an interactive
map. Click on the arrows in the upper left hand corner to
move the map to the East, West, North or South, and click on the
+/- signs to zoom in and out. Property
taxes are assessed at 50% of a home's value multiplied by the millage rate of 25 to 28 per $1,000. The annual taxes
on a $150,000 home would be $1,916 to $2,160, depending on the
school district in which the home is located. The sales tax
rate is 6% (food and prescription drugs are exempt). State
income tax rate is 4.35% and is dropping. Social Security,
military, federal, and state/local government pensions are exempt
from taxation. Evergreen
Commons (616-396-7100)
is the local senior center; its mission is to "contribute
to the social, physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual
quality of life for adults age 50 and older, their families and
caregivers, within the context of Judeo-Christian values."
The Center offers classes (language, dance, computer, crafts,
etc.), has a number of clubs (singles, stamps, photography,
bowling, etc.) and activities (music groups, card games, etc.), a
fitness center, in-home services, adult day care and offers nearby
excursions (Detroit Tigers' baseball games, shopping outings,
etc.) and trips to other parts of the country. Holland,
Michigan, Continued....
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