A city bustling with events, festivals, and activities, Albion is known as The Forks due to its location near the junction of the north and south branches of the Kalamazoo River.
This 4.51 square mile-city is home to 8,616 residents. The city boasts a long and colorful history, which includes the booms and busts of the manufacturing industry. Albion has gone a long way from its mill town beginnings, and if you're curious what's around the bend for this city today, stick around and see for yourself.
Moving to Albion
Before you get busy searching high and low for a good nest to call home in Albion, let's lay down some groundwork first. It's going to take some load off the tedious task of relocating and will get your search started on the right foot.
Go Against the Flow
Almost half the population in Albion are renters. Needless to say, you're swimming in the right pond here. One thing you need to know, though, about the rental landscape in this city is that it has ebbs and flows, which pretty much coincide with school seasons. You can expect the pack of renters to stake their claim on rental condos or apartments when school season is about to start. For this reason, it would be a good idea to jump on your search early and move in during school holidays.
Residential Menu
Although the majority of the houses here are historic family homes, apartment complexes and condos are in the mix as well. Many new residents find it helpful to use an apartment locator when first arriving. Looking for newly developed homes would be a tough job but it's not entirely impossible. You just have to invest your time and roll up your sleeves.
In addition, mid-sized properties (read: 2- or 3-bedroom houses) are the quite the staple in Albion. So if you're hunting for home rentals of that type, it shouldn't take you more than a month to seal the deal.
Some Tidbits to Keep in Mind
There are a number of all bills paid apartments in this side of Michigan. However, the common agreement in Albion is that landlords pay for garbage services and sewer, while renters cover utilities. To take the deal to the next level, you need to present your rental history, proof of employment, and a valid ID. Most professional property managers would require you to go through a credit check, as well, so make sure you are in good standing ahead of time!
Albion Neighborhoods
Surprises are generally not a good thing when you're moving into a new place and neighborhood. To make sure your new home meets your expectations, take the time to get to know the neighborhood as well.
Downtown: A community of hip and trendy residents, the Downtown area is the life of the party in Albion. The Downtown neighborhood has a wealth of one bedroom apartment and medium-sized houses. This walkable area is also home to Albion College, Whitehouse Nature Center, Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium, Victory Park, Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center, and Albion Amtrak Station.
Division Dr: Located right next to the Downtown area, there's a slew of family houses, apartments, and condos for rent in this part of the city. Although not as walkable as Downtown Albion, you can get away with running some of your errands without the burden of your car. This area is home to McClure Park, Harris Field, Holland Park, and Barnes Park.
Condit / Babcock: Situated on the outskirts of the city, this rural neighborhood is home to many farms, family houses, and mobile homes. You're going to be very dependent on your car here, so invest in a good sound system! This area is home to Tomac Woods Golf Course, Hough Field, Montcalm School, Brueckner Museum, and Kellogg Community College.
Michigan Ave / Austin Ave: Located along I-94 and home to Albion Industrial Park, this neighborhood is the industrial hub of the city, with many corporations setting up camp here. A few apartment complexes, farms, and many family houses for rent are available in this area. You can also find Albion Senior High School, McAuliffe Park, McIntosh Park, Crowell School here.
Living in Albion
Albion may be a small city but it knows how to throw a party. Some parties and festivities you may want to crash are:
Festival of the Forks
An annual food festival that has been a tradition for 47 years, this event attracts some 10,000 crowd of people to Downtown Albion. This celebration involves food and music in celebration of the city's ethnic diversity and rich history.
Cardboard Sled Race
For 22 years, the city has hosted this winter event, which finds each participant creating and designing their own corrugated sled board. This wacky event is held at Victory Park's sledding hill and is open to all age groups.
Albion Aglow Parade
Residents here celebrate their Thanksgiving way earlier than the rest of the country. Held on the Monday before the traditionally accepted Thanksgiving, locals welcome the holiday with a Downtown parade and festivities.
If events and festivities are really not your cup of tea, Albion will also appeal to your inner introvert with its various historical sites. Some sites that are worth a visit are The Gardner House Museum, Albion College, and Albion's Historic Walkway. You may also go on a Purple Gang Walking Tour to have a glimpse of the time when gangsters were king in this city.
If you're fond of venturing out and see where the path takes you, Albion would prove to be a good playground for people of all ages. You can head over to Albion's River Trail or The Whitehouse Nature Center. There's bound to be something there that will catch your interest.
With such a diverse option of activities, what are you waiting for? Get an apartment, pack your bag, and get to Albion!
