The Mill Creek Water Mill in Comstock Park is a beautifully preserved historical landmark, giving visitors a peek into how energy was generated from rivers and streams over a hundred years ago. It also makes the perfect place for a picnic.
Comstock Park got its start as a small community serving as a major railway hub in the western part of Michigan
The Mill Creek Water Mill in Comstock Park is a beautifully preserved historical landmark, giving visitors a peek into how energy was generated from rivers and streams over a hundred years ago. It also makes the perfect place for a picnic.
Comstock Park got its start as a small community serving as a major railway hub in the western part of Michigan. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant town featuring cozy homes surrounded by leafy trees, a dynamic downtown filled with family-run businesses, and plenty of nature available in the great Western Michigan wilderness. The town is also just a few miles from Grand Rapids, the second-largest city in Michigan, offering plenty of opportunities for fun and culture. If you think Comstock Park might be the right fit for you, this guide can help you find the perfect home based on your specific needs.
Your Housing Options
Comstock Park has plenty of homes and rental properties to choose from, including split-level homes, ranch-style dwellings, and small cottages. Comstock Park is mostly made up of medium- to large-sized, single-family homes that range from two to five rooms, which means if you're looking for something with more space, Comstock Park should have you covered. There is also a good mix of apartment complexes with various amenities included, such as backyard areas and pools.
What to Watch Out For
Unfortunately, Comstock Park is known to experience flooding from time to time. As a result, you should examine each house for water damage, especially if you're thinking about making a purchase. If you're really afraid of this particular problem, there are some areas of Comstock Park that are less vulnerable to flooding than others. Areas near the Grand River, such as the downtown area, are prone to flooding. But don't worry, Comstock Park always recovers -- the people there are pretty tough.
Helpful Tips
Vacancy rates are low in Comstock Park, meaning you'll likely want to start searching 4 to 8 weeks in advance to ensure you find the right place. Unfortunately, finding pet friendly apartments takes a bit of luck. Sometimes you can find plenty of listings that are accepting of furry friends, and other times one really has to struggle to find the right place. Finding furnished apartments in Comstock Park is also difficult, but often you'll find a place that includes at least some kitchen appliances and furniture.
Signing Day
Of course, once you find the perfect place, you're going to want to get a contract signed as quickly as possible. However, you'll first need to provide some documents and references. Usually landlords or brokers require a copy of your ID, proof of income, and some references from previous landlords. You will also have to provide a safety deposit, but often this is less than the cost of your first month's rent. Although it might sound like a hassle, all of this shouldn't take more than an hour.
Comstock Park has a population of 10,088 and features four great neighborhoods to choose from. While most neighborhoods are quiet residential areas, the town center offers a number of apartment complexes with the occasional rental condos mixed in with single-family homes. Since Comstock Park is not very large, only 3.9 square miles, no matter where you live you'll find that your kids have quick access to nearby schools. Comstock also benefits from a low crime rate, giving residents a sense of security no matter where they go in town.
Alpine / Englishville: While this neighborhood is the most expensive in Comstock Park, the beautiful houses in this area usually come with plenty of property, making the price worth it.
Town Center: Here you can find a studio apartment for rent, along with a convenient connection to the downtown business district and Dwight Lydell Park.
Stony Creek Avenue / Westshire Drive: This is a very small portion of Comstock Park, but with quick access to great nature and plenty of single-family homes.
4 Mile Road / Hachmuth Drive: This neighborhood is also very small, but features the most accessible housing compared to the other neighborhoods.
Comstock Park features great transportation options. A bus line, referred to as The Rapid, is available to residents of Comstock Park, making the commute to Grand Rapids and surrounding areas quite convenient. It's probably not a bad idea to own a car in Comstock Park, though. The walk score is 38, meaning it's not so easy to get around without a vehicle. Downtown Grand Rapids is only 10-15 minutes away by car.
Comstock Park has a number of lovely parks, such as Dwight Lydell Park in the downtown area. There are plenty of picnic spaces, walking trails, and a stream passing under wooden pedestrian bridges. The White Pine Trail State Park is also a great feature of Comstock Park living. There, residents can find 92 miles of trails that are great for biking or hiking.
One of the greatest aspects of living in Comstock Park is its close proximity to Grand Rapids. Take a trip into Grand Rapids to purchase some quality organic produce at their farmer's market, learn more about area history at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids, or head to Founder's Brewing Co. for award winning craft beers.
Comstock Park also means having fun and eating out. Head to Park View Cafe for coffee and cake with a friend, or stop by Mill Creek Tavern for a good old-fashioned American burger. You can also catch a great ballgame at Five Third Park, home to the popular West Michigan White Caps, a minor league baseball team. As you get used to Comstock Park living, you'll soon see why residents love living here.
