The city of Hillsdale abuts the nearby Baw Beese Lake. The lake is named after a Potawatomi Indian chief in the area of Hillsdale, Michigan.
Hillsdale is one of the most notable small cities in Southern Michigan. Centered on Hillsdale College, a private liberal arts college renowned for its academic excellence, the city is also known for its strong community spirit, historic downtown area, and its picturesque and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. However, Hillsdale offers much more than its obvious aesthetic and academic credentials; oh yes, not only does the city boast one of the best standards of living in Michigan, but its constant influx of visiting scholars and events give the city a vibrancy that energizes the downtown area. In addition, the number of welcoming stores and restaurants mean newcomers feel right at home amongst the 8,300 residents, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, in a city where the emphasis is truly on community.
Moving to Hillsdale
With plenty of affordable housing available, finding a place to live in Hillsdale that suits your needs is generally straightforward. Like the comforts of living within easy walking distance of excellent coffee shops or breakfast diners? No problem! Prefer to have some extra land, near a river perchance? Hillsdale has it covered. Better yet, Hillsdale's low cost of living means a prospective renter can get much more bang for their buck compared to other areas in Southern Michigan.
Renting an Apartment in Hillsdale
The volume of homes and low cost of living in Hillsdale means most people buy a house instead of renting an apartment. However, finding an apartment to rent, while less common, is possible for those who do not want (or need) to buy their home immediately. With a number of apartment complexes dotted throughout the city, particularly on the west side of town, you should be able to find a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment for rent without much trouble. However, be aware that you may face competition for the most desirable leases or preferred apartment to rent; if you have a particular location in mind, be prepared to look in advance of your move to ensure you get what the place you want. Those who find a suitable rental apt in Hillsdale will be happy to find that the rental market mirrors the buying market for value, and spacious homes and apartments can be acquired for significantly less than other urban areas. Leases commonly run a year and require a month's rent as a deposit.
Renting a Home
Hillsdale is also an attractive proposition for those out there looking to rent a house, with a choice of house sizes and locations available at prices that are much lower than the Michigan average. In particular, those looking for space will be pleased to hear that the vast majority of homes in Hillsdale are both detached and contain 3 or more bedrooms, meaning there's enough space to relax after a day of exploring the area's many parks and lakes -- lakes that might be right on your doorstep if you're lucky enough to rent one of the many homes surrounded by nature. Remember, conducting proper research is the most important thing to do before renting; make sure you spend some time in different areas of Hillsdale to ensure you find the best home.
Hillsdale's Neighborhoods
While Hillsdale is a small community and there are no "neighborhoods" per se, there are still a number of different areas you should be aware of.
Historic downtown: This area -- which runs from Carleton Rd to Waldron St between East St and Ferris St -- is the heart of the city where you will find late 19th and early 20th century architecture alongside a number of restaurants and stores.
Hillsdale College: The private college dominates the north of town and regularly hosts cultural events, open forum lectures, and concerts which are open to the public.
East Hillsdale: Here are spacious properties and a number of small lakes and recreation areas where outdoor enthusiasts can fish and hike.
West Hillsdale: This area has features residential homes and a number of apartment complexes.
Living in Hillsdale
It's no coincidence that Hillsdale has one of the highest walkability scores in the state at 98. After all, this is a community-oriented city, and it's difficult to feel you're in a community if everybody is dashing around in their cars all the time. Hillsdale is different. While a car is necessary if you live on the edge of Hillsdale and for making weekend trips to nearby towns such as Allen and Jonesville and bigger cities like Detroit and Lansing, Hillsdale, for the most part, is marked as being easily navigated on foot. This is paired with an impressively low crime rate, meaning Hillsdale can safely be explored at any time. Exploring is an especially idyllic activity on the warm summer evenings that bring out the best of the town!
Those moving from more metropolitan areas may suffer from whiplash when they discover the slower pace of life in Hillsdale, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it could well be why you move here in the first place. There is no daily commute and, though there may not be an endless stream of activities, Hillsdale offers all the basics and some more. If visiting the cinema or bowling isn't your thing, then perhaps the beautiful, fourteen acre Slayton Arboretum is. If cozy, hometown dinners at The Hunt Club aren't for you, try heading to the edge of town to nearby Gateway Park for a night of camping on the shores of South Sand Lake. Hillsdale offers plenty of recreational opportunities, and hikers, bikers, and fishermen will find plenty of spring and summertime activities to enjoy once the snowy winter has thawed. Furthermore, with cities like Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Detroit an easy drive away, residents of Hillsdale are able to enjoy all the benefits of modern cities while still living in their own picturesque and spacious setting.
