Welcome to Copper Country! Houghton is a charming little town on the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula in the northwest corner of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. And we're not just saying that: the city was once ranked on a list of the 100 best small towns in America.
So what gives Houghton its charm? It's everything from the wide variety of year-round outdoor sports -- from skiing and snowboarding to boating and water-skiing -- to the college town atmosphere the city owes to the presence of Michigan Technological University. Throw in an incredibly low crime rate, cheap housing and beautiful scenery, and why wouldn't you want to call this place home?
Moving to Houghton
Life in Houghton is about as good as it gets, but unlike other scenic locations, the prices for housing aren't sky-high. When you are looking for apartments for rent in Houghton, you can be assured that it won't kill your budget. Housing costs here are quite a bit lower than the national average.
When to Move
When you want to move to Houghton, be prepared that it can be more difficult to get housing at some times of year than others, especially the closer you want to live to Michigan Tech. Campus apartments go fast, and late spring is the best time to find vacancies. The closer you get to the start of the new school year, the harder it will be to find apartments for rent.
What to Bring
When you find that dream Houghton apartment, come prepared to prove that you will be a good renter. Most landlords want to see the same things from potential renters. Bring pay stubs to verify that you have a good enough job to afford the rent, some phone numbers from previous rental references and that always important cold, hard cash to pay the deposits. If you need a pet-friendly apartment, you can find it -- but expect that most landlords will want you to pay a few extra deposits.
Neighborhoods in Houghton
Check out the neighborhoods in Houghton before settling on the right place for you!
Downtown Houghton: This is a great place to look for rental housing. Whether you want a two bedroom apartment or a house for rent, you will find great selections along streets like Shelden and Portage.
El Capitan: This is where you want to start your search if you want condo living. Without the hassles of yard work but with a great sense of community, a condo might just be your perfect solution.
West Houghton: The West Houghton neighborhood really makes an effort to include you and has created great, usable public spaces like the West Houghton Neighborhood Park. It's frozen in the winter so you can glide along in your ice skates.
Life in Houghton
Hopefully you like cold weather! While Houghton has a couple months of warmth in the summer when you can really appreciate a nice hike or a swim in chilly Lake Superior, the climate here is pretty cold. Winters can be downright frigid, since Canada lies just on the north shore of Lake Superior. But folks here are a hardy sort, and most don't mind the winter. After all, that's the best time of year to enjoy snow sports outdoors and snuggle inside by the fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa. Don't worry that the cold climate means that you'll be bored, though. There are a lot of fun things to do in Houghton. Locals appreciate a fine beer at brew pubs like The Library Restaurant and Brew Pub, and the legendary Keweenaw Brewing Company.
Not up for drinking? You can still grab a fabulous bite to eat. People here like their breakfasts, so you can enjoy a fabulous breakfast or brunch from the eclectic homemade selections at Victoria's Kitchen or traditional Finnish favorites at the Suomi Home Bakery and Restaurant. When it's time for dinner after a long day snowmobiling or attending classes at Michigan Tech, you'll appreciate exotic dishes at Bambu Asian Cuisine and amazing seafood at Joey's Seafood and Grill. Houghton has an excellent public parks system that you'll want to take advantage of, too. If you feel like going out on the boat or taking a ride on jet skis, the East Houghton Waterfront Park is the place to be in the summer. The 100-acre Nara Nature Park is also a great place for an afternoon hike.
