The name "Lapeer" comes from the French "la pierre," which means stone! The rocky bed of the Flint River is likely the reason the town was named as such.
Situated right in the heart of Michigan's Lapeer County, the city of Lapeer has a population of 8,841, big enough to have a couple of shopping and dining options and small enough to be smog-free and full of friendly, welcoming people. Its location in South Michigan is on the Flint River, just east of the town of Flint. You won't find a friendlier town in Michigan, and if you can tolerate the long, sometimes hard winters, you'll be thrilled to call this place your new home.
Moving to Lapeer
Moving to Lapeer is pretty straightforward. With a vacancy rate approaching 10%, there's a good chance that the home of your dreams is just sitting there waiting for you. If you're looking to find an apartment in Lapeer, you'll be happy to know that about 15% of the units here are rental apts. You won't find any city apartments here, though. Most of the units are going to be detached townhouses or small apartment complexes. If that's what you're searching for, you'll have plenty of luck in Lapeer! You can expect apartments here to be more spacious and have nice features like yards or other outdoor spaces, and there's a good chance you'll stumble onto a pet-friendly apartment out here. Also, one of the biggest Powerball jackpots was won in Lapeer at a Sunoco Station in 2012. Maybe moving here could up your chances of stumbling onto a rather large fortune!
What You'll Need
When you set out to find an apartment in Lapeer, you'll want to make sure you have all your documents in order first. You're going to need all the basics: a copy of your ID, your credit report, bank statements, pay stubs, a letter of employment, references and any other paperwork your landlord might ask for. If you have a pet, don't forget to get all the right documents to prove he or she isn't a rabid beast! Reports from the vet will suffice. There's also a good chance that having your checkbook on hand will help you score the right apartment. Sometimes you need to put a deposit down right away to prove that you're interested in the place. Make sure to book appointments to see all kinds of different apartments -- you never know what you're going to like until you see it, and it gives you an upper hand to be aware of what is available. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be better equipped to find a place you love in Lapeer!
Neighborhoods
Although Lapeer occupies only 7.3 sq. miles, it has a few distinct neighborhoods that you'll want to know about. Some are a little more rural feeling while others have easier access to nearby shops and dining. Here are the main ones:
Hunter's Creek: Located in the southeast corner of Lapeer, Hunter's Creek offers easy access to I-69 for folks who need to travel in and out of town often. It's a rural part of town, and most of the houses here are owner occupied. You'll find quite a few single-family homes and apartment complexes.
McDowell Road / N Elba Road: This area sits on the Northwest side of Lapeer and encompasses the Holloway Reservoir, a great place for anyone who loves fishing and boating! There's also Pleasant Lake and Bronson Lake, which are surrounded by pretty suburban subdivisions.
Farnsworth Road / Daley Road: Sitting in the far northeast corner of Lapeer, here is where you'll find quite a few smaller apartments as well as some mobile homes. It's definitely on the cheaper side of what you'll find here, and there are lots of beautiful homes with peaceful parks nearby.
City Center: This is the most urban that the city gets. Located right in the heart of Lapeer, just off I-69, Main Street runs right through it, and you can find a slew of shops and restaurants right here. It's one of the more convenient places for people to live if you don't like having long drives to get you to the center of the action. Locals love the Mexican food at Pueblo Viejo and the burgers at Abruzzo Piano Grill. There's also major stores like Meijer and a Walmart Supercenter located on Main Street, so you won't be lacking in any major shopping trips!
Living in Lapeer
There's no arguing that life in Lapeer is rural and bucolic. It was settled by pioneers traveling over from New York, and there are still quite a few homes and structures that were built in the early to mid 1800's. Many of them have been restored to display their original beauty, and boy, are they gorgeous! It's worth a visit here just to check them out. Piety Hill Historic District boasts 29 properties from the 19th century that give the city its claim to fame.
Once you're settled into Lapeer, you can have friends out to visit! Head to Kroger's or Big Lots to do your shopping before they arrive. Or you can opt to head out for dinner at one of the many local restaurants along Main Street and Genesee Street.
If the weather is warm, you'll find plenty to do outdoors here. From fishing or kayaking to hiking in one of the town's beautiful parks, you can easily get your exercise in every day! In the winter it gets a little tougher, but one thing you'll learn about Michigan people is that they know how to deal with the cold weather! Ice fishing is a popular activity here, as are luging and other winter sports. Just make sure you bundle up because the temperatures will often drop below zero! It's a good excuse to cozy up and sit by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa -- that makes the winter sound pretty romantic, doesn't it?! Whatever season it is, you can find something to enjoy about Lapeer. It's a small, friendly community of people who appreciate a high quality of life and peaceful, serene settings.