Living a Boating Lifestyle in Holland, Michigan

Holland, Michigan, located on the shores of Lake Macatawa, is an excellent community for people who want to follow the boating lifestyle. Tourists come too, over 2.5 million per year, drawn to its festivals, ample green spaces, and lake-side setting. It was settled by the Dutch and now has its own tulip festival and distinctive Dutch architecture. This popular tourist community of 34,000 could be confused with a charming town in the Netherlands. Its  Streetscape, the Victorian-styled downtown with 85 unique shops is a big plus for the town. The area bustles with thriving shops and restaurants.

People come to Holland (34,000 people) for its charm, recreational activities, and plentiful and relatively inexpensive housing opportunities.  Hope College is a small private school that adds culture and youth to the community. The Herrick District Library is exceptionally well-funded and offers more than 217,000 volumes. Holland, located in Otttawa County, is a 2.5 hour drive from Chicago and 42 miles from Grand Rapids.

Where to Retire in Holland and Home Prices

There are 2 historic districts with Victorian and Tudor homes dating from the 1800's.  There are also mobile home parks, some of which are age restricted. (see Active Communities link at top left).

Real Estate Values
The Zillow median value of a home in mid-2022 was $320,759. Values in the historic districts and along the lake start in the $200's and can go over $1 million.

What Is Special about Holland

• A charming piece of Holland – in Michigan • Dutch architecture and May’s “Tulip Time” festival • Exciting cultural events and festivals • One of the top 5 “Best Places to Retire” by Money Magazine. • Lake-side setting • Holland State Park •  Cost of living well below average. Pipes from  a nearby power plant keep the downtown sidewalks warm enough to be free of snow.

What Is Not Special about Holland

It's cold in winter. Far away from big cities. Traffic can get hectic in season.

Climate and Physical Environment

Holland is a beach town on Lake Macatawa, which in turn feeds into Lake Michigan. The region is soutwest Michigan.  Average January temperatures are about 25, while the average July temp is just over 70.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Plays presented by the Holland Civic Theater and Hope College. Not to mention musical and dance events presented by the Holland Symphony, Holland Chorale, the Herrick District Library and Hope College. The Tulip Festival and other events are very popular.

Crime

The crime rate in Holland is slightly below the national average.

Medical Facilities

Holland Community Hospital

Transportation

Gerald Ford International Airport is 42 miles away in Grand Rapids. Macatawa Area Express operates bus service 6 days per week. There is a plan to add rentals of electric bicycles to help boost tourism.

Valuable Links

Holland Visitors Site

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