The Village of Okemos redevelopment project is focused on two underutilized,vacant and contaminated blocks in the heart of Downtown Okemos. The project will bring significant jobs to the area,and increase the value of taxable properties.
Okemos City is a charter Township and Census-designated Place (CDP) located in Ingham County Michigan. It has a population of 25,179.
Located between East Lansing & Williamston
Okemos MI,located in between East Lansing and Lansing (the capital),is a small city that’s a great place for young families or students to call home. It is an ideal place to live for students and young families. It has an easy commute time and low cost of living.
A popular stop along the Grand River Trail (which was later transformed into the plank road that connected Detroit and Lansing during the 19th century),it is a centrally located city with plenty of farmland. The GM plant that was located outside the city has been relocated to Haslett,a nearby town.
The city has three shopping centers within 1.8 miles and five parks in close proximity. This is a car-dependent region,so you will need your vehicle for most errands. The East Campus of Lansing Community College is also only 8 minutes away. The local library has a large selection of books and other materials.
Family-Friendly Community
The community of Okemos is a great place for families. The city has top-notch schools,a safe environment and plenty of things to do. Kids love the local parks,including Wonch Park on the banks of the Red Cedar River,with volleyball courts and a playground. Nancy Moore Park,Ferguson Park,the Michigan Women’s History Museum,and Belen Gallery are also popular parks.
In the nearby Meridian Historical Village,visitors can learn about the area’s history,while the Harris Nature Center is surrounded by dense forests and lush meadows with more than five miles of nature trails. The community also hosts the Okemos Farmers Market every Saturday morning.
Okemos has a 59.5% owner-occupied housing unit rate,with an average property tax of $8,055 as opposed to the national average $9,740. Okemos Public Schools serves the residents of the city. The school mascot is named after a Native American chieftain.
Great Schools
GreatSchools,which became a non-profit in 1999 with the aim of democratizing information on school choice that was only available in cumbersome spreadsheets found on government websites,set out to achieve this goal. It partnered with real-estate websites,starting with Zillow in 2012,and embedded its ratings on those sites because research has shown that schools are a major factor when families decide to move. GreatSchools receives a licensing fee for these partnerships,which accounts for less that 20% of the company’s revenue. The rest comes from philanthropy,including from foundations that support school choice.
Critics say that the ratings are biased in favor of schools with more white,affluent and wealthy students. A preliminary study by Chalkbeat found that as the ratings system rolled out,areas with highly-rated schools saw a rise in property values and an increase in white,Asian,and better-educated families. The 2017 revamp of the rating system has lessened the correlation with demographics. However,the link is still significant.
Affordable Living
Okemos has a lower cost of living than the national average for housing,health care,and groceries.
Act quickly if you’re looking for an affordable rental apartment. Cheap apartments aren’t on the market very long. Create a list of the features you want most and compromise on others that are not essential.
Okemos has many income-based rental assistance options. Check with local public housing agencies to learn about waiting lists and eligibility requirements. Ingham County Housing Commission manages several programs including Low Rent Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program – Section 8. Find more information on their website. You can also find more information by visiting the Michigan Public Housing Authority website. Many housing agencies offer subsidized apartments to households that earn less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) within their jurisdiction.
