Let’s learn a little more about one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the Grand Rapids area, Ottawa Hills.

Location & History

Ottawa Hills is located in the southeastern part of Grand Rapids. It is known for its winding tree-lined streets, its amazing architecture, and its great schools. Before we jump into what Ottawa Hills is today, I’d love to take a look at the Ottawa Hills’ history. This neighborhood was originally plotted out as a residential area in the 1900s on what used to be the Grand Rapids Golf Club. The first houses were built in 1922, and the homes continued to be constructed until the 1950s. The winding roads are said to follow the paths of the former fairways. Today, nearly 1,730 residents live in the 294 homes that make up Ottawa Hills.

Ottawa Hills Real Estate

Ottawa Hills features a gorgeous mix of architectural styles, including colonial, Tudor, craftsmen, traditional homes, and many more. Many of the residences are well-preserved historic houses contributing to the neighborhood’s charm. Home prices in this neighborhood range between $270,000 and $720,000, and the majority of the neighborhood’s residents own their homes instead of rent.

Schools in Ottawa Hills

The neighborhood is home to some of Grand Rapids’ top schools. The Grand Rapids Christian School System lies at the heart of Ottawa Hills. Grand Rapids Christian is a preschool through 12th grade independent Christian day school that educates nearly 2,300 students annually. The Ottawa Hills neighborhood is also home to the Ottawa Hills High School, which is one of the five Grand Rapids public high schools and teaches just over 380 students in grades 9 through 12 annually.

Local Amenities & Nature

The neighborhood is conveniently located near amenities like Hall Street Bakery, Ottawa Hills Public Library, East Grand Rapids, East Town, and Bretton Village Shopping Center. Access to major roads and highways provides connectivity to other parts of Grand Rapids. The neighborhood is also known and loved for its walkability and proximity to other amazing neighborhoods that I mentioned previously.

Outside of walking the tree-lined streets in Ottawa Hills, residents can enjoy some fresh air at Pontiac Park. Grand Rapids Christian in collaboration with the Ottawa Hills Neighborhood Association, worked hard to develop Pontiac Park. Ottawa Hills residents can also take a quick walk to Martin Luther King Park to enjoy all of their green space, basketball courts, baseball fields, tennis courts, and the public pool.

Ottawa Hills Neighborhood Association

In 1972, the Ottawa Hills Neighborhood Association was established to preserve the neighborhood’s unique features. Over the past 50 years, the Neighborhood Association has evolved and now sponsors many events, including an annual garden tour, ice cream social, tree plantings, neighborhood-wide garage sale, and neighborhood cleanup. The neighborhood is also the site of Michigan’s longest-running Independence Day parade, the Holly Hock Lane Parade.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little bit more about Ottawa Hills and if you’re looking for a real estate agent to help you buy or sell a home in Ottawa Hills, connect with our team.