Have you ever wanted to live within a short distance from, without being in Grand Rapids? This is possible in Allendale, Michigan, just a short 20-minute drive from Downtown Grand Rapids.

Allendale is also known as a very safe community. It’s quaint and smaller in population size. Around 25,000 residents live here during the Grand Valley school year, and it’s known as a very connected community as well. They have got loads of community events going on, festivals, and farmer’s markets that really get the community this intimate involved feeling.

Housing Options in Allendale 

Generally, home prices in Allendale tend to be lower than in larger nearby cities like Grand Rapids. Prices can range from affordable apartments and student housing to more expensive single-family homes. Right now, the average sale price is $386,000 and there were roughly 82 sales from the start of 2023 to October 2023.

Recreation Opportunities 

Allendale is also known for its amazing outdoor amenities, so there are plenty of things to do from hiking to biking, and more. One option is the Allendale Community Park, which is one of the many parks in the area. Another nearby park is Aman Park on Lake Michigan Drive. And then you have all of the parks and outdoor spaces that surround the Grand River that runs right through Allendale. So there are loads of opportunities to get outside and enjoy a bit of nature.

In addition to all these awesome parks, there’s The Meadows golf course on Grand Valley’s campus, which hosts the women’s and men’s golf teams. This is one of the local highly rated golf courses, so definitely check that out.

Dining in Allendale 

Most of the dining options in Allendale run along Lake Michigan Drive. Some of the local favorites are going to be Trail Point Brewing Company, Main Street Pub, and a ton of local college eateries and fast food options around the university as well.

Grand Valley State University

While there’s plenty to do throughout Allendale, the city is primarily known for Grand Valley State University. GVSU was founded back in 1960 as a college and became Grand Valley State University in 1987. It has since grown into one of Michigan’s largest and most prominent regional universities. Today, just over 22,000 students are enrolled at the university. There are multiple campuses throughout the state. The main one is in Allendale. Their Pew campus is located in Downtown Grand Rapids, and they have additional campuses in Holland, Muskegon, Detroit, Traverse City, and Battle Creek. Grand Valley offers over 145 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a number of different fields. Some of the most popular academic areas are business, health sciences, engineering, education, and liberal arts.

GVSU is a member of the NCAA Division II and competes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The University has a strong athletics program and has won a number of national championships in football, basketball, and track and field. There are over 400 student organizations, clubs, and activities, including cultural, academic, recreational, and professional groups that are available for students to get involved in.

And last but not least, the university is also recognized for how environmentally friendly and sustainable they are. They are consistently named one of the country’s most environmentally responsible colleges.

We hope you enjoyed this tour of the quaint City of Allendale and Grand Valley State University. If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Allendale or the greater West Michigan area, come connect with our team to get started.