Oakland County Lakefront Homes & Real Estate - MI

Oakland County Lakefront Homes

As a part of the metropolitan Detroit area, Oakland County is located in southeast Michigan. Oakland County is a 907-square mile region of Michigan made up of 62 cities, townships, villages, and most importantly, over 358 gorgeous lakes. With a population of 1,202,362, Oakland County is the second most populous county in Michigan, beat only by the neighboring Wayne County. 

Oakland County was founded in 1819. Woodward Avenue and the Detroit and Pontiac Railroad were contributing factors to drawing settlers to the area. Oakland first made a name for itself by the operation of over 50 lumber mills, taking advantage of the wooded lands that made up the County. The area came to be so much more than just lumber, as it’s now known for its Automation Alley, home to General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, and a variety of other auto engineering facilities. This makes Oakland County one of the largest employment centers for engineering and related occupations. 

Automobiles aren’t the only thing that make Oakland County so popular. Since there are so many spectacular lakes in the area, Oakland County is one of the most popular locations for waterfront property. The County is consistently rated as one of the best places to live in the United States. The picturesque landscapes offer year-round beauty and countless opportunities to soak up the sun, whether on the lake or from the shores. 

Oakland County Lakefront Real Estate

Oakland County real estate is some of the most coveted real estate in the country. The picturesque locations, variety of affordable housing, and types of homes available make this ideal location perfect for everyone, from young professionals to established families to retirees. Just about every housing style can be found somewhere in the County, from ranch, bungalow, tudor, and colonial single-family homes to split levels, condo buildings, and townhomes. There’s truly something for everyone in this splendid nature-infused land. 

The median real estate cost in Oakland County is approximately $320,000. Homes for sale can be found anywhere from $189,000 for a humble bungalow to over $10 million for grand estates. Proximity to the water, privacy, and house design are all factors that affect the price of real estate. Oakland County is home to a multitude of options for potential residents; single-family homes, multi-family row homes, condominiums, and townhomes are just some of the fantastic options to consider. 

Lakefront property is a hot commodity. The Oakland County real estate market is a competitive one and those looking to settle down in this scenic area must act quickly to land their dream waterfront home. Oakland County makes it possible for anyone to be able to enjoy a beautiful lakefront home. Quaint and humble cabins can be found under $200,000. At the same time, expansive lake homes can be found for well over $1 million. Many residents that live in Oakland County permanently and others use the tranquil waterfront properties as summer or vacation homes during the warmer months. 

With approximately 1,000 acres of lakefront property, anyone looking into making Oakland County their home has plenty of options. Additionally to the freshwater lakes, there are copious amounts of homes located along tranquil rivers, inland beaches, and calm streams. The opportunities are virtually endless when it comes to waterfront real estate in Oakland County. 

Oakland County Amenities

One of the greatest assets to the Oakland County community is the access to spectacular natural resources. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources maintains over 358 pristine lakes. These lakes vary between large public access lakes (such as Cass Lake or Duck Lake), chain lakes (like Portage Chain of Lakes), lakes that have easy highway access (such as Woodland Lake or Whitmore Lake), and lakes lined with luxury estate homes (such as Lake Angelus and Walnut Lake). 

Lakefront homes for sale in Oakland County take full advantage of the natural beauty of southeast Michigan. Anyone who enjoys water-based activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking and canoeing, waterskiing, and the like will delight in the chance to live right alongside a beautiful freshwater lake oozing with opportunity to indulge in all these activities and more. 

Oakland County is home to a variety of parks and recreation areas. With nearly 80 miles of paved and natural trails, locals can get some fresh air by walking, hiking, mountain biking, even horse-back riding. Living in Oakland County provides the opportunity for year-round exercise and activity. In the snowy winter months, these trails offer the option of not just hiking through a winter wonderland, but snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and in some areas, snowmobiling. 

Residents of Oakland County who know how to swing a club will enjoy the five major golf courses in the area. This includes Glen Oaks Golf Course, Lyon Oaks Golf Course, Red Oaks Golf Course, Springfield Oaks Golf Course, and White Lake Golf Course. These fine establishments offer vast green spaces to brush up on your swing, shop the top-quality pro shops, dine in the course restaurants, and golf on some of the top-rated courses in Michigan. The courses operate from spring through fall and are closed for the winter season. 

Oakland County is well known for its marvelous Farmer’s Market. This locally run collection of vendors boasts of grower-direct fresh produce, flowers, and hand-made goods. Red Wood Grill provides on-site barbecue and the venue hosts dozens of special events throughout the year such as food truck rallies, community garage sales, and nutrition and health programs. The indoor and outdoor stalls provide a wide range of locally sourced treasures and are open year-round. During the year, locals can indulge in the treats and produce three days a week. From January to April, the Market is only open on Saturdays. 

There are countless ways to entertain yourself in Oakland County and plenty of options to keep all ages engaged. Just a few of the various excursions to be enjoyed and delighted in include TreeRunner West Bloomfield Adventure Park, Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum, Sea Life Michigan Aquarium, Rotten Manor, Supe’s Exotic Jungle, and Cranbrook Institute of Science. Of course, these are just a glimpse into the wonderful opportunities awaying visitors and locals alike who have come to explore Oakland County and all that the area has to offer. 

Oakland County Schools

Oakland County is home to 28 public school districts. Some of the top-ranking school boards are managed under Oakland County and serve the various neighborhoods found in the area. With approximately 317 public elementary, middle, and high schools, the residents of Oakland County have plenty of educational institutions available to their children as well as access to top-of-the-line resources though each school. 

Alternatively, residents of Oakland County have the option of private schooling. There are around 148 privately run schools including various religious schools, specialized schools targeting specific learning styles, and preparatory schools focusing on the student’s post-secondary schooling options. 

What’s Nearby

Oakland County is not only filled with rural neighborhoods and pristine lakes and parklands. The nearby areas are chock full of urban residential and commercial districts. Locals to Oakland County have access to a diverse array of retail districts, thriving neighborhoods, and business districts. 

Adjacent counties to Oakland County include Lapeer County to the northeast, Genessee County to the northwest, Macomb County to the east, Wayne County to the southeast, Washtenaw County to the southwest, and Livingston County to the west. 

Residents who want to explore more of the fantastic amenities that Michigan has to offer don’t need to wander too far from home. There are several major cities surrounding Oakland County, many that are within half an hour. Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, and Brighton are all between a 30-60 minute drive from Oakland County and are some of Michigan’s most popular destinations. 

Pontiac is the county seat and is smack dab in the middle of all the action. The city is known for the Arts, Beats, and Eats Festival which is hosted every summer and features art, music, and various foods from local restaurants. Pontiac is host to several popular festivals and events, making it a hot spot for local activity and entertainment. The city also has a thriving nightlife that features bars and nightclubs as well as vibrant music venues. 

Oakland County is the perfect mix of rural and urban settings. The tranquil lakes provide a delicate ambiance found only in the heart of nature and the proximity to more urban areas allows residents to thrive in the rural setting. Cottage-goers have the option to live along the not-too-crowded waters permanently in order to live out the quiet lifestyle that most people only glimpse during the summertime. Part-time residents can enjoy their daily urban life most of the year and just come for the prime time of the warm months, spending late nights by a lakeside campfire or early mornings fishing from a canoe. Whether you’re considering living in Oakland County full-time or are looking for a quiet summer getaway, one thing is for sure: you’re going to love it here! 

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