Michiana

Michiana is the southernmost village in Harbor Country, at the south-west tip of the state of Michigan in Berrien County. It is the last town on the lake in Michigan, lying just to the south of Grand Beach and directly on the border of Michigan and Indiana, hence its name, Michiana. Although it is the name of this small village, the name 'Michiana' is also used to describe the whole area just to the Michigan side of the Michigan-Indiana border, which was previously known as Michigan Shores. The area surrounding Michiana village is home to numerous inns, u-pick farms and plentiful shopping. Michiana is also known for its quaint log cabins, some of which date back to the 1920's.

Like Grand Beach, Michiana was originally established purely as a resort community, due to its perfect vacation location on the shores of Lake Michigan. Michiana was one of the last resorts to be developed in the 1920's, as it is located in dense woodland. It was built around a single giant oak, known as the 'Old Indian Signal Oak', which signaled the boundary between Michigan and Indiana and stood at the intersection of Powhattan and Michiana Drives. The developers built an amphitheater around the Signal Oak to entertain prospective buyers. Despite this long history, it was not until 1946 that the village was incorporated, and the first village council meeting was held in a private home of Harry Cohen.

Back in the 1920's, Michiana was advertised as the perfect rural weekend getaway for Chicagoans, and today, it is the summer residence of several Chicago celebrities. Nowadays, Michiana is a safe, peaceful place to relax, bring up children and enjoy the numerous recreational and cultural opportunities of the village and surrounding area, yet still be within easy reach of all that Chicago has to offer.

Michiana is a quiet, peaceful village with only 200 full-time residents, who are mostly of Irish and German descent. It is a very safe place, with a below-average crime rate, above-average law enforcement presence and no violent crime reported in 2009. The unemployment rate is also well below national average, and the average educational attainment and income are significantly above national average. If you are looking for a quiet backwater, unaffected by urban problems and congestion, that is safe for children, retirement and a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, Michiana could be just the village you are looking for!

Michiana is rich in history, with the percentage of homes built there before 1950 at the state average, and many that were built during the 1930's and 40's. The homes in Michiana are also typically larger than the state average. Many roads in Michiana are named to honor the Native Americans who first lived in the area, for example Seminole Trail, Pokagon Trail and Cherokee Drive.

Michiana offers a comfortable climate, with average summer temperatures of the mid-70's. Winter temperatures are an average of the mid-20's, with up to 18 inches of snowfall per month in December and January, providing perfect condition for winter sports.

Michiana is right on Lake Michigan, enjoying the wonderful sand dunes and beaches of this part of the state. There sand dunes are rich in birdlife, with over 20 species permanently resident and many more songbirds and waterfowl stopping on Michiana's dunes as they annually migrate. This rich wildlife makes Michiana a peaceful bird-watcher's paradise. Michiana's dunes also attract botanists from all over the state and country, as they are home to numerous species of conifers, shrubs and flowering plants that are rarely found elsewhere.

Michiana's residents and government are committed to maintaining and preserving Michiana's natural beauty and wildlife. The Berrien County Health Department regularly monitors the quality of Michiana's beaches to ensure that the bacterial levels are always safe and that residents are warned if there is any danger of infection from water contact. Residents and visitors can also monitor the water quality online.

Although Michiana is a small, quiet retreat, it is just 4 miles from the larger village of New Buffalo, which offers numerous sports and recreational facilities, arts programs, shopping and dining. An Amtrak station is also located in New Buffalo, for easy travel. For employment or study in higher education, Michiana is less than 30 miles from major universities such as the University of Notre Dame and Perdue University. Lake Michigan and cities such as Chicago are also within easy reach, for day trips or recreation (including fishing, swimming and boating), shopping and the arts.

Area Information

Median Home Price - $364,676

Schools - Michiana is within 4 miles of New Buffalo's elementary, middle and high schools.

Hospitals - There are three hospitals serving the Michiana area.

Emergency Services - There are local police, fire and ambulance services throughout the Michiana area.

Find A Great Real Estate Deal in Michiana Now

There are still real estate deals right now in the Michiana area, with a nice inventory of single-family homes available. Prices range from the low 200's to the multi-millions for homes. Lake Living Realty will be glad to help you in your search for just the right home, in one of the most stunningly beautiful areas of Michigan. Call us today for an appointment to find your new home!