St. Joseph, Michigan
The picturesque small city of St. Joseph lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, to the north of the beautiful chain of small villages along the lakeside known as Harbor Country, yet it is still in Berrien County. In fact, St. Joseph has been the county seat of Berrien County since 1894. St. Joseph is located at the southern tip of what is known as 'The Riviera of the Midwest', in recognition of the spectacular natural beauty and more comfortable climate of this area of the state of Michigan.
In downtown St. Joseph, you will find beautiful and historic brick-paved streets, lined with unique cafes, boutiques, antique stores and art galleries. St. Joseph has a distinct European flavor, and many residents are of German descent. St. Joseph is a particularly good location to find lighthouse memorabilia, and there are many gift stores to cater to the many visitors to this beautiful town. For more art, the Krasl Art Center features renowned glass sculptures and traveling exhibits, and also hosts an annual Art Fair every July. As if this wasn't enough for the arts lover, St. Joseph also hosts 'Antiques on the Bluff' every Sunday from May until October. During this summer period, a motorized trolley circles the downtown shopping district, so you can park or leave your car at home while still easily getting around town.
St. Joseph has prided itself on encouraging a good balance of residential, commercial and industrial development, providing economic growth, employment opportunities and facilities to serve residents' needs, yet maintaining St. Joseph's quaint character. Many corporations have offices in St. Joseph, and workers traveling into St. Joseph to work make the city's population triple during working hours. St. Joseph offers great a education system, with three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school (in addition to three private schools), and great medical care. Although St. Joseph offers all the facilities and opportunities of a city, it has remained small and friendly, with just under 9,000 residents.
However, St. Joseph isn't just about work and commerce. Downtown St. Joseph is home to Silver Beach County Park. Silver Beach stretches 1600 feet along the lake, and was named by Parents Magazine as one of the U.S.'s best beaches. Silver Beach County Park isn't just a beautiful beach where all the family can have fun in safety, it also hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year. For example, in July the Venetian Festival takes place, with volleyball, a carnival and many musical events on and around the shore. July and August is the time for Brownbag Lunch Concerts, complete with horse-drawn rides around the shore area. Other St. Joseph facilities include an ice arena, museum, skate park, BMX bike park, recreational trails and yet more parks!
The city of St. Joseph has not lost sight of its rural roots. Every Saturday during the summer and fall months, a Farmer's Market is held, where local farmers sell the fruits and vegetables that have made this region of Michigan famous as the Fruit Belt.
St. Joseph is just 90 minutes' drive from Chicago, conveniently located just four miles off I-94. The interstate curves inland, away from St. Joseph, providing good transportation links but without noise and congestion.
If you are looking for a small city in which to live and work, but that is still full of antique charm, natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, St. Joseph could be just the town you are looking for. St. Joseph is in easy reach of the beautiful, historic villages and beaches of Harbor Country, and the wineries, antique shops and boutiques there provide a perfect day trip for all the family. Alternatively, if you decide to live in one of the small villages of Harbor Country, St. Joseph provides a close-by, easily reached location in which to enjoy the recreational opportunities offered in a city.
Worried about relocating to a city where you have no friends or family? The Twin Cities Area Newcomers' Club is your perfect introduction to fun and new friends in the St. Joseph area. The club is a non-profit club dedicated to helping those that have moved to the St. Joseph area within the last three years to find friends, have fun and learn their way around the city and surrounding area. The club offers regular brunches, dinner, ladies' nights out, mens' poker nights, parents and preschoolers' events, activities such as golf and scrap-booking meetings, as well as annual events such as a September Welcome Dinner and Spring Appreciation Dinner. Join the club and you'll rapidly find new friends, whatever your age or interests!
St. Joseph At A Glance
St. Joseph is a picturesque small city with about 9,000 full-time residents, who are mostly of German and Swedish descent. It is a very safe place, with a below-average crime rate, numerous beautiful parks and picnic areas, and good law enforcement presence, an excellent school system and healthcare nearby, all of which make St. Joseph a very attractive place for families with young children. The unemployment rate is also well below national average, and the average educational attainment and income are significantly above national average. This European-flavored small city could be just the place you are looking for, for your family to call home!
St. Joseph 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 conditions for winter sports.
Area Information
Median Home Price - $160,817
Schools - Three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school serve the St Joseph area.
Hospitals – Lakeland Regional Medical Center and other healthcare facilities serve the St. Joseph area.
Emergency Services – There are local police, fire and ambulance services throughout the St Joseph area.
Find A Great Real Estate Deal in St. Joseph Now
There are still real estate deals right now in the St. Joseph area, with a nice inventory of single-family homes available. Prices range from the mid-100's to the 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 appealing small cities on Lake Michigan. Call us today for an appointment to find your new home!
