Being from Michigan, many will claim bias, but the Great Lakes area is an unsung hero of the country that is largely ignored by many from the coasts, mountain states, and southeast and south central regions.
The assumption is the winter is long, dark, and cold, and the summer is short and hot. For problematic climate change reasons, this perception is no longer valid, and even when there is a colder winter, it still beats some of what is happening on the coasts or the south. For many reasons, millions are contemplating a real change in where they live – anxious about unbearable heat, hurricanes, mudslides, wildfires, flooding, and insurance company withdrawals. Oh, and a shortage of fresh water.
Enter the Great Lakes Region – where winters are getting milder, spring, summer, and fall are gorgeous, and there’s more fresh water than anywhere on the planet. If there’s going to be a nationwide managed retreat from the coasts and south, it’ll be here.
Rated the Best State for Climate Change by Policy Genius, Michigan, along with states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, get superior marks for lack of extreme heat, wildfires, flooding, and the likelihood of drought—a “climate haven” so they say – a region more resilient to climate change.
Add to this an abundance of fresh water—the most on the planet. Three of the world’s top four largest freshwater lakes are in the heart of the Great Lakes region: Lakes Superior, Huron, and Michigan.
Where do people live here? CNBC recently reported on SmartAsset’s 2024 study of the most livable small cities in the United States. Of the top ten, seven were in the Great Lakes Region, including Troy, MI, Rochester Hills, MI, Eau Claire, WI, Appleton, WI, Plymouth, MN, Livonia, MI and Oshkosh, WI. The ranking was based on factors like housing costs, unemployment rates, commute times, access to art, entertainment, and eating establishments, and availability of healthcare.
Can you get a job? The leadership in Great Lakes Region states is nationally recognized for focusing on clean energy and innovative careers in next-generation transportation mobility and the electric vehicle (EV) and battery markets. Beyond that, manufacturing, healthcare, IT, education, retail, customer service, finance, logistics and supply chain management, hospitality, tourism, construction, and real estate are the top job categories within these states.
Abundant natural resources, stable climate and weather patterns, affordable housing and homeowners insurance, access to some of the nation’s largest and best public universities, good jobs and healthcare have the Great Lakes Region Rising.
Here are 5 small-town options for those considering the Great Lakes area, and want to experience havens in waterfront living.
Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City, is at the top of our list of favorite cities in the Great Lakes Region. For starters, it’s the cherry capital of the world, with the region producing 40% of the tart cherry crop in the U.S. More importantly, it’s small but punches way above its weight for culture, foodie restaurants, bars, and boutique shopping. It’s also home to Sleeping Bear Dunes, frequently at the top of the list of the best beaches in the country. It has a great Children’s Museum and a whole wine country just north of the city. It also has some of the most beautiful Victorian homes (east of San Francisco), that line the city waterfront, in case you’re looking for a new place to settle.
- Kewaunee Wisconsin
Home to under 4,000 people, Kewaunee Wisconsin, is another of the beautiful vacation towns on Lake Michigan that is now drawing wfh’ers and empty nesters, as full-time residents. Of course, it’s still a favorite target for vacationers from Milwaukee or Chicago. North up the Wisconsin shore from Milwaukee, the historic harbor town has wonderful shopping, waterfront dining, and out-of-this-world water views and recreation.
On the eastern side of the Peninsula, nature lovers flock to the Kewaunee Marshland Walk for walks, picnics, or just to rest their bones and enjoy the water.
- Leland, Michigan
Leeland runs along Lake Michigan's northeastern edge and is beloved by visitors and locals alike for its setting between the two lakefronts of Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau. Historically a fishing village, it is home to the legendary Fishtown, the center of the fishing culture for the region. Whaleback Natural Area is a great place to start a visit as it offers the most idyllic watery scenery on a sunset hike.
The town has fine dining, right next to casual coffeehouses and art galleries in the Old Art Building. Walkers often start at Van's Beach along Lake Michigan, and follow the trailhead throughout and out of town. Alternatively, you can stick to Lake Leelanau and hang out at Bartholomew Park and Schneider's Beach & Park. It’s a great town for those who want to experience the lakes and want an in-town social experience as well.
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Another amazing city that sits between two great lakes, Mackinaw City enjoys magnificent waterfronts between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Visitors can hang on one of the many beaches or board a ferry for a ride to Mackinac Island on Lake Huron, with secluded hiking and biking trails known for their pristine nature of limestone formations and clear blue waters.
There is no end to outdoor experiences here, starting with Wilderness State Park, which hugs the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Or consider, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, just west of the city, or check out the two lighthouses, McGulpin Point Lighthouse and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. Never forget, Michigan has more lighthouses than any state in the Union!
Port Austin, Michigan
Marina on Lake Huron at Port Austin, Michigan.
Port Austin is a small port town on the northern end of Michigan's so-called thumb coast (remember, we call Michigan “the mitten”) on the coast of Lake Huron. It’s a city of stunning beaches and inland waterways, popular with kayakers and canoers. It has magical sea caves and of course a majestic off-shore reef lighthouse. Living options here include historic homes, in town, and more rural setting options, if being a bit away from the city is your preference.
The fishing here is amazing, with bass, salmon, and lake trout always on the menu. You can also hike around Port Crescent State Park which captures the migratory bird population via the dark sky preserve and bird of prey observation deck. The town has just 600+ residents but with an average home price of just $224k, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, we expect that to change as we move further into the 21st century.