What Should You Look for in a Lake-Area Apartment in Michigan?
When you're considering apartments near a lake, the view is what most people prioritize. And, while views are great, they'll only get you so far. What you really have to think about is what makes your life easier and more enjoyable.
"I tell people to look beyond the view and think about what an ordinary Tuesday is going to feel like," says Stephanie Wiltgen, Commercial Specialist at Callander Commercial. "The lake view is wonderful, but you're going to live inside your apartment every day. That's what you need to keep in mind."
The best lake-area apartments are built for everyday life. They're solidly constructed with versatile floorplans, they come along with community-focused outdoor space, and you can count on a short drive to get to everything you need.
Here's what you should look for during your next tour, and why the little details matter.
What Do People Overlook When Touring A Lake-Area Apartment?
It's easy to get excited when you tour an apartment. No one is faulting you for that! But before you make a beeline to see the finishes in the kitchen or the view of the landscape, look beyond the surface.
Longtime homeowners understand this well. "They pay attention to how they are going to get their furniture to fit, the quality of the construction, noise between units, parking, storage, outdoor space, and the demographics of the property," Wiltgen says.
That attention to detail is something worth adopting. Whether you've owned a home for 30 years or you're renting your very first place, remember that a place that looks good in photographs might not boast the same beauty when it comes to in-person details.
Six Things To Look For In A Lake-Area Apartment
Construction Quality And Noise Control
It's not always easy to spot thin walls or hollow doors when you first walk through an apartment. But these things play a major role in how you enjoy your day-to-day life at home. At The Bluffs at Gull Lake, you won't be disappointed in this regard.
"The calm outdoors and, more importantly, the quiet indoors are what people notice," says Wiltgen. "The Bluffs was built with soundproofing and solid-core doors, and, while most people don't walk into an apartment tour thinking about those things, it's something they notice once they start living here it makes a big difference for privacy."
In a 2024 survey of over 172,000 renters, the National Multifamily Housing Council found that soundproofed walls and noise-reducing windows are two features that people care about the most (alongside air conditioning and in-unit laundry). Noise control isn't a bonus feature; instead, it's a baseline.
Here's a tip: when you take a tour, knock on an interior wall, ask what the doors are made of, and ask what's above, below, and beside the unit you're looking at.
A Floor Plan Built For Your Needs
A well-designed floorplan is essential for comfort and ease in your everyday life. This is especially important in the kitchen, where people spend a big chunk of their time.
"With 9-foot ceilings, generous cabinetry, and an open layout, our kitchens were designed to provide the space and functionality that make everyday living easier," Wiltgen notes. "That's whether you're downsizing from a house, raising a family, or sharing an apartment with roommates."
One of the highlights of The Bluffs is how they're built to suit all sorts of people with all sorts of different needs.
"For downsizers, kitchen storage matters. For families, the kitchen needs to work hard. For roommates, having enough kitchen space can make all the difference. The kitchen is often one of the first places you notice the difference between an apartment that simply looks good and one that is designed to live well."
And what's the other place, besides the kitchen, where people spend the most time? The bedroom, where you sleep, relax, and feel most at home.
The Bluffs pays just as much attention there. Every two-bedroom apartment includes two full bathrooms, which is a lifesaver for roommates and families alike.
The primary suite features an ensuite bath with double sinks and a walk-in shower, along with a walk-in closet, and the closet pays just as much attention to functionality as everything else does. There are double hanging rods that make better use of vertical space and solid shelving that goes far beyond the typical wire shelving that's often found in apartments.
These features look good while on a tour, yes, but they also make a difference in how your home functions day-to-day. You've got the best of both worlds.
Real Outdoor Living Space
While a small balcony is enough for some people, most aren't satisfied with that being their only outdoor space. Instead, they want a patio that they can get use out of.
"At The Bluffs, the oversized patios and balconies are large enough to use as outdoor living spaces, unlike small apartment balconies," Wiltgen says.
Shared outdoor space is major, too. At The Bluffs, much of the community gathers outside to enjoy the gas firepits, walking paths, and gathering areas set among the beautiful trees on the property's 23 acres.
If being outdoors matters to you, look for a community that lets you socialize beyond your own patio.
A Central Location
Being in a beautiful lake-area apartment doesn't mean sacrificing convenience. The Bluffs is located in Richland, Michigan, which is about 9 miles from Kalamazoo. That's close enough to make any groceries or errands trip a short one!
The fun goes beyond Kalamazoo, too. Residents have access to the beauty and fun of Gull Lake without having to own a home on it. Ross Township Park, which is located just outside Richland, boasts one of the best scuba diving experiences in Kalamazoo County, and you can enjoy it with either a day pass or an annual pass. If you have your own boat, there's a public boat launch available at Gull Lake's Prairieville Township Park, just a quick drive from The Bluffs and, if you'd rather rent than own, Gull Lake Marine's Bayside Pro rents pontoons and e-bikes by hour or by the day.
Fitness isn't far away, either. While The Bluffs doesn't have an on-site gym, the Sherman Lake YMCA is only a few minutes away. It has a full pool, group fitness classes, and a weight room that is open for members.
The area gives you tons of reasons to want to stay local, too. You've got Richland's farmers market, great lakeside restaurants, and the Gilmore Car Museum located in Hickory Corners that pulls in visitors from all over the state.
When you're touring an apartment, take into consideration how close you are to the things that you've always enjoyed doing, not just your proximity to the lake itself.
Maintenance You Can Forget About
When you live in an apartment, you enjoy less responsibility.
"Many people ask about maintenance; who handles the lawn, snow, repairs, and all the things they've been responsible for in the past," Wiltgen notes.
The weight of maintenance coming off their shoulders really resonates with people who have spent years owning a home. It's a pattern that AARP has a record of on a national level, with one West Michigan resident featured in their research having moved from a 5,000 square foot home into an 1,100 square foot apartment and enjoying the relief that came along with it.
"You're giving up mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, and maintaining a house, but you don't have to give up room to live, having friends and family over, or being surrounded by nature," explains Wiltgen.
Space And Community
Space is very important to people. Moving from a house to an apartment has most people assuming that they'll feel confined and cut off from the world.
"People are coming from a house, often with a yard, and they picture apartment living as giving up space, privacy, and access to the outdoors," says Wiltgen.
You want a property that doesn't operate like your run-of-the-mill apartment complex.
"The Bluffs doesn't have that traditional apartment complex feel," notes Wiltgen. "We're on 23 acres with mature trees, walking areas, outdoor firepits and gathering spaces, and the property sits on a bluff overlooking Gull Lake."
To ensure that you won't feel closed-in or sequestered from the outside world, take a look at the grounds, not just a specific unit, when you tour.
Questions To Ask During Your Tour
Once you're satisfied with what you've seen of the unit and the grounds, ask these questions to fairly compare your options:
- Who handles lawncare, snow removal, and repairs?
- How quickly are maintenance requests taken care of?
- What are the walls and doors made of? Will I hear my neighbors?
- Are the closets and cabinets big enough to store my belongings?
- Is the patio/balcony large enough to sit on and use?
- What shared outdoor spaces are available, and are they included at no extra cost?
- How far is this property from where I work, shop, and spend my free time?
Mistakes To Avoid
The biggest mistake that people make is touring on paper, not in person. While you might be entranced by the look of a place online or in photos, those things don't tell the full story. When you're not there in person, you can't notice noise, cramped spaces, or floor plans that don't suit your lifestyle. It's crucial to walk the unit and see it for yourself.
Another common mistake people make is forgetting to have the conversation about maintenance. Ask directly who's in charge of taking care of the lawn, the snow, and repairs. A property that handles all of this takes a huge weight off your shoulders.
Don't let yourself get swept up in the optics when you see the unit.
"Pay attention to the floor plan, natural light, noise, parking, outdoor space, and how you use your home," says Wiltgen. "A desirable property is one that makes your everyday life better."
Taking The Next Steps
The right lake-area apartment should do more than make a great first impression. If you're ready to see for yourself how The Bluffs at Gull Lake handles the small details, from soundproofing to storage and everything in between, schedule a tour today.