Michigan Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Bear Lake, Michigan

Population: 1,587

Located in Manistee County

Just up the road apace from Manistee and Ludington lies the small village of Bear Lake, where like the Cheers song, "Everyone knows your name"! This is a close-knit community of people, welcoming newcomers with open arms, and expressions of delight. This village received its name after the bear-shape of the lake it is situated on.

Everything about this place is quaint, and lovely. So if you're the kind of person who needs to look up and see a night sky, if you adore the sights, smells and sounds of the forest, if your idea of a good time is to be in a sailing boat, chasing that big buck, or yelling "Fish On!!!" Bear Lake is the place to be!

Bear Lake has its own lake, named aptly enough, Bear Lake! But there is an even bigger lake just minutes away, one of the great lakes - Lake Michigan. Sandy beaches and dunes await you here, as well as great swimming and boating.

Enjoy the four seasons? Then you'll love Bear Lake. Lake breezes keep the summers mild, and great for water frolics and endless walks on the beach, or just a chance to enjoy the quaint stores right here in Bear Lake. Late October shows off with reds, golds and russets that have to be seen to be believed. And you can thrill the sound of fresh snow under your skis from November through March. Spring brings a welcome green tinge to the world, and then it starts all over again.

Homes on the lake tend to be more expensive than those found just off the lake, but that really doesn't make too much a difference. There are plenty of opportunities to get your boat in the water, no matter where you live! With Lake Michigan just a stone's throw away, there are many docks to choose from. A home right on Bear Lake with about 2,000 square feet of living space, and built on a couple of acres will cost around $350,000. Homes closer to the town can run as low as $85,000 while lots of land can range in price from $5,000 to $35,000 and sometimes more as you get right on the lake.

Today, Bear Lake remains primarily a tourist and retirement community with carefully planned development around the lake. An hour's drive from a major city but a world away in mind and soul, Bear Lake captures the essence of Northern Michigan, a world apart.