Review of Houghton Lake, Michigan


Great for people who like to be on the water or on
Star Rating - 8/15/2013
This is a rural resort area. You must be able to embrace the rural lifestyle. There's no real shopping opportunities other than Walmart, Kmart, Peebles, Dunhams, Tractor Supply. If you want to shop, it's a 45 minute drive to a city with more of a selection. I cope with online purchasing. There are no real jobs which pay above minimum wage, unless you are able to work online. That being said, if you like to fish, ice fish, hunt, boat, trap, cross country ski, snowmobile or just spend time on the water or in the woods, you will love it here! There are many camp grounds, cabins for rent, and plenty of chessy old time touristy family activities too. The people are friendly, there's a one of a kind log movie theater, several diner type eateries, bars, and fast food. There are some cool mom and pop shops from butchers to antique shops. Cost of living is low, but gas prices are high. We have an emergency clinic with a major hospital within twenty miles. I have no kids of school age, so can not speak of the quality of education. I can say there is a lot of pride in the school and their "Bobcats". There is no real crime to speak of, but there are drugs and such based on news reports. Most of the infractions in the crime report printed weekly in the paper have to do with DUI or drugs. All in all, it's very pleasant here, but the big city it's not. Whether you like here or not has more to do with you and what you like, rather than the town itself.
Desiree | Houghton Lake, MI
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I’m laughing because you’re 100% accurate on everything you said. I grew up coming up to Holton lake since I was nine years old and I’m 54 now. We just bought a house up there and I’m so excited because I know all the business owners they pass their businesses down to their kids and it’s very close knit kind of like Mayberry. I feel like it’s always going to be home and unfortunately I’ve lived in big cities every since I was 18 thinking I wanted to get out of Michigan and now all I wanna do is come home... i’ve lived in San Diego, Dallas, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and the suburbs of Detroit. When I drive up north to Houghton Lake, I get a sense of serenity as soon as I see the town??
Cheryl | Orlando, FL | Report Abuse
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