City Living, Up North Style: A Guide to Downtown Traverse City
Most people move to Northern Michigan to get away from the city. But there is a specific kind of buyer we work with who wants the exact opposite. They want the water and the trees, but they also want to walk to get a cortado, bike to a brewery, and have a vibrant community right outside their front door.
For those people, there is Downtown Traverse City.
I’m Taylor Brown, and while my business partner (and mom), Janel, is the expert on lakefront luxury, I spend a huge amount of my time in the city streets. I live nearby in the county, and I treat Downtown TC as my second living room.
If you are thinking about buying downtown, you need to know that "Downtown" isn't just one thing. It’s a collection of distinct neighborhoods, each with a totally different personality.
1. Slabtown: The Historic West Side
If you head west of Division Street, you enter Slabtown. Historically, this was "Little Bohemia," where lumber mill workers built cottages using "slabs" of wood from the mills.
The Vibe: It’s eclectic, historic, and incredibly sought after. The homes here are often smaller, charming bungalows that have been lovingly restored.
The Neighborhood Secrets: This area has some of the best "hidden" food spots. You have Slabtown Burgers for a classic lunch, but my favorite secret is Slabtown Cookies. It’s literally a "front yard business" on Monroe Street—a self-serve cookie stand that feels like something out of a storybook.
The Water: You are steps away from West Bay, which makes it feel like a beach town neighborhood.
2. The Boardman / Central Neighborhood
This is what people usually picture when they think of "American small town life." It’s the area south of Front Street, roughly between Division and Boardman Avenue.
The Architecture: This is where you find the stunning, painted Victorians and deep front porches. It’s "Old Traverse City" money.
The Walkability: This is the gold standard. You can walk to the public library, the post office, and Traverse City Central High School. It is incredibly family-focused.
The Insider Tip: The closer you are to Sixth Street, the more prestigious (and expensive) the real estate tends to be.
3. Old Town: The Eclectic South
Cross the Boardman River to the south, and you hit Old Town.
The Vibe: It feels a little younger and a little more urban than the Central Neighborhood. It’s mixed-use, meaning you have cool lofts and condos mixed in with single-family homes.
The Hangouts: Since Blue Tractor closed, the vibe here has shifted, but it remains a food hub. You have Rare Bird Brewpub for great beer, and for a healthy lunch, the Oryana Cafe (at the 10th St co-op) is a daily staple for locals. It’s the kind of place where you always run into someone you know.
The Boardman Lake Loop: This is a huge selling point. The trail loops entirely around Boardman Lake now. Living in Old Town means you can jump on the trail for a 4-mile run or bike ride without ever fighting traffic.
4. The 8th Street Corridor: The New Energy
We have to talk about 8th Street. A few years ago, this was just a road you drove down. Now, it’s becoming its own destination.
The "Communal" Vibe: The redevelopment here is fantastic. You have Tank Space, a taproom that focuses on community (and great beer).
The Burger Connection: Right next door is Oakwood Proper Burgers. The coolest part? You can sit in Tank Space, pick up the "Burger Phone," and order Oakwood to be delivered right to your table. It’s that kind of collaborative, fun neighborhood energy that buyers love right now.
5. The Commons: A City Within a City
We can’t talk about town without mentioning The Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
The Setting: These are the renovated historic asylum buildings. It sounds spooky to outsiders, but to locals, it’s one of the most beautiful spots in the state.
The Living: You generally find high-end condos here with massive brick walls, high ceilings, and incredible character.
The Backyard: You live inside a park. You have hundreds of acres of hiking trails directly behind your building, and an elevator ride takes you down to Trattoria Stella or Left Foot Charley for a glass of wine.
The Reality of Buying Downtown
Here is the truth: Inventory is tight. Everyone wants to be here. When a well-priced bungalow in Slabtown or a Victorian in the Central Neighborhood hits the market, it often sees multiple offers within days.
You need a team that knows the streets.
We know the zoning. (Is that house you like allowed to have a rental unit above the garage? We can find out.)
We know the traffic patterns. (Which streets become shortcuts during the Cherry Festival?)
We know the pockets of value.
Whether you want a low-maintenance condo so you can travel all winter, or a historic home to raise a family in, we can help you navigate the grid.
Let’s walk the neighborhood. Reach out to us. We’ll meet you for a coffee at Outpost on Front Street (best espresso in town) and show you what life in TC is really like.
Janel & Taylor Brown The Brown Team | Real Estate One (231) 360-1510
