Southeast End

The Southeast End is one of Grand Rapids' larger residential neighborhoods, stretching from the southern edge of Heritage Hill and the Wealthy Street corridor down to Hall Street. The area is characterized by a grid of tree-lined residential streets with a mix of housing types, from early 20th century worker's cottages and bungalows to mid-century construction and some newer infill development. The built environment reflects multiple eras of Grand Rapids' growth, with the oldest homes concentrated in the northern portion of the neighborhood closer to Heritage Hill and Wealthy Street.

Commercial activity within the Southeast End is concentrated along a few key corridors rather than spread throughout the residential grid. Division Avenue forms the western edge and provides commercial access, while the Wealthy Street corridor to the north and Hall Street to the south carry additional commercial establishments. Several notable locally owned restaurants, including those featuring Caribbean and Latin American cuisine, operate along these corridors and within the neighborhood itself. The area includes a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and multi-family properties, with a significant rental market alongside owner-occupied homes.

Two historic cemeteries anchor the neighborhood's historical landscape. St. Andrew's Cemetery, established in August 1852 as the first permanent Catholic cemetery in Grand Rapids, is the resting place of Louis Campau, one of the city's founders. Oak Hill Cemetery, created in 1853, is known as Grand Rapids' first Jewish cemetery and contains the grave of Julius Houseman, a notable 19th century mayor and Michigan state representative. These sites connect the neighborhood to some of the earliest chapters of Grand Rapids history.

The Southeast End falls entirely within the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) district. GRPS uses an attendance-area-based assignment system; the specific school serving a Southeast End address can be determined using the GRPS Attendance Area Finder tool online.

Mulick Park Elementary (1761 Rosewood Ave SE) is a magnet school serving Pre-K through 5th grade, located adjacent to scenic Mulick Park. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy serves Pre-K through 8th grade with state-of-the-art classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, and a library/media center.

For middle school, Alger Middle School (grades 6 through 8) is a magnet school serving students in the broader southeast area. Ottawa Hills High School (2055 Rosewood Ave SE) is one of two neighborhood comprehensive high schools in the GRPS system, enrolling approximately 385 students in the 2024-2025 school year.

Private and charter options nearby include Grand Rapids Christian Schools (multiple campuses). GRPS participates in Schools of Choice, allowing enrollment in theme schools and specialized programs beyond the assigned neighborhood school.

The Southeast End's location puts downtown Grand Rapids approximately 1.5 to 2.5 miles away, depending on location within the neighborhood, a 5 to 10 minute drive.

Public transit includes multiple Rapid bus routes with stops along Division Avenue, Fuller Avenue, and Hall Street. Fuller Avenue provides easy access to multiple types of public transportation. Fixed-route buses operate at 30 to 60 minute headways depending on route and time of day. Rapid Central Station (250 Grandville Ave SW), the system's primary hub, is approximately 2 miles northwest.

Bike infrastructure includes the Southeast Trail network connecting to the broader Grand Rapids cycling infrastructure. Grand Rapids has over 80 miles of bike lanes citywide and a Bronze-level Bike-Friendly Community award from the League of American Bicyclists.

Major road access includes Division Avenue (western boundary, connecting to downtown and US-131), Fuller Avenue SE (eastern boundary, major north-south arterial), Hall Street SE (southern boundary), and Eastern Avenue SE (internal north-south street). I-196 and US-131 are accessible via Division Avenue. Gerald R. Ford International Airport is approximately 10 to 12 miles southeast, a 14 to 18 minute drive. Walk Score ranges from 67 to 80 depending on the specific sub-area, with the SECA portion rated 80 ("Very Walkable").

The Southeast End offers a compelling investment profile driven by accessible pricing, proximity to downtown, and active public investment in the area. The median sale price of approximately $227,000 is significantly below the Grand Rapids citywide median, while the 14% year-over-year appreciation and 23-day median days-on-market signal growing demand.

The city's emerging developer program is specifically targeting the southeast side for investment, with $1.97 million committed to 13 projects creating 261 housing units since January 2024. Specific projects include a 26-unit apartment project on a city land bank parcel, a five-story 37-unit mixed-use project, and several smaller rehabilitation and infill developments. The Grand Rapids Land Bank, established in 2024, is making vacant and blighted parcels available to developers in the neighborhood, creating additional opportunities.

The significant rental market, with a substantial share of housing units occupied by renters, indicates established demand for rental properties. Median home prices well below the citywide median, combined with proximity to downtown, create conditions supportive of rental investment. The 2024 citywide zoning update increased flexibility for housing density, which may facilitate additional development.

Important for short-term rental investors: Grand Rapids requires a Home Occupation Class C License for short-term rentals, with significant restrictions: the property must be the owner's principal residence, the owner must be present during rental periods, rentals are limited to one room with a maximum of two adult guests, and entire-home rentals are prohibited. Only approximately 200 STR licenses are issued citywide per year. The STR policy is under review as part of a zoning update expected in 2027. Investors should underwrite to long-term rental income only.