According to the language of the original inhabitants of the northern Michigan jewel that is Petoskey, the word “Petoskey” means “where the light shines through the clouds.” And it’s certainly true that, on a blissful summer day, when the sun is blazing down on Lake Michigan, that you’ll feel radiant.

Located in the Emmet County, the northernmost county in the state, Petoskey, Michigan, is a resort community with a year-round population ranging between 4,800 and 5,800 people. Charted in 1879, the city grows dramatically in the summer months, as vacationers and cottage owners come north to experience the delightful days and beautiful nights offered by Michigan’s warm months. The picturesque downtown, recently ranked #6 on Smithsonian Magazine’s 20 Best Small Towns To Visit, features 170 unique shops and restaurants, regular concerts, buildings sporting Victorian architecture, a farmer’s market, and art fairs.

On the picturesque shores of Little Traverse Bay, you’ll experience wondrous sunsets on the numerous beaches; if you’re up for it, try some yoga at sunrise. Check the sand for Petoskey stones (Michigan’s state stone!). Swim in the blue waters of the bay, and bike the numerous trails running through the region. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can bike to nearby Charlevoix or Harbor Springs. During winter months, the Winter Sports Park offers outdoor hockey, ice skating, sledding, and a log warming house. The nearby Boyne Highlands and Nub’s Nob resorts offer skiing and snowboarding.

If you’re looking to become a full-time or a seasonal resident, you have options. Build your own home on the numerous vacant parcels for sale throughout the region, some of which include waterfront views. Pick a custom-built lakefront home on Burt Lake or Wallon Lake. Keep life easy with a modern condominium near the water. Live traditionally with one of the simple, single-family homes dotting the landscape. Or, go all-out and get a multimillion, multibedroom home steps from the water with gorgeous, unbeatable lake views.

Self-proclaiming “when we do something, we do it right,” Petoskey’s current and former residents will sing its praises if you ask them. “It’s like being on vacation every day” said a current resident. “The Petoskey area is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in the state of Michigan,” said another. If you are considering becoming a full-time resident, Petoskey has its own school system with five elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. Approximately 97% of its high schoolers graduate (the state average is 77%). Health care is provided through the McLaren system, and all the comforts of home one would expect in an urban area are present (noticeably absent is traffic!), including a vibrant arts scene featuring an orchestra, a choral society, an arts center, and a local theater. The economy is, as you would expect, primarily centered on tourism, with unique boutiques, wine bars, and a wide and vibrant selection of restaurants in the famous Gaslight District any beyond. Large-scale brands in Petoskey include Meijer and Lowe’s.

Whether you’re considering full-time residence in Petoskey, or perhaps investing in a home to call yours for only part of the year, Petoskey is a gem on the water, and the city would be glad to have you.