Okemos, MI

When you first see the heavily-wooded, emerald green landscape of Okemos, it may seem like an idyllic, peaceful community where you can escape your busy day and relax. And that's true -- only Okemos borders Michigan State University on its west side, with Hagadorn Road separating the two. With the university next door, students renting apartments in Okemos have fast access to campus, while college sports fans have fast access to Spartan Stadium, theater-goers can easily reach Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, and nature lovers can go hiking through Sanford Natural Area.

Okemos is very pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly, and many residents choose to bike or walk to school or work. And since it is next door to East Lansing and just minutes from the state capital of Lansing, most residents enjoy a commute of 15 minutes or less. MSU is one of the world's top research universities and was founded in 1855. The university covers 10,000 acres and enrolls about 50,000 students.