Founded by the bachelor brothers William and Arthur Shields -- Irish immigrants who settled in this area in the late 1800s -- people love Shields for its proximity to the Tittabawassee River (say that three times fast!) and all the trees that surround it.
Some people might say that Shields is the best-kept secret in the Saginaw Valley, though it would be an overstatement to call it a bustling city
Founded by the bachelor brothers William and Arthur Shields -- Irish immigrants who settled in this area in the late 1800s -- people love Shields for its proximity to the Tittabawassee River (say that three times fast!) and all the trees that surround it.
Some people might say that Shields is the best-kept secret in the Saginaw Valley, though it would be an overstatement to call it a bustling city. Instead, Shields is what we in the business call a "census designated place" and was home to just over 6,500 people as of the 2010 Census. If you love peace, quiet, and a safe place to call home, Shields may be the right place for you.
If you're taking a gander at the possibility of moving to Shields, you will be happy to know that the cost of living here is well below the national average. It is true that Shields is more expensive than the surrounding city of Saginaw, but still much lower than what you would pay in a bigger city.
Shields does not have a lot of apartment complexes, but you will find a wide variety of new construction duplexes and houses for rent. Whether you are looking for a one bedroom apartment in Shields or a three bedroom duplex, you should be able to find it here.
Once you find the rental house of your dreams, landlords in the Shields area generally want to see the same things that any other landlord likes. When you put in your application, you should come prepared with a good job history, solid rental references, and enough cash stuffed in your pockets to pay the security deposit and first month's rent. If you find an pet-friendly apartment and want to bring along your little critters, expect that you may be required to pay additional pet deposits, too.
Shields doesn't really have distinct neighborhoods -- it's just too small. But some separate parts of the little town include the following:
Graham Road: The houses along Graham Road are on large lot sizes, with considerable distance between you and your nearest neighbor, which is great for those who love their privacy. Although there's more of a quiet suburban vibe than a country farm vibe here, you probably could still keep a couple of chickens and a large veggie garden if you felt like it.
Thomas Township: The Thomas Township area is a newer part of Shields. The streets behind the Meijer grocery store on Gratiot Road have new duplexes and easy access to the library for you bibliophiles.
Shields is a great place to live if you love the outdoors. There is a parks and recreation area located along Miller Road, which is a nice place for a picnic or bracing outdoor walk.
Roethke Park is located nearby, too, which boasts picnic areas and occasional train rides, including the popular annual Halloween train ride. There is also a swimming pool to help you cool off on those Michigan summer days, which can get surprisingly warm. Named after native son, the writer Theodore Roethke, the Roethke Park is heavily wooded and green and lush.
You don't have to leave Shields to find a good place to eat. As Shields continues to grow, new restaurants open all the time. Los Cabos is a popular choice for Mexican food, and the Shields location of local favorite Tony's restaurant will pile your plate so high with home cooking that you definitely won't leave hungry.
When you want to drive a few miles extra, you can go into Saginaw Township for even more choices. The corridor of Bay Road and Tittabawassee Road has everything you can imagine. Harvey's is an independent restaurant that offers a more upscale take on classics like burgers and sandwiches, and serves a variety of unique, inspired cocktails.
The Fashion Square Mall has all of your shopping needs, so you don't need to leave the metro Saginaw area to find a new outfit. Chain stores and restaurants also surround the mall, so you can find all of your favorites.
Old Town Saginaw is a funky, hip part of the area, located right along the Saginaw River. Fralia's is a deli that's only open for lunch, but serves such delicious homemade sandwiches and salads that it's worth the trip midday. Old Town also has a variety of fun bars and nightclubs that you won't want to miss, particularly those along Hamilton Street.
Shields is a quiet, safe place that provides easy access to anything else you could want. Young professionals and retirees alike are drawn to the simpler way of life that you can find here. When you want to find an apartment for rent in Shields, you can know that you are on the right track to a very pleasant way of life.
