Kentwood Grand Rapids Apartment (Kalamazoo, Woodland: apartments, rental, buying)

[zackatack00]

Hello,

I am a young professional who will be moving to GR area for work with my fiance. Both of us from MI, but not super familiar with GR area. We plan on renting and then buying.
We have our list down to 2 places, both with advantages and was hoping for input from anyone on the area, or experience with both.

One is Briarlane Apartments on the NE side, just off Michigan a few minutes from downtown. A little older, but a little nicer location possibly.

The other is River Oaks in Kentwood. A little further out, but very very nice, modern, updates and larger

Anyone with experience on either? Suggestions? Time from River Oaks ( 52nd and East Paris) to downtown and hospitals? How close to food, stores etc? Thanks for the input!!!

[magellan]

You should try Wyndham Hill Apts on Knapp NE. They're newer and have more amenities than Brianlane, and are WAY closer to downtown (and everything else) than River Oaks. We lived there years ago and they're pretty nice.

Wyndham Hill Apartments For Rent in Grand Rapids, Michigan - Apartment Rental and Community Details - ForRent.com

[turbored]

I live at Woodland Creek, (28th & E Paris) and I like it a lot. It's further out from Downtown, but a lot of great amenities.

I work at 60th & E. Paris. 52nd & E. Paris is not a convenient location, fairly industrial. Nearest Grocery store would be the Meijer off of Kalamazoo. The nearest banks of stores are 60th/Kalamazoo or 28th/E.Paris or 44th & Breton.

I love the short commute though!

[Jandur]

Personally I'd live closer to downtown. But thats probably because I lived there before, and I'm still sort of young. There are some nice apartments over by 28th street and 52nd and there is easy access to the grocery stores, the mall etc.

That being said if you are in your 20s or 30s and want to be close to the good bars, restaurants and assorted nightlife its very nice to be near downtown. This nice thing about Briarlane is that a cab downtown is only like $7. Where as if you want to cab to 52nd, it's more like $30-40 (I've done it several times).

So it really just depends on what sort of balance you want.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Jandur

Personally I'd live closer to downtown. But thats probably because I lived there before, and I'm still sort of young. There are some nice apartments over by 28th street and 52nd and there is easy access to the grocery stores, the mall etc.

That being said if you are in your 20s or 30s and want to be close to the good bars, restaurants and assorted nightlife its very nice to be near downtown. This nice thing about Briarlane is that a cab downtown is only like $7. Where as if you want to cab to 52nd, it's more like $30-40 (I've done it several times).

So it really just depends on what sort of balance you want.

I'd agree. There's nothing more depressing and lifeless than living by 28th Street (despite the seemingly endless traffic).

[zackatack00]

Thanks everyone, went with Briarlane and will be there soon. Appreciate all the help!