East Grand Rapids on the Today Show (Detroit, Ann Arbor: real estate, rentals)

[suydam]

East Grand Rapids was mentioned on the Today show as an example of affordable housing.

Just goes to show, it's all about your frame of reference.

Here's the link: What you get for your real estate dollars - Home & Garden - MSNBC.com

[scottmi]

To people playing huge bucks in cities like Chicago and states like California for homes and rentals, I'm sure ANY part of Michigan looks affordable.

Of course, they chose GR because it's the only city in Michigan anyone seems to talk positively about (although even that is exaggerated).

[suydam]

Originally Posted by scottmi

Of course, they chose GR because it's the only city in Michigan anyone seems to talk positively about (although even that is exaggerated).

I agree about the exaggeration. I know people who are gainfully employed in Petoskey, Gaylord, Traverse City, metro Detroit and Ann Arbor.

There are good jobs anywhere if you're in the right field.

I think the GR boosterism stems from the fact that it's the only area actually growing in Michigan right now.

Flip the coin though and it's only growing at the national average (which looks darn good compared to other parts of Michigan). It's not taking off like Silicon Valley in the 90s or anything like that.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by suydam

I agree about the exaggeration. I know people who are gainfully employed in Petoskey, Gaylord, Traverse City, metro Detroit and Ann Arbor.

There are good jobs anywhere if you're in the right field.

I think the GR boosterism stems from the fact that it's the only area actually growing in Michigan right now.

Flip the coin though and it's only growing at the national average (which looks darn good compared to other parts of Michigan). It's not taking off like Silicon Valley in the 90s or anything like that.

"Growing at the national average" is definitely something to be proud of, even for much of the Midwest.

[suydam]

Good point. It certainly has prevented GR from getting the doom-n-gloom attitude that's affecting the rest of the state.

[khfar]

Originally Posted by suydam

I agree about the exaggeration. I know people who are gainfully employed in Petoskey, Gaylord, Traverse City, metro Detroit and Ann Arbor.

There are good jobs anywhere if you're in the right field.

I think the GR boosterism stems from the fact that it's the only area actually growing in Michigan right now.

Flip the coin though and it's only growing at the national average (which looks darn good compared to other parts of Michigan). It's not taking off like Silicon Valley in the 90s or anything like that.

Know what's interesting to me? We actually chose metro Detroit over GR! They either wanted my husband to office out of GR or Livonia. I pushed for the Detroit area, mainly because it's bigger. I know GR has a lot to offer, but coming from a very large city (around 5 million in the entire DFW area), I wanted a lot to do. I wanted a Nordstrom and a Neiman's, if I felt like shopping. I wanted pro sports. I just wanted a bigger metro area.

So, I guess I don't fit the mold that thinks the only good place to live in MI is Grand Rapids. I know it is beautiful, it was just too small for me!

[suydam]

As long as you're happy right? I think there are lots of places in Michigan, with lots to offer.

The key is finding the place that's right for you.

I'm glad you're here and enjoying yourself.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by khfar

Know what's interesting to me? We actually chose metro Detroit over GR! They either wanted my husband to office out of GR or Livonia. I pushed for the Detroit area, mainly because it's bigger. I know GR has a lot to offer, but coming from a very large city (around 5 million in the entire DFW area), I wanted a lot to do. I wanted a Nordstrom and a Neiman's, if I felt like shopping. I wanted pro sports. I just wanted a bigger metro area.

So, I guess I don't fit the mold that thinks the only good place to live in MI is Grand Rapids. I know it is beautiful, it was just too small for me!

Definitely my wife's biggest complaint about Grand Rapids is the lack of upscale retailers. I'm not complaining though. She has to either shop online, go to Chicago or Birch Run Outlet Mall.

There are many nice suburban areas of Detroit that I wouldn't mind living in, but generally I'm not a fan of big cities. As long as you like it khfar!

[scottmi]

Originally Posted by khfar

Know what's interesting to me? We actually chose metro Detroit over GR! They either wanted my husband to office out of GR or Livonia. I pushed for the Detroit area, mainly because it's bigger. I know GR has a lot to offer, but coming from a very large city (around 5 million in the entire DFW area), I wanted a lot to do. I wanted a Nordstrom and a Neiman's, if I felt like shopping. I wanted pro sports. I just wanted a bigger metro area.

So, I guess I don't fit the mold that thinks the only good place to live in MI is Grand Rapids. I know it is beautiful, it was just too small for me!

I'm actually considering Detroit / Metro area as a place to live next year when my lease is up as well. I COULD go to Grand Rapids but in my opinion, after living in Chicago, it's not THAT impressive (especially culturally....what is there....10% black people? That's not diverse). And in terms of sheer numbers of jobs, you still have a better chance in Detroit than anywhere else.

Just check Monster, Careerbuilder, etc...

[khfar]

Originally Posted by magellan

Definitely my wife's biggest complaint about Grand Rapids is the lack of upscale retailers. I'm not complaining though. She has to either shop online, go to Chicago or Birch Run Outlet Mall.

There are many nice suburban areas of Detroit that I wouldn't mind living in, but generally I'm not a fan of big cities. As long as you like it khfar!

I think my husband would have loved it if I were far, far away from all things shopping!

Where is Birch Run? I'm guessing it's closer to GR, right?