Almost There In Grand Rapids....But (Flint: rent, condo, mortgage)

[Virginia1]

Well, I have not posted in a while other then today. I live in Va. Beach and my fiance lives in Flint. I refuse to live in Flint, no offense to Flint folks. I finally have a telephone interview in GR with a certain Medical institution this coming Thursday. BUT.....what in the world is going on with the Gov. Just when I finally made the plunge to actively pursue a job in GR the Gov. apparently wants to raise the income tax and I read on MLive that the GRPS is losing students apparently due to the economy situation, people leaving. Now....I know most folks feel the medical field is a great occupation in terms of job security...in general. But if people leave then there are fewer folks to treat medically and cutbacks start, just like any business. If taxes are raised, companies go else where. I am already making plenty of sacrifices by losing my seniority, sick time, vacation time etc. , not complaining there, its just that now I have to figure in the income tax increase and who knows what else the Gov. will dish out. From my visits (3 times) I like GR, but I only see it from the surface. I am strongly considering buying a house or condo in the downtown area, very nice and affordable. So if someone could chime in and put my fears to ease (economically) I would appreciate it. If offered and I accept the job, I will be there in 30 days. Thanks guys.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Virginia1

Well, I have not posted in a while other then today. I live in Va. Beach and my fiance lives in Flint. I refuse to live in Flint, no offense to Flint folks. I finally have a telephone interview in GR with a certain Medical institution this coming Thursday. BUT.....what in the world is going on with the Gov. Just when I finally made the plunge to actively pursue a job in GR the Gov. apparently wants to raise the income tax and I read on MLive that the GRPS is losing students apparently due to the economy situation, people leaving. Now....I know most folks feel the medical field is a great occupation in terms of job security...in general. But if people leave then there are fewer folks to treat medically and cutbacks start, just like any business. If taxes are raised, companies go else where. I am already making plenty of sacrifices by losing my seniority, sick time, vacation time etc. , not complaining there, its just that now I have to figure in the income tax increase and who knows what else the Gov. will dish out. From my visits (3 times) I like GR, but I only see it from the surface. I am strongly considering buying a house or condo in the downtown area, very nice and affordable. So if someone could chime in and put my fears to ease (economically) I would appreciate it. If offered and I accept the job, I will be there in 30 days. Thanks guys.

GRPS is blaming declining enrollment on people leaving the state, but in all honesty, suburban GR districts and the local charter schools are up pretty much across the board. I think everyone here has mentioned to be cautious about Grand Rapids Public Schools. They are trying to blame their issues on economic factors, but it's not necessarily the case.

I'm sure you're talking about this article (read the last 1/2 of the article):

MLive.com: Everything Michigan

Grand Rapids is not a "boom-town" by any measure, but it is holding its own in Michigan and in the Midwest:

MLive.com: Everything Michigan

Hope that helps Virginia1!

[TaxBait]

If you make the move I'd probably rent for a while. I don't know about GR specifically, but in my area renting is usually cheaper than buying. You'd have to get a substantial mortgage interest deduction to come out ahead. MI doesn't have any idemized deductions either. So any tax savings are federal only. Also, renting gives you more time to explore the area better and maybe get a better deal on a for-sale-by-owner. There are lots of them in MI as many are barely able to recover what they owe let alone pay realtor commisions.