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Old 11-21-2014, 03:33 PM
 
Location: Grand Rapids
10 posts, read 23,930 times
Reputation: 10

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Yes, why not? I have ridden transit in 50 cities, it's called being a tourist. You can concentrate on where you are going, fire up the GPS on the smartphone, there's apps to help too. Much easier than when I was in Tallinn, Estonia in 1994.
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Old 11-22-2014, 07:51 AM
 
Location: Grand Rapids Metro
8,882 posts, read 19,795,749 times
Reputation: 3920
Quote:
Originally Posted by BusRidingDaddy View Post
Yes, why not? I have ridden transit in 50 cities, it's called being a tourist. You can concentrate on where you are going, fire up the GPS on the smartphone, there's apps to help too. Much easier than when I was in Tallinn, Estonia in 1994.
Maybe in a large American or European city, but here is a bit chancy. You miss one connection and you're standing around for 30 minutes waiting for the next bus to come. Not fun!
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Old 11-22-2014, 05:51 PM
 
Location: Grand Rapids
10 posts, read 23,930 times
Reputation: 10
True, but that's the same for the locals or the tourists. If the OP is willing, I can put together a bus/walk route that would allow padding for such wait times.
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Old 11-23-2014, 09:47 AM
 
Location: Grand Rapids
10 posts, read 23,930 times
Reputation: 10
One area that has not been mentioned so far, other than the lookout aspect of the park, is Belknap Hill. Very close to downtown, but with half a dozen parks within walking distance, older homes from the earliest of GR's history (1850-1900), it might be worth a look. An abundance of bus access, close to both I-196 and US-131 but you don't hear much of it. If you're buying, check the Area Specific Plan as it's undergoing some change with GVSU's Health Sciences campus expanding.
http://grcity.us/design-and-developm..._low%20res.pdf

Stay on the west side of Coit for the better feel, down the hill to the east it can get a bit more gritty.

Buses 11, 13, 19 and Hill DASH all serve Michigan/Coit, a little bit further away you have the North DASH and the Silver Line (by the Children's Hospital), and the 11 runs through the eastern side of the neighborhood too, along Lafayette.

The western edge has steps taking you down to the up-and-coming North Monroe Business District where SpeakEZ Lounge and JD Reardon's are getting some more eat/drink neighbors, and there are two parks along the river edge plus the picturesque Sixth Street Bridge linking you to the Westside. To the north is a steep slope down through Belknap Park with its baseball fields and an ice rink. Walk through the east side to reach Highland Park, where spring and fall see rugby games played by the local Gazelles team, one of the dominant forces in regional rugby. Cross the highway on Coit to reach the hospital and a downhill walk to downtown. "It's all downhill from here" couldn't apply better to another neighborhood.

Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/42...!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

Last edited by BusRidingDaddy; 11-23-2014 at 09:50 AM.. Reason: Forgot link to map
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Old 01-04-2015, 09:56 AM
 
7 posts, read 9,134 times
Reputation: 10
Seriously? You are considering moving from Topanga to GR???

You do know that this a very closed place; plan on bringing your own social circle with you because you won't be welcomed here. Unless you've been attending one of the local churches your entire life you'll be an outcast.

This isn't just a rant. It's a fact.
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Old 02-10-2015, 09:55 PM
 
Location: Grand Rapids
10 posts, read 23,930 times
Reputation: 10
Immerse yourself in your interest group. You'll find GR much more welcoming than some people might have experienced.
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Old 02-10-2015, 11:13 PM
 
1,636 posts, read 2,130,055 times
Reputation: 1827
Quote:
Originally Posted by BPW1383 View Post
Seriously? You are considering moving from Topanga to GR???

You do know that this a very closed place; plan on bringing your own social circle with you because you won't be welcomed here. Unless you've been attending one of the local churches your entire life you'll be an outcast.

This isn't just a rant. It's a fact.
There is more than a church group to join. There are 1.3 million people in the area. Get more involved. Here are some things:

ARTS:
•Artprize ArtPrize
•Laughfest Laughfest
•Grand Rapids Symphony Grand Rapids Symphony
oLollipops Concerts 45-minute musical stories are a perfect introduction to music for children ages 4-7. PNC Lollipops | Grand Rapids Symphony
oFamily Series One-hour Sunday afternoon just right for kids 8-13, and enjoyable for the entire family. DTE Energy Foundation Family Series | Grand Rapids Symphony
•Frederick Meijer Gardens www.meijergardens.org
•What’s Your Art GR complete list of organizations and events focusing on art, music, theatre, dance and youth events. Art in Grand Rapids - Theatre, Museums, Sculptures

•Grand Rapids Ballet Grand Rapids Ballet - Home
•Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids www.artsggr.com
•Urban Institute of Contemporary Art Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts | Films, Exhibitions, and Events

•Avenue of the Arts www.avenueforthearts.org

•Local art galleries Grand Rapids Gallery Association: Home page


CULTURAL VENUES:
•Circle Park Theater Circle Theatre - Fort Worth, Texas
•DeVos Hall Home | DeVos Performance Hall
•The Civic Theater Grand Rapids Civic Theatre | Community Theatre | West Michigan
•The Broadway Theater Guild Performances pedro.iserv.net
•The Van Andel Arena Home | Van Andel Arena
•Circle Theatre Circle Theatre - Fort Worth, Texas
•Forest Hills Fine Arts Center Forest Hills Fine Arts Center | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Concerts, Musicals, Art Exhibits, and More!
•The DeltaPlex Arena and Conference Center The Deltaplex Arena | Grand Rapids, MI
•St. Cecilia Music Society St. Cecilia Music Center - Home
•DeVos Place Convention Center Home | DeVos Place
•Grand Rapids Opera Opera Grand Rapids | West Michigan's professional opera production company.


MUSEUMS:
•Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Grand Rapids Children's Museum
•Grand Rapids Art Museum Home | GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM
•Gerald R. Ford Museum Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum
•Grand Rapids Public Museum Grand Rapids Public Museum


OUTDOOR CONCERTS:
•Grand Rapids Symphony Picnic Pops Concerts Grand Rapids Symphony
•Frederik Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series http://www.meijergardens.org/calenda...ert_series.php
•Blues on the Mall is a free weekly concert series in downtown GR Classic Rock 97 LAV
•Monday night Jazz at the zoo’s outdoor amphitheater www.johnballzoosociety.com
•East Grand Rapids Summer Concerts East Grand Rapids, MI - Official Website
•Rockford Rogue River Blues Series Music Concerts Rockford Michigan Rogue River Blues Series Music Concerts Summer 2010
ENTERTAINMENT:
•Lake Michigan Beaches Great Lakes Information Network
•Fish ladder at salmon season Michigan's Official Travel and Tourism Site | Pure Michigan
•John Ball Park Zoo John Ball Zoo Society
•Walking the Boardwalk in Grand Haven Grand Haven West Michigan, Hotels, Lodging, Golf, Beaches, Tourist Information
•Downtown Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Hotels, Events, Restaurants & Things to Do
•Great Restaurants GRNow.com® :: Grand Rapids, Michigan's local restaurant, event and entertainment guide.
•Blandford Nature Center Blandford Elementary School - Grand Rapids Public Schools
•Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium Grand Rapids Public Museum
•37 County Parks accessKent | Kent County, Michigan
•Robinette’s Apple Orchards and Christmas Store Apple Orchard Farms Michigan, Cider Mills Michigan | Robinettes
•Michigan’s Finest Antique Show Gibraltar Trade Center - The Weekend Public Markets
•Linear Parks www.michigantrials.org
•Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Home | Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
•Millennium Park accessKent | Kent County, Michigan
•Water Playgrounds and awesome parks http://www.grkids.com/parks.html
•Online family event guide http://www.grkids.com/calendar.html
•Michigan Adventure www.miadventure.com
•AJ’s Family Fun Center Aj's Family Fun
•East Grand Rapids Movies in the Park East Grand Rapids, MI - Official Website

WINTER ENTERTAINMENT:
•Cross country skiing West Michigan Travel, Lodging, Vacation Packages, Events - West Michigan Tourist Association
•Ice Skating outdoors at Rosa Parks Circle The City of Grand Rapids, Michigan
•Pando Winter Sports Park http://www.pandopark.com/index.php
•GrKids Sledding Guide http://www.grkids.com/sledding.html
•GrKids Ice Skating Guide http://www.grkids.com/sledding.html
•Michigan Downhill Skiing http://www.michigan.org/Things-to-Do....org/Things-to
•Skiing at Cannonsburg Cannonsburg
-Do/Snow-Sports/Downhill-
FESTIVALS:
•Festival of the Arts Festival of the Arts | Grand Rapids, Michigan
•Fifth/Third River Bank Run Fifth Third River Bank Run | May 10, 2014 | Home
•Celebration on the Grand Celebration On The Grand
•Grand Haven Art Festival http://www.festivals.com/viewevent.a...JvSQ%2bwFJE%3d
•Coast Guard Festival http://www.festivals.com/viewevent.a...XAb0J7vAIn0%3d
•Holland Tulip Festival Holland Michigan
•Taste of Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Hotels, Events, Restaurants & Things to Do
•Hispanic Festival Welcome To the Hispanic Center Of Western Michigan
•Fiesta Festival Mexican Heritage Association
•Restaurant Week Every November more than 50 chefs from more than 50 restaurants prepare a distinctive three-course menu. Grand Rapids Restaurant Week | Menus, Maps & Events
•Rockford Harvest Festival Harvest Festival - TheRockfordNetwork.com - Rockford, MI :: Fall Harvest Fest, Rockford Harvest Fest
•Rockford Art in the Park Art in the Park
•Rockford Summer Celebration Rockford Events Calendar -TheRockfordNetwork.com - Rockford, Michigan Area Events & Happenings
•Rogue River Blues Series Huntington Rogue River Blues Series - TheRockfordNetwork.com - Rockford, MI

SPORTS:
• Sports, water & leisure Grand Rapids Sports, Leisure & Water - Hello West Michigan
•Berlin Raceway Berlin Raceway // Where Speed Belongs! // NASCAR, ARCA, AUTO RACING, Grand Rapids Mi, West Michigan, Family Fun Entertainment, CRA, Jegs, Outlaw Late Models, Super Stocks, Racecars, Corporate Outings, Picnics, Tailgating
•Winter Sports Complex msports
•Gymnastics http://www.gym/[.co.com/
•Soccer soccerspot.net - soccerspot Resources and Information. This website is for sale!
•Figure Skating Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club | The sky is the limit
•Travel Hockey Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association
•Michigan Recreation & Camping Guide MAPP | Michigan Association Paddlesport Providers
•The Griffin’s Hockey (Detroit Red Wings affiliate) Official site of the Grand Rapids Griffins: Home
•Whitecaps Baseball Games (Detroit Tiger affiliate) The Official Site of The West Michigan Whitecaps | whitecapsbaseball.com Homepage
•Rampage Indoor Arena Football Grand Rapids Rampage
•Public and Private Golf Courses Michigan's Official Travel and Tourism Site | Pure Michigan

HIKE AND BIKE
•See why Grand Rapids was named America’s 6th Best Fishing City Grand Rapids Hotels, Events, Restaurants & Things to Do
•Biking trails West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition > Home
•Bike and Hiking Trails Michigan's Official Travel and Tourism Site | Pure Michigan
•Trail Maps www.grand-rapids.mi-us/2665 and http://www.accesskent.com/CultureLei...omm_trails.htm
•Kent Trails Entry Points accessKent | Kent County, Michigan
•Rockford Criterion Bike Race http://www.rockfordcrit.com/

RUNNING
•Fifth Third River Bank Run Fifth Third River Bank Run | May 10, 2014 | Home
•Grand Rapids Running Club Grand Rapids Running Club
•Reeds Lake Triathlon East Grand Rapids, MI - Official Website
•Grand Rapids Running Routes Hiking Trails, Mountain Bike Trails & Trail Maps | Trails.com
•Grand Rapids Triathlon Grand Rapids Triathlon 2014
•Triathlons in Grand Rapids Events

MULTICULTURAL RESOURCES
•Hello West Michigan Grand Rapids Diversity Resources - Hello West Michigan
•Multicultural Resources Multicultural Grand Rapids - Experience Grand Rapids
•Multiracial Area Professionals (MAP): network of professionals of all races to help welcome people and celebrate racial diversity within the community. Multiracial Association of Professionals

•Asian Professionals Organization (APO): provides leadership in connecting Asian professionals and the broader community for economic, social and intellectual enrichment. 埼玉まã*、見なだデリヘル / 大阪風俗でのお支 払

•Business Leaders Linked to Encourage New Directions (BL²END): an outlet for young professionals of color to learn, network, grow and become engaged in the Grand Rapids community. Offers both professional development and networking opportunities. BL²END Business Leaders Linked to Encourage New Directions

•The Asian Center Home

•Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is known for its leadership in the area of diversity initiatives and programming including the Institute for Healing Racism. Grand Rapids Chamber | Diversity Programs & Initiatives

•Grand Rapids Sister Cities International is a non-profit organization interested in coordinating, promoting and expanding international relationships and activities in the areas of trade, culture, and education. http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/index.pl?page_id=360

•The Grand Rapids Urban League is dedicated to delivering services and creating systemic changes that eliminate racism and increase the availability of quality life chances. Home | Grand Rapids Urban League

•Grand Valley State University's Diversity Resource Offices serve faculty, staff, students, and the community through its Inclusion and Equity Office, Disability Support Services, LGBT Resource Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Padnos International Center, and Women's Center. http://www.gvsu.edu/inclusion/index....2F6C70C86F644E
•The Hispanic Center of West Michigan serves as a resource for the Hispanic and broader community. Welcome To the Hispanic Center Of Western Michigan
•The Kent ISD Diversity Initiative focuses on healing racism to improve student achievement by supporting and initiating leadership/coordination for county-wide efforts, educational opportunities and communication. http://www.kentisd.org/teachers/dive...sm_initiative/
•The Michigan Black Expo, Inc. is a non-profit social change conglomerate of Africentric events, products and services. Welcome to MBEI.ORG
•The Grand Rapids' branch of the NAACP may be reached at (616) 243-1000.
•Partners for a Racism-Free Community is a movement of committed citizens and organizations working to move Greater Grand Rapids from “that’s the way it is” to “racism-free” through personal commitments, institutional efforts, social advocacy, and persistent intolerance of racist attitudes, words and behaviors. PRFC : Partners for a Rasicm-Free Community, Grand Rapids, Michigan
•The West Michigan Filipino-American Association is dedicated to maintaining, preserving, and cultivating Filipino culture and heritage, and helping others to share the same goals. http://www.wmfaa.com/
•The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber is dedicated to working with all members of the community to increase the economic advancement of Hispanic owned businesses and to assist in the professional growth of Hispanic business leaders in West Michigan. http://www.hccwm.org/Welcome/
•The Grand Rapids Times News and major issues affecting African-Americans locally, statewide, and nationally. G.R. Times | About Us
•The West Michigan Minority Contractors Association is a non-profit organization of members that work toward the common good of promoting the professional interest of one another. About the WMMCA
•The Woodrick Diversity Learning Center at Grand Rapids Community College works to institutionalize diversity. Woodrick Diversity Learning Center | Grand Rapids Community College

FAMILY RESOURCES
•Great Resource for Families! grkids.com | Grand Rapids Kids
•Home Schooling Homeschool World: Michigan Homeschool Organizations and Support Groups
•Assisted Living Senior Home Care, Home Healthcare, Assisted Living, Caregiver Support Services
•Catholic & Christian Schools MICHIGAN Private Schools
•West Michigan is known as the “City of Churches”Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
•Parade of Homes Tour Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids | HBAGGR
•Our hospitals www.spectrum-health.org; www.metro-health.net; Mercy Health Saint Mary's Campus | Grand Rapids, West MI
•The largest physician owned multi-specialty group in West Michigan MMPC
•Our excellent schools Data Systems
•Heritage Hill Home Tours Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association | Grand Rapids, Michigan
•Michigan Colleges and Universities Michigan Colleges and Universities
•Frank Lloyd Wright Meyer May House (Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture) - Pure Michigan Travel

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
•Kids Food Basket Kids' Food Basket
•Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Volunteer Center https://volunteer.truist.com/hwmuw/volunteer/
•Friends of Grand Rapids Parks a grassroots movement to protect, enhance and expand parks and public space in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Always looking for volunteers! Home | Friends of Grand Rapids Parks


COMMUNITY RESOURCES
•Map of Grand Rapids Neighborhoods CRI : Community Profiles : Neighborhoods of : Grand Rapids

•Downtown Alliance All things Downtown. Learning, living, meeting, staying, transit, people, etc. – Great resource for restaurants, shopping and living. Downtown Grand Rapids

•A smart phone tour of downtown Grand Rapids GRTagTour


LOCAL NEWS:
•Rapid Growth Media a great place for positive GR news on the exciting things happening in the city Home

•The Rapidian: a hyper local news source powered by the people of Grand Rapids, MI. The Rapidian | Very local news in Grand Rapids, MI

•Grand Rapids Magazine Grand Rapids Magazine

•The Grand Rapids Press Grand Rapids, Michigan Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - MLive.com

•GR Now Source for all event listings in Greater Grand Rapids GRNow.com® :: Grand Rapids, Michigan's local restaurant, event and entertainment guide.


YOUNG PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
•Grand Rapids Young Professionals (GRYP) GRYP is committed to professional development and contributing to the communities of Greater Grand Rapids both through volunteer opportunities and leadership roles. (Ages 21-40) Grand Rapids Young Professionals - GRYP | Grand Rapids Young Professionals | Network in Grand Rapids, MI

•The Connection: Community members in their 20s, 30s and 40s who wish to help "promote the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environments and the arts" in an innovative and fun way. Held at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. http://www.meijergardens.org/members...connection.php

•Grand Rapids Jaycees: a group of professionally minded young people between the ages of 18 and 40. Through active participation, Jaycees meet new people, network for business, help the community and build their personal and professional skills. www.grjaycees.org


OTHER PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
•The Econ Club: an association of individuals interested in, and contributing to, the growing economic health of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. Econ Club hosts semimonthly luncheons, held on Mondays from September through June The Economic Club of Grand Rapids, MI

•Inforum: A professional women’s alliance. Inforum provides opportunities for businesswomen to forge alliances, discuss vital civic and business issues and make connections that help accelerate careers. https://www.inforummichigan.org/home

•aimWest - The Interactive Association of West Michigan: a nonprofit professional association that supports and promotes the growth of the interactive and technology industries throughout West Michigan. aimWest: The Technology Association of West Michigan

•The Right Place http://rightplace.org/Index/

CHILDCARE:
•When you are in need of day care, the Kent Regional 4C is a great place to start: Find Childcare

•Babysitters, Nannies, Child Care and Senior Home Care - Care.com Great resource for finding babysitters and nannies

•Daycare Centers Statewide Search for Child Day Care Centers and Homes


“FRIEND” THESE ON FACEBOOK!
•Grand Rapids Social Diary
•Rob Bliss Events
•The Rapidian
•Grand Rapids Creative Youth Center
•Grand Rapids Symphony
•Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
•John Ball Zoo Society
•GRKids
•MomsLikeMe
•What’s Your Art GR?
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Old 02-16-2015, 04:30 PM
 
1,069 posts, read 1,043,663 times
Reputation: 748
If you don't like winter, I'd say reconsider. I didn't like winter, then moved to the west coast, then moved back, not it's not just that I dislike winter, it's completely crippling. If that's not a factor for you and you're set on Michigan GR is one of the best cities in MI to live in. Good beer, decent food, decent music scene and entertainment. If you want a good school system with a close proximity to downtown I'd say check out East Grand Rapids. Reeds lake area is a nice place to live. I would suggest against living downtown. EGR is walkable to eastown, not particularly downtown and I'd consider it a safe place to raise a family. I would not raise my family in eastown or downtown and definitely not on the west side.
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Old 06-22-2015, 07:51 AM
 
Location: Melbourne, FL
137 posts, read 176,440 times
Reputation: 182
Well Michigan sucks for trying to enjoy outdoor activities when it is snowing 7 months of the year.. Your better off staying in Cali and just finding a smaller suburb out there.
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