Relocating to Grand Rapids.... (Kentwood, Muskegon: condos, job, new home)

[mgordon1450]

Where in PA are you? My family and I moved here from Manheim (lancaster county) about 7 years ago. We are in East Grand Rapids. We love it here! The school systems as a whole are GREAT!

[mgordon1450]

Wolfgangs! I have been ordering on line with them, I love their candy! I also miss the lebenon bologna, and road side bar-b-q chicken!

[mgordon1450]

One more reply from me! My husbands boss sends his kids to catholic school, they are very pleased with the program, they are very active in the community. We could not decide when we moved here, EGR public and pay the higher taxes for the community or live in a less expensive tax area and catholic schools.

[Mike1981]

Don't forget about the close proximity (30 miles) to Grand Haven/Holland's beaches on Lake Michigan. One of the best white-sand beaches in the United States, and as family-friendly as you'll find anywhere, IMO.

[Mare0528]

We are in Muhlenberg Township, it's outside of Reading. I love Wolfgangs candy too! We did a fundraiser at the school last year from them. I'm glad to hear you like it! I'm sure we will too, it'll be an adjustment because my husband and I are so involved here with the school and sports programs. It's nice to hear good things about the school systems.

And Mike where going to visit Holland this year when we come up there for a visit, it looks beautiful!

[Brrrman4755]

Originally Posted by Mare0528

Well we have decided to move to Grand Rapids in about a year and half, this is a huge move for us considering we're in PA and never relocated this far. The reason we are moving is because I have family up in Traverse City and my husbands company has an office in Grand Rapids so we are hoping he can get a transfer. If not than he'll be looking for a job too. So I was hoping to get some insight about the area, we are taking a trip up there in August to kind of see what areas are nice and I have been looking online at houses. So are there any areas we should stay away from? We have three kids so a good school system is important too. Thanks a lot!!

~Maryellen

While your online looking try Hudsonville. We are close to everything. Beach, just minutes from GR and we are the salad bowl of the midwest. We have great schools and small town living. You are far enough from the maddening crowd and close enough for just when you feel you want to be with the crowd. Hudsonville encompasses a large area where there is GeorgeTown and then you have Hudsonville incoporated. Georgetown being the nicest of course. plenty of new homes being built and some really grat condo communities. Visit us.

[Mare0528]

I will definitely check it out, I like the small town feel and getting to know the parents in the schools.

[brbie419]

I have lived all over America and while there are some goods things about GR, there are a few things I feel I have to share . I have lived in GR, Kentwood and Cascade for about 10yrs. I would say Cascade is the best, the highway is right there to go downtown and Forest Hills School system is said to be the best (besides City High). Calvin College is my alumni and it was a great private school to go to. There is almost no crime here, I had only one incident with my car in college and then once about a year ago where my laptop was stolen out of my car, but I was the idiot that left it in there. Also, don't talk to the homeless people downtown - I'm sure you knew that, but thats about the only crime. The "ghetto" isn't even that bad from some places I have seen.

One thing I noticed right away is that people are really stuck up, you have to dress well all the time, as in - no going to the grocery store in your pj's, otherwise people will treat you like trash. East Grand Rapids or Eastown being said to the best or most diverse areas is a little bit of a joke. East GR is the "rich" part of town and lasts about a block. Same for Eastown - although I will say Wolfgangs has amazing breakfast on the weekends.

The job market is really bad, I am an attorney and it took me a year to find a job. I would definately transfer if your husband can because I believe Michigan has the highest unemployment rate. There is no real culture or art here, although people seem to think there is. There are a couple of small museums downtown and a new art museum, but thats about it.

The weather is really bad this year and people CANNOT drive. I am planning to move back down south soon myself but I wish you guys the best of luck. The housing market is a plus right now for anyone who wants to buy.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by brbie419

I have lived all over America and while there are some goods things about GR, there are a few things I feel I have to share . I have lived in GR, Kentwood and Cascade for about 10yrs. I would say Cascade is the best, the highway is right there to go downtown and Forest Hills School system is said to be the best (besides City High). Calvin College is my alumni and it was a great private school to go to. There is almost no crime here, I had only one incident with my car in college and then once about a year ago where my laptop was stolen out of my car, but I was the idiot that left it in there. Also, don't talk to the homeless people downtown - I'm sure you knew that, but thats about the only crime. The "ghetto" isn't even that bad from some places I have seen.

One thing I noticed right away is that people are really stuck up, you have to dress well all the time, as in - no going to the grocery store in your pj's, otherwise people will treat you like trash. East Grand Rapids or Eastown being said to the best or most diverse areas is a little bit of a joke. East GR is the "rich" part of town and lasts about a block. Same for Eastown - although I will say Wolfgangs has amazing breakfast on the weekends.

The job market is really bad, I am an attorney and it took me a year to find a job. I would definately transfer if your husband can because I believe Michigan has the highest unemployment rate. There is no real culture or art here, although people seem to think there is. There are a couple of small museums downtown and a new art museum, but thats about it.

The weather is really bad this year and people CANNOT drive. I am planning to move back down south soon myself but I wish you guys the best of luck. The housing market is a plus right now for anyone who wants to buy.

You'd like to go to the grocery store in your pajamas? Wow, those horrible snobs...

[HighlandsGal]

Originally Posted by brbie419

I have lived all over America and while there are some goods things about GR, there are a few things I feel I have to share . I have lived in GR, Kentwood and Cascade for about 10yrs. I would say Cascade is the best, the highway is right there to go downtown and Forest Hills School system is said to be the best (besides City High). Calvin College is my alumni and it was a great private school to go to. There is almost no crime here, I had only one incident with my car in college and then once about a year ago where my laptop was stolen out of my car, but I was the idiot that left it in there. Also, don't talk to the homeless people downtown - I'm sure you knew that, but thats about the only crime. The "ghetto" isn't even that bad from some places I have seen.

One thing I noticed right away is that people are really stuck up, you have to dress well all the time, as in - no going to the grocery store in your pj's, otherwise people will treat you like trash. East Grand Rapids or Eastown being said to the best or most diverse areas is a little bit of a joke. East GR is the "rich" part of town and lasts about a block. Same for Eastown - although I will say Wolfgangs has amazing breakfast on the weekends.

The job market is really bad, I am an attorney and it took me a year to find a job. I would definately transfer if your husband can because I believe Michigan has the highest unemployment rate. There is no real culture or art here, although people seem to think there is. There are a couple of small museums downtown and a new art museum, but thats about it.

The weather is really bad this year and people CANNOT drive. I am planning to move back down south soon myself but I wish you guys the best of luck. The housing market is a plus right now for anyone who wants to buy.

I assume if you lived in the area for 10 years you got your job 9 years ago, right? Just curious....

Also, I went to the store in my pajama pants and t-shirts/sweatshirts all the time along with my UGGS, no big deal.....Grand Rapids isn't exactly a high fashion place! In fact, overall it has terrible dressers!