Relocating to Grand Rapids.... (Wyoming, Kentwood: middle-class, crime, houses)

[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

[magellan]

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

Maryellen,

The Grand Rapids metro area is pretty good sized and varies quite a bit (a little over 1 Million people and covers about 2700 square miles). Any other qualifiers? Do you seek a diverse area? Christian area? More of a city type setting or do you like suburbs or country better? Price range and size?

The Eastern suburbs are generally more upscale, more hills and trees, lakes, streams, some gated communities, very competitive schools, etc.. A lot more out-of-state transfers and more Catholics The Southwestern and Western suburbs are a bit flatter and more built out, more conservative, more Christian Reformed. The Northern suburbs are a mix, with Rockford being very pretty but a little far out from civilization IMO. In the city of GR there are a lot of nice middle-class neighborhoods, and the schools are mixed. Overall, Grand Rapids Public Schools get a bad rap but there are some great individual schools like City High which is one of the best in the area. If you like living in a "neighborhood" with tree-lined streets, parks you can walk to, sidewalks everywhere, libraries, etc. Alger Heights, Uptown, Heritage Hill, Mulick Park, Ottawa Hills, Aquinas area, and Richmond Park fit the bill. East Grand Rapids is great, but the downside is that tax rates are pretty high (about 2.2% of market value per year). But it's got a wide variety of housing types and prices.

Hopefully that helps.

[mackinac81]

I love the GR area. I think it's a great place to live

the immediate suburbs are:

Wyoming
Walker
East Grand Rapids
Plainfield Township
Alpine Township
Grandville
Jenison

Exurbs are:

Sparta
Rockford
Lowell
Byron Center
Caledonia

If you want to live in GR proper, avoid Heartside and the area immediately west of the Grand River
I would also avoid much of Wyoming. It's GR's oldest suburb, and IMO it's pretty run down. There also seems to be more crime there than other suburbs. Don't know much about Walker, but the rest of the suburbs are quite nice. If you want more rural, small town feel, then Lowell, Byron Center, Sparta, and Rockford are good choices. Cedar Springs is a rather far north, (20+ miles) but it also is a nice town.

It's a pretty religious area. It's one of the only cities I know that has a sunday rush hour, but I think that makes GR a pleasant place. I think that's why the problems that affect most big cities aren't as severe here. the area is also unique because of the high concentration of Dutch people (highest in the country). Their presence has also shaped the local culture in a pretty cool way.

it's the only place in MI that is actually growing, Byron Center and Rockford especially. The city has an overall prosperous optimistic feel. Stuff is actually happening here, and it's good stuff.

Hope that helps, and good luck with your search

[magellan]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

I love the GR area. I think it's a great place to live

the immediate suburbs are:

Wyoming
Walker
East Grand Rapids
Plainfield Township
Alpine Township
Grandville
Jenison

Hey, you missed Cascade, Ada and Grand Rapids Townships. And Kentwood. Otherwise, I concur.

[mackinac81]

Originally Posted by magellan

Hey, you missed Cascade, Ada and Grand Rapids Townships. And Kentwood. Otherwise, I concur.

D'oh! I knew I was forgetting some! Those are good areas too. Thanks

[plodnot]

Hudsonville is always voted top 10 places to raise a family, even though I think Jenison is better.

[HighlandsGal]

Grand Rapids is great....you will love it

[Blueberries]

Grand Rapids is wonderful. I've only lived here about 14 or 15 months and may have to leave this spring, but this is a great town. It has a lot of variety, good entertainment, museums, restaurants, etc. Eastown has a certain arty, funky air that's fun. Heritage Hills, Middletown, East Hills and several other areas are rich in history. I'm near Aquinas Collage which is nice. The neighborhood has quite a range, from $900K to about $160K for nice homes in a nice area. I don't have kids so don't know about the schools. Whatever you do, be sure to treat yourself to breakfast at Wolfgang's in Eastown. It's fantastic!

[Mare0528]

Thanks sooo much for the info! I think we are looking in a price range about 300k. We're hoping for my husband to have less than a 1/2 commute and ideal commute would be 15-20 minutes. He drives an hour now! We are Catholic - but from what I hear there are several churches around. I appreciate all the info - I'm getting kind of excited for the move

Now I hope our house sells quick!

[HighlandsGal]

Originally Posted by Blueberries

Grand Rapids is wonderful. I've only lived here about 14 or 15 months and may have to leave this spring, but this is a great town. It has a lot of variety, good entertainment, museums, restaurants, etc. Eastown has a certain arty, funky air that's fun. Heritage Hills, Middletown, East Hills and several other areas are rich in history. I'm near Aquinas Collage which is nice. The neighborhood has quite a range, from $900K to about $160K for nice homes in a nice area. I don't have kids so don't know about the schools. Whatever you do, be sure to treat yourself to breakfast at Wolfgang's in Eastown. It's fantastic!

I miss Wolfgang's I was back home over Christmas though and was able to eat there one day....so good!!!