Rockford Michigan (Grand Rapids, Cadillac: transplants, real estate, crime)

[wwwmark]

Hello,
I Need Some Worthy Opinions About Rockford Michigan. Im Thinking About Taking A Leap And Move From Illinois To Michigan, And I Came Across The Small Town Of Rockford On The Internet. Any Interesting Facts Or Things I Would Need To Know About The Town Itself. Things I Should Be Aware Of Or Need To Know, Before I Actually Make The Move. Any Help Would Be Appreciated. Thanks .
Mark.

[mich2fla]

Originally Posted by wwwmark

Hello,
I Need Some Worthy Opinions About Rockford Michigan. Im Thinking About Taking A Leap And Move From Illinois To Michigan, And I Came Across The Small Town Of Rockford On The Internet. Any Interesting Facts Or Things I Would Need To Know About The Town Itself. Things I Should Be Aware Of Or Need To Know, Before I Actually Make The Move. Any Help Would Be Appreciated. Thanks .
Mark.

Rockford is a growing community with good schools. It's about a 25 minute drive from downtown GR. It's a nice town in conservative West Michigan.

Michigan is not doing well economically. Buy a house only if you plan on staying for the long haul. Also, get a job lined up before taking the plunge.

I live in Ada, MI (about 15 miles south of Rockford, just east of GR), lots of Illinois transplants in this town. Most of them work downtown.

[HackettsHouses]

Hi wwwMark,
Rockford has an award winning school district. I am a real estate broker so I know the areas rather well. For resale value, Rockford schools will elevate your asking price when you go to sell. If you do chose the Rockford area; try to get a home in either Courtland Twp or Cannon Twp. You can still get into the Rockford school system, but pay a considerable amount less in taxes. Rockford city taxes are outrageous! If I can be of further help; don't hestiate to email or call!
Good luck Mark!
Mike Hackett
616-516-8885

[cassy1]

Hi Mark, I just moved from Rockford last year! I loved it there, you will enjoy the community, very friendly, and the town of Rockford is great. I would love to see more small towns do to their downtowns what Rockford has. I have had two children graduate from Rockford Schools, and they push further schooling and even have counselors meet with the kids yearly and tell them courses needs for college. My daughter told me that the conservative area helped to direct her in a positive path......ie never any trouble with that girl! Crime is low, I used to sleep with my windows open! I never do that here! Good luck!

[magellan]

Depending on your interests, but Rockford seems to have a lot going for it. The paved White Pine Trail runs right through its bustling downtown, which is great for biking, roller blading or power walking. The paved section is 14 miles long, and the entire trail goes all the way to Cadillac Michigan.

Rockford also has the beautiful Rogue River running through it, which if you are an outdoor enthusiast, can be canoed, kayaked, or fished on (great trout stream). Take not that property taxes within the city are higher than surrounding townships.

The only downside that friends in Rockford have is that it's kind of a pain to get to Grand Rapids. 10 Mile Road and Northland Dr are packed during rush hours, and drive times get up to 45 minutes to an hour to get downtown Grand Rapids or worse to get to Southern Kent County (which is unusual in this area). That and the high school is way overcrowded.

magellan