Are you happy to live in Grand Rapids? (Detroit, Muskegon: sale, real estate)

[magellan]

Originally Posted by windfarmer

Yeah I think the downtown is something to be very proud of. I've lived in a few cities in my life that didn't put half the pride and care into their central business district as GR appears to. As a big proponent of public transit, I too would like to see trolleys or buses bridge the surrounding neighborhoods with each other via downtown.

Does it seem that home prices are increasing across the city due to the new construction downtown? I understand that there is a new medical school from one of the major state universities?

Yes, Michigan State University is moving their HQ of their College of Human Medicine to downtown GR. They will still have classes in East Lansing, but the bulk of the school will now be here.

There is some speculative buying going on in the neighborhoods around downtown (Belknap, Heritage Hill, East Hills) but not too bad. You can still find some great deals I'm sure.

[windfarmer]

Thanks Magellan. It's nice to own property that's going up in value, but on the other hand, for someone like me who doesn't own a home, it's nice to know that I'm not automatically priced out yet.

With respect to what you mentioned about the "Legacy" investors attempting to create a more diversified new economic base like Health Care, I think the College of Medicine moving in is a awesome addition. It's nice to move to a city that is growing rather than stagnant or moribund. I hope more GR folk think like this too – I don't wanna be the optimistic-oddball. :-)

[mackinac81]

What I like most about GR is the sheer amount of civic pride. the majority of people here know they live in a nice place, and care about their community. And there seems to be a "can-do" spirit that you don't find elsewhere in MI.

I don't hear a lot of negativity here either. No offense to the east side, but while they're stewing in their pessimism and job losses, GR is moving on to become a center of medicine and life sciences. The future here is bright, the city is humming with excitement about the newest building going up, or the newest business coming in.

It makes GR a pleasant place to live.

[windfarmer]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

What I like most about GR is the sheer amount of civic pride. the majority of people here know they live in a nice place, and care about their community. And there seems to be a "can-do" spirit that you don't find elsewhere in MI.

I don't hear a lot of negativity here either. No offense to the east side, but while they're stewing in their pessimism and job losses, GR is moving on to become a center of medicine and life sciences. The future here is bright, the city is humming with excitement about the newest building going up, or the newest business coming in.

It makes GR a pleasant place to live.

Case-in-point.. thank you Mackinac. After all, communities and cities aren't founded at the state or government level. Absolutely contrary to that. They begin at the individual level. A community begins with one person and then two and three etc. We have a whole community full of 10,000,000 individuals here in Michigan. It would be nice if the majority had a more positive outlook and those who hold financial superiority invested increased time and resource locally – just as the "Legacy investors" of GR do. That's pride right there. When you are wealthy enough to take your resources and developmental strategies anywhere in the world but choose to invest at home, that's when communities prosper – not just financially but socially as well. IMHO.

[mackinac81]

Case-in-point.. thank you Mackinac. After all, communities and cities aren't founded at the state or government level. Absolutely contrary to that. They begin at the individual level. A community begins with one person and then two and three etc. We have a whole community full of 10,000,000 individuals here in Michigan. It would be nice if the majority had a more positive outlook and those who hold financial superiority invested increased time and resource locally – just as the "Legacy investors" of GR do. That's pride right there. When you are wealthy enough to take your resources and developmental strategies anywhere in the world but choose to invest at home, that's when communities prosper – not just financially but socially as well. IMHO

Right on, windfarmer! I can't add anymore to it.

[MichiganMovesSouth]

Ok, so my name says "Michigan Moves South" but I have to say that I'm not sure I want to leave MI anymore. But, I live in SE MI and it is so depressing here. In my perfect world MI would be booming but obviously it's not. I read blogs from areas in SC and everyone is so positive - I'm hoping that someone here can shed some positive light on areas in MI other than SE.

My finace and I have talked recently about moving to Grand Rapids or Grand Haven. I've read some opinions already but can anyone tell me about these two areas - I've been to both but only a few times.

What are the winters like - how much snow are we talking? This winter in SE MI was pretty long and rough.

What are some "good" (good schools, low crime) areas in either place to begin researching homes?

Is anyone familiar with Traverse City and if so, how does it compare? (I ask b/c I love TC but it's just a little too far north for us!)

Thank you in advance and I look forward to positive (hopefully!) responses!

[mackinac81]

My finace and I have talked recently about moving to Grand Rapids or Grand Haven. I've read some opinions already but can anyone tell me about these two areas - I've been to both but only a few times.

What are the winters like - how much snow are we talking? This winter in SE MI was pretty long and rough.

What are some "good" (good schools, low crime) areas in either place to begin researching homes?

IMO, The GR/Grand Haven/Holland area is the best place to live in MI right now (well, Kalamazoo too).

Well, Since Grand Haven is right on the Lake, you're going to get lake effect snow, which I imagine doesn't occur much on the east side. That said, Grand Haven is an awesome community. It's a beach town and their Coast Guard festival is the biggest festival on the Lake in summer. The schools are well regarded and it's a great place to raise a family. (The same goes for most of W. Michigan)

Grand Rapids is 35 mi from the lake, and we're not hit with lake effect as hard, but it's still a really great place. It's a decent city with a cool(under construction) skyline, but it not TOO big. Just the right size. Aside from Grand Rapids Public Schools, and maybe Wyoming, all the schools in the area are quite good.

W. Michigan is the best region to live in because
1) You're not too far from Northern MI, the lake, or Chicago
2) Your job prospects will be better than almost anywhere else in the state.
3) We're very community centered, and it's an awesome place to raise a family.
4) Most of us are more positive than the rest of the state

One final thing. Yes, the southern posts are positive and they have every right to be, but people don't realize that happiness is very much what you make of it. That's why there's so much migration in the U.S.; because the grass is always greener in AZ or FL. I don't think geography has a ton to do with happiness or depression.

PM me if you want any details about schools in the area. I'm a substute teacher in GR/Kent county and can give some advice.

Mackinac

[MichiganMovesSouth]

Thanks Mackinac!

I feel the same way about "the grass being greener". That's why I'm freaking out about moving out of state - we may get there and be in awe for a year or so and then say, "wow, we miss MI!"

Family is another issue - we have some (his side) in SC and my side here in MI so either way we go we may miss out on seeing some family often.

I'm glad to hear that people are more positive on that side of the state.

I will certainly contact you if/when it gets closer to us moving to learn about school districts. We have a wedding to plan first and then we will put job feelers out there to see where we end up.

Thanks again for all the info - from now until the wedding I will be checking this site on a regular basis so I can start researching the area.

[scottmi]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

One final thing. Yes, the southern posts are positive and they have every right to be, but people don't realize that happiness is very much what you make of it. That's why there's so much migration in the U.S.; because the grass is always greener in AZ or FL. I don't think geography has a ton to do with happiness or depression.

Well, I have to disagree. People forget that those states you specifically mentioned (AZ and FL) have things geographically that Michigan would LOVE to have. For starters, Florida is a tourist metropolis of a state. The weather is wonderful year round and there's always stuff to do, no matter when you want to do it. Arizona is perfect for people who want to live out west but don't want (or can't afford) to deal with California. There are mountains and snow and deserts and cheap land/property and plenty of jobs in AZ.

Michigan, on the other hand, has nothing of real significance geographically other than Mackinaw Island, the bridge and lots of lakes. That being said, however, it's got a horrible economy thanks to the dying auto industry, a horrible reputation from the media and is not even "on your way" when travelling across the country (you have to go north into Michigan if you're passing through Ohio/Indiana and even then only a few big cities are close to state lines).

Companies don't want to fight harsh weather 7-8 months out of the year (which is what Michigan has) and property values refuse to drop to match the payscale for many people in MI now. So what you're left with is a cold, dreary state 75% of the year with ****-poor job opportunities, low wages compared to other states (if you can even get a job), no hope for tourism to save the day, a crappy state government that constantly makes things worse, a bad national reputation and nothing of true geographic significance to attract anyone really. Wow.

See why the "grass is greener" when it comes to Michigan? Because it is.

[mackinac81]

Michigan, on the other hand, has nothing of real significance geographically other than Mackinaw Island, the bridge and lots of lakes. That being said, however, it's got a horrible economy thanks to the dying auto industry, a horrible reputation from the media and is not even "on your way" when travelling across the country (you have to go north into Michigan if you're passing through Ohio/Indiana and even then only a few big cities are close to state lines).

Um....the Great Lakes are a pretty significant feature, about as much as Mt. McKinley in AK. Speaking of, Alaska isn't on the way anywhere either--with even fewer big cities.

What I mean is that the mentality that says "if only I moved to __________ my problems would be solved" is foolish. People are only as happy as they choose to be, more or less. If someone prefers another place, then that's great, but that will not be the ultimate source of their happiness. As for me, I've traveled through over half the 50 states, most of europe and a good deal of Canada. And after all that traveling, I always come back to liking Michigan. I love it here for lots of reasons, but if I had to move to Arizona I wouldn't be super depressed. I'd find a way to be happy in AZ (while trying to move back here)

And about companies not wanting to relocate to a place that has horrible weather...how would you explain Canada, or better yet, Chicago, both of which have winters every bit as (if not more) harsh than MI. Believe it or not, some people don't mind winter, or even like it (though it's a definite minority.)

Thanks for the post, but I still stand by what I said.