hopefully moving to GR (Detroit, Grand Rapids: sale, real estate market, rental homes)

[momof11]

We are finally under contract with our house, though we still have all the inspections and the million things that can cause the deal to fall through.

We are moving from California to the Grand Rapids area. Once we get the inspection and appraisal done and providing that nothing goes wrong my dh and I will be going for a couple of days to scout out a rental house. Any ideas for looking or should we contact a property manager in the area? We have 9 kids at home and 2 dogs. We'd prefer to have a little bit of land around us and we are not tied to living in Grand Rapids per se as my husband works out of our home. We do need high speed internet though. We may be interested in a lease with option to buy.

[redsoxgurl]

I wouldn't live IN grand rapids. It really depends on the area of course but you will find more "family oriented" towns, trees and land on the outskirts. Definitely a lot of crime and it seems to be getting worse. I moved here almost 3 years ago from MA and I can't wait to get out. I live in Holland, about a 1/2 hour away right on lake mich. It's a nice town I guess but not my type of place. I don't know the areas that well around g.r. so you will have to do some searching. Sorry I can't help in that sense. But just don't live in the city of g.r. Wyoming is a nice place and Grandville. Both about 10-15mins away from g.r.

[momof11]

thanks! My brother is scouting out houses for me.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by redsoxgurl

I wouldn't live IN grand rapids. It really depends on the area of course but you will find more "family oriented" towns, trees and land on the outskirts. Definitely a lot of crime and it seems to be getting worse. I moved here almost 3 years ago from MA and I can't wait to get out. I live in Holland, about a 1/2 hour away right on lake mich. It's a nice town I guess but not my type of place. I don't know the areas that well around g.r. so you will have to do some searching. Sorry I can't help in that sense. But just don't live in the city of g.r. Wyoming is a nice place and Grandville. Both about 10-15mins away from g.r.

Just FYI: I believe crime is actually on the decline in Grand Rapids. The media latches onto it and makes it seem worse but I don't believe that to be the case.

Due to the horrible real estate market, rental homes in affluent areas are a little more plentiful right now than they have been in the past. If that is your cup of tea you've chosen a good time to move.

If you want to be close to town, I'd suggest you check East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Rockford.

If you want to be closer to Lake Michigan, Holland and Grand Haven are very nice, but can be 35-45 minutes drive from downtown GR, so with gas prices where they are, perhaps living closer to work is a better choice? Who knows, your call.

[Haydens Mum]

Grandville has alot of larger homes and is very nice. Walker is very nice too. Coopersville is a short drive to GR and offers some rural living. I have lived in all of these area and Wyoming and would not move back to Wyoming if you paid me. It has changed for the worst since I lived there and I lived there for many years. Rockford is very nice too offering rual but quaint. Lots to offer. The drive on 131 can be very crowded. Since it is the main drive for many many commuters. Wayland is very nice to. Very rural good people, not that far from GR or Kalamazoo. Good Luck with your search. Can't wait to hear what you choose. :0)

[Wayland Woman]

Rockford area is great, just north of Grand Rapids. Cooperville and Wayland as well. I think it depends on the types of things you like to do in your leisure time and what kind of school district you are looking for.

[momof11]

Thanks for your help, things seem to be moving along with the sale of the house though we won't know anything until all the inspection/termite stuff is done. Are there areas that do not have high speed internet? My husband works from home and needs to have internet connection

[suydam]

Originally Posted by momof11

Thanks for your help, things seem to be moving along with the sale of the house though we won't know anything until all the inspection/termite stuff is done. Are there areas that do not have high speed internet? My husband works from home and needs to have internet connection

You'd better call the cable/phone provider to be sure.

Everywhere I know in GR (metro) has high-speed internet.... but I have a guy who works for me on the other side of the state who cannot get high-speed internet through cable or DSL and he only lives an hour outside of Lansing.

[momof11]

We are coming out this week to look for rentals. Hopefully we will be sucessful.

[windfarmer]

As a newcomer myself to GR, might I offer words of encouragement?

Move here! I was born in California and lived there on several occasions, however I wouldn't trade a move there again for the life of me. (Except maybe Eureka or other parts far north.)

Grand Rapids does not have a lot of crime compared to cities like Los Angeles or even Detroit. In fact, I feel quite safe here and I live in the city of Grand Rapids itself. It is also a very affordable city with growth everywhere I look.

It's not a city for people looking for a rat race, suburban-sprawl, hour-long commute to work, kind of life. It does have several museums, the very stunning Meijer gardens, several very beautiful lakes in close proximity including Lake Michigan, a vibrant city center that is also very walkable, Millenium Park just south-west of the city (which upon completion will be larger than Central Park / NY),...etc. If you are an admirer of historic homes, you will find what you seek in Heritage Hill which is just east/south-east of the city center. Best of all, I believe Grand Rapids has what you would never find in suburban SoCal – authentic community spirit and sincere neighborliness.

I agree with Suydam, East Grand Rapids is a very good place to live.

Grand Rapids public schools are not that great, though there seem to be a couple of Montessori schools as well as a few Parochial ones.

To conclude, I will say that I find Grand Rapids residents to be very friendly, very welcoming and quite courteous. In my case and considering the status quo, I will likely never move away.

All of the above is my opinion as a new resident, and therefore should be read as such.