Japanese In GR (Grand Rapids, Kentwood: fit in, houses, find a job)

[redpatcher]

My wife is Japanese, fluent in English and has my family as start of the social network. Over all what do you think we can do to assist her transition to the area and what are pitfalls we should be prepared to work through?

[burgler09]

Pitfalls? Assistance? I can't imagine any of that... it is just like moving to a new city.. you move, find a job and meet people as you go.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by redpatcher

My wife is Japanese, fluent in English and has my family as start of the social network. Over all what do you think we can do to assist her transition to the area and what are pitfalls we should be prepared to work through?

It depends on where you end up living. There are some areas where diversity means some houses have tan siding, and some have beige, and even others have caramel. If you're seeking an area where you'll find a diverse population, primarily Asians, you might actually try the Kentwood area. Surprisingly the school district has students from over 100 different countries, many of them Asian. Although you'll probably find a lot more people of Chinese origin than Japanese.

I think you mentioned Heritage Hill in another thread. I think you'll find a very open and accepting community there.

[keroppi78]

I lived in Kentwood and GR while I went to school in Grand Rapids, and I am of Korean descent. I found that there is a very high population of Vietnamese in GR. If you're worried about how your wife will fit in, she'll be fine. There's an Asian mall on Division street, primarily Chinese and Vietnamese grocery store, and there are also Korean markets on that street as well. There are Japanese restaurants in GR that are Korean owned too. I think she will do fine in GR, however, there's always a chance that you could run into one of those people that aren't as accepting as others, but you just have to brush that off!