Best Suburbs of Grand Rapids

[Schaumburger]

The area is moderate, it's the thing my ma always used to say, "we are a live and let live people." The area isn't very vocal. Your neighbor isn't going to approach you because you choose to mow on Sunday. Those are one of the more ridiculous things I've heard about the area.

[Wabbit]

I agree Shaumburger, 'No mowing on Sunday!' is Grand Rapid's version of an Urban myth. I'm not saying it's NEVER happened, but come on.
I also agree that regardless of how conservative G.R. may be, its just not something that permeates every aspect of life around here.
I actually have found most people in Grand Rapids to be very open minded.
'Live and let live' is a good way of describing my experience here.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

I agree Shaumburger, 'No mowing on Sunday!' is Grand Rapid's version of an Urban myth. I'm not saying it's NEVER happened, but come on.
I also agree that regardless of how conservative G.R. may be, its just not something that permeates every aspect of life around here.
I actually have found most people in Grand Rapids to be very open minded.
'Live and let live' is a good way of describing my experience here.

After growing up in central Michigan and hearing things similar about GR, and then living the reality of it for 10+ years now, it is totally an urban myth. I even lived in Hudsonville (ground zero for the myth) for 3 years and mowed my lawn every Sunday (because I worked the other 6 days), and I was seldom the only one. My neighbors were very friendly and all the kids on the street played together, despite my mowing transgressions.

I really believe part of it is the strong labor union core of Central and Southeastern Michigan have tried to paint West Michigan in a bad light for many years, because of its historically small union influence.