Best Suburbs of Grand Rapids (Detroit, Muskegon: for sale, low crime, house)

[GRBound]

My family is planning a move to Grand Rapids this summer (keeping my fingers crossed that our house sells). I am looking for unbiased information on the best family friendly suburbs of GR. I'm looking for great schools (within walking distance preferred), close nature/bikes trails, shopping nearby, in a great family full sub division. Basically, I want what I have now! Additonally, an easy commute to downtown GR.

Thanks in advance for your insights!

[magellan]

Originally Posted by GRBound

My family is planning a move to Grand Rapids this summer (keeping my fingers crossed that our house sells). I am looking for unbiased information on the best family friendly suburbs of GR. I'm looking for great schools (within walking distance preferred), close nature/bikes trails, shopping nearby, in a great family full sub division. Basically, I want what I have now! Additonally, an easy commute to downtown GR.

Thanks in advance for your insights!

What price range, size, etc.? Depending on price range, there are nearly endless options for the things you mentioned (good schools, nature/bike trails, shopping nearby, family friendly).

All the GR burbs are within an easy commute of downtown (20 - 25 minutes tops normally, except during construction).

You can reply here or send me a message. Welcome and I hope your home sells quickly!

[Chelle D]

I agree that there are many areas that would fit for you. Something in Cascade/Forest Hills might work. Ada, Rockford, or even East Grand Rapids might fit for you.

[suydam]

East Grand Rapids is a small town with homes randing from the 1920s to brand new and prices in the $150,000 - $2,500,000 range. Great school system with no bussing (kids walk to neighborhood schools). Small downtown, lake, tiny little sailing club, water front park, etc. Small town america nestled directly adjacent to Grand Rapids proper (it's the inner-most suburb on the east-side). Population is only 11,000ish so it's a small city, not a typical "burb". Think Grosse Pointe or Birmingham on the SE side of Michigan (though smaller and more affordable).

Forest Hills (Ada & Cascade Townships) offers great schools, mostly newer construction with more modern style suburban neighborhoods. Forest Hills is actually just a school district, not a mailing address but as such it's easily defined by the district boundaries. There are 3 high schools in Forest Hills so it's considerably larger than East Grand Rapids. For that reason there are many more homes for sale. The price range is similar to East Grand Rapids but for your money you get a larger lot, a less walkable community (think Bloomfield Hills if you're familiar with Detroit) and schools that are generally going to be a 5-10 minute bus ride from your house. There are plenty of new subdivisions to pick from and gobs of retail. You have the gorgeous Ada Village (adjacent to Alticor's global HQ) if you like the small town feel and lots of great parks and bike trails.

Rockford is a small town or a giant school district of suburban neighborhoods. It depends who you ask. The small town is wonderful for shopping, has a river running through it with parks and dining options on the water. The schools are great (I believe in 2005, Rockford High School was the 2nd largest school in the state). If you're a Detroiter like I was, Rochester (+Roch. Hills) is the best comparison as you have the small town and then miles of suburbia that surround it. If you're big into going Up North, Rockford has the added bonus of being 10-15 miles north of Grand Rapids, so you're past all the traffic when you head to your cottage on a Friday afternoon. Big plus.

Empirically, those 3 areas seem to be the most attractive (for whatever reason) to people moving into the area from out of town. There are a host of other great suburbs that fit a variety of income levels and lifestyles. I happen to know most about those 3 because they were the 3 we considered the most when moving to the area 3 years ago.

[Wabbit]

I agree with everything Suydam just said, but those are all on the East side.
If, for instance, you work on the West side, I would also add Grandville
which is a very nice community with everything you mentioned.
44th Street nearby has pretty much everything you'll need, plus Rivertown Crossing Mall. If you plan on spending a lot of time at Lake Michigan it's also convenient.
Personally, I like them all. You cant go wrong with any of those aforementioned.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

I agree with everything Suydam just said, but those are all on the East side.
If, for instance, you work on the West side, I would also add Grandville
which is a very nice community with everything you mentioned.
44th Street nearby has pretty much everything you'll need, plus Rivertown Crossing Mall. If you plan on spending a lot of time at Lake Michigan it's also convenient.
Personally, I like them all. You cant go wrong with any of those aforementioned.

Agreed, Grandville is certainly one to look at on the west side of GR.

Another option, if you work on the west side of town is lakeshore living. By the time you're looking at a west-side job, you're within 30 minutes of Holland and/or Grand Haven (depending on the job). Both are wonderful communities (with my personal preference being Grand Haven which is right on the lake) with walkable schools, cute downtowns and the holy grail of Michigan living: lake access.

[Wabbit]

As a former Grand Haven(ite) I have to agree that GH is a great option if you're on the West side of GR. The only minor negatives are the bridge and the winters. I lived on a steep hill (Prospect St.) and getting up and down my hill in the winter was a white-knuckle nightmare. (Yes, even the salt crews are laid back over there.)
Other than that though, I loved it!
Low crime, good schools, awesome sunsets, great trails and really well kept beaches!
Another option (nowdays) if you want to be by the lake and spend a little less money is Spring Lake. That seems to be a hot spot now.

[Chelle D]

I grew up in Muskegon, which is about a 35 minute ride from downtown GR. While I would not recommened the city of Muskegon for you, something in Norton Shores might be nice. But overall, I think you would be very happy with Ada or Forest Hills near Grand Rapids. If you are looking for a more urban feel, with an artsy town atmosphere, East Grand Rapids would be great.

I currently live on the NE side of GR, but now that we have an almost 2 year old, we are considereing moving to one of these GR 'burbs in the next 3 years. Then again, the city is not bad either, but we will do Christian schools if we stay here, or a charter school - both are very readily available on the NE side of the city.

[ipsect04tl]

I agree with suydam's analysis of the situation. In addition to East GR, Forest Hills, and Rockford; there are some nice communities in Grandville as well as Caledonia. Both of these locales are very conservative though; you willl get harked at for mowing the Lawn on a sunday or making a wee bit too much noise. I doubt this is a problem, but just thought I'd mention this.

[GRBound]

Thanks for all the input. It really helps. I had heard about the west side being pretty conservative but wasn't sure exactly how conservative. Can you all give me your take on this???