Grand Rapids Area -- Diversity? (Detroit, Kentwood: apartment, home, job market)

[AJ Granger]

Originally Posted by conovercourt

GR is one of the highest crime areas in the country.


I live equidistant from Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Memphis. I'd try my luck in Grand Rapids any day!

Um, what? People lumping GR in with Flint and Detroit are out of their minds. GR is incredibly safe. Like, way way safe. There are only a handfull of streets I wouldn't walk down at NIGHT.

To the original poster, I would look into Kentwood for the diversity and price range you are looking for(Gangs? Yeah right!). Also, I would check out Grandville, on the west side(closer to Lake Michigan, yay!). I think you would find more space over there and more bang for your buck. You are probably priced out of EGR, I would think. Good luck!

[suydam]

EGR isn't too expensive anymore...no more so than Forest Hills at least.
60% of the homes are under $200k in value. I'd say visit the areas, find one you like..THEN (and only then) shop for a home in that area.

[scottmi]

I will NEVER pay $200k for a house. EVER.

I'd be perfectly content living in a $60,000 modular on a $20,000 piece of land somewhere.

Ridiculous what people think is "reasonable" for housing!!! Crazy!!!

[suydam]

Originally Posted by scottmi

I will NEVER pay $200k for a house. EVER.

I'd be perfectly content living in a $60,000 modular on a $20,000 piece of land somewhere.

Ridiculous what people think is "reasonable" for housing!!! Crazy!!!

If you don't want to pay $200k for a home then you can still look at 60% of the housing in EGR.

Everyone's measure of "fair" pricing is different. $200k doesn't even buy you a piece of land in some places, we're lucky to live in Metro-GR where prices are still reasonable compared to even the other side of the state (not to mention Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis the other 3 major metros within shouting distance of Michigan).

[tikvah4u2]

Hello,

I am originally from New York and I lived in Grand Rapids for approximately four years and to be honest it was one of the worst experiences of my life, I found the area to be one of the most racist areas to live in and as a black professional woman (I am an accountant) I found it difficult to find work in my field, much less sustainable work. I met employers who openly made subtle racist remarks. In addition one must keep in mind that you will be competing against people who have not worked for years and are willing to do every and anything to ensure that they continue working...it's an employers market. I found the black community to be hostile to outsiders and outside of a few people I really made no friends white or black, which saddened me.

We relocated to first Georgia and then to Florida, where even with my inter-racial family, we have NEVER experienced the problems we had in Grand Rapids. I have been able to find work in my field and not once have I experienced the racism that I did in Grand Rapids. As another poster stated think long and hard before moving your family into an environment where jobs are limited and your family may not feel comfortable.

[deslok]

Agreed Tikah4u2. It is not an ideal community unless you are blonde hair blue eyes.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by deslok

Agreed Tikah4u2. It is not an ideal community unless you are blonde hair blue eyes.

Gee, guess I should go dye my hair and get lasik then.

[deslok]

Wouldn't hurt.

[scottmi]

Originally Posted by deslok

Agreed Tikah4u2. It is not an ideal community unless you are blonde hair blue eyes.

LOL....Is GR a Mormon city? Wouldn't friggin' surprise me. That would explain it's economy. Michigan's very own Salt Lake City.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by scottmi

LOL....Is GR a Mormon city? Wouldn't friggin' surprise me. That would explain it's economy. Michigan's very own Salt Lake City.

I'll take it! (minus the polygamy and hyper-conservatism) Salt Lake City is booming.