Grand Rapids Area -- Diversity? (Kentwood, Muskegon: low income, transplants, crime)

[sportzgal1277]

Hi -- My husband and 2 small children (ages 8 months and 3 1/2) are possibly relocating to the Grand Rapids area. Our family is interracial (caucasian and african american). Can someone tell me about good areas of Grand Rapids (and the surrounding areas) that have good schools, low crime rates and plenty of ethnic and cultural diversity?

Thank you for the info!

[Chelle D]

Hi Sportzgal - I think you will find a lot of areas in Grand Rapids that are open to diversity. I live on the NE side of the City of Grand Rapids and although we live in the GR Public Schools District, we will likely send our now 2 year old to one of the many Christian Schools in our area or the many Charter Schools. We also have school of choice, but it depends on openings. The City will be the most diverse, but I think if you are looking for a more family-oriented feel, you could check out Rockford. The school district is good (and huge) and the area is nice. I like Ada, East GR, Cascade, and Forest Hills too, but I am most familiar with the North Side.

[magellan]

Like Chelle D, I'm more familiar with the NE side. I would definitely try East Grand Rapids or Forest Hills for good schools and virtually no crime. Although Forest Hills is not as diverse as EGR, Grand Rapids or Kentwood, there are a lot of transplants here with a growing number of ethnicities. There is also an excellent Spanish Immersion program at Ada Vista Elementary in the FH district that attracts a lot of diverse families. You might be able to get your 8 year old in for next Fall before they get filled up (?)

Grand Rapids city is fairly diverse. You can go back to the main page of city-data and find specific demographic information:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Michigan.html

Hope that helps!

[sportzgal1277]

Thank you for the replies. Although my son is only 3 1/2, I certainly don't want him to be one of the few African Americans in his school. I was hoping to get some more data on diversity in schools. Does anyone know where to get these statistics? We'd prefer a house with a large lot (3/4 to 1 acre or even 3 acres), so I'm not sure which area fits our bill.

Again, thank you!

[magellan]

Originally Posted by sportzgal1277

Thank you for the replies. Although my son is only 3 1/2, I certainly don't want him to be one of the few African Americans in his school. I was hoping to get some more data on diversity in schools. Does anyone know where to get these statistics? We'd prefer a house with a large lot (3/4 to 1 acre or even 3 acres), so I'm not sure which area fits our bill.

Again, thank you!

Try sites like this one: http://www.greatschools.net/

You enter in the district and it gives you a list of schools in that district, then click on the school you want and go to "student stats". It asks if you want to receive email updates but you can click past it.

You'll find larger lots in places like Kentwood and Forest Hills as opposed to in the city of GR, but 3/4 to 1 acres puts you out in rural-land outer-burbs (where there is virtually no diversity). In the GR area, you can find nice wooded 1/3 to 1/2 acre lots pretty much everywhere in the Eastern suburbs.

If you want information on specific neighborhoods once you start looking, just shoot me a message.

[sportzgal1277]

is muskegon a decent commute to grand rapids? it seems like a quirky, diverse area. i read that some parts are not so good in terms of schools and crime, but some areas are. the diversity seems high. any thoughts?

[magellan]

Originally Posted by sportzgal1277

is muskegon a decent commute to grand rapids? it seems like a quirky, diverse area. i read that some parts are not so good in terms of schools and crime, but some areas are. the diversity seems high. any thoughts?

It's not too far, but really it's just a small version of Grand Rapids: urban schools are a mess, suburban schools are OK. Muskegon is just starting to get a lot of redevelopment, whereas Grand Rapids is at least a decade into rebuilding itself. Grand Rapids is the 2nd largest city in Michigan, so it has a lot to offer. I think you'll find much better schools around Grand Rapids than around Muskegon as well.

Probably the most diverse suburban district in the area is Kentwood, Southest of Grand Rapids.

[suydam]

I'd suggest you check out East Grand Rapids. Primarily caucasian, but great schools, friendly populace and lots of out-of-towners that moved here from other cities. As such, I think you'll find that people have been exposed to diversity and enjoy it (as opposed to "tolerate").

As magellan pointed out, Kentwood is a diverse district with some great housing options. That's a place to check out as well.

[sportzgal1277]

Again, thank you! I'm starting to get excited about the possibility of moving to Grand Rapids...East Grand Rapids or perhaps Kentwood. We are looking at homes in the $250-$350 range, and are really hoping to get a decent size lot. Our family is very outdoorsy...we spend quite a bit of time outside in our yard, and we'd like more than just a postage stamp. I just wish it was an easier process to move from Texas to Michigan!

[PeytonsMommy]

I would NOT recommend Kentwood. The schools are having a lot of issues with gangs. A lot of diversity, but not a good situation. The problem there, in my opinion, is that a lot of low income kids are mixed with kids from $$ (country clubs, etc). The housing market there is saturated with homes and you will have a tough time selling again.

I live in Rockford. We are comparable to East GR and Forest Hills in terms of diversity (I think we are 97% caucasion!) but everyone is incredibly open to everything here. I LOVE it!!! Feel free to PM me w/any questions, and look at Rockfords website - we have a GREAT downtown and awesome walking trails! It's an outdoor persons dream!

Melissa