Young marrieds (plus dog) relocating from UK to GR (Detroit: apartments, rentals)

[woojharry]

Hi!

In October, my husband and I will be visiting GR in preparation for a possible move from northern England to GR in late Winter/early Spring (due to my husband's career). Neither of us have ever moved far from home in our adult lives so the whole prospect of moving abroad is quite terrifying!

I think we would be looking to rent a condo/apartment at first (are condos are apartments different things?!), then look to buy later. The trouble is there are so many districts in GR that we don't know where to start! There are some amazing places (like Boardwalk apts, downtown) but this all appears to be buying only.

I've followed a few threads on here before, and the comments received back are fantastic. Most have related to buying, so would be good to hear opinions on renting. Some places we've seen online look ok, but I guess you never know what it's really like until you live there/have experience of.

On our 'wish-list' would be:
* rental
* a safe area - I would be biking or walking most places.
* within 15 minutes of downtown GR
* allows dogs (ours isn't huge)
* maybe some extra amenities on the complex
* suitable for families/young professionals
* I go running a lot, so it would be good to be near an open space, maybe a park (for the dog too!)

Hoping you can help us out Thanks!

[suydam]

There is only one official dog park in GR that I'm aware of. It's at Fuller and Michigan (google maps). I would say if you've got no kids and plan to stay that way for a while, try downtown.

If you're planning on children, check out the rental properties in East Grand Rapids. There are tons of dogs around EGR, and you're going to meet other young marrieds with infant children fairly easily if your'e living there. It would make your transition quite easy I presume. Plus, EGR has the #6 bus that runs from "Gaslight Village" (EGR's tiny downtown) to downtown GR (so you can bike, walk and take the bus).

Downtown GR is a great place to live if you're not having kids. Check out the Boardwalk (rentals and condos I think) which is near parks, on the river, bikeable to downtown, and full of younger professionals.

Good luck. Grand Rapids is a great place!

[michigan83]

I think we would be looking to rent a condo/apartment at first (are condos are apartments different things?!)

To answer your question, apartments are for rent and condos are for purchase.

But... sometimes the owner of a condo will be looking to rent it out, in which case you could end up renting a condo!

[magellan]

I would check out Icon on Bond near downtown. Nice place, and they are renting.

[woojharry]

Thanks very much for the info so far - enjoying having a good look online, and sure we will when we visit for real in October. Have to say that whilst I'm petrified about leaving home, GR looks a great place to make a new home. So much is there that I'm massively into, as well as my husband. We've recently bought ESPN subscription to start learning sports the USA way

Any other suggestions would be very welcome!

[beachmouse]

Live ice hockey is a ton of fun to watch even if you aren't overly familiar with the rules of the game. The speed, power, and athleticism level you get with the Griffins (minor league team for the Detroit Red Wings) is very impressive. Spring for tickets down below the glass- you can actually feel the vibrations when someone delivers a hard check into the boards.

Baseball is a lot like cricket in the sense that the game is an excuse to go out to the ballpark on a beautiful summer day, have some beer with friends, and jaw about everything and anything in a relaxed place in the large amounts of time in between anything actually happening on the field.

[woojharry]

Beachmouse, hi! We're staying with friends (who are still quite new to the GR area) when we visit in October, and they've said they're going to try get us to as many sports things as possible. My husband, in particular, is very excited! I would love to see ice hockey - not sure about 'seasons' that games run in though. Just another thing to learn

[beachmouse]

Heya! Grew up in GR, left because the jobs were more plentiful elsewhere, but still have family in town. Professional hockey runs from some point in October to spring, American football is a fall sport, and baseball is late spring through summer.