[Texasgal82]

I have had the priviledge to move around the US. I currently live in Texas. But I was born and raised in GH. The people are snobs. Their kids are rude. The people are so self absorbed.
Be aware that all of Western Michigan is in a time warp! When I go back to visit, they are still playing RUSH, Bob Seger and ACDC like they are new releases. The mullet is still king in Western Michigan.
Tons of people show up to honor the Coast Guard once a year in GH. I am not sure that the city of GH has respect for the Coast Guard. I personally think it is a great gimmick for the city of GH to bring in revenue. The city really doesn't give back to the people that risk their lives on the lakes (CG) on a daily basis. The city is patting the backs of the toursits with one hand while pushing the CG away with the other.
Can you tell my spouse was a member of the CG?
So GH or SL? It really doesn't matter. They are the same. Small town, white people and full of themselves.
Thank goodness I got out!!!

[lakemichiganlady]

wow! I can't believe the posts on this topic. I have lived in Spring Lake, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, and now Muskegon. I let me tell you I've LOVED all of them. These people writing these posts are rediculous....there are going to be self absorbed people WHEREVER you go...no matter what part of the state you are in. I have lived in Saginaw, Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Ypsi, and the country and there are people who act like that EVERYWHERE...so you just don't hang out with them, and you don't let them affect your life.

My opinion is if you are moving to West Michigan from the Carolinas (I have actually lived there too...on Hilton Head) I think you would be very happy in either Spring Lake or Grand Haven. They are very close to the other. Spring Lake has less of a downtown, but has a nice big lake to waterski, boat, fish etc etc....

If you need some serious help from a postive West Michigan local, send me a message and I'd be glad to help.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Texasgal82

I have had the priviledge to move around the US. I currently live in Texas. But I was born and raised in GH. The people are snobs. Their kids are rude. The people are so self absorbed.
Be aware that all of Western Michigan is in a time warp! When I go back to visit, they are still playing RUSH, Bob Seger and ACDC like they are new releases. The mullet is still king in Western Michigan.
Tons of people show up to honor the Coast Guard once a year in GH. I am not sure that the city of GH has respect for the Coast Guard. I personally think it is a great gimmick for the city of GH to bring in revenue. The city really doesn't give back to the people that risk their lives on the lakes (CG) on a daily basis. The city is patting the backs of the toursits with one hand while pushing the CG away with the other.
Can you tell my spouse was a member of the CG?
So GH or SL? It really doesn't matter. They are the same. Small town, white people and full of themselves.
Thank goodness I got out!!!

Trolling for arguments are we?

Maybe it was different in GH/SL when you were born and raised there (which was how long ago?) but all my experiences with people from both cities have been overwhelmingly positive.

[prontopup]

As a resident of GH for 24 years, I've found this thread to be somewhat misleading, but compelling just the same. The age-old GH vs. SL is a rivalry that will be around forever, it's natural. The choice of the original poster (still with us?) depends entirely on their personal likes and dislikes. Remember, it's not far to travel to GH from SL or visa versa, so I think all the 'access to bountiful natural beauty' tilted to SL is a misnomer.

Like small-town, really small town life? Go SL and behave.
Like the vacation town atmosphere for 3-4 months a year? Go GH
Want smaller schools with nurturing environment? Go SL
Want your kid to play Class A sports? Go GH (SL is Class B)
More Liberal? Go GH
Arch-Conservative? Go SL, but GH is overall a conservative town too.
Close to Downtown? Go GH, SL has no downtown to speak of.
Walk to the Beach? Go GH. It's a beautiful beach that's definitely a "bountiful natural beauty".
Churches: All SL churches are small. GH has several large, active, churches.
Work in Grand Rapids? Go SL
Cheaper Groceries? Go GH
Kids can walk to school? Go SL
Hate Condos? Go Ferrysburg
Like Condos? Go GH
Better Gyms: Go GH
More Bars: Go GH
Want less traffic? Go SL

An old Tri-cities saying: If you work north of the bridge, live north of the bridge. If you work south of the bridge, live south of the bridge. Actually, it's not that bad crossing the bridge every day twice. I lived south (GH Township) and worked in Norton Shores and only had to take that 40 mile detour to Eastmanville one time in 7 years.

Grand Haven is friendlier town than SL, IMHO, but the longer you live in either city the more friends you make.

The earlier poster said to the effect that you should only live on the west side of US 31, he is wa-a-a-a-a-y off base. The east side of GH is a great place to purchase an affordable home and still be within biking or walking distance of Lake Michigan. I had the choice between a 'west of the highway' GH City home and a GH Township home in 1995 and I bought in the township because I could get much more land in GHT than in the city.

Neither GH or SL offer much cultural diversity. It's pretty WASP-y, and there are pockets of racism. It's getting better though.

The SL, GH and Ferrysburg area is getting better and better as more people move there because they want to live near such splendid natural wonders. We are slowly outnumbering the Christian Reformed establishment, but they have a very tight grip on county politics. The last time a Democrat had more votes than a Republican in a U.S. presidential election in Ottawa County was in 1864 to vote against Abraham Lincoln.

If you've already moved, I'd love to know where you ended up and which posts where accurate.