[Driller1]

Originally Posted by magellan

No, no, no, the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area is about 770,000, and the Grand Rapids CSA, which includes much of Ottawa and Muskegon County, is about 1.3 Million people. But you're right, Grand Rapids alone can't save the State.

And you're wrong applegate. Michigan does not lead the country in foreclosures, and it doesn't lead the country in declining home values.

Highest foreclosure states as of 7/31/07:

1) California
2) Florida
3) Ohio
4) Texas
5) Michigan

Huge surge in mortgage foreclosures rocks U.S. | www.azstarnet.com ® (http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/194146 - broken link)

And since you claim you "know" Grand Rapids, I'd like to hear what kind of factual information you have that you can enlighten us with about Grand Rapids? BTW MIDOA: WZZM, which you quoted above as an "article", is the local Grand Rapids CBS affiliate. They're not a newspaper. And that story was talking about moving trucks in Michigan, not Grand Rapids. I have a hard time believing that you're really from GR if you think WZZM is a newspaper.

If anyone would like hard factual data on what is going on in the Grand Rapids area, just let me know (especially you candacecan and applegate). There are scores of articles and links online.

This is what my husband said. He maintains it is because the properties have already been foreclosed on, and those are not listed. He is a dooms-day profit too. lol lol lol

[michiganbornandproud]

Was just "home" to MI last week,and I had a blast!!...hung around all my old haunts in East Lansing,drove to Olivet and Eaton Rapids,went to Wall Lake and Lake Lansing....and hubby and I are lookin into buying in Bellevue....I have no fear that my life will not improve 10 fold from Craparado...lol...and I will treasure every moment I get home in MI...

[Driller1]

My hubby is the dooms-day profit, I believe the system just cycles. This is a low, but it will come back.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by deslok

Grand Rapids is not the savior of the state! If anyone is going to save this state it will be Detroit someday, and that day is certainly not now.
What factual information do you have on GR? Clearly you seem to favor the city a great deal.

Of course I favor it. If you look at my profile, I live here in GR. If we decide someday that Grand Rapids is not the place for us, we'll quietly put our home up for sale and move.

What kind of information would you like deslok? Employment growth, population growth, what sectors are hiring, what sectors are not? Commercial space vacancies, housing starts, existing home sales? Just let me know.

BTW: I'm not one that thinks that things are going swimmingly well in Michigan and/or Grand Rapids-West Michigan. There are challenges everywhere, but it's not the Titanic or Aushwitz as some people claim IMO.

But since this forum is mainly relocation based, it does seem to draw more than its fair share of negativity. Just take a look at other states on here and you'll see. Especially check out the Florida and California sections. Yowzers!

http://www.city-data.com/forum/florida/

[deslok]

I looked in Orange county and you would think it is the worst place in the world! ( California) What recommendations would you have at downtown living in GR?

[magellan]

Originally Posted by deslok

I looked in Orange county and you would think it is the worst place in the world! ( California) What recommendations would you have at downtown living in GR?

Look at this Florida one (1 of many doom-n-gloom threads):

Ready to leave Florida

As far as downtown GR, it depends on what your needs are, but my favorites are 240 Ionia (I like the look a feel of it) and the new Fox Lofts on Monroe Center. I've heard good things about Union Square if you don't mind a little more "social" atmosphere, and the architecture is fantastic, but I think they only have 7 or 8 units left. River House was great at pre-construction pricing, but now it's fairly expensive per sf for their remaining units (but you pay for the prestige and height of it).

If you can afford a home in Heritage Hill, it's a great walk to downtown from there and very walkable itself.

I know the area pretty well, so if you need additional info, send me a message (so that we don't totally sidetrack the OP).

[michiganbornandproud]

thanks junker for ur comment as to my low expectations...lol....i love michigan...and i know my life will be better when i get to come home for good...anything there is better than where i am now so i will treasure every moment i get when i am finally home again...

[danailer]

Totally agree with allbusiness's post. I'm a self-sufficient Realtor who isn't a Grand Rapids native... get creative people! I have 100% self-generated income and truly believe the economy is what you make of it.

For my financial advice, I visit - url removed
For real estate advice, visit - url removed

Let's keep up the good work - Michigan is coming back!
-Dana

[colorado_sunshine]

Originally Posted by Siberia

Funny how one side of the state is steaming ahead, and the other side is not...yet Americans focus on the negative side and ignore the positive one.

West Michigan Employment Expands in 2007

Nothing in Michigan is "steaming ahead". Unfortantely, that is the fact. Wish that were true! If you are still there and getting a paycheck, it simply means the company you work for hasn't announce the layoffs yet. Some of our family and a few friends are still there trying to sell their homes to get out before they are stripped of everything. We worry about them every day. It's such a dang shame that everyone will have to leave at some point. Economy is pretty shaky all over the country, so when you finally pack up to leave, be sure to pick an area that you can be self employed or provide a service. Workin for the man jobs are hard to find...remember, we outsourced all of them overseas!!!

good luck Michigan.

[Driller1]

I hope with all the problems with the products made in China this will cycle soon.