[mhogan10010]

Originally Posted by Winter Baby

Hi Michiganers - Is there such a term? I am looking to relocate from Chicago to a city within 200 miles of Chicago. Not too big and not too small. Preferably some racial diversity, low crime, lots of outdoor activities, and good schools. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Why Michigan? Or are you looking at options in Wis. Indiana and other parts of Ill.
I'm originally from Mi., so think it is a good choice, but just curious.
Benton Harbor or St. Joseph's is lovely, but not sure what's there in the way of work.

[M TYPE X]

My parents are finally getting tired of metro Detroit. They have a vacation home in the UP. They are thinking about moving over to the west side of the state, on the shoreline west of Grand Rapids and north of Holland.

Racial diversity? Try south of Chicago, not northeast.
There's not a lot of lakes here in mid-Illinois, but there is a lot of corn!

[applesandshanana]

I would have to add another nod for Kalamazoo, it sounds just right for what you're looking for. There are two colleges, a number of museums, libraries, breweries, concert venues, etc. Plus, if you have kids, The Kalamazoo Promise will be giving full college scholarships to KPS students.

[Blue Grass Fever]

How can anyone not mention Muskegon?

Or Marshall?

[willie williams]

Look at the areas of :
Southeast Inkster Michigan
North Inkster areas
Dearborn Heights
Dearborn

Moderator cut: realtor advertising

Originally Posted by Winter Baby

Hi Michiganers - Is there such a term? I am looking to relocate from Chicago to a city within 200 miles of Chicago. Not too big and not too small. Preferably some racial diversity, low crime, lots of outdoor activities, and good schools. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[nilesmainstreet]

Located 90 miles east of Chicago, a wonderful diverse, breautiful city- Niles MI. check us out at our NIles Main Street site: www.nilesmainstreet.org our City site: www.ci.niles.mi.us, and our Chamber of Commerce site: nilesmi.org

If you have questions, don't hesitate to call: Lisa Croteau, program manager for Niles Main Street 269-687-4332.

[magellan]

I would say Grand Rapids would meet your needs. And, to get to Chicago very easily from here, you can drive to Michigan City and park at the South Shore Line's Carroll Avenue Station and ride the commuter train into Chicago. It's cheap (like $5 or $6), clean, congestion-free, parking is free, you can even leave your car for the weekend at the station, and it drops you right at Millennium Park Station downtown Chicago.

nictd.com

[michiganmoon]

I lived for a brief time in a little town called Bridgman. It is only about an hour and a half from Chicago. It is a lovely town right on Lake Michigan and there are two beaches on the lake that have nearly 3 miles of Lake Michigan Shoreline.

New Buffalo further to the south is very trendy and toursity and farther to the north and just under a 2 hour drive from Chicago is the Stevensville/Benton Harbor/St Joseph area...that has shops nice areas and some poor areas...but it has more diversity than most of south west Michigan.

I'd check out Bridgman though, my first year I wasn't extremely fond of it, but I really miss the town now and especially the lake. Weko Beach in Bridgman has a beach house where you can get refreshments and watch the waves...in addition to festivals and rentals there as well throughout the year. Bridgman also has vineyards and a decent school district.

[M TYPE X]

If you need jobs, they are in Grand Rapids. Otherwise, the lakeshore has plenty of nice towns. The real estate is expensive along the shore until you get up to Muskegon-ish.

[Catherine D]

I relocated to Mattawan, just west of Kalamazoo from Chicago 18 years ago and NEVER regretted it. The Kalamazoo area is a great area and continues to do well even in a rough economy. It takes me exactly 2 hours to get to downtown Chicago from Mattawan, it's about 140 miles.

Good luck!