Michigan Cities w/in 200 miles of Chicago (Grand Rapids, Flint: homes, rent)

[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.

[thisguy]

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.

We call us Michiganders so pretty close

Grand Rapids is 3 hours, not 2 but its the major city on the west coast of the state and its a good mid sized city with everything you are looking for except maybe a very heavy racial diversity. Most of the west side of MI is not super racially diverse, but in terms of things to do, good schools, lower crime rate, etc Grand Rapids and surrounding towns are probably a good bet. If you want small cities your options open up a lot, but grand rapids is the bigger one on that side of the state

[travelling_paws]

Originally Posted by thisguy

We call us Michiganders so pretty close

Grand Rapids is 3 hours, not 2 but its the major city on the west coast of the state and its a good mid sized city with everything you are looking for except maybe a very heavy racial diversity. Most of the west side of MI is not super racially diverse, but in terms of things to do, good schools, lower crime rate, etc Grand Rapids and surrounding towns are probably a good bet. If you want small cities your options open up a lot, but grand rapids is the bigger one on that side of the state

It's about 170 miles, so it depends how fast you drive. I can make it from Flint to Chicago in less than 4 hours. It does help to drive it in the wee hours to avoid the horrible Chicago traffic! My brother lives there; I drive down every 2-3 months to visit.
South Haven is about 120 miles, even closer. I don't know the west side of the state that well, but I understand that's a nice little city too. Benton Harbor (even closer) would not be a good choice, high crime.

[mich2fla]

Check out Grand Rapids, MI. Decent size town not too far from Chicago. We go to Chicago often for a day trip. It's about a 3 hr drive on Saturdays.

We currently live in Ada, MI where lots of Chicago transplants relocated to and send their kids to Forest Hills Public Schools. Ada is only a 20 minute drive to downtown GR and 20 minute drive to the airport!

Come and check it out!

[comingtowisconsin]

Niles is a pretty nice town, close to South Bend, IN. That's about 15 min. southeast of Benton Harbor.

[Winter Baby]

Hi Michiganders - Thanks so much for your input. I plan to make a couple weekend trips over the next few months - so I will certainly make the stops you suggest.

[abhimulamalla]

check out Holland, Grand Haven and a Saugatuck....pretty cool beach towns.....!

[Milabs]

I am in SW MI exactly 2 hrs from downtown Chicago. Just got back from Chicago last weekend.

We have alot of ppl from Chicago buying up property in St Joe County. We love it here. It's a beautiful county with lakes like you wouldn't believe. I can't telll you much about the schools as we homeschool so I'll leave that to the others.

We moved here from SW Florida..got sick and tired of the ppl and crime and the dog eat dog rat race......we wanted a slower pace of life and found it right here. I dont' miss the city and when I do...Chicago is only 2 hrs away.

Ann Arbor is only 2 hrs away as well. Kzoo and Battle Creek are an hour away and provide lots of choice for entertainment and mall shopping. South Bend is very close and so is Shipshewanna..home of the largest flea market. lol

[LunaPie]

Kalamazoo, baby. It's relatively fun, nice downtown area, lots of diversity. Plus, the name is fun to say. I lived there for 4 and 1/2 years, and I kind of miss it.

[jerrilea]

I live in niles and trust me scratch that one from your list unless you get a great job offer!!

I would try kalmazoo ,grand rapids, st. joe, paw paw,