Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am moving to Alma Michigan in a couple weeks. I have looked up addresses and maps to see where I can do my banking, go to eat, and where I am possibly going to work. I am just curious if anyone has any experience with the area and how it is around there? I know that it is young town with all the colleges near by which is one thing I really like. Is there anyway to check crime reports to know how safe the town is? Also what activities there may be to do near by?
I am moving to Alma Michigan in a couple weeks. I have looked up addresses and maps to see where I can do my banking, go to eat, and where I am possibly going to work. I am just curious if anyone has any experience with the area and how it is around there? I know that it is young town with all the colleges near by which is one thing I really like. Is there anyway to check crime reports to know how safe the town is? Also what activities there may be to do near by?
Well, NOT that young----Alma is the largest city in Gratiot County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,383 at the 2010 census. It was incorporated as the Village of Alma in 1872 and became a city in 1905.
Age wise, not sure if the average age is that young? Census shows media age around 30 whereas Michigan's median is 45 years of age.
The college is just as old. From what I remember, it is similar to the proverbial one-stop-light town. You will be close to Mt. Pleasant--Central Michigan University--Casino--and a Meijer Store.
Google "Crime statistics Alma, MI" and you will get websites of your choice. I would think their local police department may have their own website as well.
It's been a few years since I've been through Alma, but each time that I've been there, it's been a clean, quiet place. It's a place I'd like to live, but that doesn't others would.
I don't know your age, why you are moving (to go to college?), where you came from, or what you expect. If you are a young person, going to college, are from NYC, and are looking for wild nights with flashing lights, you will be disappointed.
I am coming from California. I am not looking for something flashy I just want a peaceful community where I am not subjected to daily police helicopters hovering over the neighborhood, a place that actually has different weather seasons and a place where young people can succeed. Here even with a good college degree you stand very little chance of getting hired for a job. I know someone who lives there who may help me with the move.
^ I am glad you know some one there. Maybe they can help. I do not know how the job market is there, nor the crime. I can however say from my times there it is one of the cleanest laid back collage towns I know of. Meaning it is a quiet yet successful downtown with any crime being hidden away because it is hard to feel any safer than in that town and being the nearest copter is probably in Lansing (an hour away) I think you will be safe on that end as well.
Up sides == the town has all your basic needs with a safe but successful downtown.
down sides == A long trip to the city.
^ I am glad you know some one there. Maybe they can help. I do not know how the job market is there, nor the crime. I can however say from my times there it is one of the cleanest laid back collage towns I know of. Meaning it is a quiet yet successful downtown with any crime being hidden away because it is hard to feel any safer than in that town and being the nearest copter is probably in Lansing (an hour away) I think you will be safe on that end as well.
Up sides == the town has all your basic needs with a safe but successful downtown.
down sides == A long trip to the city.
The person that can help me in question though is kind of flighty sometimes they are helpful and sometimes they will just ignore me. I was told there is a nice facility there called Masonic Pathways which supply's a large portion of cities jobs and they are known for hiring young 20 somethings fresh out of college with no experience. I checked a crime data website and it says for a city its size it has only 47% of an average cities violent crime. As far as property crime it was something like 81% which is still below the average crime level. I noticed Lansing, Flint and Grand Rapids are all about 50-70 miles away, which is a nice distance. Its not to far from a large city, but its located in a nice quiet area that is safe.
I already checked they have a few banks, a Walgreen's encase I need medicine, a few other stores like Dollar General and there are nice hometown restaurants along with a number of cheap fast food places if your saving money.
To me coming from a big city in California it will be a nice change of pace. A lot less violence, safer to walk around a neighborhood especially after dark. Not to mention the non stop traffic and how bad people drive around here will be something I definitely wont miss. Not to mention the only two seasons we have are Summer and Fall here. I am not sure if you have ever been to California but it can be kind of loony here. It is extremely hard for any young people to find a job here unless its for construction. The towns over popularize themselves by building 2 or 3 story apartments in just about any vacant land there is, while no new business are being made. A lot of unemployed people.
Well, again, I personally think Alma is a nice place to live. I would feel safe living alone and/or raising a family there.
I have to say, though, that Michigan was hard hit with employment opportunities. However, I had lived here my whole life, moved away for 6 years and came back in January. I am 52, so it may have taken me longer to find a job because of my age, but I had a job in 3 1/2 months - and it's steady employment. So, even though Michigan has been hard-hit, don't let that deter you.
Yes, Alma has many of the national chain stores and good places to eat. Afterall, it does support the college there.
Anywhere you go in Michigan you will be able to enjoy all four seasons. Keep in mind, though that coming from California . . . you will need to have a shovel - and a winter coat - by November. I lived in Northern Virginia for a while, where they too had two seasons and the traffic is the second worst in the country. Because Michigan is home to me, moving back doesn't have the culture shock feeling that it may for you. Again, don't let that scare you. Us Michiganders are friendly folk.
Yes, the culture shock will be huge. Not a bad thing at all, just different. I have never been to S CA but I know some people that have lived there. They loved the weather but hated the traffic, loved the beauty but hated the crowds, loved the selection but hated the high cost of living. Even Grand Rapids and Lansing are small in comparison to LA and San Diego (metro 3 million). The biggest city I know somewhat well is Chicago (10 million metro) and that is too crowded for my taste. Grand Rapids has just over 1 million metro and Lansing less and Flint less.
Snow will be less frequent in mid state than further north and west but you will still get more than your share plus plenty of cold. Mid Michigan is extremely flat so natural beauty is just not obvious though wildlife is abundant. Detroit will be your culture destination while Lake Michigan your resort get away. Alma does have a good dial a ride transit in town and runs until 8pm. However, the town is small enough to walk to one end to the other.
Jobs, I cannot help you with. I would check the internet to get a feel for things before you make your move. Here in Grand Rapids jobs are picking up but most are not high paying jobs. In small towns it is often much harder to find a job. Good luck on whatever you decide.
Well, again, I personally think Alma is a nice place to live. I would feel safe living alone and/or raising a family there.
I have to say, though, that Michigan was hard hit with employment opportunities. However, I had lived here my whole life, moved away for 6 years and came back in January. I am 52, so it may have taken me longer to find a job because of my age, but I had a job in 3 1/2 months - and it's steady employment. So, even though Michigan has been hard-hit, don't let that deter you.
Yes, Alma has many of the national chain stores and good places to eat. Afterall, it does support the college there.
Anywhere you go in Michigan you will be able to enjoy all four seasons. Keep in mind, though that coming from California . . . you will need to have a shovel - and a winter coat - by November. I lived in Northern Virginia for a while, where they too had two seasons and the traffic is the second worst in the country. Because Michigan is home to me, moving back doesn't have the culture shock feeling that it may for you. Again, don't let that scare you. Us Michiganders are friendly folk.
Thank you. I have heard a lot of the stories about employment troubles, I am really just looking for a nice quiet place where I can relax and feel safe but also know I can drive somewhere within a reasonable amount of time where there is a lot of things to do. I luckily have a bit of money I have saved away to prepare, once I get to Alma I will be staying in a hotel for the first couple of weeks until I can get an apartment.
Yeah for us Californians we usually only see snow when we go on vacation, I spent a winter near Seattle Washington one year so I do have a little experience with snow and cold weather. Once I get my living situation settled I am going to be buying new clothes, especially winter clothes, for the time being I am just bringing a small amount of clothes and a thin layered coat. Thanks that is one thing I would like is a friendly environment, a friend told me Californian's are rude because it's the only state you go to and you ask someone how are you the people just ignore you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fakkelsey
Yes, the culture shock will be huge. Not a bad thing at all, just different. I have never been to S CA but I know some people that have lived there. They loved the weather but hated the traffic, loved the beauty but hated the crowds, loved the selection but hated the high cost of living. Even Grand Rapids and Lansing are small in comparison to LA and San Diego (metro 3 million). The biggest city I know somewhat well is Chicago (10 million metro) and that is too crowded for my taste. Grand Rapids has just over 1 million metro and Lansing less and Flint less.
Snow will be less frequent in mid state than further north and west but you will still get more than your share plus plenty of cold. Mid Michigan is extremely flat so natural beauty is just not obvious though wildlife is abundant. Detroit will be your culture destination while Lake Michigan your resort get away. Alma does have a good dial a ride transit in town and runs until 8pm. However, the town is small enough to walk to one end to the other.
Jobs, I cannot help you with. I would check the internet to get a feel for things before you make your move. Here in Grand Rapids jobs are picking up but most are not high paying jobs. In small towns it is often much harder to find a job. Good luck on whatever you decide.
It may take me a bit to get used to but the small town vibe seems like it could be more helpful to someone new. A lot of people move here just for the weather, and yes there is crowds of people pretty much everywhere you go. The average 1 bedroom apartment in this area ranges from $1200 to $1800 a month depending on location. The apartments in Alma I have inquired about are around $600 a month which would be a lot better financially. I will be passing through Chicago on my way there. I don't know if I will be seeing much of the city or not. I haven't looked much into Flint or Grand Rapids area I still need to.
That is good to know, I will be buying my winter clothes there since here winter clothes that are sold are normally thin layered coats or sweaters. I live on top of a hill now, its a pain in the ass to be honest, the nearest store is about a mile from this housing area, so any walking activities would including walking up a a very step and long hill. Not to mention the problems hills cause on a cars transmission and brakes. I would like to see a lot of what Michigan has to offer but for the remainder of the year I will likely be in the Alma area getting settled in, finding a job and getting adjusted to the snow. A dial ride transit? That is good since I plan on waiting to purchase a car until I get a place to stay and a job.
I have checked snagajob and all those other job board sites. There are some jobs available in town but I will ask around when I get there as well. I would be willing to work minimum wage if I had to as well.
As you have already found out, housing will cost less here, so you will be able to afford the same - or more - on a smaller income, which is a good thing.
Grand Rapids is a nice city. If you want to feel safe, Flint is not the place to go. Parts of Flint, are just as unsavory as parts of Detroit. It's probably just me, but I have never been impressed with Flint. It has always looked dirty to me. That's a first impression that has always stuck with me. Obviously, there is more that makes up a city, but my first impressions are generally right on target. And like I said, crime is up there, so there really isn't any reason for me to go there. I simply avoid it.
As far as Chicago goes, they have a whole different breed of drivers. LOL Only a bit different than Detroit.
www.freep.com is the web address for the Detroit Free Press paper online for info in SE Michigan. I would also take a look at the Alma College website and see if there are any employment listings there. I also think there is a Meijer store somewhere in the Alma/St. Louis area. (BTW, St. Louis is the next little town over. It's about 3 miles away or something like that.)
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
