Safe Neighborhoods in Grand Rapids (Monroe, Allendale: real estate, housing, condos)

[best_mom_of_2]

I am considering buying a house or condo for my Grand Valley student (daughter) to live in while she is in school. I was thinking of staying near Lake Michigan Drive so she could walk to the bus (we would have a renter/roommate staying with her too). She also works at GE Aviation (was Smith's Aerospace), so getting something in the city would work too. I love the old homes in the city, but do not know where it would be safe for young females to live. Where could I get help on knowing where to buy / not buy. There are some homes in the Kenowa Hills school district that are reasonable, but I did not know if that was a safe place.
Thanks!

[suydam]

How about Heritage Hill?
You have close proximity to the freeways (College Ave hits 196)
You have easy access to the bus system (especially north of Fulton)
You'd be midway between Allendale and Cascade Twp (GE)
It's a great urban neighborhood with gorgeous streets, nice old homes, etc.

The other thing you could consider is a condo downtown the number of units added to the central city in the past few years is staggering. The entire downtown GR is undergoing a renaissance of epic proportions and if I was in school still I'd love to have a stake in it.

Here are some great condo developments downtown that are already built (or refurbs of existing structures that are already underway). NOTE: These are all downtown, so you've got easy access to busses and freeways, and you're midway between Allendale and Cascade.
Union Square Condos -- Old School. New Cool.
foxlofts.com
Icon on Bond - Tax Free Living
River House Home
Boardwalk Condominiums | Live a little | Downtown Grand Rapids Michigan
The Fitzgerald Residences: Unique and stylish condominiums in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan
Virgin Soil, LLC

There are a few others that aren't built yet (still trying to sell)
240 Ionia - Home
Tall House at 45 Ionia

As neighborhoods go, downtown is safe and ideally located.

There are also a number of homes for sale in East Grand Rapids ( Public Search Results ) which has a top-notch school system and would be a safe investment from a real estate perspective. That link is for stuff under $200k...I randomly picked it. Click "refine search" on that page to further refine your search to other price-points.

[HighlandsGal]

my house is one of the ones for sale in the EGR link above (hint: it is $149,600).


pm me if you want more info!!

[daniboi81]

Try the NW side of the city. I live near Richmond park area and think the neighborhood is lovely. Lots of older homes...most large, yet a peaceful neighborhood. It's close to downtown (abt 3 miles) and freeways and Lake Michigan drive.

[Br1234]

Originally Posted by best_mom_of_2

I am considering buying a house or condo for my Grand Valley student (daughter) to live in while she is in school. I was thinking of staying near Lake Michigan Drive so she could walk to the bus

How much you look'n to spend? There are some cheap condos (about $75K) off Leonard right next to the Elks club. Bus stop is about a 2 minute walk.

If you're willing to spend considerably more I have an EXTREMELY well built house I'd be willing to part with for the right # of Euros, I (like Giselle Bundchen) do not accept dollars anymore. JK

[best_mom_of_2]

Thanks for the reply. I do like Heritage Hill, but I need to take in consideration resale - I think it may be harder to sell a Heritage Hill home in a few years, rather than one near Standale..

[Br1234]

I'm near Standale. HH has crime, I remember a few years back there was a guy going around breaking into young women's homes and raping them at random. They finally caught the SOB but it went on for years. Last year a guy burned down his own home. I think because he couldn't sell it.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Br1234

I remember a few years back there was a guy going around breaking into young women's homes and raping them at random. They finally caught the SOB but it went on for years. Last year a guy burned down his own home. I think because he couldn't sell it.

Seriously?!

If you're talking about "The Heritage Hill" murders, they were in the 1970s and not even in Heritage Hill.

Person looking for a home: Heritage Hill resale value is not an issue in my opinion. I don't live there, but I'd sooner buy there than Standale to be honest.

The only issue compared to Standale is that the homes cost more in HH than in Standale so you're going to end up paying more. If you're looking for low cost housing stock then I think Standale might be a better choice.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by suydam

Seriously?!

If you're talking about "The Heritage Hill" murders, they were in the 1970s and not even in Heritage Hill.

Person looking for a home: Heritage Hill resale value is not an issue in my opinion. I don't live there, but I'd sooner buy there than Standale to be honest.

The only issue compared to Standale is that the homes cost more in HH than in Standale so you're going to end up paying more. If you're looking for low cost housing stock then I think Standale might be a better choice.

Are there homes in Standale? I thought it was just a business district near the intersection of Lake Michigan Drive and Wilson (or Cummings or Kinney)?

best_mom_of2, it's difficult having your daughter going to GVSU and working at GE Aviation because they are on opposite ends of town. Will she have a car, or have to rely on the RAPID? The RAPID between GVSU and downtown is excellent and they keep adding to the service. Downtown or HH is probably the best bet due to its central location.

[Br1234]

Originally Posted by suydam

Seriously?!

If you're talking about "The Heritage Hill" murders, they were in the 1970s and not even in Heritage Hill.

Person looking for a home: Heritage Hill resale value is not an issue in my opinion. I don't live there, but I'd sooner buy there than Standale to be honest.

The only issue compared to Standale is that the homes cost more in HH than in Standale so you're going to end up paying more. If you're looking for low cost housing stock then I think Standale might be a better choice.

Suydam can keep drinking the kool-aid.

There are many nice homes in Standale don't let his lies fool you.

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