[gichicago]

Originally Posted by magellan

Sorry Drip, but you know not of what you speak. There are a lot of companies in West Michigan, very few of which are dependent on the automotive industry. I know, I spent five years in automotive parts manufacturing in West Michigan. The office furniture makers are all experiencing record sales and profits, going on 2 - 3 years. Obviously they will feel the effects of a national economic slump, but who won't.

Of the 10 largest companies in the Grand Rapids area, only 1 is automotive related.

But you're right about not recognizing things from eight years ago. Grand Rapids, especially downtown and the surrounding areas, look totally different (better).

I would agree. I grew up and lived in Grand Rapids before heading off to College, and visit my folks ~3 times a year. On the surface of it all, Grand Rapids seems to be doing fairly well.

As Asian decent, I've had no problems with people here, other that some naiive comments based on the lack of culture, but its not a big deal asi something i've experienced in other parts of the country, and am party guilty of myself.

Other impressions (albeit with a S.E Bias)

1) Public Schools - Forest Hills, East Grand Rapids are great schools and are expanding rapidly. Same could be said for Rockford, and Zeeland, from what I hear
2) Downtown - Seen faily good improvements. Additionally, my father is a physician, and Grand rapids is holding its own in terms of new Medical Facilities (Devos, and MSU Medical School is moving here??)
3) Weather - It is what it is. However, I miss it dearly, as snow actually sticks to the ground in the winter which provides a beautiful scenery, as opposed to Chicago or NYC (where i live now), where it melts fast, and turns into a muddy mess.
4) Summer - Summer rules! Its on the most western part of the eastern time zone, so sunsets around 9pm. I would go mountain biking after works on many of the decent trails
5) I miss the beaches in Grand Haven, Saugatuck. Im used to warm waters, sand dunes, fresh water, little crowds. No waves, but who cares; i can wander out to a sand bar and actually throw a frisbee around...

[HighlandsGal]

Originally Posted by arpschneider

It's prolly comparative. I've also been to Boston and being "the big city", I wouldn't expect people to be overtly friendly there, and so I'm sure compared to there, Michigan DOES seem friendlier. But compared to central IL, it's the other way around.

Interestingly, some of the NICEST people I've ever gotten to know were FROM Grand Rapids and Muskegon, respectively (husband and wife) but they ESCAPED west Michigan to Central IL. THEY say that they'd move back in a second, but then again, since they were born there, and are characteristically blond hair and blue eyes, they certainly fit right in.

I'm sure that part of it is that my brother and I are mal-adjusted misfits, but just the same, we find it much easier to socialize with others down this way than up there. It's an interesting comparative experience for me to go to his church up there and for him to come to ours, which is one place were you would naturally EXPECT some friendliness. He's always taken off-guard whenever people try to positively interact with him because he's so used to how it is up in his church (same religion, BTW, but NOT CRC or other Calvinist derivitives!) where people are cold and ignore him.

Well, I was born and raised in GR and am NOT Dutch. I have brown hair and blue eyes, and am of Polish/German heritage!! Never had a problem with unfriendliness growing up -- ever! In fact, I live in Denver now and people are much colder and harder to get to know here...

[magellan]

Originally Posted by gichicago

2) Downtown - Seen faily good improvements. Additionally, my father is a physician, and Grand rapids is holding its own in terms of new Medical Facilities (Devos, and MSU Medical School is moving here??)

Yes, MSU College of Human Medicine is moving the bulk of its program to Grand Rapids (downtown), including the Dean of the School. It will house 400+ students when completed, with a campus of 200 students remaining in East Lansing.

The cool thing about the move is that it will partner with St. Mary's, Spectrum Health, GVSU and the Van Andel Institute and offer a lot of new PhD programs it hasn't offered before, especially in medical research.

[Siberia]

Originally Posted by HighlandsGal

In fact, I live in Denver now and people are much colder and harder to get to know here...

Curious how Denver compares to West Michigan. Particularly weather, job potential, things to do, and quality of living. Are you better off in Denver than if you had stayed in Grand Rapids?

From my living in various places, no place is perfect, there seems to be trade offs on every aspect of living here versus living there. No place is perfect, and no place is as bad as most people think...

[charliesangel]

me too...i'm going to michigan this summer. but i dont know if frankenmuth and saginaw are part of west mi...and what is out there..

[magellan]

Originally Posted by charliesangel

me too...i'm going to michigan this summer. but i dont know if frankenmuth and saginaw are part of west mi...and what is out there..

No, completely opposite side of the State (near the "thumb" of Michigan).

Frankenmuth is a big touristy town with a Bavarian Village theme, and it's maybe 30 minutes South of Saginaw.

[charliesangel]

Originally Posted by magellan

No, completely opposite side of the State (near the "thumb" of Michigan).

Frankenmuth is a big touristy town with a Bavarian Village theme, and it's maybe 30 minutes South of Saginaw.

is it safe to visit these places? i'm thinking of a week there...are there bars/clubs that i can visit?

[magellan]

Originally Posted by charliesangel

is it safe to visit these places? i'm thinking of a week there...are there bars/clubs that i can visit?

Oh yeah, Frankenmuth is perfectly safe. I don't know if there are any bars or clubs there though. It's more geared toward families.

My in-laws live in Saginaw Twp, but we visit them there so seldom I have no idea what kind of bars/clubs there are.

You're better off starting a whole new discussion topic about visiting Saginaw.

[HighlandsGal]

Originally Posted by Siberia

Curious how Denver compares to West Michigan. Particularly weather, job potential, things to do, and quality of living. Are you better off in Denver than if you had stayed in Grand Rapids?

From my living in various places, no place is perfect, there seems to be trade offs on every aspect of living here versus living there. No place is perfect, and no place is as bad as most people think...

Well, the winters are definitely milder, but can change quickly just as it does in West Michigan. Prime example: yesterday was sunny and 70, overnight we got 3-5 inches of snow and the high is 26. Tomorrow it will be back to 50 degrees and the snow will all melt. The sun shines almost every day here. The summers are HOT, but there is not the humidity. I miss the water and the beach. It is a desert landscape here -- you start to notice the lack of trees and all the brown fields after awhile.

Jobs -- seem to be okay. I got my teaching job before I moved out here, but my boyfriend was unemployed for 5 months before he found the right opportunity for him.

Denver is very outdoorsy -- with lots of people hiking, biking, skiing, etc. But I was also very into being outside back home, so that doesn't really change.

Quality of life : I make more here, but it is more expensive. I was actually better off financially back in Michigan. Gas is cheaper here, but food is a lot more expensive, and not as good. I miss Meijer a lot Things like movies, concerts, going out to eat, etc. also cost a lot more.

Overall, I love living here right now. I also loved living in Michigan and we will eventually move back to the midwest/east coast some day to be closer to our families....

[readytojet!]

Michigan's job climate is terrible but of all the areas you stated, Grand Rapids is the best bet. I've lived in Michigan my whole life, and though I am desperately wanting to move out of state, anytime that it is not winter, the state is beautiful. There is so much to do if you like the outdoors. The main reason I want to move is because I get cabin fever in the winter and I hate being cooped up for months and months. Lake Michigan is beautiful, and is one of the best attractions of the summer. The music culture is decent but nothing like major cities. You will find some good music outlets if you seek them out. I have many friends who are engaged in the music culture, I guess it just depends on what you are in the mood for. I'm not sure of any jazz clubs in the area but i'm sure they exist. If you are interested in home ownership, this is the place for you. We have such a great market for home buyers right now, you could probably go below market for housing. Good luck in your visit. visiting in the summer time is the best time for a visit. just make sure you go down the coastline between Holland and Grand Haven and maybe check out Oval Beach near Saugatuck. The one thing I will miss incredibly is the Lake Michigan beaches.