[amatrine]

WE were originaly going to move to PA, until I looked up Kalamazoo . ( One of the places my husband can transfer)

We are in Mesa Az, and plan to move the end of March. We want to buy a house now, while the market is a buyers market, but having not lived there, I do not know the best areas. From what I read, the college area, and BC are not the best. My husband will be working in GalesBurg, but there were not many properties there on the mls list.

So I am looking at Kalamazoo. I think portage may be to far of a drive for him?

Anyway, I have been looking at what houses go to what schools. My primary concern is that my daughter goes to a good school . She is 7. She is currenty in a very tough charter school and still gets straight A's. I need a school that has tough curriculum, or she gets bored and has problems with talking and such.

I was looking up schools and saw that schoolcraft schools say they have a challenging curriculum. I also found a house there on Summit that I really do like. Is this area ok? Is this school ok?

I have 4 other homes saved, on favorites: 1: On Humphry Street, 49048
2: Arcadia Blvd, 49017, ( Which is battle creek, so dont know)
3: Mt Olivet, 49004
4: Mason Ave, 49037

Any info on those areas would be great.

Also, at this time, how long to homes stay on the market typicaly?
I would like to wait 7 weeks to fly out there, and sign anything, and out of
450 listings, these are all that I came up with that I really like, that has what I am looking for. So I wonder if they will fly off the market, or most likley still be there.

Anyway, thanks for bearing through my long post I have never moved somewhere and not rented first, so I am very nervouse going in blind.

Ame

[MIhome]

Portage isn't that far from galesburg,and the areas you put down...no.Portage is a nice area,i used to live there,plan on moving back in the spring also.Portage has a lot to offer and is a good location,not to far from anything really.Also if i am not mistaken the passed a bond to have a couple of high schools built.

[mackinac81]

Originally Posted by MIhome

Portage isn't that far from galesburg,and the areas you put down...no.Portage is a nice area,i used to live there,plan on moving back in the spring also.Portage has a lot to offer and is a good location,not to far from anything really.Also if i am not mistaken the passed a bond to have a couple of high schools built.

I second that. Portage is a great town. I graduated from Portage Public Schools and received an excellent education there. And yes, Portage Central is getting a new school soon. By the way, my dad worked in Battle Creek, but he doesn't mind long commutes.

I've heard good things about Galesburg too though, so you might want to look into there. It's been growing some as of late. It used to be kind of hick-ish, but it's turning into a pretty nice place. I think their new high school has to do with it. But really, all the schools in the area are good. Kalamazoo public has a lot of catching up to do, but they're improving thanks to the Kalamazoo Promise. but Portage would be my first choice hands down.

Another great thing about kalamazoo is that it has all the trappings and culture of the big city, but it's got only 70,000 people. You can easily get from one end of the city to the other. It's a good area.

[Adieoz]

I know that I have some friends looking to move back to Kalamazoo because of the Kalamazoo Promise. If you are going to be there a while, it could be worthwhile.

[mackinac81]

I was just reading in the kalamazoo Gazette that the economy in the area is doing fairly well compared to the rest of the state. I tried to post a link to the article, but it didn't work out (hence the previous deletion) Oh well.

[mackinac81]

Okay, here's the link for the article I was talking about in the previous post. I hope it works

[SIZE=3]Kalamazoo-area economy looks brighter than the rest of the state - Kalamazoo Gazette - MLive.com[/SIZE]

[amatrine]

Thanks for the information. I have been doing my research, and think I will look for a house outside of kalamazoo, since my husband will work in Galesburg, Im going to look into a nice quiet country setting. ... I dont know the market is funny. We can not afford to live in This area of Arizona, to buy a nice home. Been renting for 4 years. We could buy a new home if we want to live on the other side of the city , it would take my husband and hour and a half just to get to work, not worth it. I am reading how a lot of people move out, but I think for those that have the option to transfer there like we do, will also bring a lot of people in, especially from out out here in the west. I have lived in 6 states, and they all have their good points and problems. I learned at a very early age that we think the grass in greener, but now I know moving, yes there will be problems.
I have to acclimate to the weather there comming from PHX . I have lived in England where it is colder than MI, and even in Oregon it was colder, where I was at. But that was years ago, my blood is thick from being here 6 years, lol. So I know it wont be perfect. No place is, but I also know health wise I can no longer handle the heat here.
I can handle cold, but not heat. So over there I just dress warm. Get to teach my daughter who has never seen snow to build snowman and be there for her first snowball fight Its all what we make it, and I am greatly looking forward to moving there

Ame

[amatrine]

By the way, what is the neighborhood like, in the suburbs north of battle creek?
Looking at a house up there on the list. Its on Arcadia ave. Thanks.

[mackinac81]

I can handle cold, but not heat. So over there I just dress warm. Get to teach my daughter who has never seen snow to build snowman and be there for her first snowball fight Its all what we make it, and I am greatly looking forward to moving there

Ame[/quote]

Hey, don't forget Ice Skating and sledding! And you're welcome for the info. SW Michigan is a nice area, and the grass is definitely greener than AZ! Good luck with your move

[darstar]

Originally Posted by amatrine

Thanks for the information. I have been doing my research, and think I will look for a house outside of kalamazoo, since my husband will work in Galesburg, Im going to look into a nice quiet country setting. ... I dont know the market is funny. We can not afford to live in This area of Arizona, to buy a nice home. Been renting for 4 years. We could buy a new home if we want to live on the other side of the city , it would take my husband and hour and a half just to get to work, not worth it. I am reading how a lot of people move out, but I think for those that have the option to transfer there like we do, will also bring a lot of people in, especially from out out here in the west. I have lived in 6 states, and they all have their good points and problems. I learned at a very early age that we think the grass in greener, but now I know moving, yes there will be problems.
I have to acclimate to the weather there comming from PHX . I have lived in England where it is colder than MI, and even in Oregon it was colder, where I was at. But that was years ago, my blood is thick from being here 6 years, lol. So I know it wont be perfect. No place is, but I also know health wise I can no longer handle the heat here.
I can handle cold, but not heat. So over there I just dress warm. Get to teach my daughter who has never seen snow to build snowman and be there for her first snowball fight Its all what we make it, and I am greatly looking forward to moving there

Ame

You should take a look at the area further north, even thou its in the country , Hickory Corners is a real nice rural area. Lots of folks commute to Kazoo , and Battle Creek . Low crime , great lake, good schools , lower taxes, and room to breath, all pluses for living out in the country , say 20 miles or so. Stay away from Battle Creek , not recommended.