[happynomad2]

We are looking at heading to Michigan to be near family next year. Our family will be in Grand Rapids, and we'd like to stay on the west and north side of the state, either the UP or the traverse city area. We could be near/in grand rapids, but would prefer to be closer to hiking/forests, so maybe on the north side?

We're not sure exactly what the region is like. Our priorities are affordable cost of living, a cool vibe (lots of locally owned shops, we especially like local coffee and beer, but can travel to grand rapids to pick stuff up if we need to), a decent YMCA, and lots of nearby outdoor activities. We really appreciate a vibrant farmer's market. If we were looking outside the state, we'd probably be looking at Duluth (which we still might look at) or southwest Wisconsin.

Any tips would be appreciated, because we don't really know the area at all! Thanks!

[magellan]

Originally Posted by happynomad2

We are looking at heading to Michigan to be near family next year. Our family will be in Grand Rapids, and we'd like to stay on the west and north side of the state, either the UP or the traverse city area. We could be near/in grand rapids, but would prefer to be closer to hiking/forests, so maybe on the north side?

We're not sure exactly what the region is like. Our priorities are affordable cost of living, a cool vibe (lots of locally owned shops, we especially like local coffee and beer, but can travel to grand rapids to pick stuff up if we need to), a decent YMCA, and lots of nearby outdoor activities. We really appreciate a vibrant farmer's market. If we were looking outside the state, we'd probably be looking at Duluth (which we still might look at) or southwest Wisconsin.

Any tips would be appreciated, because we don't really know the area at all! Thanks!

That's a massive area that could work. There's good hiking/forests and outdoor activities from St Joseph all the way up the West Coast to Mackinaw.

If you like Duluth, then you'd probably like Traverse City. You really won't need to travel to GR for anything since it's big enough to have most of the staples you'll need. Plus it's a good 2 hour drive.

[leebeemi]

In the UP, Marquette fits your criteria. But we're 7 hours from Grand Rapids. I don't know if distance is an issue, but it sounds like your intention is to have GR be accessible.

Many people call Marquette a mini Duluth. We are small, but have a very active small business community, our fair share of micro-breweries, and all the nature you could want, literally out the front door. We do have a nice farmers market, and our local co-op fills in nicely off season. A lot of the farms around here do CSAs, too. Oh, and we do have coffee roasters as well. We have some really great restaurants--too many, I fear, for our community to fully support. We also gave an abundance of bakeries. It's a little like heaven, now that I think about it! But we have more snow.

The Traverse City area is beautiful. I lived there for several years. I was back not too long ago, and I found TC has grown a great deal. I don't imagine it gets that sleepy feel toward the end of high touris seasons any more. But it is a spectacularly beautiful area, and even from the heart of TC, you are only moments from forest or beach.

Petoskey is north of TC, and a bit smaller, but still large enough to have some amenities. It's been a huge tourist destination for years. It's a pretty town.

Best of luck on your decision.

[Luzette]

Traverse and the surrounding areas have coffee companies that are beyond compare, and I'm someone who has ordered coffee from companies all over the country. It's a budding beer business up here too and also great wines if you are interested in that.

There are plenty of stores so you shouldn't have to run to GR to pick up anything. It's great outdoor activities with all the lakes and woodlands. All summer and into the fall there are farmer's markets all over the area.

[michmoldman]

Traverse city has everything you need. We moved up this way over 2 years ago, and I am still in awe of the beauty, wineries, breweries, and everything else you can find here. Unfortunately the housing market is VERY competitive, and it is almost impossible to find a nice house at a decent price, and forget about finding a rental. We are actually moving to Gaylord next weekend, but Traverse City will always be my favorite, and I hope to move back this way one day. Well, that is if we don't move to Marquette which is my second favorite.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by happynomad2

We are looking at heading to Michigan to be near family next year. Our family will be in Grand Rapids, and we'd like to stay on the west and north side of the state, either the UP or the traverse city area. We could be near/in grand rapids, but would prefer to be closer to hiking/forests, so maybe on the north side?

We're not sure exactly what the region is like. Our priorities are affordable cost of living, a cool vibe (lots of locally owned shops, we especially like local coffee and beer, but can travel to grand rapids to pick stuff up if we need to), a decent YMCA, and lots of nearby outdoor activities. We really appreciate a vibrant farmer's market. If we were looking outside the state, we'd probably be looking at Duluth (which we still might look at) or southwest Wisconsin.

Any tips would be appreciated, because we don't really know the area at all! Thanks!

Oh yeah, and if you live in the Grand Traverse area, your family will come visit YOU in the Summer. So you won't have to drive to GR very often.

[MikeBear]

I'd move to Marquette in a heartbeat. IF it didn't have 9 months of winter, with 14 feet of snow!

[leebeemi]

Originally Posted by MikeBear

I'd move to Marquette in a heartbeat. IF it didn't have 9 months of winter, with 14 feet of snow!

It was 85 degrees yesterday, so maybe we'll only see 8 1/2 months of winter this year!

[michmoldman]

I see snow in the forecast later in the week lol

[leebeemi]

Originally Posted by michmoldman

I see snow in the forecast later in the week lol

Ah, such is life in paradise, right?

Any mention of snow has my kids wanting to wax their skis.