moving to a house in the country (Lansing, East Lansing: high crime, university)

[ajrmcama]

My family and I (myself, husband and 6 kids) are considering moving to a farming community within 1-2 hours of the University of Michigan. My oldest daughter wants to go to school there. We are considering: St. Charles, Kingsley, Newaygo, Hart, Omer, or Vestaburg. Does anyone have any comments about any of these communities? We want at least 20 acres and want to keep horses. I'd also be interested in comments and opinions about the University. She wants to go to vet. school.

We are moving from a suburb of Chicago. I hate the traffic, pollution, and crime here. I have been to Michigan many times (Example: Holland to see the tulips and Macinac Island). My friend also has a cottage there. I am use to the cold weather and don't mind snow. It's only slightly colder there than here and we get snow too (but not as much). What will I miss about Chicago? I do like downtown-the stores, museums, lake front, etc. but I only go there every few months and won't miss it that much. In fact, I can't wait to get away! Thanks for your help!

[Coldjensens]

Does U-M have Vet school?
MSU is the school known for veterinary science. It might be one of the best. Not sure.

If she goes to MSU, you could live on the West side of Michigan, have horses, access to beautiful beaches, and be reasonably near Chicago and still within 2 hours of Lansing.

[ajrmcama]

Oops. My daughter wants to go to Michigan State University in East Lansing. We are looking for a rural area about an hour from there. Any thoughts on St. Charles, National City, Omer or Vestaburg? We found some info. that reported a high crime rate in Vestaburg (a 6 on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being lowest). Does anyone have any idea what that is all about. I thought Vestaburg was a rural area. Thanks.

[Driller1]

Omer and National City are to far from Lansing. Two hours or more. Always check with the local heath department about water. Never let anyone else hire a driller or septic company for you NEVER!

[Coldjensens]

there is an awesome small town that is just outside of lansing. I cannot remember the name, ut someone will. I think it is nrth a bit.

[Bydand]

I know a few people who live in Alma, and everybody I know there loves the town. Been a few times and seems like a nice place. Another one to the South is Marshall. I lived in Marshall and really liked the place.

When looking at the crime numbers you have to remember that in a small town those numbers get elevated real quick and disproportionately higher than larger towns. Say there happens to be a murder for the first time in recorded history for that town, the increase is 100% for that year and may put the "Murder rate" at 33/100,000 which is high, and will change the crime index for that year. A good bet is to look at the actual numbers of crime by category, it will give you a clearer view of the indexed number.

[Rapunzll]

I'm not sure about the other places, but Kingsley and Newaygo are more than two hours from A2 and East Lansing.