Have you visited Grand Rapids? (Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo: housing, gangs, university)

[magellan]

Just wondering how many people viewing this board have visited the Grand Rapids/West Michigan area.

) What were your impressions?
) What areas did you see?
) What time of year was it?
) Visit any sights?

Thanks!

(Please no trolling, but I'd like to hear positives and negatives)

[Bydand]

I have been to GR hundreds of times. 35+ years ago it struck me as huge and dumpy, but I was just a kid and growing up in the Ludington area and it was the biggest place I had been, kind of scary really. Now though, I find it to be a very nice city. Clean and friendly for it's size. I have been all over GR area by now and find for a larger city I like it. Have taken my kids to the museum many times and have been a member for years. I like the exhibits they bring in and still an in awe of the Egyptology exhibit they had a few years ago. The kids really liked the Grossology one before that the best. If I were to pick a city that size to live in anyplace in the US, I would pick GR hands down without a close second anyplace. It is easy to drive around, and I think a light rail system would be a great addition to the city.

[malamute]

I grew up there but left after college mostly because I like warm weather.

I haven't been there much because my family moved away shortly after I left but what little time I've been there, it looks fascinating.

I like how there are are the older buildings downtown. The green rolling hills, the river running through it. It always seems like there are many things to do, a wide variety of things. The people are friendly, family oriented. Lots of colleges. Old and new mixed.

[leadsquirter]

I was in Wyoming this last Wednesday on business. I had some time to kill and decided to drive into downtown GR to see what was new as it's been several years since I actually drove around down there. I took Division from 54th to downtown. Now that was an experience that I wouldn't want to repeat on a hot summer night.

I must say I was very impressed when I got downtown. With all the new buildings and construction going on, I said to myself am I still in Michigan? Grand Rapids is very lucky to have some billionaire families living there that were willing to invest in the city. Much like Kalamazoo with the Stryker and Upjohn families which have done a lot for the city.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by leadsquirter

I was in Wyoming this last Wednesday on business. I had some time to kill and decided to drive into downtown GR to see what was new as it's been several years since I actually drove around down there. I took Division from 54th to downtown. Now that was an experience that I wouldn't want to repeat on a hot summer night.

I must say I was very impressed when I got downtown. With all the new buildings and construction going on, I said to myself am I still in Michigan? Grand Rapids is very lucky to have some billionaire families living there that were willing to invest in the city. Much like Kalamazoo with the Stryker and Upjohn families which have done a lot for the city.

Yes, South Division is not exactly the best "gateway" to downtown. Although there is some rehab going on between Wealthy Street and downtown, but it's slow going.

Thanks!

[Softballfan]

Originally Posted by magellan

Just wondering how many people viewing this board have visited the Grand Rapids/West Michigan area.

) What were your impressions?
) What areas did you see?
) What time of year was it?
) Visit any sights?

Thanks!

(Please no trolling, but I'd like to hear positives and negatives)

Just went to Van Andel arena a couple weeks ago to see Blue Man Group. The arena and Blue Man were outstanding. Thats a great venue for shows.

I hate 28th ST. Just too congested. and on a Friday afternoon....forgetaboutit!

[dieselthedog]

Originally Posted by Softballfan

Just went to Van Andel arena a couple weeks ago to see Blue Man Group. The arena and Blue Man were outstanding. Thats a great venue for shows.

I hate 28th ST. Just too congested. and on a Friday afternoon....forgetaboutit!

I saw a concert at Van Andel too, it is a nice arena. I have heard that they are having trouble with gangs out there, but I have no idea. My mom's friend is a teacher in GR and she said that they do have some trouble.

[100%Michigan]

I visited Grand Rapids not too long ago during the spring. It was a decent city, although I ran into rude people I'd also ran into the kind.
One mall I went to in Grand Rapids was a joke (!) I didn't expect that in such a big city... but I like the city so far... still have more to explore

[magellan]

Originally Posted by 100%Michigan

I visited Grand Rapids not too long ago during the spring. It was a decent city, although I ran into rude people I'd also ran into the kind.
One mall I went to in Grand Rapids was a joke (!) I didn't expect that in such a big city... but I like the city so far... still have more to explore

Probably either Woodland Mall or Centerpointe Mall. Both are pretty bad, although the Apple Store in Woodland is the one bright spot.

Rivertown Crossings on the Southwest side is a lot newer and a lot larger (just fyi).

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by magellan

Just wondering how many people viewing this board have visited the Grand Rapids/West Michigan area.

) What were your impressions?
) What areas did you see?
) What time of year was it?
) Visit any sights?

Thanks!

(Please no trolling, but I'd like to hear positives and negatives)

Went numerous times and we are in fact driving out tomorrow to look at open houses for my sister-in-law. We've been all over at all times of the year. We usually hang out in downtown and near the in-laws to the east.

Grand Rapids strikes me as the "Savannah" of Michigan. The historic housing stock is stupendous like in Savannah. Both are home to some very good regional unviersities, but none that define the city like Ann Arbor or Athens, GA. With some luck and proper development, I think it could easily gain the national reputation Savannah has as a beautiful destination city.

Thanks to the Devos family, you get the sense that GR is trying to become a big city destination through some big-time investment in civic buildings. I'm not sold if this is the best thing. Flashy investments into concentrated areas that outsize overall development in the city have a danger of producing white elephants that can push development in the wrong direction. As a crowning feature in a master plan, these investments can be a great thing that seals the deal, but I don't get the sense that these big-time developments are crowning anything but themselves. A perfect example of this is Stanford University's campus. There are buildings EVERYWHERE because every donor wants their name prominently displayed on a public building. This has produced a disjointed and overdeveloped, sprawling campus.

Overall, the future does look bright and here's hoping it continues!