[teachbeach]

Hope you find what you're looking for, we've found Michigan to very welcoming, accepting and full of diversity~although we live in the Lansing sprawl, there are many things in this area that would/could be checked off on your bucket list. Lots of history, lots of small arts festivals, music festivals and venues, several colleges and community centers~even the library system has class offerings all over the tri county area. Within 1/2 an hour of Lansing you could probably find a nice home in a safe area with a few acres of land to pursue your farming. There is a campground in Lansing, called Cottonwood, if you need an base point to start. Check out Leslie, Diamondale, Eaton Rapids, Portland, Webberville, Mason, Holt, Laingsburg, Stockbridge or Perry. They'd be about an hour (give or take) from Grand Rapids and a little more centrally located than Harrison/Clare (which are also beautiful areas).

[Carla mcgann]

THANK YOU EVERYBODY!
Whew alot of info to ponder!

no one mentioned Kalamazoo.
I understand there is a lot of Old timey music, there, being from Appalachia THATS what I play. Any ideas on friendliness, crime and arts or farm markets there?

I like winter, BUT... Im staying inthe central to so areas, so It will be easier to handle the snow. There are a LOT of good deals way north...but I will stay more south, from the upper thumb down. ( If Im saying that right. lol.)
As long as there is a college or two within 20 miles, Im good. Ive been way in the back woods here, and get along well with folks, its just the drive to town sometimes is hard in the winter, so im searching in a 10 mile circle around small towns.

Thanks you all for you help! what goes around, comes around!

[leebeemi]

Originally Posted by Carla mcgann

THANK YOU EVERYBODY!
Whew alot of info to ponder!

no one mentioned Kalamazoo.
I understand there is a lot of Old timey music, there, being from Appalachia THATS what I play. Any ideas on friendliness, crime and arts or farm markets there?

I like winter, BUT... Im staying inthe central to so areas, so It will be easier to handle the snow. There are a LOT of good deals way north...but I will stay more south, from the upper thumb down. ( If Im saying that right. lol.)
As long as there is a college or two within 20 miles, Im good. Ive been way in the back woods here, and get along well with folks, its just the drive to town sometimes is hard in the winter, so im searching in a 10 mile circle around small towns.

Thanks you all for you help! what goes around, comes around!

I love Kalamazoo. If I were moving downstate, I'd be looking there.

If you love trad music & end up in Michigan, you must check out the Hiawatha Festival!

[Giesela]

Not sure if bluegrass is the same as appalachian music exactly but I googled bluegrass michigan and found a facebook page
for the southeastern michigan blue grass association.
Appalachia is a big area with a lot of differences in area. Asheville sounds like North Carolina. The Detroit area, and Michigan, has people with roots in Kentucky and Tennessee for the auto industry. Not sure how that translates.


https://www.facebook.com/SEMBMA/

[tuebor]

OP, I spent a couple of years in K'zoo many years ago and recently moved back. Pros: Kalamazoo meets your criteria for arts, music, farmer's markets, and friendliness. Cons: housing is not cheap and crime is not rare. But if you can handle a fixer-upper and/or are willing to live in a less desirable neighborhood, you might find something you can afford to buy -- but avoid Northside.