[mcoll22]

I currently am living in Kalamazoo, I've lived in the area my whole life & grew up in the Galesburg, Augusta, Climax area. Galesburg was named "Best Place to Raise Your Kids" in 2007 by BusinessWeek Magazine. There is plenty of area to have horses & such and the schools are good, much better in the last 5 years or so. Kalamazoo is only 15 minutes away & Grand Rapids is only 45 mins, and you have very easy access to I-94 that can take you to Detroit or Chicago for the weekend. You are only about 40 minutes from South Haven in the summertime, but there are also local small beaches as well. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[suydam]

Galesburg to South Haven is about 50 miles. I have done that drive, never in less than an hour and 15 minutes. I've tried going through town (sticking to M-43/M-96). I've snuck out and done 94->131->m-43 and I've even tried taking I-94 almost to Benton Harbor and then coming back up the coast. No matter what I do it's an hour and 15 minutes (at best).

How are you getting there in 40 minutes???

I have a similar problem with the G'Burg->G'Rap drive. I can do it in about an hour. Never once made it in 45 minutes. What route are you taking?

Help me out here.... you're doing WAY better than I am on drive times (and I'm not afraid to speed either).

[mcoll22]

I usually hop on 94 to business loop, or 131...W. Main = M43...it maybe more like 50 mins, but never more than that.

GR...never more than 45 mins...I-94 to 131, I usually only go 7 over the speed limit...sometimes I catch myself going faster :/

I've taken these routes my whole life...so I don't know.

[deslok]

Ive taken m 89-43 through plainwell, which puts you at exit 49 on 131. From there it is do the math time, about a minute a mile at 70mph or so. From augusta it depends on where you are coming from, but usually 15-20 minutes to get to 131.
The article for business week mentioning Galesburg ranked them 49th in the US for raising your kids, out of their top 50. Not sure how they came to this conclusion, but it is somehow listed.

[consideringamove]

I'm a fan of northern Oakland County and Lapeer Co.. but it's up to you!

[janw271]

i am from the saginaw area but my son and daughterinlaw live in Merrill they have 2 adopted children and have special needs , the school is wonderful! its out in the country look it up !! in fact they have 10acres for sale right now due to my son losing his job so building is out of the question soooo give it a look

[WheredoIlive?]

Originally Posted by tasdad4701

Holland is a beautiful town, but the dutch people are very reclusive.
I have visited and worked in Holland, I felt the people were kind of strange,
like they were in a cult or something.

yeah Holland is not very friendly.

The Dutch Reformed people are kind of reculsive, you are right about that.

[Lisa-CW1]

Charlotte, Olivet, and Marshall are all decent areas for raising kids.
Much of rural Charlotte and Olivet areas are farming communities that would be great with your horses. Housing is within your range. Schools are decent and safe, crime rates are low compared to many cities. You are within about 25 miles of Lansing or the same from Battle Creek, as far as bigger cities for more job opportunities or mall type shopping,etc.
Michigan's economy is tough though and jobs not as plentiful as they used to be, so be prepared for that if you do come.

[BusSafety]

I am biased but Traverse City is one of the most beautiful places on earth in the summer. Great skiing in the winter. And the economy remains strong.

[Moesta]

I live on the west side of MI and have relatives on the east. I see Ann Arbor area as the most fascinating area of all of MI. Very cultural and yet has a mid-size town field. I will never understand other than location for Lansing to be the state capital. It should be Ann Arbor. You don't have to live in AA to be close to all the exciting things that happen there. Stay away from Jackson, Detriot, Muskegon. Grand Rapids is more exciting than Lansing also.