Moving to MI in Nov. Can't decide which city! (Detroit: homes, rent)

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Christoph83

I hear East Grand Rapids is really nice. With a couple Harvest Health Foods, an Apple Valley Natural Foods, Panacea' Natural Health Foods and Wellness Center, and a handful of veg-friendly restaurants, it sounds promising. I wish EGR had a Whole Foods. *sighs* Any Kroger Signiture stores in EGR?

EGR is too small to have that full list of things.
Harvest Health is in Cascade and Grand Rapids (city of).
Never heard of Apple Valley or Panacea.
EGR is like Grosse Point (Village of)...it's teensy tiny and has a single grocery store within city limits (D&W).

There are no Kroger stores in GR-metro, but D&W is pretty similar to Kroger Signature (I've been to the one in Birmingham).

SImilarly, there are no Whole Foods in metro-GR.

[suydam]

My advice; Move where you have a job. If I had my choice on that list, I'd be living in Traverse City. I'm not, because I never found a job there (despite a year of trying from afar).

Grand Rapids is a great area in which to live. Jobs are more plentiful here than the other cities you listed....so if you don't have a job already, your best bet is GR...but I'd suggest you find a job first. Depending on your field, you might find it tough here...and you don't want to be locked into a lease without a job.

[tuebor]

It's hard to make a good recommendation without knowing more about your situation. Are you looking to buy or rent? What kind of work will you be looking for? Are you married? Do you have kids? Without knowing any of those things, I'll put in a plug for the Muskegon area. It's less crowded, and it's closer than GR to the lakes and woods that you like. Norton Shores has good schools and the real estate market offers better value for your dollar than other lakeshore communities like Grand Haven. The job market is better in GR, though.

[Christoph83]

Originally Posted by suydam

EGR is too small to have that full list of things.
Harvest Health is in Cascade and Grand Rapids (city of).
Never heard of Apple Valley or Panacea.
EGR is like Grosse Point (Village of)...it's teensy tiny and has a single grocery store within city limits (D&W).

There are no Kroger stores in GR-metro, but D&W is pretty similar to Kroger Signature (I've been to the one in Birmingham).

SImilarly, there are no Whole Foods in metro-GR.

You're right. I misinterpreted the map with the stores. Here's a list of the places with addresses:

HappyCow- Vegetarian Restaurants and Health Food Stores

And here is the map (you can zoom in and out to see all options):

HappyCow - Radius Map Search Results

What is a nice area in GR? I would like to be in a safe, clean area, preferably close to a Hravest Health or similar organic/veg-freindly grocer, and with lots of green, trees, water, etc. Hiking/biking trails would be a plus, etc.

[Christoph83]

Originally Posted by tuebor

It's hard to make a good recommendation without knowing more about your situation. Are you looking to buy or rent? What kind of work will you be looking for? Are you married? Do you have kids? Without knowing any of those things, I'll put in a plug for the Muskegon area. It's less crowded, and it's closer than GR to the lakes and woods that you like. Norton Shores has good schools and the real estate market offers better value for your dollar than other lakeshore communities like Grand Haven. The job market is better in GR, though.

I'm 25, not married, no kids. I have an Associate degree (so far). It's nothing special, just Liberal Arts. I have maintanence/facilities, lab., shipping/receiving, and cust. service experience. I will not have a job upon arrival. I will be looking to rent a room or apartment. There is the possibility that my current girlfriend will come along (possibility, not certainty). She is a surgical tech. I currently live in a master planned community in Texas, called The Woodlands, which is just north of Houston. I really like The Woodlands, I just don't like being in the South with all this heat and humidity for 3/4 of the year. The Woodlands is surrounded by trees, it has a lot of nice shopping and dining, has bike/hike trails, ponds, lakes, it's family friendly and has a relaxed atmosphere, etc. It would be nice to find something similar.

Wikipedia entry for The Woodlands:
The Woodlands, Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some City-Date threads about The Woodlands with plenty of photos:

The Woodlands - Photos from 4/06

The Woodlands Photos 11-07

[Christoph83]

I'm sad... in my research I found that GR has no P.F. Chang's, no Whole Foods, and no Trader Joe's. Only places I found all of those is Detroit and surrounding communities. Eww... Granted, my brother does live in Sterling Heights, but that whole area of MI just doesn't seem appealing. *sighs* There isn't as much nature, tons of urban sprawl, dirty air, and crime. I probablt wouldn't be very happy in I moved to Sterling Heights, or something, just to have the convenience of a Whole Foods and a P.F. Chang's in driving distance. Blah...

[mackinawlocal]

I agree 100% with Malemute. Traverse City has a lot of employment opportunities and is a beautiful spot, that would be my first pick.

My second would be Marquette if you don't mind the snow. It's a beautiful/historic town and a nice place to live. In fact, my daughter just moved back from there and might go back next winter. (she stays here to work in Mackinaw during the summer then moves during the winter to find work and go to school)

[mackinawlocal]

Originally Posted by Christoph83

I'm 25, not married, no kids. I have an Associate degree (so far). It's nothing special, just Liberal Arts. I have maintanence/facilities, lab., shipping/receiving, and cust. service experience. I will not have a job upon arrival. I will be looking to rent a room or apartment. There is the possibility that my current girlfriend will come along (possibility, not certainty). She is a surgical tech. I currently live in a master planned community in Texas, called The Woodlands, which is just north of Houston. I really like The Woodlands, I just don't like being in the South with all this heat and humidity for 3/4 of the year. The Woodlands is surrounded by trees, it has a lot of nice shopping and dining, has bike/hike trails, ponds, lakes, it's family friendly and has a relaxed atmosphere, etc. It would be nice to find something similar.

Superior View Gallery

Some City-Date threads about The Woodlands with plenty of photos:

The Woodlands - Photos from 4/06

The Woodlands Photos 11-07

After reading this, I would definitely say Traverse City is your best fit. A lot of shopping but still perfect place for outdoor activities.

[ukdame]

I lived in MI 16 years ( mostly Ann Arbor) which I loved exce[pt for the cold. Traverse City area is nicer in the ( short ) summer than the other cities. My son lived near Woodlands too. Do not expect to find housing for as low as Texas ( anywhere).
Based on both your skills you may want to consider U Of M Medical Center in Ann Arbor.
Plenty of shopping, University cultural events, football and only about 35 minutes to Detroit Airport.

[Christoph83]

Originally Posted by ukdame

I lived in MI 16 years ( mostly Ann Arbor) which I loved exce[pt for the cold. Traverse City area is nicer in the ( short ) summer than the other cities. My son lived near Woodlands too. Do not expect to find housing for as low as Texas ( anywhere).
Based on both your skills you may want to consider U Of M Medical Center in Ann Arbor.
Plenty of shopping, University cultural events, football and only about 35 minutes to Detroit Airport.

I've narrowed it down to Grand Rapids or Traverse City now. Not looking for anything in SE MI.