Are you happy to live in Grand Rapids? (Detroit, Holland: relocate, lease)

[magellan]

Originally Posted by somuchbetter

I LOVE Grand Rapids. 3 hours from Detroit, Chicago, and Traverse City. Close to the beach. (Grand Haven and Holland are GREAT) And I agree with you, Meijer is WAY BETTER than stupid Wal-Mart. I still like to buy local either way, but anyway...

I moved to Raleigh recently for school and I would love to go back to GR and live there forever.

The best thing about Grand Rapids are its hidden gems, and all of the festivals and celebrations that go on throughout the year. If you like music, there are a ton of outdoor free concerts. Plus, there are a ton of different types of housing available at a reasonable price.

I love the big city feel but at a small town price. Grand Rapids has a fairly strong community.

I can't stand it when people tell me there isn't anything to do in Grand Rapids. I can think of 30 things off the top of my head without thinking about it.

Nightlife (not JUST bars) is always happening. You just need to do your research. Yes there are a lot of bars around, but there is the Van Andel Museum which has a night laser light show which is fun, there's a drive-in theater in Muskegon (kind of a drive), and late-night restuarants and coffee houses.

National draw for GR? I like the fact that the sports teams here are small and local. We aren't a huge city, and that's what people like about GR. Plus, the Wings sometimes have players playing for the Griffins, and that's always fun and interesting to watch.

The weather is nice in the summer, not too hot. The winters can be a drag through February, but its very charming for the holidays and ice skating! As kids, we always used to make ice rinks in our backyard.

And why stay in Michigan? Because there IS culture here and it IS growing. Grand Rapids isn't that diverse, but its getting there. The community aspect is strong, and very welcoming.

The outer parts of GR are nice too. Plainfield is nice in the fall, Byron Center is a nice country-type area with modern conveniences, and Grand Haven and Holland are great beach towns. I used to live in Jenison, and the school system there is very good.

By the way, the river, is disgusting. Its too bad, because back in the early 1900's it was considered very beautiful.

My only gripe is the snow and of course, the jobs. Oh, and northerners are definitely not as polite as the southerners down here.

From what I hear, there were literally HUNDREDS of furniture factories that lined the Grand River back in the early 1900's, spewing chemically treated pulp and other toxins into the river. Most of those have since closed and were either torn down to build 131, or turned into condos. I find it hard to believe it was more beautiful back then.

Other than that, great post.

[mackinac81]

I've walked across the Grand River many times and never thought it was that bad. It actually complements downtown very well. In fact, I often see people fishing in the river right in the middle of downtown, so I'm sure it can't be all THAT bad...but I could be wrong.

[windfarmer]

I was just in Grand Rapids this weekend, and I saw a dozen fisherman at all hours – early morning, late afternoon, night time (really dark, really late). They were all happily fishing lord-knows-what from this fine body of water. I thought it was awesome!

Hey SOMUCHBETTER: thanks for responding! Since I'm moving to GR in a few weeks, I find anyone's positive words a satisfying read. I've lived in many large cities and small towns across the country and I have yet to find any place that quite delivers more what I'm looking for than Grand Rapids.

I have heard people say that they dislike GR because it doesn't have the big-city glamor of Chicago or NYC. I personally enjoy being 5 minutes from rural living. I would move to the UP if it weren't so overly isolated. Maybe in a few years? :-)

This Friday night, I saw something I have never seen in Detroit. Swathes of happy patrons downtown, walking, shopping, eating and generally enjoying their evening with friends and family.

I am very impressed with how organized and "neat" downtown GR truly is. If any city takes pride in its development, it is this western Michigan gem.

It's easy to pooh-pooh any city for a variety of reasons, but a modicum of eye-opening and sincerity is sure to yield a very positive view of Grand Rapids. Family friendly? I sure think so.

However, If there was one thing I could change about GR, it would be the schooling system. I just got back from looking into the public schools and find them to be incredibly unsatisfactory.

Does anyone have any idea how to Charter schools are? I can't really afford to put my kid in an expensive private school yet.. Plus I'm fairly secular and therefore would feel out of place at a Parochial / Religious-based school.. No offense to the religious folk on here.. I mean no disrespect.

[burgler09]

windfarmer, I'm glad you made it out to grand rapids! did you get a chance to check out the Lake Dr.-- Easttown area? The charter schools aren't too bad there is one on 4 mile .. which I know isn't bad.. and by the time your daughter is ready for high school you will probably be in a different house by then anyways.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by windfarmer

I was just in Grand Rapids this weekend, and I saw a dozen fisherman at all hours – early morning, late afternoon, night time (really dark, really late). They were all happily fishing lord-knows-what from this fine body of water. I thought it was awesome!

Hey SOMUCHBETTER: thanks for responding! Since I'm moving to GR in a few weeks, I find anyone's positive words a satisfying read. I've lived in many large cities and small towns across the country and I have yet to find any place that quite delivers more what I'm looking for than Grand Rapids.

I have heard people say that they dislike GR because it doesn't have the big-city glamor of Chicago or NYC. I personally enjoy being 5 minutes from rural living. I would move to the UP if it weren't so overly isolated. Maybe in a few years? :-)

This Friday night, I saw something I have never seen in Detroit. Swathes of happy patrons downtown, walking, shopping, eating and generally enjoying their evening with friends and family.

I am very impressed with how organized and "neat" downtown GR truly is. If any city takes pride in its development, it is this western Michigan gem.

It's easy to pooh-pooh any city for a variety of reasons, but a modicum of eye-opening and sincerity is sure to yield a very positive view of Grand Rapids. Family friendly? I sure think so.

However, If there was one thing I could change about GR, it would be the schooling system. I just got back from looking into the public schools and find them to be incredibly unsatisfactory.

Does anyone have any idea how to Charter schools are? I can't really afford to put my kid in an expensive private school yet.. Plus I'm fairly secular and therefore would feel out of place at a Parochial / Religious-based school.. No offense to the religious folk on here.. I mean no disrespect.

I would do some research on the charters. Some are good, and some aren't any better than the public schools. Also, try a search for Grand Rapids Montessori schools. There are several near downtown/Heritage Hill that I hear are very good (one is part of GRPS).

[suydam]

Originally Posted by windfarmer

However, If there was one thing I could change about GR, it would be the schooling system. I just got back from looking into the public schools and find them to be incredibly unsatisfactory.

Does anyone have any idea how to Charter schools are? I can't really afford to put my kid in an expensive private school yet.. Plus I'm fairly secular and therefore would feel out of place at a Parochial / Religious-based school.. No offense to the religious folk on here.. I mean no disrespect.

You could look at East Grand Rapids. It shares a western border with Grand Rapids proper, has its own school system, still has that city-neighborhood feel in most places (smaller lots, sidewalks, etc) which you wont' find in most suburbs. You get schools that you won't describe as "incredibly unsatisfactory" (your words). In defense of GRPS, I don't think everyone would characterize every school in that system as incredibly unsatisfactory... but your concerns are common.

When we moved to the Grand Rapids area 3 years ago (wow, time flies), we had to make a similar decision. We liked the city neighborhoods, came from a city neighborhood in another town (Kalamazoo), and really wanted to walk places (shopping, restaurants, neighbors, friends, etc).

EGR was a perfect fit on that front, and we got great schools too (our kids aren't school aged yet, but will be in another couple years). We're a 3 mile bike ride (or the #6 bus) from the river downtown, a half mile walk from Eastown (within GR proper...great neighborhood restaurants and 2 big used book stores there) and a half mile walk from "downtown" East Grand Rapids which has a great grocery store, a few restaurants, the high school, the middle school, the library and a little lakefront park.

Anyway, it's worth a look. You might end up elsewhere, but it sounds like you enjoy the city, but didn't like the schools. EGR can be a nice alternative that keeps you within a short walk of the city limits if that's what you're after.

[beadster]

I have lived in Grand Rapids, for nearly a year. I moved from Northern Michigan. The downtown is really nice, and a nice place to hang out for the day. its a family centered city... The Lake and other tourist traps are not far away, Chicago is only 3 and a half hours away. Easy to get around with all the major highways cris crossing it. Lots of Colleges near by. A Safe developing city. Lots of major hospitals coming online. Housing is pretty cheap...

Bads: There's really not a lot to do, a couple small museums, Fredrick Meijer Gardens. There's an Imax theatre and a couple of malls. A Comedy Club and a few bars. For a city this size I thought there would be more to do.

NO JOBS.... It is a soft job market. It is hard to get your foot in the door so to speak. You will spend a lot of time working with temp agencies and nothing more.

I personally am moving to Chicago in another month.. Gotta go where there are more job opportunities and variety of life.

Why move to Grand Rapids, when you can drive a few more hours, and live in Chicago

[mackinac81]

Why move to Grand Rapids, when you can drive a few more hours, and live in Chicago

For all of the positive things you mentioned above. My preference is for smaller cities, not sprawling metro areas. Chicago just goes on forever That being said, it's a fantastic place to visit. Good luck!

[kiff]

Gripes not yet mentioned:
GR to Holland or Grand Haven is still 1/2 hour away so don't believe all the "everything is so close- we're a small town" hype.

The GR Press is one of the most amateurish newspapers I've ever seen and the local TV stations are definitely minor league.

Detroit gets noted for racism but in GR, anyone who's not Dutch or Mexican sticks out like a sore thumb and is somewhat only superficially welcomed. Very churchy doesn't equal very nice.

Lake effect snow all winter and lake effect rain all summer. The big fluffy flakes are nice but several 8-12 dumps each winter and dreary "looks like rain" summers stink.

Very limited high-end merchandise. There is one great beer store, one great Indian restaurant etc usually 15-20min away but no nearby "second choice" at all.

[windfarmer]

Originally Posted by somuchbetter

I LOVE Grand Rapids. 3 hours from Detroit, Chicago, and Traverse City. Close to the beach. (Grand Haven and Holland are GREAT) And I agree with you, Meijer is WAY BETTER than stupid Wal-Mart. I still like to buy local either way, but anyway...

I moved to Raleigh recently for school and I would love to go back to GR and live there forever.

The best thing about Grand Rapids are its hidden gems, and all of the festivals and celebrations that go on throughout the year. If you like music, there are a ton of outdoor free concerts. Plus, there are a ton of different types of housing available at a reasonable price.

I love the big city feel but at a small town price. Grand Rapids has a fairly strong community.

I can't stand it when people tell me there isn't anything to do in Grand Rapids. I can think of 30 things off the top of my head without thinking about it.

Nightlife (not JUST bars) is always happening. You just need to do your research. Yes there are a lot of bars around, but there is the Van Andel Museum which has a night laser light show which is fun, there's a drive-in theater in Muskegon (kind of a drive), and late-night restuarants and coffee houses.

National draw for GR? I like the fact that the sports teams here are small and local. We aren't a huge city, and that's what people like about GR. Plus, the Wings sometimes have players playing for the Griffins, and that's always fun and interesting to watch.

The weather is nice in the summer, not too hot. The winters can be a drag through February, but its very charming for the holidays and ice skating! As kids, we always used to make ice rinks in our backyard.

And why stay in Michigan? Because there IS culture here and it IS growing. Grand Rapids isn't that diverse, but its getting there. The community aspect is strong, and very welcoming.

The outer parts of GR are nice too. Plainfield is nice in the fall, Byron Center is a nice country-type area with modern conveniences, and Grand Haven and Holland are great beach towns. I used to live in Jenison, and the school system there is very good.

By the way, the river, is disgusting. Its too bad, because back in the early 1900's it was considered very beautiful.

My only gripe is the snow and of course, the jobs. Oh, and northerners are definitely not as polite as the southerners down here.

Okay cool.. somebody has something positive to say. Actually buddy, you're comments are just what I'm looking to hear. You seem to like exactly what I like – Meijer no less! :-)

What festivals are there? I love festivals because I love people and food.


Also, KIFF, why did you say that if you're not Dutch or Mexican one will stick out like a sore thumb? When I go to GR, I feel very much at home and I'm neither. I've never talked to a Mexican there (of which I hope they are all legal and law-abiding – ie. no Latin Kings or crazy idiotic MS13 gangs with tattoos on their forehead), but I sure have spoken to many of the Dutch folks. And the Dutch I've encountered have all been very polite and open to converse with me. I didn't find them phony in the least. Neither did I find them to be very boastful or arrogant about their established presence in Western Michigan. I hope I don't stick out in a bad way.