[Rach16]

My husbands company is relocating to Holland, MI from Chicago. We don't know anything about Michigan since we are originally from MN. Can anyone help us? My husband is half Asian so we are looking for a diverse place to live. We are possibly looking into buying since it seems much more reasonable then here in Chicago. Where would we look for rentals? A good school district is important to us since we have a son. Anyones input will help!

Thanks

[mich2fla]

Check out the northside of Holland, West Ottawa schools. Zip code is 49424. West Ottawa is a good school for the area. You can do your research and go from there.

[mccchr]

Hey Rach16,

Overall, I'd give Holland a thumbs up. Mich2Fla and I have written a good deal about Holland in past posts on this forum, so do a quick search or just glance down the subject lines and find the Holland posts. I think you'll get a good impression of Holland from all those posts.

I think the thing you'll miss the most is the vitality of Chicago. And maybe the diversity. Holland is much better than it was 20yrs ago when I grew up there regarding diversity (racial & religious) though it's still pretty dutch and christian reformed. I think that North of town you'll do better in terms of racial diversity since many of the newcomers to town have moved in up there. Besides, that's where the better of the two local public school systems are located (full disclosure, I went to West Ottawa which is the system I'm referring to). If you get up there to wander around and look at schools, the new W.O. High School(s) are just north of Riley on 152nd Ave.

Depending on where your husband's company is relocating to, you could also think about living in or around Grand Rapids. Certainly more diversity. East Grand Rapids is probably a place to look at living but it's certainly more expensive and would increase your husband's time away from family by (a guesstimate here) 1-1.5 hours a day. more in winter due to snowy drive time.

Regarding rentals, maybe check out Woodland Realty since they are a local firm. Also, since it's your husband's company, are they helping with re-lo costs? If so, I think there is a network of temporary professional housing resources since Haworth and Herman Miller (corporate giants of furniture manufacturing) are HQ'd in Holland/Zeeland. I'll check with my parents who are still in town.

Any specific questions, drop me an email through my personal info.

hope this helps,
Chris

[Rach16]

Thanks for all the info. We are going to keep our options open and look all over!

Rachel