[Ivycreeping]

Ok, let me jump in here.
I lived in Kalamazoo from 2001-2005, then 2007-2008, so I'm quite familiar with all of these areas that are being discussed.

First of all: Gull Lake, Richland, Augusta, Climax, etc. ...the first thing that comes to mind is a loud gagging noise. Are they safe and probably cheap? Yes. Are they secluded? Yes. While I hate seclusion, you may not...so keep in mind that these are farm-ish, secluded areas. Basically, the rule of thumb is: If it's not Kalamazoo, Portage, Grand Rapids, or Battle Creek, you're probably in the country, and it's not very convenient.

I like Kalamazoo, but I have known 3 teachers in the school system, and they think the schools are awful. So, if you aren't taking advantage of the Kalamazoo Promise, you might want to send them to a different school. Yes, the diversity is great, but your kids might get distracted by the less serious students. Personally, if I were you, I'd stay clear of Portage Northern High School and Comstock High School -- I substituted for both of those schools (I've substituted for a lot of schools in the area, actually) and they were not the types of places I'd send my kids if I had any.

Lakeview is a place I have never even heard of.

If you really want to live in Kalamazoo or the area, look at the Woodbridge area. The schools are awesome...I believe that's Portage, though. Also, there are those new, nice Allen Edwin homes in Oshtemo...but, I digress.

As for the commuting issue, it's probably not worth it to live all the way out in Kalamazoo if you're working in Battle Creek. Kalamazoo drivers tend to drive either A. Like (dangerous) crap, or B. (the majority) Like they have a cake in their back seats (a.k.a., SLOWLY), and if you are an efficient driver who isn't out for a Sunday drive and you're just trying to get to work or the mall before it closes, it will probably start to get to you. I've never had so much road rage in my life... Anyway, they will probably make you late for work, going 25 in a 40 while you're trying to get to 131 or 94. Yes, yes, I know, you've probably heard awful things about Battle Creek...but have you looked into Springfield? That is a pretty nice area with suburbs and backyards and it's pretty safe! It borders Battle Creek. Look there.

For your own good...don't mess around with Gull Lake and Augusta. Besides, do you really want to be making a 30 minute commute in the lake-effect snow every day during the winter, and driving in the awful summer construction traffic every summer? I don't think it's really worth it, my dear.

[snoopygirlmi]

If you are going to work in Battle Creek, then it would be a lot easier to live closer to Battle Creek.

I'd look at Eastern Kalamazoo County - probably Galesburg/Climax-Scotts, but if you don't like small rural towns, then they probably aren't for you. Have you considered Marshall? Straight shot west to Battle Creek on 94?

There are nice areas of Battle Creek, but I don't know the city well enough to give practical advice on where to live. The areas I am familiar with are run-down "section 8" type and really wouldn't recommend. B.C. is growing and has all of the shopping that you'd expect in most towns.

My uncle lives off of the Avenue A exit between Marshall/B.C. and loves it out there...close to the city, but not in the city.

[DewDropPony]

They alsomost never plow and salt the roads in kzoo in winter and we get LOTS of lake effect snow. Granted, I am a winter time person, I LOVE snow, but it out of control to drive anywhere in the winter.

[Bydand]

Around Battle Creek area, Lakeview is a nice place with a decent school system. For those touting all the "Lake Effect" snow K-Zoo and Battle Creek get... Are you high? K-zoo averages just under 40" a year for snowfall and Battle Creek gets almost the same exact amount. That isn't very much snow during the course of a season. A good place to check what the averages are is here: Weatherbase - Records and Averages for Michigan, United States of America

When I lived down there I used to drive a Camaro and those are the worst things in snow ever. No problems, and never a day I couldn't get out safely to work in that pig.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by DewDropPony

They alsomost never plow and salt the roads in kzoo in winter and we get LOTS of lake effect snow. Granted, I am a winter time person, I LOVE snow, but it out of control to drive anywhere in the winter.

The city of Kalamazoo plows the roads just fine in the winter.
I would guess Portage is similar (but I never lived there... only Kalamazoo for 10 years).
I would consider the above post an inaccurate exaggeration.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Around Battle Creek area, Lakeview is a nice place with a decent school system. For those touting all the "Lake Effect" snow K-Zoo and Battle Creek get... Are you high? K-zoo averages just under 40" a year for snowfall and Battle Creek gets almost the same exact amount. That isn't very much snow during the course of a season. A good place to check what the averages are is here: Weatherbase - Records and Averages for Michigan, United States of America

When I lived down there I used to drive a Camaro and those are the worst things in snow ever. No problems, and never a day I couldn't get out safely to work in that pig.

We lived in Kalamazoo for 10 years. They got more snow than Grand Rapids.
This site (city-data.com) says Kzoo averages 70 inches of snow:
http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/T...d-Climate.html

[Ivycreeping]

Originally Posted by suydam

The city of Kalamazoo plows the roads just fine in the winter.
I would guess Portage is similar (but I never lived there... only Kalamazoo for 10 years).
I would consider the above post an inaccurate exaggeration.

I happen to agree with the original poster: does Kalamazoo plow AT ALL? Yes. Do they plow like like they should or to the best ok their ability? No. You people just might not have lived outside of a place with different snow conditions. You have to think of the poor person who is considering a 30 minute commute in that snow; when you guys sit there and say, "Oh, these people are high! It's not bad at all!" they may have a different idea of what is bad and what isn't. It's best to think worst case scenario.

The fact is, Kalamazoo DOES have lake effect snow...it's on the news, there IS more snow fall than the lower East side of the state. Stop being contrary. Tell the truth. Also, you must of had good luck or tires on that Camaro, because I have slid all over in a front wheel Monte Carlo. The roads DO get bad.

[georgia woman]

My husband has landed a job in Kzoo and we are probably going to move there this summer. Boy, this is going to be a big change for us my hubby is from N.C. and I am from Georgia. So I see that the best part of Kzoo to live in is probably the western and north western part of this city. We were thinking about maybe living halfway between Grand Rapids and Kzoo but would that be a good place or would we be better off living somewhere in Kzoo? He will be working at Flowserve. In some ways I am looking at this as an adventure but in other ways it is going to be a bit scary. We don't know anybody from this area and we are leaving our families and friends . If anybody can give us some direction it would be very appreciated. Thanks

[leadsquirter]

I would like to welcome you in advance. I live 6 miles northeast of downtown Kalamazoo in Cooper Twp. and love it. Taxes are reasonable and people are friendly and let you live your own life. Kalamazoo is an older industrial city with a nice downtown. A lot of nice older stately homes and some run down poorer sections. There are a lot of people who care about the community and are doing positive things. The outlaying suburbs have a lot of nice homes. You won't find anything between GR and Kzoo that you won't find living in or near the city.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by suydam

The city of Kalamazoo plows the roads just fine in the winter.
I would guess Portage is similar (but I never lived there... only Kalamazoo for 10 years).
I would consider the above post an inaccurate exaggeration.

I agree with this, Kazoo does a very good job with plowing the roads, I only wish where i live in Ohio could do the same!

AS soon as the Economy picks up I will be looking up around Kazoo and St.Joe again.