Best and worst places to live in MI (Grand Rapids, Lansing: job, suburb)

[BadgerNut]

I'm considering a move to either Michigan, Maine or New Hampshire and would appreciate some suggestions about Michigan cities.

What I'm looking for: a community of 10k to 40k people, good places to eat, shop and entertain - not too busy but not too slow either - job opportunities (background is sales/management, I'm currently a Chaplain at a max prison).

I appreciate the help.

[windfarmer]

I'm not sure if at that population size 10k-40k there will be a whole lot of job opportunities, however I'm about to move to the western part of Michigan and would like to recommend the city of Holland. It has about 35,000 residents and does have some industry.. I think Herman Miller is there among others. I like it for it's quaint downtown, tulip festival, and proximity to Lake Michigan.

I'm from the Southeastern part of the state, so I'm sure there are plenty of others on here who will have better advice for you.

[cardwellave]

Holland would be good, maybe Muskegon...then there's Petoskey...Harbor Springs....

[windfarmer]

I also like Charlevoix, though I don't know what there is besides tourism. It's a really pretty community too.

[100%Michigan]

Originally Posted by BadgerNut

I'm considering a move to either Michigan, Maine or New Hampshire and would appreciate some suggestions about Michigan cities.

What I'm looking for: a community of 10k to 40k people, good places to eat, shop and entertain - not too busy but not too slow either - job opportunities (background is sales/management, I'm currently a Chaplain at a max prison).

I appreciate the help.

I would recommand East Lansing ( next to a larger city with 40,000+ population ) if you dont find much interest there check out Traverse City, Marquette, and in some cases you may even like Port Huron and Sault Ste Marie since it is next to Canadian cities around the same population range.

[cardwellave]

Ludington is also nice.

[cardwellave]

And there's lots of stores in Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island.

South Haven is a nice place too. I keep thinking of more and more.

[Sociologist]

Your population size will greatly limit the employment opportunities....if you can stand a little large population center and living outside of it I would think about Grand Rapids or Ann Arobor..... Good Luck

[deslok]

Don't mess with Holland unless you are of dutch decent. Otherwise go for it. =)

[Nickc121]

If you really want a place where you can get a job i'd check out a suburb of Grand Rapids