Grand Rapids for progressive minded? (Detroit, Ann Arbor: housing, rent, vacation)

[summers19]

I agree with Virginia1 that Magellan is a continuous wealth of helpful, descriptive and positive information. You have always been diplomatic and thoughtful in your responses to me and others. I really do appreciate it. You haven't given up on me and my quest! I actually may visit Grand Rapids in March. My friend is moving into a renovated furniture warehouse in downtown Grand Rapids right on the river. I can't wait to visit.
Anyway, thanks for ALL of your great information and support.

[Virginia1]

Hey Summers19 if you have not looked yet, the website that Magellan posted earlier, rapidgrowthmedia.com is a great site to check out. Breaks down the neighborhoods of GR and I must say I am impressed. I saw these really cool lofts and apartments for rent, but they are for citizens who need a little extra help and I make too much in income to qualify. I was just impressed with the quality and the fact that GR is looking out for folks on the down and out. Lots of artsy fartsy shops also ( my fiance is a hairdresser and artsy fartsy so I can say that ) The houses look like the houses in Ghent and they go for half the price of what we are used to. Check it out. Good luck.

[pbojsen]

IMO, if you want to live in a non-conservative town in WM, then Saugatuck and Douglas are the places to consider.

You can commute to GR or Kazoo from there if you like, or even St. Joe.

Jobs are NOT plentiful in Michigan right now as it ranks last in the U.S. for job creation and economy. There are also more people moving out than moving in. Your selection of housing will be very good.

[Wabbit]

I have to admit Magellan, I'm gradually sneeking into your camp in regards to the GRAM. (G.R's new art museum)
I walked down there yesterday and was impressed with how well it meshed with the surrounding buildings. Anything more 'spulptural' would have looked woefully out of place amid all that old architecture.
Downtown G.R., for anyone who hasn't been there in awhile, is exploding in all the right directions.
Now if we could only BAN SPRAWL!

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by magellan

Well here goes my best shot, since no one else has replied. Having lived in multiple areas in Michigan (Lansing for 18 years, Kzoo for 6, Detroit metro 3 mos, Grand Rapids 10), Grand Rapids has a much different past to it then the rest of Michigan. Grand Rapids has been historically much more influenced by Chicago then Detroit. You can pick up Chicago radio stations from here. I personally know more Cubs fans than Tigers fans. Many of the old rail lines back in the 1900's went from Chicago through GR on the way to Northern Michigan. It never made automobiles. Grand Rapids' history is all in fine home furnishings, all wood.

The folks who originally built a significant base for the Grand Rapids economy and society was New York/East Coast industrialists. After the early years Pre 1900s it is historically noted that Grand Rapids built Grand Rapids.

A historical tid-bit, in the early years Grand Rapids did build an automobile. For some reason it never made it. I believe the company was called the DeVaux-Hall Motor Company. The company built a mere 12,000 cars that were meant for police agencies.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

I have to admit Magellan, I'm gradually sneeking into your camp in regards to the GRAM. (G.R's new art museum)
I walked down there yesterday and was impressed with how well it meshed with the surrounding buildings. Anything more 'spulptural' would have looked woefully out of place amid all that old architecture.
Downtown G.R., for anyone who hasn't been there in awhile, is exploding in all the right directions.
Now if we could only BAN SPRAWL!

It's pretty cool, ain't it? I was walking along Monroe Center with some people I work with who hadn't really looked at the museum lately. I was showing them how along the Monroe Center side, about every 20 feet of the museum facade, the design changes somehow (different window mix, glass changes to concrete, concrete changes to panels, wall opens up to a 2nd floor patio, concrete changes to metal, etc.). They couldn't believe they hadn't noticed it before, and most of them (not all) agreed that they really like the design now that it has gotten further along.

[hazelle]

I have lived in Grand Rapids for ten years and I am 20n years old. There is a church on pretty much every corner and sometimes a more "liberal" person may feel a bit stifled in the conservative atmosphere. However, because I knwo thwe city intimately, I love it truly.

In a backlash to how conservative the city can be, there is a truly lovely and thriving sub-culture of promising musicians, farmer's markets, evolving public transportation and many artists. I feel that my generation (I'm 20) is far more progressive than our parents. I live right outside of the Heritage Hill neighborhood and haven't needed a car for two years.

Grand Rapids is a complex city and previous posters were correct in noting it's philanthropy. Furthermore, the downtown area is most definitely thriving. You'll have no trouble finding something to do, especially during the summer. There are many fesitvals and street fairs etc.

Grand Rapids could use some more progressive-minded people too, so please do consider living here, as you'd be welcomed by many.

[deslok]

Grand Rapids is very Dutch. Try Detroit or Ann Arbor for a more liberal attitude.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by deslok

Grand Rapids is very Dutch. Try Detroit or Ann Arbor for a more liberal attitude.

You're wrong, Grand Rapids is not "very Dutch". I know, I live here. And even if so, isn't that a pretty racist/ethnic comment to make for someone who is pointing out liberal places to live?

[Angelstar490]

I live about 20 minutes from Saugatuck, in Allegan, and I work in Kalamazoo. I love Saugatuck and was just there yesterday enjoying the Oval beach! It is such a unique little town, full of antique stores and interesting artsy things. The beach is lovely too. The drive to Saugatuck from Allegan is lovely, I passed through Fennville, there is a great authentic Mexican restaurant there called 'Su Casa'; they just expanded and moved into a much larger, brand new building. The food is great and not 'Taco Bell Mexican food' at all. though don't get me wrong I enjoy my Taco Bell every now and then. Also in Fennville are the Crane Orchards, a really lovely place which was even featured once in the magazine 'Country Living". Actually I think Saugatuck was also featured once in that same magazine. The whole area is great - even though I was born here I lived many years in Northern California and Berkeley, San Francisco areas; I consider myself very left wing politically but even I can survive here.