[Tickety]

Thanks for all of your replies, We really appreciate it. I have one more question. We want to rent a house at before we buy to make sure we like where we live. I can't seem to find anyhing on house rentals on the intranet. Any ideas?

[wagonproject]

Well you can look at craigslist: kalamazoo classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events

But a lot of people just put signs out in the yards...

[GalFriday]

The drive between BC and Kazoo really isn't terrible. If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick Kazoo, and I've had friends born and raised in BC that would choose Kazoo too.

The Kalamazoo Promise is EXTREMELY enticing. I wish I could move back just for that.

As far as rentals, I did find this site: Kalamazoo, Mi Apartments and Houses for Rent, Local Apartment and Home Rentals, House, Townhome, and Condo Rentals, Vacation Rentals, Roommate and Sublet Classifieds :: Search Results - Page 1 however you need to watch where you're renting because you don't want to be stuck in the college slum. (And I say that with much affection, because that's my college and those were my slums!!)

Check out the links in the post for great neighborhoods: http://www.city-data.com/forum/michi...kalamazoo.html

You can also check out www.greatschools.net to see about opinions on Kalamazoo schools.

[Kimberly_WMU]

Don't miss out on the Promise with 3 boys!!! Potentially a huge savings!

[Tickety]

Thanks about the information about The Kalamazoo Promise, although it is a great oppertunity we just aren't able to move their just yet. My husband works in Battle Creek and we thought for the time being we wanted to be alittle closer. We actually are renting a house in Galesburg which is a great option for us right now. Maybe in the future when we decide to buy we will look into Kalamazoo.

[Bid]

My wife and I lived in BC for about 8 years. I would choose it over K-zoo, because of your husband's job. The differences between the two are minor. I agree with the previous posts recommending Marshall. Also Harper Creek and Lakeview areas of Battle Creek have good schools. Pennfield which is north of town is where we lived and also has great schools. Springfield although technically a separate city is really just part of BC, and not a good part.

BC is a nice town with a nice Christmas event - Festival of Lights and a great summer festival - Balloon and Air Show.

[wordzy1]

My husband is interviewing this week in Battle Creek... I'm reading good and bad regarding Kazoo. That whole "promise" thing rocks... so, is it worth it to move there to take advantage of the deal, or move somewhere smaller, say Marshall, and figure out how to pay for college on our own? I'm a former midwesterner, my husband an east coaster, and we want to get out of the Arizona heat, but we have an excelling school here and a great system. I'm also an aide/substitute and am sensitive to schools and my kids needs. What are the best Kazoo schools? Where can I find scores, populations, etc on each school? I have a son going into 6th and a daughter going into 4th. Any suggestions? What are the better smaller town and their respective schools like? Thanks!

[KMSFLA]

I went to school in Marshall but it was a while ago (class of '78). I don't know how it is currently but from my perspective at the time as a child coming from schools in Wisconsin and Minnesota, it was great. I had great teachers and the other kids were wonderful. Growing up there as a kid was the best time of my life. Also, factor in that as an adult with kids, I live now in Florida which has horrible schools. My points of reference are my school days in Marshall, and my frustrating experience here in Florida as a parent. I would have given a lot to have my daughter go to school in Marshall (and I tried). I hope the school system now is like it was when I was a kid.

If I had a job in Battle Creek (in fact my company is having a job fair of sorts I think in BC this week - too bad the positions are not in my line of work) I would live in Marshall. However, I have never lived in Kazoo and have not visited much of the city.

I would suggest your husband take a quick trip to Marshall if he has time. Grab a burger at the Stagecoach downtown and walk around a bit. Walk down to the fountain. See what he thinks.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by wordzy1

My husband is interviewing this week in Battle Creek... I'm reading good and bad regarding Kazoo. That whole "promise" thing rocks... so, is it worth it to move there to take advantage of the deal, or move somewhere smaller, say Marshall, and figure out how to pay for college on our own? I'm a former midwesterner, my husband an east coaster, and we want to get out of the Arizona heat, but we have an excelling school here and a great system. I'm also an aide/substitute and am sensitive to schools and my kids needs. What are the best Kazoo schools? Where can I find scores, populations, etc on each school? I have a son going into 6th and a daughter going into 4th. Any suggestions? What are the better smaller town and their respective schools like? Thanks!

I think of the Promise this way: the cost of college tuition has out-paced inflation for a good 20 years now. You can guess that it will continueto do that.

If you have a baby tomorrow, it's safe to assume that college tuition is going to run you at least $50k per kid of you go to a 4-year public institution.

Kalamazoo is offering to pay that for you.

I would not live anywhere else if I was working within 30 miles of Kalamazoo.

All that said, if you're looking for information on the public schools (there are plenty of great options in the area), I'd start at schoolmatters.com

[Tickety]

WERE HERE!!! We absolutely love it. I didn't realize how beautiful the area was. We are renting a house with an acre of land and my kids think they have the best of everything. Everyone has been so wonderful to us and has been very kind. The second day that we were here the neighbors brought us a plate of cookies and they were defiantly made from scratch.
So far so good, I realize that we have only been here for 6 days, but I already feel that we are finally home.