[gmaggio]

My husband and I are currently living in Maryland, but we are thinking about relocating to Michigan, so I could finish my undergrad. studies at Ferris University (Big Rapids), and enter the Optometry Program there. My husband found some job opportunities in Grand Rapids, so he will most likely to be working there. We are a pretty laid back, early 30's Christian couple (so, living in a College town w/ a bunch of young kids isn't a good option ), so we're looking for a good, family oriented, and safe neighborhood, located somewhere in between Big Rapids and Grand Rapids. Does anyone have any ideas about nice neighborhoods to live around these areas? Thanks

[Bydand]

My sister and her Husband live by Howard City which is about halfway between Grand Rapids and Big Rapids. They really like it there. Small farming community, seems to be quiet and laid-back.

[suydam]

Rockford would be nice too.
It's closer to GR, but well north of the city proper, so you've shaved a good amount off what would otherwise be a long commute to Big Rapids.

[925mine]

Howard City is quiet and small. I went to school there and know some people. It's a small town, about midway between GR and BR

[magellan]

Cedar Springs and Newaygo maybe?

[TigerMom2]

I live in Cedar Springs, graduated from Tri-County the schools of Howard City and lived all over michigan between Grand Rapids and White Cloud before settling in H.C when i was 11 years old. Howard city has a great atmosphere for family involvement. Most the children are always in line and there isn't a huge distinction of poor or rich areas. I like howard cities lifestyle and location. It is perfectly in the middle of lots. There is grand rapids about 30 mins away, big rapids 25 mins away and newaygo 20 mins away. It's a big little town and growing greatly. You do have Cedar Springs and Rockford. Good towns as well. I love being in cedar for the schools. Rockford is a AA school and HUGE graduating classes. However very close to grand rapids and lots of commuter college students. Cedar not as many commuter students, lots of young-old-new people, however many distinctive poor/rich areas, same as Rockford. If you want more info I am greatly to abliged. I have alot of different living experience throughout michigan.

[Westbury]

My first post seemed to get "lost"; apolgize if this shows up twice.
Rockford is a good option but I think Big Rapids may be too far of a commuter; it's probably 45 minutes to downtown GR. If you want to go a little less distance, Otsego/Plainwell to the south are both nice smaller towns. From there you'd have around a 30 minute drive to southern GR. And they are both close to Kalamazoo which has a lot to offer.

[momof11]

We live in the Newaygo area and I go to GR once a week. It is not a bad drive at all. BR is a little closer. There are also park and ride lots along the 131, I know there is one at the Howard City exit and one at Cedar Springs exit so car pooling is an option. We wanted a little land so the Newaygo area worked better for us but Cedar Springs (I think it's right about the middle) has some cute nieghborhoods and is built up more as far as grocery stores. It also has some nice new looking schools. It might be a good fit for you.

[925mine]

Howard City is small and people know each other. Cedar Springs, the same, but a little bigger. Sand lake (between the two) is very small and not much there.

[supermom0204]

Take a look at Canadian Lakes (Stanwood), a little farther north than HC. Just FYI though, Big Rapids isn't really a typical "college town". Much more subdued than most college towns. As for where to live in between GR and BR, i guess it would depend on what you mean by a nice place to raise a family. If you are looking for a more "upper middle class" area, go for Rockford or Canadian Lakes. If you are looking for a "small town America" feel with a variety of people, Howard City or even Cedar Springs might be more what you are looking for. I grew up in Lakeview, which was more of a HC type of town. Small, friendly, close-knit with farmers, business owners, doctors, all kinds of people. I loved it. Check the school districts though.