Talk to me about the Lansing/Grand Ledge/Potterville/Charlotte area! (Grand Rapids: rental, work)

[funnyfarm1995]

Originally Posted by BetseeT

So we're gonna have to move from the Kalamazoo area. (House for sale by owner. 1700 sq ft ranch, 2.5 acres with pond and pole barn, surrounded by corn field. Talk to me )

And the new job is on North Grand River in Lansing so we're looking at the Grand Ledge school district, Charlotte, Olivet, Potterville, etc. The school is important; got an 11 yo and a 7 yo and a 9 yo special ed kid. Anyone? Anyone?

Thanks!

I live about 6 miles south of Charlotte, in a rural area that is Olivet school district. I LOVE this area and have lived near here my whole 42 years basically. My kids attend Olivet schools. I have been pleased. We have a good school system, caring teachers willing to go above and beyond. We have other special needs kids mainstreamed in with the rest,and they do very well. There is little crime in the area. When something does happen, it's major news since it's so infrequent. I am only 1.5 miles off I-69 but it's all farm land here, people like yourself (and us) with tractors, animals, kids,and so on.

I do have to say that Eaton Rapids to Lansing airport area would be a closer drive than Olivet to Lansing airport area, so your post throws me off a little. Using M99 in Eaton Rapids, it's a fast connect to Lansing in my opinion. I don't know what Eaton Rapids schools are like anymore. When I was a teen back in the 80s they had some issues there that we didn't have in Olivet, but that was a long time ago so who knows.

Good luck with your search.

[soultame1]

[quote=soultame1;500598]Hi, I have been in Michigan for a year. I am from New Orleans and I came down because of Hurricane Katrina. Well there is so much Michigan is missing. For example the food is so bland. The beans are even dry. No offense; I am looking for someone who would be willing to listen to my ideals on soul food and gumbo. What I have tasted so far is not it. Not putting Michigan down I just think that the peoples taste buds are missing out on alot. You guys dont have snowballs here ither. You have a red white and blue ice cone. Snow balls I feel would really livin up the place because there are hundreds of different flavors. I've also been to the imitation Lousiana restaraunts (sorry michigan but thats not it). I just wish I could find the right person to hear me out. I'm pretty sure we could both profit from my ideals. Unfortunately I would not be able to give money because I lost everything but I am a hard worker. I know this has nothing to do with your post but really what do you think? The economy can use a little spice.

[soultame1]

Hi, I have been in Michigan for a year. I am from New Orleans and I came down because of Hurricane Katrina. Well there is so much Michigan is missing. For example the food is so bland. The beans are even dry. No offense; I am looking for someone who would be willing to listen to my ideals on soul food and gumbo. What I have tasted so far is not it. Not putting Michigan down I just think that the peoples taste buds are missing out on alot. You guys dont have snowballs here ither. You have a red white and blue ice cone. Snow balls I feel would really livin up the place because there are hundreds of different flavors. I've also been to the imitation Lousiana restaraunts (sorry michigan but thats not it). I just wish I could find the right person to hear me out. I'm pretty sure we could both profit from my ideals. Unfortunately I would not be able to give money because I lost everything but I am a hard worker. I know this has nothing to do with your post but really what do you think? The economy can use a little spice.

[bubbagirl]

In all honesty, Eaton Rapids might offer some of the better deals! The commute to the north side is not that bad at all - You can either hit 69 at the Charlotte exit and head north or you can hit M99 and then jump to 96/127. There are SO many houses up for sale in ER right now that you can jump on a great deal. I personally own a gorgeous piece of land out there (up for sale for a decent price if you want some acreage only 4 miles from town and ability to build your own house!) and the schools are not half bad (but also facing budge issues because of so many leaving the area). You would be looking at a similar commute from Williamston, Grand Ledge, Mason, and even the eastern sides of Haslett/Okemos. The better schools systems are DeWitt, Haslett, Okemos (faced budget problems), Mason (this is going off about 10 year old info from when I was in school). DeWitt isa fantastic area, but housing is higher priced and/or overvalued due to the huge housing boom they experienced over the past 10-15 years; Clinton county was the 2nd in the state for population growth for several years running. All the other areas have been only undergone gradual growths.

[conn1234]

We love the sense of community in williamston. A lovely main street, friendly people, and good schools make Williamston a terrific place. Good luck!

[ElphinKnight]

I agree, Williamston is a really nice town. Definitely worth checking out.

[rebexa]

I'm originally from Portland, and it's a pretty great place to raise a family. The schools are good (both in terms of facility and teaching), and you're just a hop, skip and jump away from Lansing (12 miles to the Saginaw exit). It's also only about 45 minutes from Grand Rapids, which makes it a bit of a bedroom community. There's a great Riverwalk system throughout the city and plenty of parks. It's certainly not a big city, but it's so close to Lansing that it makes up for those shortcomings.

[BetseeT]

Originally Posted by ellswo33

I also have a special needs child. He goes to Heartwood School. I don't know if your special needs child is mainstreamed or not, but if not, if you live in Ingham County, Heartwood is the school your child would be going to. Feel free to let me know if you need any more info about Heartwood or anything else.

We visited the Eaton ISD and they were small small small. Even he recommended Heartwood LOL Matt would love the pool. He's a swimmer!

No, Matt isn't mainstreamed. Far too much development delay for THAT!

Thanks a lot for your input. We're still looking. Found a FSBO house with 4.2 acres and an inground for 275!!! HOLY CRAP! That's in the Grand Ledge area. I'm just astounded by the property values there....

[BetseeT]

Originally Posted by ElphinKnight

I highly, highly recommend the International Restaurant & Tuba Museum restaurant in old downtown Okemos. It's a five minute drive from Haslett. You'll wonder what you've gotten yourself into when you walk in, but just sit and eat and you'll be glad you did.

This will need to be checked out. My nephew is in the army to play tuba so he and his whole family would love the idea of a tuba museum

Thanks bunches

[lorrydn]

After living in Battle Creek for 30 years I was certain that was the place I did not want to raise my family. My husband is a truck driver so we could go anywhere as long as threre was an Interstate. I was looking for a smaller town. Charlotte is a little bigger than Marshall. It has Walmart, Mejer, TSC
IGA, Applebees, McDonalds, Bugerking, KFC ... the usual. If you want more Lansing is about 15 minutes away.
I love the schools! My son goes to Galewood. There are 230 students in the school. Grades
k-4. I know every town has there ups and downs,but I'm sure glad we moved to a smaller community.