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I'd like to know how Lincoln compares with Grand Rapids in several respects.
1. Weather. Is one colder, or colder longer, than the other?
2. Music. We're looking for a small city with a decent classical and folk music scene. So a little bit of "artsiness" is OK.
3. Friendliness. We'll be outsiders from California, and not every midwestern city looks kindly on California ex-pats. I'd like to see a city that isn't so insular that we'll be seen as an oddity, but isn't so cosmopolitan that it lacks an identity.
4. Social conservatism. By this I mean family friendly, respectful of religion, traditional values, wholesome public culture.
I notice that Lincoln leans Democratic and Grand Rapids leans GOP. But GOP-leaning sometimes just means libertarian, and that's not what we're after.
5. Low crime.
6. Catholicism. Grand Rapids seems to have a higher percentage of Catholics, but Lincoln is known for the strength of its orthodoxy. How does Catholic life in each city compare?
Grand Rapids is colder for longer
Grand Rapids Beats Lincoln NE in the arts too
Grand Rapids, like most places that are slow growing/shrinking it takes a while for newbies to be accepted, Linocoln is more accepting
Probably Lincoln, GR is in a state dominated by unions, so socially more liberal.
Lincoln is safer
Catholicism IDK
I would assume Grand Rapids is colder. I have absolutely no idea based on my own experiences about the religion of the area, but is that really a deal-breaker? I would say Grand Rapids has a better arts and music scene, but nothing to brag about either way. The relatively close proximity to Chicago would probably satisfy your culture needs well enough, I assume. Grand Rapids IS socially conservative, Lincoln is probably more liberal overall because it is a college area. Crime is low in both areas.
Grand Rapids is colder for longer
Grand Rapids Beats Lincoln NE in the arts too
Grand Rapids, like most places that are slow growing/shrinking it takes a while for newbies to be accepted, Linocoln is more accepting
Probably Lincoln, GR is in a state dominated by unions, so socially more liberal.
Lincoln is safer
Catholicism IDK
Thanks much.
Kind of surprising to hear that Lincoln is safer and that GR is more socially liberal. My impression has always been that the labor union demographic back east can be very socially conservative.
I would assume Grand Rapids is colder. I have absolutely no idea based on my own experiences about the religion of the area, but is that really a deal-breaker? I would say Grand Rapids has a better arts and music scene, but nothing to brag about either way. The relatively close proximity to Chicago would probably satisfy your culture needs well enough, I assume. Grand Rapids IS socially conservative, Lincoln is probably more liberal overall because it is a college area. Crime is low in both areas.
The absence of a thriving, orthodox Catholic community is definitely a deal-breaker. It doesn't need to be the majority though.
Good point about Chicago ... how far to drive from GR?
Kind of surprising to hear that Lincoln is safer and that GR is more socially liberal. My impression has always been that the labor union demographic back east can be very socially conservative.
I don't agree with that. GR is conservative and outside the influence of southeastern Michigan's automotive union influence. West Michigan is a different animal.
The absence of a thriving, orthodox Catholic community is definitely a deal-breaker. It doesn't need to be the majority though.
Good point about Chicago ... how far to drive from GR?
Around 2 or 3 hours.
If you want a more moderate/live and let live area with a strong Catholic presence, don't rule out areas in the Interior Northeast(i.e.- Upstate NY, Western Massachusetts, PA outside of the Philly area and basically parts that are away from the Bos-Wash corridor for the most part). You'll find some places that may lean one way or another, but I'd say that liberal or conservative, you can find your niche. Here's some information from my area and it isn't the only one that would or could fit: Syracuse Arts Directory
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