Chicago metro vs. Detroit metro vs. Twin cities vs. Grand Rapids (diversity, fun, natural beauty, schools) (living, best)
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Hi, I'm a 34-year-old AA currently living on the eastside of Milwaukee. Trying to make a decision by springtime; Looking to relocate to either of these areas: Chicago metro (Waukegan, Aurora, Elgin, Joliet), Detroit metro (Dearborn, Warren), Twin cities, and Grand Rapids (Wyoming).
I work in quality assurance, primarily in manufacturing, as a CMM Programmer and Technician. I'm trying to live around 5-6 hours from MKE due to having a 4-year-old child fulltime, whose mother will remain here. (I'd move to the Phoenix metro in a heartbeat due to a plethora of opportunities in my field and sunshine, but this ongoing PANDEMIC is limiting my options to midwestern cities within driving range: eek
I'm liberal minded, single, laid back, I like walking, and would like to buy a house someday.
I've lived in the Waukegan area in my early 20s and liked it a lot. Chicago is the much larger and better version of MKE.
I always love both Twin cities when visiting.
Detroit is on the come up, and I've read the suburbs are decent.
Grand Rapids has a great economy and although a smaller city and metro it seems to punch above its weight. Also, it seems to be similar to Des Moines and Omaha (2 cities I absolutely loved when visiting).
I'm looking for an area with:
Diversity (a Hispanic presence)
Fun for kids, decent nightlife
Natural beauty
Decent public schools. My child will be starting pre-K (or K4) in the fall.
I'm willing to spend around $1,100 for a 2+ BR apartment.
I've researched these areas extensively. Only place I haven't visited yet is Grand Rapids.
Looking for input, suggestions, questions, etc. on what you guys think may be the best area for me and my child.
For the Detroit area, I’d look into Farmington/Farmington Hills, perhaps the parts of Harper Woods in the Grosse Pointe SD or Royal Oak before Dearborn or Warren, but that’s just me. Some of the Downriver communities may work better in terms of a Hispanic population. Lincoln Park is one worth looking into. Melvindale is another one.
For Grand Rapids, I’d look into Kentwood and Comstock Park too.
If you were to consider the Lansing area, the Waverly SD/West Lansing area in Eaton County, Holt and maybe East Lansing would be some good suburban choices with good schools and some cultural diversity.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 01-09-2022 at 12:39 PM..
For the Detroit area, I’d look into Farmington/Farmington Hills, perhaps the parts of Harper Woods in the Grosse Pointe SD or Royal Oak before Dearborn or Warren, but that’s just me. Some of the Downriver communities may work better in terms of a Hispanic population. Lincoln Park is one worth looking into. Melvindale is another one.
For Grand Rapids, I’d look into Kentwood and Comstock Park too.
If you were to consider the Lansing area, the Waverly SD/West Lansing area in Eaton County, Holt and maybe East Lansing would be some good suburban choices with good schools and some cultural diversity.
Awesome. Thanks a lot. I will definitely look at those areas of Detroit metro, and Grand Rapids. I'll look into the Lansing area also.
Something else that just came to mind is that there is actually a ferry that goes across Lake Michigan from Milwaukee to Muskegon MI, which is about a 40 minute drive from Grand Rapids. https://www.lake-express.com/schedule/
So, that may be something to consider in regards to Grand Rapids, as what would be about an 4 hour and 20 minute drive or so, could only be about 3 hours and 15 minutes or so.
Same could apply with Lansing as well(would be about 40-45 minutes shorter).
Would suggest Muskegon itself, but it is a smaller immediate area. It would meet the diversity criteria and a school district like Orchard View would work.
Hi, I'm a 34-year-old AA currently living on the eastside of Milwaukee. Trying to make a decision by springtime; Looking to relocate to either of these areas: Chicago metro (Waukegan, Aurora, Elgin, Joliet), Detroit metro (Dearborn, Warren), Twin cities, and Grand Rapids (Wyoming).
I work in quality assurance, primarily in manufacturing, as a CMM Programmer and Technician. I'm trying to live around 5-6 hours from MKE due to having a 4-year-old child fulltime, whose mother will remain here. (I'd move to the Phoenix metro in a heartbeat due to a plethora of opportunities in my field and sunshine, but this ongoing PANDEMIC is limiting my options to midwestern cities within driving range: eek
I'm liberal minded, single, laid back, I like walking, and would like to buy a house someday.
I've lived in the Waukegan area in my early 20s and liked it a lot. Chicago is the much larger and better version of MKE.
I always love both Twin cities when visiting.
Detroit is on the come up, and I've read the suburbs are decent.
Grand Rapids has a great economy and although a smaller city and metro it seems to punch above its weight. Also, it seems to be similar to Des Moines and Omaha (2 cities I absolutely loved when visiting).
I'm looking for an area with:
Diversity (a Hispanic presence)
Fun for kids, decent nightlife
Natural beauty
Decent public schools. My child will be starting pre-K (or K4) in the fall.
I'm willing to spend around $1,100 for a 2+ BR apartment.
I've researched these areas extensively. Only place I haven't visited yet is Grand Rapids.
Looking for input, suggestions, questions, etc. on what you guys think may be the best area for me and my child.
Did you ever end up moving? I think you were looking at Cincinnati a few years ago. Lots of jobs and Hispanic presence in Texas, lots of successful diverse professionals in most of that state, but it's far from WI.
Did you ever end up moving? I think you were looking at Cincinnati a few years ago. Lots of jobs and Hispanic presence in Texas, lots of successful diverse professionals in most of that state, but it's far from WI.
Yes. I actually moved to of all places Phoenix. I liked it, despite some flaws. I ended up back in Wisconsin four months later due to my son’s mother reneging on our agreement to have my son full time. I know I would have liked Texas - Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio more than Phoenix haha.
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