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Old 04-24-2023, 12:15 PM
 
Location: NYC & Media PA
840 posts, read 692,016 times
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Active family trying to decide between these two cities for a move this winter. Looking for advice as to the pro's/cons of each.

Thanks
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Old 04-24-2023, 12:34 PM
 
Location: Louisville
5,293 posts, read 6,054,135 times
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It really just depends on your preference of built environment at this point.

Holland is a little more accessible to Grand Rapids than Grand Haven, though folks who live in Holland rarely ever go to Grand Rapids haha. The suburban areas around Holland are known for being much more conservative, with the stereo typical west Michigan religious caricature. The city of Holland itself is surprisingly diverse, and downtown is decently vibrant spanning several blocks. It has the immediate retail offerings of a 100k urban area so you should find most everything you need. It's only about a 25 minute drive to the Rivertown parkway area in Grand Rapids which has some of the strongest retail offerings in Michigan outside of Detroit.

Grand Haven is more laid back and feels a bit less conservative than Holland. It's downtown is quaint, not quite as expansive than Holland, but is much more touristy in feel. Grand Haven also feels more upscale than Holland west of US-31. East of 31 feels a little more working class. The urbanized portion of Grand Haven blends in with Muskegon. It is about 10 minutes from the Lakes Mall area, with retail offerings and amenities that are equally as robust as Holland. Though it is about a 35 minute drive to the Alpine Avenue corridor in GR, and a bit further to other GR amenities. Again folks on the lakeshore are more disconnected from Grand Rapids than you might think. They have access to most things they need so proximity to GR may not be a factor.

Holland has more "city problems" than Grand Haven, especially on the north side and into Holland Township. Grand Haven on the other hand will be a bit more expensive and will likely have a tighter housing market. Grand Haven is immediately on Lake Michigan and has a beach town, if not almost resort feeling. Holland is more removed from the lake. It can take up to 20-30 minutes to get to the beaches during the peak season depending on traffic. Both cities get hit with substantial lake effect snow in the winter. Though Holland and it's downtown is a bit more functional year round, whereas activity around Grand Haven takes a bit of a dip during the off season if that matters.
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Old 04-24-2023, 01:04 PM
 
Location: NYC & Media PA
840 posts, read 692,016 times
Reputation: 796
Ok fantastic, I think based on this I would lean towards Grand Haven because we want to be able to bike/walk to the beach. Other than going to the airport I double we would go to Grand Rapids a lot, I do like to mountain bike, looks like there are a few smaller trails near each of these towns.

Thanks again for the info !

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjlo View Post
It really just depends on your preference of built environment at this point.

Holland is a little more accessible to Grand Rapids than Grand Haven, though folks who live in Holland rarely ever go to Grand Rapids haha. The suburban areas around Holland are known for being much more conservative, with the stereo typical west Michigan religious caricature. The city of Holland itself is surprisingly diverse, and downtown is decently vibrant spanning several blocks. It has the immediate retail offerings of a 100k urban area so you should find most everything you need. It's only about a 25 minute drive to the Rivertown parkway area in Grand Rapids which has some of the strongest retail offerings in Michigan outside of Detroit.

Grand Haven is more laid back and feels a bit less conservative than Holland. It's downtown is quaint, not quite as expansive than Holland, but is much more touristy in feel. Grand Haven also feels more upscale than Holland west of US-31. East of 31 feels a little more working class. The urbanized portion of Grand Haven blends in with Muskegon. It is about 10 minutes from the Lakes Mall area, with retail offerings and amenities that are equally as robust as Holland. Though it is about a 35 minute drive to the Alpine Avenue corridor in GR, and a bit further to other GR amenities. Again folks on the lakeshore are more disconnected from Grand Rapids than you might think. They have access to most things they need so proximity to GR may not be a factor.

Holland has more "city problems" than Grand Haven, especially on the north side and into Holland Township. Grand Haven on the other hand will be a bit more expensive and will likely have a tighter housing market. Grand Haven is immediately on Lake Michigan and has a beach town, if not almost resort feeling. Holland is more removed from the lake. It can take up to 20-30 minutes to get to the beaches during the peak season depending on traffic. Both cities get hit with substantial lake effect snow in the winter. Though Holland and it's downtown is a bit more functional year round, whereas activity around Grand Haven takes a bit of a dip during the off season if that matters.
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Old 04-24-2023, 03:16 PM
 
495 posts, read 326,999 times
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There is also Spring Lake that has bike paths. Do you like the tourist crowds? If you do, then GH will be perfect. If you like a quieter lake experience, there are more cities to consider to the North of there.
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Old 04-24-2023, 08:19 PM
 
Location: NYC & Media PA
840 posts, read 692,016 times
Reputation: 796
I prefer more hustle and bustle so I would want to stay in the more urban area. I just found out about the Mulligans Hollow area in town, that seems like it would be fun too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by michigan lizard View Post
There is also Spring Lake that has bike paths. Do you like the tourist crowds? If you do, then GH will be perfect. If you like a quieter lake experience, there are more cities to consider to the North of there.
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Old 04-25-2023, 07:30 AM
 
Location: Niceville, FL
13,258 posts, read 22,826,007 times
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For mountain biking, Grand Haven also puts you closer to the Manistee National Forest for weekend fun.
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Old 04-25-2023, 08:07 AM
 
Location: Louisville
5,293 posts, read 6,054,135 times
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https://www.mlive.com/life/2023/04/c...entire-us.html

Grand Haven named one of the best beach towns in the country in yet another list. Seems relevant to the thread.
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Old 04-25-2023, 11:07 AM
 
Location: NYC & Media PA
840 posts, read 692,016 times
Reputation: 796
Ok great, wasnt aware of that area. Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by beachmouse View Post
For mountain biking, Grand Haven also puts you closer to the Manistee National Forest for weekend fun.
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Old 04-25-2023, 11:09 AM
 
Location: NYC & Media PA
840 posts, read 692,016 times
Reputation: 796
Thank you

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjlo View Post
https://www.mlive.com/life/2023/04/c...entire-us.html

Grand Haven named one of the best beach towns in the country in yet another list. Seems relevant to the thread.
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Old 04-25-2023, 06:34 PM
 
495 posts, read 326,999 times
Reputation: 1127
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjlo View Post
https://www.mlive.com/life/2023/04/c...entire-us.html

Grand Haven named one of the best beach towns in the country in yet another list. Seems relevant to the thread.
You probably didn't try to drive through it today, though. Ugh

I do like GH, don't get me wrong. Hate the traffic jams, though. I'm afraid it's become a victim of its own popularity.
Today, though, was a shift in the construction zone that caused the backup all the way down Beacon.
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