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Old 05-19-2009, 09:45 AM
a+a a+a started this thread
 
4 posts, read 12,486 times
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Hi, husband might start working in Kalamazoo soon and I would prefer to live in GR to have more job ops and things to do. I was wondering how it is to commute from GR to Kalamazoo everyday? Rain? Snow? Quality of roads?
Any good neighborhoods or towns btn GR and Kalamazoo that I should look into for housing?
Recommendations appreciated.

Thanks
a+a
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Old 05-19-2009, 10:42 AM
 
Location: East Grand Rapids, MI
845 posts, read 3,259,911 times
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Many people do it.

Personally, I would not line up that commute voluntarily.

It's long, busy, straight, boring and horrible in the snow.

But like I said, many people do it.

If you're trying to live in metro-GR and work in Kzoo, you'll want to look at the south-side of GR to minimize the commute. Byron Center is a nice community south of town with good schools and plentiful housing opportunities. You might wish to start your search there.
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Old 05-19-2009, 12:14 PM
a+a a+a started this thread
 
4 posts, read 12,486 times
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thanks very useful!
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Old 05-19-2009, 05:46 PM
 
Location: Southern Minnesota
5,984 posts, read 13,354,243 times
Reputation: 3365
Yes, you can, and it's not that bad. Just make sure to cut out any unnecessary driving to save on gas.
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Old 05-19-2009, 06:06 PM
 
Location: Niceville, FL
13,258 posts, read 22,667,152 times
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You will have lake effect snow issues a couple times a year, even though they're generally good at getting the plows out quickly, but you generally gen enough warning that you can plan any necessary 131 driving accordingly.
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Old 05-19-2009, 08:05 PM
a+a a+a started this thread
 
4 posts, read 12,486 times
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thanks! aside from byron center, any other areas I should check out for housing and schools?
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Old 05-19-2009, 08:09 PM
 
Location: Grand Rapids Metro
8,882 posts, read 19,768,464 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by a+a View Post
thanks! aside from byron center, any other areas I should check out for housing and schools?
The Southern parts of Wyoming are pretty decent, along the South Beltline. A lot of new homes and safe neighborhoods.
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Old 05-20-2009, 08:11 AM
 
Location: MI
1,069 posts, read 3,187,224 times
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I did that drive everyday for 3 years, it's not bad at all. They take pretty good care of 131 in the winter, but a handful of times I would get on S Division and take that all the way to K-zoo,(it parallels 131 and seemed to ba a safer route when it got real slick). Wayland seems like a nice little town and would cut down the distance to k-zoo.
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Old 05-20-2009, 12:18 PM
 
Location: Denver
2,969 posts, read 6,919,750 times
Reputation: 4866
My brother-in-law used to do that. He lives in Kentwood around Kalamazoo and 52nd......just jump on M-6 to 131 and you are good to go. It's not bad, especially if you are used to commuting.
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Old 05-20-2009, 05:43 PM
 
Location: Michigan
790 posts, read 2,311,382 times
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It's 51 miles. If you have kids or plan to have kids, you're better off living in Kalamazoo and commuting to GR, because they'll get the Kalamazoo Promise (free college tuition).
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