[Meg Lesher]

I'm interested in learning about the town and region of Big Rapids. What's the countryside like there? What's the soil like for gardening? How is it's economy faring in these hard times for the State? What's good and bad about the town? Is the political climate conservative? And anything else you care to mention. I tried pulling up previous threads, but discovered too many inclusions of threads which had the words "big" or "rapids" in them, and it's too early in the morning and I'm just too lazy to weed through all of them. Thanks for responding.

[Cato the Elder]

Several weeks ago, we met a couple from Big Rapids while dining at the Breakfast Club. They were visiting family and were thinking about moving back to metro Detroit. They met at Ferris and settled down in the area afterwards. The husband was a sheriff and the wife was in physical therapy; he loved it there while she hated it. He loved the relative seclusion of the area with zero traffic and the proximity to up north. They live by a lake where many second homes are located. She hated the transient nature of the neighborhood and distance to relatives in Detroit. The prices are good in Big Rapids, but there's a gut of houses as people forego beach homes these days, so I would think carefully before buying. She didn't like the lack of amenities like cultural events, shopping, etc. So in short, it sounds like you'll either love it or hate it.

[Robotdog]

I grew up in Big Rapids, and obviously it's changed -- but -- schools are very good. Because it's a college town you have more cultural events than similar sized cities elsewhere. If you're over 21 it's likely less fun. But -- it is safe, you are 4 hours from either Chicago or Detroit, and it is inexpensive! Tennis courts, swimming, private schools, etc. I don't think it's too conservative, either. Lots of parents on faculty have lived in other college towns, etc. lots of Democrats, in short. There are so many lakes nearby you can go to a different one every week. You can drive to Lake Michigan in 1 hour. There are concerts and cultural events sponsored by the college, so it may not be Chicago, but it is definitely worth a look.

[scottmi]

If you don't work for Ferris, don't bother moving here. The whole city survives & is based on the college and college students' existence.

As for the city itself, it's pretty crappy. You'll be spending most of your time in Grand Rapids for cultural, entertainment things so you might as well live there anyways.

[madpie]

Originally Posted by Robotdog

I grew up in Big Rapids, and obviously it's changed -- but -- schools are very good. Because it's a college town you have more cultural events than similar sized cities elsewhere. If you're over 21 it's likely less fun. But -- it is safe, you are 4 hours from either Chicago or Detroit, and it is inexpensive! Tennis courts, swimming, private schools, etc. I don't think it's too conservative, either. Lots of parents on faculty have lived in other college towns, etc. lots of Democrats, in short. There are so many lakes nearby you can go to a different one every week. You can drive to Lake Michigan in 1 hour. There are concerts and cultural events sponsored by the college, so it may not be Chicago, but it is definitely worth a look.

Robotdog is right on. It all depends what you want. If you like classic small town living, B.R. is good place for you. Some of the big city amenities without the big city hassle. If you like the outdoors, it is not bad. Muskegon River offers great fishing and recreation like canoeing and tubing. Ferris offers great cultural amenities. B.R. Public is a pretty good school system.

Some like me left because Michigan itself is too crowded and urban sprawl is rampet even in Big Rapids.

[JEG2010]

Wbrn is a local radio station and the newspaper is the pioneer and tri county. I usually check out the local media to try to get a general idea of how people in an area are. Most people here are pretty friendly and helpful. I grew up here and have recently moved back.