Grand Rapids Michigan

[marius97]

Fire14. Funny that you are giving me advice about living in Michigan...as I see you also say you are in Ashley Ohio...we are in Delaware!

So happy for all the advice. My husband is big on weekend trips, and would love to have a weekend place...ahh. dare to dream! Keep it comin'!

From someone that has lived in michigan 31 out of my 33 years, but was born in Ohio, I must say....Go Buckeyes!!!

 

[EpcotIsMyFave]

So, I'm not from Grand Rapids, but Grand Haven which is about 40 minutes West. You have gotten excellent advice and information from this thread and I don't have much to add! Grand Rapids has so much that a metropolitan city has, without the terrible, horrible traffic! Great riverfront, culture, places for kids to play and learn. Oh, and lots of yummy places to eat!

Best of luck to you!!!

PS... I had no idea there were so many West Michiganders on the DIS!!!

 

[Fire14]

Fire14. Funny that you are giving me advice about living in Michigan...as I see you also say you are in Ashley Ohio...we are in Delaware!

So happy for all the advice. My husband is big on weekend trips, and would love to have a weekend place...ahh. dare to dream! Keep it comin'!

I'm a gander girl but marriage dragged me to OH. I have friends that live in GR and both my parents are from GR. I still spend WAYYYYYYYYYYY to much time of my vists home in GR, not the beach 5 min from parents home but 30+ min away in Grand Rapids/ Wyoming area.

 

[Fire14]

So, I'm not from Grand Rapids, but Grand Haven which is about 40 minutes West. You have gotten excellent advice and information from this thread and I don't have much to add! Grand Rapids has so much that a metropolitan city has, without the terrible, horrible traffic! Great riverfront, culture, places for kids to play and learn. Oh, and lots of yummy places to eat!

Best of luck to you!!!

PS... I had no idea there were so many West Michiganders on the DIS!!!

I so agree but 28th street can be an adventure at times LOL.

 

[Girschle]

I'm also from west Michigan. I grew up in Grandville and it was a great place to live. I now live in Jenison (Georgetown township) which is next door to Grandville. I love the area and plan on staying here my whole life. We are only 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids and only about 20 minutes to Lake Michigan. I would suggest checking out Jenison. We have very low property taxes in Georgetown Township compared to the rest of the area. The school system is great. Our elementary school ranked 1st in Michigan on schooldigger.com

 

[BrightScouter]

We also live near GR. Actually to the East in Lowell. We moved here from the Battle Creek area and love it here. Good schools, and a great community. Interesting mix of business people and farmers. Dis meet in the area would be great with all these people here!

 

[tcmsu]

Pretty good advice from everyone so far...I've lived here pretty much all my life, and as people have said, there are some great houses for sale right now at great prices.
You didn't really say how old your kids were and if you were looking elementary or high schools, but If I were moving to the area,
here's where I would look:

North of Grand Rapids - Rockford or Northview Schools
West/Southwest of Grand Rapids - Grandville, Jenison, Hudsonville Schools
East of Grand Rapids - Forest Hills or Lowell Schools
South of Grand Rapids - Caledonia

Family members and friends have been very involved in various school districts around the area - from teachers, to principals, and superintendents,
and I wouldn't hesitate recommending any of the above schools.

All areas are within at most 30 minutes of downtown GR, and I rarely have to drive anywhere in and around GR that I can't make from my house in more than 40 minutes.
3 Hours to Chicago, 2.5 hours to Detroit, 3 Hours to Petosky (We love Northern Michigan too...)

Like others have said, its a great area to live in for families with lots to do and lots of future potential with the medical community pushing growth in the area.

If you have any specific questions if this does become a reality, don't hesitate to let us know....

 

[cjnix29]

I see a west MI dis meet in our future I never realized how many disers lived on west side of state.

We can have one at my house IF we end up moving. I can give you all boxes to unpack! I'll even play Disney music on the stereo. "Hi ho, hi ho...it's off to work, I go"!

 

[bear_mom]

We lived in Holland (about a half hour commute west from GR, on the Lakeshore) for 9 years up until this past Jan. when DH changed jobs and we moved over to the east side of the state. I really miss the area...my kids were in a great charter school. If I were moving to the GR area, I'd target the west side, Wyoming, Grandville, and out toward Holland. It is a more conservative area, but we liked that (family oriented).

I agree, the west side of the state is much nicer than the east side. I find us taking all of our vacations (we camp alot) in either northern or western MI. I have found winter much easier to tolerate on the western side also.

Skiing is a great way to pass the winter months - coming from someone whose husband ski patrols so we are skiing every other weekend in the winter months.

Emily

 

[Fire14]

We can have one at my house IF we end up moving. I can give you all boxes to unpack! I'll even play Disney music on the stereo. "Hi ho, hi ho...it's off to work, I go"!

Hey i'm all for it.

 

[cjnix29]

ok,looks like this is REALLY a possibility now. almost a done deal. His job will be somewhere on the southeast side. We are headed up that way this weekend to check things out. Anyone have any suggestions as to what to see on a whirlwind tour? Have to get serious about areas/schools now!! ugh...the thought of selling my house. fun stuff!

 

[sTINKS]

Yeah for you! I live on the SW side of GR, in the Grandville school district. I am very happy with our elementary schools here! You might try looking at Caledonia Township, Byron Center (BC is pretty conservative), Grandville if you want to stay on the south side of town. I would be comfortable putting my kids in any of those school districts. The commutes here really aren't too bad if you choose another end of town. Traffice flows well on the highways - especially compared to many large US cities. The weather is supposed to be a little cooler this weekend, which will be great for sightseeing. Enjoy your weekend. Let us know what you did and saw while you were here. Downtown GR is definately worth checking out. Where are you staying?

 

[sTINKS]

Here's a couple of website if you are looking for some weekend activities

www.grnow.com
www.grkids.com

 

[cjnix29]

sTINKS....hey...I noticed you are heading to WDW in a couple of weeks. We will be there in two and a half!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Although I knew I wasn't alone, I'm surprised at just how many of us there are

You will be in good company if you do move OP

As far as recommendations go, I think you've had some really good advice. If you are looking at the SE side of GR I would recommend Caledonia. It's a little bit rural but the schools and community are really nice with a very low crime rate and it's just far enough East of the lake that they don't get quite as much lake effect snow as everyone West of US131. That makes a huge difference on whether you get 2 inches of snow or 22 inches. I live due West of GR (halfway between GR and Grand Haven) and have called this home for 34 years. Other than the long cold winters and the bad economy I love it here. The beaches ROCK during the summer

 

[Not so Dumbo]

sTINKS....hey...I noticed you are heading to WDW in a couple of weeks. We will be there in two and a half!

We will be there too Heading down on the 24th, I just never got around to creating a ticker for this trip

Staying at the Beach Club

 

[DawnM]

I have a friend who just moved to Holland, MI and so far she really likes it. She moved from Hawaii, so that is saying a LOT! Her kids are attending private school though, so can't comment on how she likes the schools.

Dawn

 

[cjnix29]

We will be there too Heading down on the 24th, I just never got around to creating a ticker for this trip

Staying at the Beach Club

We'll be at the Yacht Club from the 25-28. Maybe we'll see you at SAB!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

We'll be at the Yacht Club from the 25-28. Maybe we'll see you at SAB!

Absolutely! My DH and DD4 will be with me and we are planning to spend alot of time a SaB. Praying for hurricane free weather!!

 

[kwhite1022]

Another michigander checking in! I live in Hastings MI, which is about 30 minutes from GR, I drive to Caledonia for my daughter to attend their dance center, and love that area! Im from the Upper Pennisula as is my hubby, we wanted to live down state for the jobs. We have a small town feel in Hastings, love the schools, the people and like having GR, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek all within less than a hour drive. Yes this side of the state is doing alot better, and man can you get a steal on a house!! Best of luck to you, hope you find all the answers you need.