Kalamazoo, MI? What do I need to know...

[Singleminnie]

I am considering taking a new job in Kalamazoo, MI. I have done some research online regarding the community, but I would like to get some first hand knowledge before I move there with my girls. How is the ecomony there, I know Detroit and Flint have been hit hard. What are the schools like, I have one DD that would be in high school, one DD in middle school and another DD in first grade. I see there are several communities in Kalamazoo, which ones should I be looking at, I am thinking of renting a house or condo or duplex, prefer no apts. What are the housing prices in the area like? During my research I read somewhere a child that graduates from a public school can attend a state college for 4 years with free tuition? Is that true?

I know I can count on my DIS friends to help, thanks!

 

[dawson5]

I think the free tuition would be for kids in Michigan schools from the beginning. They would have been in school from K-12.

We used to live in Battle Creek. When we went house-hunting, we tried to get our realtor to take us to Gull Lake. He didn't, we found out later it was because he wasn't licensed in that county. We had people point us toward Gull Lake, Mattawan and Portage (I think--it's been 8+ years). I don't know a lot about K-zoo but do know that Battle Creek is hit pretty hard and there aren't a lot of jobs to go around. It's only 30 minute drive east of K-zoo.

 

[NMAmy]

During my research I read somewhere a child that graduates from a public school can attend a state college for 4 years with free tuition? Is that true?

No, that's not true.

I don't know that much about Kalamazoo but the entire state of Michigan is in a bad economic place right now. Hopefully, things are getting better than the last few years but right now money for education is being cut. Do some searches on new laws being passed and protests in Lansing.

ETA: I don't want to discourage you--I love Michigan and there are many wonderful things about living here.

 

[brookmey]

We're from MI but now live in TX. DH's best friend moved from Kalamazoo to Richmond when his kids started school because he thought the schools there were better. Kalamazoo is a pretty spread out city, but it's also a college town, with Kalamazoo College, which is very small, and Western MI University. So, it has its good and bad areas, and then the student slums.

There are a lot of small little towns around K-zoo, like Richmond, Gull Lake, Paw Paw that you could look into

 

[Julylady]

The free tuition program is called the Kalamazoo Promise. https://www.kalamazoopromise.com/

Kalamazoo is a nice community. It is home to a major state university, Western Michigan University; a renown small liberal arts college - Kalamazoo College; and a good comprehensive community college - Kalamazoo Valley CC.

It has taken a hit along with the rest of the Michigan economy, but in general things on the West side of the state (including Kalamazoo) are in much better financial shape than the East side (Detroit area).

Good luck with your research!

 

[Geoff_M]

No, that's not true.

I don't know that much about Kalamazoo but the entire state of Michigan is in a bad economic place right now. Hopefully, things are getting better than the last few years but right now money for education is being cut. Do some searches on new laws being passed and protests in Lansing.

ETA: I don't want to discourage you--I love Michigan and there are many wonderful things about living here.

The State certain is still lagging behind other places in terms of economic recovery, by the Kalamazoo area has fared a lot better economically than other parts of the state in recent years... and the State IS starting to recover. Southwest Michigan is a great place to raise a family and the cost of living here is very good.

 

[Singleminnie]

Thanks for the information, I am planning a road trip July 6th for my final interview and to look around the community. I will be looking for a house/condo or townhouse to rent too. I have started some online searching. I will be looking in Kalamazoo, and some surrounding communities. I will keep you updated!

 

[Beezle2]

I've lived in Kalamazoo for 20 years and I love it here! I have lived in small towns and cities as big as Dallas and I think we are just big enough but not too big. We have a good arts scene, lots of festivals downtown, many things to do.

The Kalamazoo Promise is an amazing benefit to families whose children attend KPs, it pays on a sliding scale, 100% for a student who attends from K-12 and down from there. We have a senior who is getting 80% and she started KPS in 4th grade. If I had to choose between our 2 high schools Kalamazoo Central or Loy Norrix I think I would take Central although they both have some student behavior issues to consider.

Avoid the Northside, Washington Square neighborhood, and some of the Eastside off Gull Road. We live in Westwood and it is nice here. I am very happy with our grade school King-Westwood, our dd will be a 4th grader there this Fall.

Have a nice visit!

 

[Geoff_M]

One small note on The Promise... It covers 100% of tuition only. With books, fees and room & board what they are at our state universities the deal only covers about 40% of college costs. Still a very good deal, but not the "free college" some people invision.

 

[Singleminnie]

Does anyone know anything about Comstock schools and Gull Lake schools?

 

[Beezle2]

Does anyone know anything about Comstock schools and Gull Lake schools?

>>

try GreatSchools.org they have some reviews there. All I can remember about Comstock is that they had some money problems recently and that my friend calls it "Cornstock", cause we live in the big city you know, lol.

 

[mom2d&b]

My sister lives in POrtage and loves it. Nice area, nice people, no complaints on the schools. Both boys are very active in sports ( high school and community leauges). DS8 just came back from his first visit there and his favorite thing was the grass. We are in FLA where our grass is more like weeds. So the soft northern grass was cool!
Good Luck on your trip next week.

 

[tiger_fan3]

We live in K-zoo. I have seen it recovering well, I am amazed sometimes at how many Help Wanted signs I see around town. We live in the Milwood neighborhood, which is a very nice established neighborhood. Westnedge Hill is very nice too. I personally am not crazy about the schools here, so we have chosen to homeschool, but we were considering one of the many Christian schools in town. Most of the outlying areas, like Portage, Mattawan, Parchment, Richland, Vicksburg and Schoolcraft, are very nice. I have heard good things about Gull Lake and Comstock school districts.

 

[Geoff_M]

Does anyone know anything about Comstock schools and Gull Lake schools?

The latest Kalamazoo region standardized test results for HS Juniors have just been announced. Mattawan was on top, followed by Gull Lake and both Portage high schools. Comstock lagged further behind.

 

[dawson5]

The latest Kalamazoo region standardized test results for HS Juniors have just been announced. Mattawan was on top, followed by Gull Lake and both Portage high schools. Comstock lagged further behind.

Those were the areas we were told to look at when we moved. Our shady realtor pushed us toward Harper Creek, I had to go and look at their results. They dropped considerably in math and raised marginally in reading. I am so glad to be out of that school district. Gull Lake was closest to what we were leaving school wise.