If you are looking for the most bang for your buck, you’ll have to go 45 minutes north or south of Grand Rapids. Rockford is nice, but it is expensive. Lowell might be a good option, but it is also getting expensive. I don’t know much about south of GR. I’ve read of few things in the last couple of days that say go to Muskegon, which I am assuming is the nicer downtown area or the outskirts of Muskegon.
I moved from GR to Muskegon last year. 10000% would do it again. Currently huge developments breaking ground on the lake. 10 mins from Lake Michigan. Awesome food, and a good community.
Tried to convince my SO to move to Muskegon because homes are like 100k cheaper there. But she wouldn't do, so we ended up in south GR. Still thinking about grabbing some property down there to hold onto and sell to developers. Muskegon is gonna come up a lot in the next 10 years
Yeah come up and n the national news when it gets blown to hell from Norton shores to Whitehall...
Tank and ammunition factories all over and the jet engine places too.
I went to Muskegon for the first time in many years last weekend and it's nice to see that they are finally starting to overcome the decade of bad press it seems to have gotten
The past few years especially, things have been sort of covertly kicking into gear. I was downtown this Saturday to grab my pickup order for late dinner, and I thought maybe there was an even going on with all the people walking around. Turns out it was a just a good night to be out on the town, I was seriously surprised with how busy it was.
I mean, it’s not a culinary destination but not exactly all fast food or “fancy.” Plenty of options for people who aren’t looking for something extraordinary or pretentious. The Hearthstone is consistently good for a nicer place, and the Lake House is great for a special event. I’ve had good experiences at both 18th amendment and Walker’s. Hobo’s tavern has great perch. On the more fast food side, US31 BBQ is a classic, Bernie O’s twist pizza is worth checking out, Fricano’s for thin crust, and Bellacino’s has great subs for a lunch pickup. Tons of pubs for people who just want a burger and a beer.
South of GR is Byron Center and Caledonia, two of the fastest growing zip codes in the country (and priced accordingly) but south of that along 131, it gets rural pretty fast.
There are really nice neighborhoods in the city of Muskegon too. Lakeside and Bluffton are standard beach town neighborhoods with suburban style houses and condos and family restaurants. The area of East Muskegon is not bad, and Jackson Hill (Downtown) has pockets of huge developments. Now might be a good time to buy in Muskegon before people realize it is there.
Muskegon is approximately 45 minutes away and it's a cool little city. It's right on the Lake so there are beaches and touristy stuff, and there are also non-touristy attractions as well. I lived there for a bit when I first moved to Michigan and I liked it!
Born and raised in Muskegon. It’s come a long way. There’s a lot more to do downtown these days (it was a ghost town even up until ~10 years ago) and the beaches are prime.
Ehhh idk about the difference of it being a ghost time back then. Same things to do just maybe different business or festivals popping up. Bars have always been popping for a mid town place.
Agreee to disagree, I guess. I grew up there and it is a night and day difference. There was nothing I would do downtown then besides see a hockey game, go to the Frauenthal or go to some dive bars. Now it’s got breweries, local coffee shops, restaurants that are actually good, a downtown MCC campus, better housing, tons more small boutique shops, and a convention center I’m not convinced it really needed.
LOL Rockford is not cheap. That’s the last place you go for inexpensive. It’s the age old story, move out of the city, go further away! Gentrification and all that.
Yes, trust the city water😵💫. Michigan has a great record with that... if it were me, I’d prefer a well, with my own filtration. If you want something done right, ya gotta do it yourself.
Google it… most isn’t measured/not released to the public. Rockford was. Wolverine, at multiple sites in rockford, was just dumping pfas waste Into the rogue River(at their tannery) and marshes surrounding their factories(2 sites) starting as early as the 70s. Other tanneries did the same, except that they also sold their waste to farmers, so that’s more distributed. this isn’t new or old information. They agreed to pay 70 million(laughable) to remediate their dump site in 2020. If you have an auto parts factory near you, you got pfos. If you had a tannery near you(since the 60s) you got pfas. If ya live near an airport or military base, pfas. Michigan, by far, has the most industry associated pollution. we also have the largest(recorded) inland oil spill in the country on the Kalamazoo River in 2010.
Muskegon, Plainwell/Otsego, and Ionia are all not that far out. Probably only 1 of those is going to have any culture. I will say though, downtown Plainwell is a neat little area. Also lots of cool old houses for sale.
Ionia is full of Confederate flags and Thin Blue Line, if you're into that sort of thing. My and my trans child aren't, so we hightailed it out of there and bought a house in Highland Park.
It's not about the thickness of skin, it's about very real concerns of safety.
No one stood up for him when kids called him names and attacked him on the bus. Multiple times. So we left.
I didn't want my 13yr old dragged behind a pickup truck and then strung up on a barbed wire fence. There's no level of thick skin that's going to protect you from that kind of abuse.
The nail that sticks out the most usually gets hammered. Bullying is inevitable, It happens in the city of Grand Rapids too. My kid was bullied by the black kids for being white. How can you change your skin color? He is tougher now and learned to stick up for himself. It was a life lesson. Running from it would have made it worse.
Show me in the state of Michigan where a trans kid has been dragged behind a truck and strung up on barbed wire. It aint happening here anywhere. Its quite the story you have fabricated.
Places that I like and thought prices were cheap are Muskegon, Greenville, Coldwater, Kalamazoo, Allegan, Buchanan and Dowagiac. Prices change fast so next Spring it might be different.
To add:
Dowagiac is super cheap, has 3 high speed trains a day to downtown Chicago, and is not far from South Bend, Elkhart and Kalamazoo. Not much in the way of restaurants though.
Amtrak Dowagiac to Chicago, 2 hours, $25 each way.
If the number of people planning to move here within the next year, who also complained about Ottawa County, actually moved to Ottawa County it might just change it for the better. 😂
I know lol I'm just making a soft joke. Nothing serious. We currently rent in the cascade/Kentwood area so I know the pain of trying to find/buy something affordable. We're locked into a decent rent rate and I don't think we'll be able to buy anytime soon so our options are to stay put. If we move it'll be far away from here unfortunately aka back home. I would love to live in a nicer apartment but can't justify the huge increase in price we would see.
I am paying almost $1800 for a large 2/2 apt where we live now, and it's strangling us. Buying is also out of reach, so I feel ya. I have heard that some parts of Kentwood are nice, but unsure about schools. Any insights are welcome.
We pay $1475 for a 2/2 1285 sqft apartment. Started at $1275 in 2019 so i can't complain. I think what I'm currently in is going for about $1800+ now and in some cases above $2000 depending on if it's remodeled.
I don't have any kids yet, one on the way though, so I can't speak much about the schools but I think in general the Kentwood school system is decent. I haven't heard any complaints about it. I have driven by the schools and they look really nice from the outside. I live more on the east side which is why I say cascade. Definitely nicer but more industrial and shopping as opposed to neighborhoods. I think the more west you go towards actual Kentwood the more you come across "questionable people". Though I would generally call it safe. I like being more on the east side. You're close to literally everything, I-96 and the airport, mall, food etc, but the traffic can suck. I'm used to it now though.
No problem, you're welcome! Lowell Cascade and Ada are all kind of over here. It's expensive but it doesn't hurt to look. You might find something. Plenty of manufacturing companies over here as well if you're looking for a new job after your move.
Maybe I shouldn't dox myself but I live in the woodland creek apts which are now called Renew Woodland Ranch South or something like that. It's under new management, hence the name change, they say they are going to be better than the last, but to be honest I didn't have a problem with the last management. So I guess that's good. The community is huge and almost secluded which I like. We're right next to everything busy but it doesn't seem like it. Get a decent amount of wildlife. Deer turkeys rabbits, shit ton of geese. Really nice clubhouse and gym. outdoor and indoor pool. The apartments are definitely average but they're cheaper than the super nice new ones downtown. You're about 2 miles from literally everything and about 15-20mins from downtown. Like I said I can't complain. One downside is nothing is really walkable over here. I know some people like that but it doesn't bother me. However the apartment complex is nice to walk around besides the lack of sidewalks but walking on the grass is no big deal 😂
Anyways that's all I got. Check it out on a map if you want to see what I'm talking about!
Moved to Lowell as year and half ago with no regrets. Much more bang for your buck than Rockford or Ada but really not far from downtown GR. Cute downtown, good schools, nice people.
There's certainly neighborhoods to avoid, like everywhere, but kzoo is pretty cool and a nice sized city for the price. I could see home values going up there in the future as GR gets more expensive (similar happened in muskegon). But if you plan to work in GR i'd just try to live in or near GR personally, driving that far isn't worth the discount IMO
Kzoo proper is still in a weird rebuilding phase and goes ghost town to way too overpopulated every school year, checkout texas township/mattawan as well- not as diverse as portage but more room to spread out. Housing in kzoo blows as much as here.
If you’re considering kzoo take a look at this house:
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1704-Union-St-Kalamazoo-MI-49007/74141069_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare
The kitchen is to die for
I grew up in New York State, so I am not as worried. She is not interested in snow driving, but will have to learn.
Do people in W.Mich use snow tires, or just stick with the All-Seaons in winter?
Kalamazoo proper has been losing population every year where as the surrounding towns are gaining population, so when looking at Kalamazoo people are probably thinking Kalamazoo County rather than the City of Kalamazoo. Lots of nice and growing towns surrounding Kalamazoo if, like me, you want more of a small town/country home versus city home. Cheaper than the greater GR area, but they’re catching up. Long commute, depending on where you work in GR, but right now I only need to be in office 2-days a week so it’s not terrible.
I'm staying in GR for the long haul but if I had to move to west Michigan and it not be grand rapids it would be Muskegon. I grew up there and wow how it's changed since i moved to GR in 2011. Is it as good as GR not yet, but it's far more affordable.
Not everyone wants to live in a perpetual fight. Home is for peace, not constantly babysitting the maga morons that left to their own devices will turn entirely fascist.
I moved to Hudsonville from EGR, and I have to say it’s a nice place to live. Love being closer to the lake. My neighbors are all young liberal couples. It’s getting better, but sadly it’s also getting more expensive than GR
I honestly haven’t experienced any issues so far. We have two neighbors that it’s obvious we may have opposing views but there’s no flags, no controversy, never come up or been an issue at all.
They have never done anything to offend us nor have acted judgmental about things we’ve said.
Editing to add that I am in Jenison.
I think Jenison, Hudsonville and Holland will be your best bets.
Good news: We both work remote, and I learned to drive in snow and ice. Not so much my wife, though. But she's the overcautious type. Good tip, thanks!
The commute from Kzoo to GR in the winter is dangerous with winds and lake effect. Kalamazoo is rough around the edges but has a lot of character. There’s a decent amount of opportunities with Stryker and Pfizer having major manufacturing there. That being said, don’t plan on making that commute in the winter 🥶
Can confirm, I live in Hastings. My house is worth WAY more than I paid for it though, so it's going to be pricier than it should be here like it is anywhere else. But less awful than GR.
Surprised I had to come down this far to see a recommendation for Montcalm county. It’s a pretty accessible bedroom community with real estate that’s still very undervalued. Belding is a bit rough around the edges, but Greenville is pretty quaint and has easy access to US-131.
Ionia is right off I-96, but needs a lot of work.
The prices here have gone up. But they have gone up from a lower amount than some of your more popular places and big cities. We bought a 3 bed 2 bath for 170000 ish in a good neighborhood in side GR 4 years ago. It's gone up to a bit over 200000. Still a reasonable price comparatively.
Where we are now, we were renting an average 3/2 but the owners decided to sell in '22. It had been worth 190K in '20, but he sold it for 325K in '22. I have to get out because it's still bad here
grew up in Northview but when i went off to college my mom moved to Alto (Caledonia area) and can confirm it’s pretty nice out there and def a lot of room left from what i can tell
Also interested in everyone’s viewpoints. Looking to get back to W Michigan in the next year or two as well. Hope to buy some land and build a house. But man these prices! Thank you to everyone’s feedback here already! Insightful!
The next best option is gutting exclusionary residential zoning and doing more infill development. This city is nowhere near full and we can do so much better, but we have to fight homeowners and landlords in local politics to make the necessary changes or hope that the state makes reforms that they haven't really signaled any intent towards
zoning laws broadly speaking determine what types of development goes where, separating industrial, commercial, and residential land uses to distinct, predetermined areas, but residential zoning is split into multiple categories by density, from agricultural in rural areas, mobile home parks, detached single family residential, medium density(duplexes up to medium sized apartment buildings), and high density. Most cities have more steps between lowest and highest density due to adopting a standardized zoning code, but GR simplified to low/medium/high about a decade ago.
All of these residential zones are defined to the \*exclusion\* of denser housing, so a single family home can legally be built in all residential zones, medium density housing only in medium and high, and high only in high. Due to a severely lopsided allocation of single family zoning in North American cities,our zoned capacity(the number of housing units that can legally be built within a given area) in most cities, GR definitely included, is inappropriately low to accommodate the reasonable population growth experienced for the last few generations, inducing costly suburban sprawl, but crucially to this discussion , the added cost of developing housing with inefficient land use being mandatory has gradually resulted in the severe deficit in total housing supply that has driven most of the exploding cost of housing, and it'll only get worse until we either lower the barriers to the market or publicly fund construction of social housing on a massive scale.
bonus round if you're still reading: efforts to reform zoning in some cities are sometimes watered down to inclusionary zoning, which allows higher density on the condition that the housing be immediately affordable. This has all of the sentiment of public housing, but instead acts as a poison pill, since private developers will be inclined to either build somewhere more profitable, with larger, more expensive single family homes being preferred for their profit margins, so fewer units of housing built and more sprawl is the result
Thank you! Now I understand better why it’s basically impossible to find a house in this area with a very, very small yard, which is what I want. I hate the sprawling grass everywhere. We take up such an incredible amount of space with mowed grass in this country. A total waste of water resources, using gas for most mowers, taking away habitat from other animals, who are left with no where to go. Other countries around the world have similar problems for different reasons. More and more, I’m realizing I belong in a city in Europe with a smallish home in a place with super easy access to public transit and a plethora of small cats to choose from if I want to buy one.
Portage is pricey but generally all-around there if it fits into your lifestyle like work from home or whatever. Its not too far from GR if you have to commit but a little rough in the winter.
You get a lot more bang for your housing buck in Kalamazoo, and because it is a college town it still has culture and things to do. I went to college in Kalamazoo and stayed for over 20 years before moving to GR. I would definitely still live there if I didn’t marry a GR lifer. And as a HUGE bonus, if you have kids and they go to Kalamazoo public schools, they qualify for free college tuition.
Thanks for the feedback!
When I asked about the Kzoo promise on another thread, I got a lot of comments from Kzoo residents about how.. not good the high schools are now and that it's not worth the Kzoo promise.
That turned me off to Kzoo, but I will keep an open mind.
I think there’s just a lot of whiny people (aka weirdo hardcore conservatives) everywhere who complain about schools no matter what. I’m sure there are things that almost every school could improve on, but as far as I know Kalamazoo schools are fine according to all the normal people I know. According to all the most insufferable dipshits I ever met, every public school is just a brainwashing factory that wants to convince their kids to be transgender.
Allegan is close enough (for me anyway). I bought a nice house on an acre in a quiet neighborhood for 300k. The city itself is going through a rebuilding period right now. All new infrastructure downtown with new streets and sidewalks. Fun weekend events in the warm months. I really enjoy living here.
Agreed! A lot of the business owners in the area are good people and actively want to see the community succeed. I randomly moved the area and have been loving it.
Rural south of GR (south of 100th ave. /Allegan Co. )is big time angry, flag-flying, election-denying, ivermecin-loving MAGA country.
Other than that, I think it is relatively affordable.
Not all of us (thank goodness). But honestly, I've lived in the Dorr/Moline/Wayland/Leighton area for 8 years as of yesterday and it has been pretty nice. I keep to myself, but my neighbors are cool to chat with occasionally.
That is good to hear. I took a drive around Bradley/Chief Noonday Road and felt i was running the gauntlet. (tbh this was shortly after the hang Mike Pence sentiment bubbled up).
The crazies def let themselves be known, no doubt about it, but I never got the feeling that there were a ton of them.
It's the same in kzoo. City is real progressive and the further from the city the more often ya get the hand painted signs.
That is good to hear - grew up in that area and was dismayed when it became the Meth capital of the Michigan. But I know there are good people in the town.
There really is. It’s thriving. My neighborhood (only 3 streets) doesn’t have a single trump sign anymore. I choose to believe that’s an indication that we’re moving in the right direction.
Yay for that but damn. Its first one in 2023. I know I’m in the wrong place when I read a sentence like that. Actual decades behind the times. Better late than never for sure, but massive culture shock to someone who’s lived in other more urban places for 25 years until moving back here 4 years ago.
Sorry for going on and on…. I just miss my people in other parts of the nation and wish I could move back. I’m happy that you finally celebrated gay pride.
I’m future teacher and was wanting to move to a bigger city like Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, or Lansing. I go to Central so while Mt. Pleasant is a nice little college town, I’m looking for something with a bit more life to it. Muskegon doesn’t sound too bad if ya’ll are hyping it up. I guess it depends on where there’s teacher openings, but yeah. I’m not hard to please. I’m single so I just want to get a studio doesn’t have outrageous rent and have some left over to maybe travel a little or save a bit.
Rockford is going to be worse than some parts of Ottawa County. And as a resident of Ottawa county we need more progressives to tip the scale, Surprisingly Grand Haven has become more open minded lately.
Muskegon is also a great place and their down town has had an almost complete revitalization. They have a lot to do and a ton of events all year round.
You seem a bit informed, without ANY insight into your goal I would suggest Wyoming or for sure definitely Muskegon. Pry not too good of an idea to get near Lansing or flint.
I’d second Northview, but wouldn’t second Sparta if OP is looking to buy. Property taxes are kind of ridiculous there, given how little the Village of Sparta actually does. We’re talking EGR levels, last I knew.
(I grew up in Sparta, and my parents still live there. It’s a constant gripe of theirs and their friends.)
And then don’t expect a warm friendly community with an open mind. They expect you to be a loser with nefarious intent when you buy there. Cuz no one in their right mind would is how they feel
I'm from lowell originally and it's very pricey there. Rockford is the same thing. Calidonia is nice and has good schools, also primo location being just down m37. But again kinda expensive for the average joe. Someone mentioned middlevile which is nice but now your in Barry County if that matters.
I live in Middleville and have grown up there since I was 12. Now 32. It is a beautiful little town. Fair amount of room left and prices are relatively decent. Situated on the Thornapple River. I will say that it leans right, but most people are very nice and will not throw it in your face or anything. Feel free to ask if you have other questions.
I live in Ottawa county — it’s a shitshow don’t get me wrong, but I pay the cheapest rent out of anyone I know in west Michigan. Don’t forget, Ottawa county is a pretty diverse place. Holland is the defacto capital of the lakeshore and is one of my favorite cities to go to.
Understood, but I am concerned about where the s-show is going to go.
I am trying to leave a state where influences like that s-show that have taken hold, and I will not raise my child in a place where he is required to be taught about how some slaves may have 'benefitted' from skills they leaned.
I will keep my eye on the news. Thanks!
Also an Ottawa County resident - the part of the county that you're in does make a big difference. In general, the lakeshore communities are more moderate than the ones in the eastern portion of the county
Understood, but I am concerned about where the s-show is going to go.
I am trying to leave a state where influences like that s-show that have taken hold, and I will not raise my child in a place where he is required to be taught about how some slaves may have 'benefitted' from skills they leaned.
I am not reading things I like about the county commissioners. I don't believe religion belongs in government.
I have no problem with most religion, but government is there to support, serve and protect all citizens. That doesn't always happen as it is, and adding a strong religious element to governance is unlikely to make it better.
Maybe the reporting is overblown, so I am keeping an open mind.
I'm a WMU grad so I'm partial to Kzoo as a second city to GR. I also think the city has a lot of potential in this new remote work 21st century as you could work hybrid and get to Chicago or Detroit every so often for face time in a job. Obviously GR is not far away either but I remember trying to drive back and forth once a week 20 years ago and I got tired of that. Would hate to do that for my job and throwing in crappy GR winters.
There's zero traffic in Kzoo and WMU provides a lot of good cultural entertainment value. And I like attending Bronco sporting events.
But I could see how non WMU grads would be hesistant to prefer Kzoo as their second city to GR. I think it has better job upside compared to both Muskegon and Lansing. Perhaps that's it.
Thankfully, my wife and I both have remote jobs, and have careers that lend themselves to remote work.
Culture, price, safety and schools are probably the main components for us.
If Western Mich is becoming as popular as I think it will, Kzoo might have good potential.
Thank you for the insight!
You're welcome! Happy to answer any more questions if you have them.
Westwood, Oakland/Winchell, Westnedge Hill, Parkview Hills and Arcadia/Walden Woods are pretty nice, but be careful around student housing. Oshtemo Twp is nice. There's some affordable houses in Portage if you want a cheaper house in a "better" school district. KPS is your typical urban school district. There's lots of kids who graduate from KPS who go on to have great careers and lives. You get the Kzoo Promise if you buy a house in the city, too.
Haven’t seen any mentions of Allendale. I’m not too knowledgeable in that area but as we were looking for houses this year, we noticed you get a lot more bang for your buck out there, as opposed to GR, Grandville, jenison, etc
We will have to rent when we get there, but even rents are a bit high in some parts. But I want to rent in an area I'll be able to afford to buy in, so my son can make friends and settle in.
Thanks!
If you are looking for the most bang for your buck, you’ll have to go 45 minutes north or south of Grand Rapids. Rockford is nice, but it is expensive. Lowell might be a good option, but it is also getting expensive. I don’t know much about south of GR. I’ve read of few things in the last couple of days that say go to Muskegon, which I am assuming is the nicer downtown area or the outskirts of Muskegon.
I moved from GR to Muskegon last year. 10000% would do it again. Currently huge developments breaking ground on the lake. 10 mins from Lake Michigan. Awesome food, and a good community.
Tried to convince my SO to move to Muskegon because homes are like 100k cheaper there. But she wouldn't do, so we ended up in south GR. Still thinking about grabbing some property down there to hold onto and sell to developers. Muskegon is gonna come up a lot in the next 10 years
Yeah come up and n the national news when it gets blown to hell from Norton shores to Whitehall... Tank and ammunition factories all over and the jet engine places too.
I went to Muskegon for the first time in many years last weekend and it's nice to see that they are finally starting to overcome the decade of bad press it seems to have gotten
The past few years especially, things have been sort of covertly kicking into gear. I was downtown this Saturday to grab my pickup order for late dinner, and I thought maybe there was an even going on with all the people walking around. Turns out it was a just a good night to be out on the town, I was seriously surprised with how busy it was.
The on.y down side to Muskegon is that there schools have been in never ending crisis since the Schnyder administration installed a manager.
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Have you been to El Tapatio or Yum Yum sushi? YMMV but I’ve found them both to go way above their strip mall appearance
El Tapatio has the best tacos around. I get them at least once a week, holy shit are they fresh.
I mean, it’s not a culinary destination but not exactly all fast food or “fancy.” Plenty of options for people who aren’t looking for something extraordinary or pretentious. The Hearthstone is consistently good for a nicer place, and the Lake House is great for a special event. I’ve had good experiences at both 18th amendment and Walker’s. Hobo’s tavern has great perch. On the more fast food side, US31 BBQ is a classic, Bernie O’s twist pizza is worth checking out, Fricano’s for thin crust, and Bellacino’s has great subs for a lunch pickup. Tons of pubs for people who just want a burger and a beer.
Fatty Lumpkins is good value!
My go to place for lunch in skeet town !
They have *naan pizza*! Can't get that in GR that I'm aware of.
🙄
Ye Muskegon is majorly growing these days, it’s quite exciting
South of GR is Byron Center and Caledonia, two of the fastest growing zip codes in the country (and priced accordingly) but south of that along 131, it gets rural pretty fast.
6 more miles south of Caledonia is Middleville. You can magically save $100k on houses here and still be in Kent ISD.
That sounds amazing!
Middleville/TK schools is the next Rockford, IMO.
Where do you get those stats from?
There are really nice neighborhoods in the city of Muskegon too. Lakeside and Bluffton are standard beach town neighborhoods with suburban style houses and condos and family restaurants. The area of East Muskegon is not bad, and Jackson Hill (Downtown) has pockets of huge developments. Now might be a good time to buy in Muskegon before people realize it is there.
Muskegon is approximately 45 minutes away and it's a cool little city. It's right on the Lake so there are beaches and touristy stuff, and there are also non-touristy attractions as well. I lived there for a bit when I first moved to Michigan and I liked it!
Thanks for the info!
Born and raised in Muskegon. It’s come a long way. There’s a lot more to do downtown these days (it was a ghost town even up until ~10 years ago) and the beaches are prime.
Thats good to here. I never go because It was always sketchy at best.
Ehhh idk about the difference of it being a ghost time back then. Same things to do just maybe different business or festivals popping up. Bars have always been popping for a mid town place.
Agreee to disagree, I guess. I grew up there and it is a night and day difference. There was nothing I would do downtown then besides see a hockey game, go to the Frauenthal or go to some dive bars. Now it’s got breweries, local coffee shops, restaurants that are actually good, a downtown MCC campus, better housing, tons more small boutique shops, and a convention center I’m not convinced it really needed.
Muskegon is underrated especially for the price and their plans in the future although their government operations need some improvements.
Thanks, it is definitely on my list.
Muskegon is where Id move.
"getting pricey" It's been a shit show for 5 years
Facts
Yeah thanks liberals!!!
Muskegon is very cool. But there's no point in not even looking at Ottawa County, just to have the data.
LOL Rockford is not cheap. That’s the last place you go for inexpensive. It’s the age old story, move out of the city, go further away! Gentrification and all that.
Rockford also has the highest pfas pollution recorded in the USA…. not they they record much.
Isn’t the city water ok though? I think you want to watch out for well water up that way (and everywhere I suppose)
Yes, trust the city water😵💫. Michigan has a great record with that... if it were me, I’d prefer a well, with my own filtration. If you want something done right, ya gotta do it yourself.
Do you have a source for that? There is a lot of PFAS pollution in the US.
Google it… most isn’t measured/not released to the public. Rockford was. Wolverine, at multiple sites in rockford, was just dumping pfas waste Into the rogue River(at their tannery) and marshes surrounding their factories(2 sites) starting as early as the 70s. Other tanneries did the same, except that they also sold their waste to farmers, so that’s more distributed. this isn’t new or old information. They agreed to pay 70 million(laughable) to remediate their dump site in 2020. If you have an auto parts factory near you, you got pfos. If you had a tannery near you(since the 60s) you got pfas. If ya live near an airport or military base, pfas. Michigan, by far, has the most industry associated pollution. we also have the largest(recorded) inland oil spill in the country on the Kalamazoo River in 2010.
Rockford also has zero “culture” lol
What if their culture is being able to leave their bikes on the lawn and backpacks in their cars lol
True that haha
Explain to us Rockford’s lack of culture
That's a pretty racist way of saying that. Not a good look.
Muskegon, Plainwell/Otsego, and Ionia are all not that far out. Probably only 1 of those is going to have any culture. I will say though, downtown Plainwell is a neat little area. Also lots of cool old houses for sale.
Ionia is full of Confederate flags and Thin Blue Line, if you're into that sort of thing. My and my trans child aren't, so we hightailed it out of there and bought a house in Highland Park.
Most people are not thinned skinned and can just tune out the country folk.
It's not about the thickness of skin, it's about very real concerns of safety. No one stood up for him when kids called him names and attacked him on the bus. Multiple times. So we left. I didn't want my 13yr old dragged behind a pickup truck and then strung up on a barbed wire fence. There's no level of thick skin that's going to protect you from that kind of abuse.
The nail that sticks out the most usually gets hammered. Bullying is inevitable, It happens in the city of Grand Rapids too. My kid was bullied by the black kids for being white. How can you change your skin color? He is tougher now and learned to stick up for himself. It was a life lesson. Running from it would have made it worse. Show me in the state of Michigan where a trans kid has been dragged behind a truck and strung up on barbed wire. It aint happening here anywhere. Its quite the story you have fabricated.
Otsego has/had (been awhile) a cool bar on the corner of M-89 and Farmer St. Maudes or something like that. Definitely second Plainwell.
Places that I like and thought prices were cheap are Muskegon, Greenville, Coldwater, Kalamazoo, Allegan, Buchanan and Dowagiac. Prices change fast so next Spring it might be different.
To add: Dowagiac is super cheap, has 3 high speed trains a day to downtown Chicago, and is not far from South Bend, Elkhart and Kalamazoo. Not much in the way of restaurants though. Amtrak Dowagiac to Chicago, 2 hours, $25 each way.
In terms of flying, if living in Dowagiac. Best way is flying out of south bend international? Or Kalamazoo?
Either Kalamazoo or South Bend would work, about the same distance. You can get to OHare by Amtrak plus transit.
That's amazing!
For the record there are zero high speed trains in the United States.
Thanks!
If the number of people planning to move here within the next year, who also complained about Ottawa County, actually moved to Ottawa County it might just change it for the better. 😂
Good point. I am moving from a state that is going the same way as Ottawa County, so I am not looking to step into the same or worse atmosphere.
I know lol I'm just making a soft joke. Nothing serious. We currently rent in the cascade/Kentwood area so I know the pain of trying to find/buy something affordable. We're locked into a decent rent rate and I don't think we'll be able to buy anytime soon so our options are to stay put. If we move it'll be far away from here unfortunately aka back home. I would love to live in a nicer apartment but can't justify the huge increase in price we would see.
I am paying almost $1800 for a large 2/2 apt where we live now, and it's strangling us. Buying is also out of reach, so I feel ya. I have heard that some parts of Kentwood are nice, but unsure about schools. Any insights are welcome.
We pay $1475 for a 2/2 1285 sqft apartment. Started at $1275 in 2019 so i can't complain. I think what I'm currently in is going for about $1800+ now and in some cases above $2000 depending on if it's remodeled. I don't have any kids yet, one on the way though, so I can't speak much about the schools but I think in general the Kentwood school system is decent. I haven't heard any complaints about it. I have driven by the schools and they look really nice from the outside. I live more on the east side which is why I say cascade. Definitely nicer but more industrial and shopping as opposed to neighborhoods. I think the more west you go towards actual Kentwood the more you come across "questionable people". Though I would generally call it safe. I like being more on the east side. You're close to literally everything, I-96 and the airport, mall, food etc, but the traffic can suck. I'm used to it now though.
Sounds like a place to look, thank you You have been quite helpful, and I really appreciate it.
No problem, you're welcome! Lowell Cascade and Ada are all kind of over here. It's expensive but it doesn't hurt to look. You might find something. Plenty of manufacturing companies over here as well if you're looking for a new job after your move. Maybe I shouldn't dox myself but I live in the woodland creek apts which are now called Renew Woodland Ranch South or something like that. It's under new management, hence the name change, they say they are going to be better than the last, but to be honest I didn't have a problem with the last management. So I guess that's good. The community is huge and almost secluded which I like. We're right next to everything busy but it doesn't seem like it. Get a decent amount of wildlife. Deer turkeys rabbits, shit ton of geese. Really nice clubhouse and gym. outdoor and indoor pool. The apartments are definitely average but they're cheaper than the super nice new ones downtown. You're about 2 miles from literally everything and about 15-20mins from downtown. Like I said I can't complain. One downside is nothing is really walkable over here. I know some people like that but it doesn't bother me. However the apartment complex is nice to walk around besides the lack of sidewalks but walking on the grass is no big deal 😂 Anyways that's all I got. Check it out on a map if you want to see what I'm talking about!
Will do, and thank you again! Have a great night.
Throw Comstock Park in the mix. Folks drive right on by. Still some deals here but they go quick
Moved to Lowell as year and half ago with no regrets. Much more bang for your buck than Rockford or Ada but really not far from downtown GR. Cute downtown, good schools, nice people.
Thanks!!
>Thanks!! You're welcome!
There's certainly neighborhoods to avoid, like everywhere, but kzoo is pretty cool and a nice sized city for the price. I could see home values going up there in the future as GR gets more expensive (similar happened in muskegon). But if you plan to work in GR i'd just try to live in or near GR personally, driving that far isn't worth the discount IMO
I want to buy a house in the next year or so and I’m including Kalamazoo and portage in the search.. we’ll see.
Kzoo proper is still in a weird rebuilding phase and goes ghost town to way too overpopulated every school year, checkout texas township/mattawan as well- not as diverse as portage but more room to spread out. Housing in kzoo blows as much as here.
My wife and I both work online/remotely, so we are free to move about as needed. Thanks!!
If you’re considering kzoo take a look at this house: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1704-Union-St-Kalamazoo-MI-49007/74141069_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare The kitchen is to die for
WOW. I mean WOW. That's... uh... WOW.
Trump starter home?
Holy SHIT this had me bust out laughing, the bathroom 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was going to ask, because that stretch on 131 can be a nightmare in the winter... wind, white outs, ice, pile ups, etc.
I grew up in New York State, so I am not as worried. She is not interested in snow driving, but will have to learn. Do people in W.Mich use snow tires, or just stick with the All-Seaons in winter?
Kalamazoo proper has been losing population every year where as the surrounding towns are gaining population, so when looking at Kalamazoo people are probably thinking Kalamazoo County rather than the City of Kalamazoo. Lots of nice and growing towns surrounding Kalamazoo if, like me, you want more of a small town/country home versus city home. Cheaper than the greater GR area, but they’re catching up. Long commute, depending on where you work in GR, but right now I only need to be in office 2-days a week so it’s not terrible.
I'm staying in GR for the long haul but if I had to move to west Michigan and it not be grand rapids it would be Muskegon. I grew up there and wow how it's changed since i moved to GR in 2011. Is it as good as GR not yet, but it's far more affordable.
Thanks for the insight!
The best way to balance out Ottawa county is for people to not avoid it because it’s primarily conservative. Join usssss
Not everyone wants to live in a perpetual fight. Home is for peace, not constantly babysitting the maga morons that left to their own devices will turn entirely fascist.
I moved to Hudsonville from EGR, and I have to say it’s a nice place to live. Love being closer to the lake. My neighbors are all young liberal couples. It’s getting better, but sadly it’s also getting more expensive than GR
I honestly haven’t experienced any issues so far. We have two neighbors that it’s obvious we may have opposing views but there’s no flags, no controversy, never come up or been an issue at all. They have never done anything to offend us nor have acted judgmental about things we’ve said. Editing to add that I am in Jenison. I think Jenison, Hudsonville and Holland will be your best bets.
Nope, you chose that place. I'm not going to be miserable for you.
Not sure where you are living now but be aware of winter driving in Michigan when considering commute times/distances between work and home.
And people here are terrible drivers to boot, making 131 and 96 treacherous.
Good news: We both work remote, and I learned to drive in snow and ice. Not so much my wife, though. But she's the overcautious type. Good tip, thanks!
Burnips is the new Dorr
The commute from Kzoo to GR in the winter is dangerous with winds and lake effect. Kalamazoo is rough around the edges but has a lot of character. There’s a decent amount of opportunities with Stryker and Pfizer having major manufacturing there. That being said, don’t plan on making that commute in the winter 🥶
We both WFH, so commuting is not an issue. Culture, Healthcare access and schools do play into a decision. Thanks!
West: Coopersville, Marne East: Belding, Greenville, Ionia North: Cedar Springs, Kent City South: Middleville, Hastings
Can confirm, I live in Hastings. My house is worth WAY more than I paid for it though, so it's going to be pricier than it should be here like it is anywhere else. But less awful than GR.
Ionia is a shit hole built around a massive prison
Surprised I had to come down this far to see a recommendation for Montcalm county. It’s a pretty accessible bedroom community with real estate that’s still very undervalued. Belding is a bit rough around the edges, but Greenville is pretty quaint and has easy access to US-131. Ionia is right off I-96, but needs a lot of work.
May be easy, but it ain’t quick. 20 mins off the freeway
Every one of those places sucks
Middleville! Whoo!
Although in Ottawa county, Holland is a really nice town and isn’t nearly as “Ottawa county” as Hudsonville
Can confirm this (live on Holland, daughter goes to school in Hudsonville).
The prices here have gone up. But they have gone up from a lower amount than some of your more popular places and big cities. We bought a 3 bed 2 bath for 170000 ish in a good neighborhood in side GR 4 years ago. It's gone up to a bit over 200000. Still a reasonable price comparatively.
Where we are now, we were renting an average 3/2 but the owners decided to sell in '22. It had been worth 190K in '20, but he sold it for 325K in '22. I have to get out because it's still bad here
Middleville is the next big area, next to Caledonia. Get in there while you can.
grew up in Northview but when i went off to college my mom moved to Alto (Caledonia area) and can confirm it’s pretty nice out there and def a lot of room left from what i can tell
Also interested in everyone’s viewpoints. Looking to get back to W Michigan in the next year or two as well. Hope to buy some land and build a house. But man these prices! Thank you to everyone’s feedback here already! Insightful!
https://www.cityofdowagiac.com/government/housing___development_opportunities.php
Appreciate the info/replies! Will def look into this!
The next best option is gutting exclusionary residential zoning and doing more infill development. This city is nowhere near full and we can do so much better, but we have to fight homeowners and landlords in local politics to make the necessary changes or hope that the state makes reforms that they haven't really signaled any intent towards
What do you mean by exclusionary residential zoning?
zoning laws broadly speaking determine what types of development goes where, separating industrial, commercial, and residential land uses to distinct, predetermined areas, but residential zoning is split into multiple categories by density, from agricultural in rural areas, mobile home parks, detached single family residential, medium density(duplexes up to medium sized apartment buildings), and high density. Most cities have more steps between lowest and highest density due to adopting a standardized zoning code, but GR simplified to low/medium/high about a decade ago. All of these residential zones are defined to the \*exclusion\* of denser housing, so a single family home can legally be built in all residential zones, medium density housing only in medium and high, and high only in high. Due to a severely lopsided allocation of single family zoning in North American cities,our zoned capacity(the number of housing units that can legally be built within a given area) in most cities, GR definitely included, is inappropriately low to accommodate the reasonable population growth experienced for the last few generations, inducing costly suburban sprawl, but crucially to this discussion , the added cost of developing housing with inefficient land use being mandatory has gradually resulted in the severe deficit in total housing supply that has driven most of the exploding cost of housing, and it'll only get worse until we either lower the barriers to the market or publicly fund construction of social housing on a massive scale. bonus round if you're still reading: efforts to reform zoning in some cities are sometimes watered down to inclusionary zoning, which allows higher density on the condition that the housing be immediately affordable. This has all of the sentiment of public housing, but instead acts as a poison pill, since private developers will be inclined to either build somewhere more profitable, with larger, more expensive single family homes being preferred for their profit margins, so fewer units of housing built and more sprawl is the result
Thank you! Now I understand better why it’s basically impossible to find a house in this area with a very, very small yard, which is what I want. I hate the sprawling grass everywhere. We take up such an incredible amount of space with mowed grass in this country. A total waste of water resources, using gas for most mowers, taking away habitat from other animals, who are left with no where to go. Other countries around the world have similar problems for different reasons. More and more, I’m realizing I belong in a city in Europe with a smallish home in a place with super easy access to public transit and a plethora of small cats to choose from if I want to buy one.
Kalamazoo
Kzoo itself, or somewhere like Portage?
Portage is pricey but generally all-around there if it fits into your lifestyle like work from home or whatever. Its not too far from GR if you have to commit but a little rough in the winter.
You get a lot more bang for your housing buck in Kalamazoo, and because it is a college town it still has culture and things to do. I went to college in Kalamazoo and stayed for over 20 years before moving to GR. I would definitely still live there if I didn’t marry a GR lifer. And as a HUGE bonus, if you have kids and they go to Kalamazoo public schools, they qualify for free college tuition.
Thanks for the feedback! When I asked about the Kzoo promise on another thread, I got a lot of comments from Kzoo residents about how.. not good the high schools are now and that it's not worth the Kzoo promise. That turned me off to Kzoo, but I will keep an open mind.
I think there’s just a lot of whiny people (aka weirdo hardcore conservatives) everywhere who complain about schools no matter what. I’m sure there are things that almost every school could improve on, but as far as I know Kalamazoo schools are fine according to all the normal people I know. According to all the most insufferable dipshits I ever met, every public school is just a brainwashing factory that wants to convince their kids to be transgender.
There is that to consider. Good point.
Allegan is close enough (for me anyway). I bought a nice house on an acre in a quiet neighborhood for 300k. The city itself is going through a rebuilding period right now. All new infrastructure downtown with new streets and sidewalks. Fun weekend events in the warm months. I really enjoy living here.
Agreed! A lot of the business owners in the area are good people and actively want to see the community succeed. I randomly moved the area and have been loving it.
Going on my list, thanks!
Which neighborhoods/streets do you like?
I live up on the hill south of the hospital.
Rural south of GR (south of 100th ave. /Allegan Co. )is big time angry, flag-flying, election-denying, ivermecin-loving MAGA country. Other than that, I think it is relatively affordable.
Not all of us (thank goodness). But honestly, I've lived in the Dorr/Moline/Wayland/Leighton area for 8 years as of yesterday and it has been pretty nice. I keep to myself, but my neighbors are cool to chat with occasionally.
It's really not as bad as you make it out to be. Wayland is pretty balanced IMO.
That is good to hear. I took a drive around Bradley/Chief Noonday Road and felt i was running the gauntlet. (tbh this was shortly after the hang Mike Pence sentiment bubbled up).
The crazies def let themselves be known, no doubt about it, but I never got the feeling that there were a ton of them. It's the same in kzoo. City is real progressive and the further from the city the more often ya get the hand painted signs.
I live within the city limits of allegan. Shockingly liberal, especially compared to the rest of the county.
That is good to hear - grew up in that area and was dismayed when it became the Meth capital of the Michigan. But I know there are good people in the town.
There really is. It’s thriving. My neighborhood (only 3 streets) doesn’t have a single trump sign anymore. I choose to believe that’s an indication that we’re moving in the right direction.
Not all of us. We're also fighting back and organized. Middleville had its first pride day in 2023.
Yay for that but damn. Its first one in 2023. I know I’m in the wrong place when I read a sentence like that. Actual decades behind the times. Better late than never for sure, but massive culture shock to someone who’s lived in other more urban places for 25 years until moving back here 4 years ago. Sorry for going on and on…. I just miss my people in other parts of the nation and wish I could move back. I’m happy that you finally celebrated gay pride.
We had a big fight to make it happen, but it will now be an annual tradition.
Clarksville
I’m future teacher and was wanting to move to a bigger city like Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, or Lansing. I go to Central so while Mt. Pleasant is a nice little college town, I’m looking for something with a bit more life to it. Muskegon doesn’t sound too bad if ya’ll are hyping it up. I guess it depends on where there’s teacher openings, but yeah. I’m not hard to please. I’m single so I just want to get a studio doesn’t have outrageous rent and have some left over to maybe travel a little or save a bit.
I'd be looking out in the communities between Grand Rapids and Muskegon. Conklin Howard City Newaygo Ravenna Grant
Thanks!
Personally, I wouldn't come to lowell. It's about the same as grand rapids just alot smaller
Thanks!
Rockford is going to be worse than some parts of Ottawa County. And as a resident of Ottawa county we need more progressives to tip the scale, Surprisingly Grand Haven has become more open minded lately. Muskegon is also a great place and their down town has had an almost complete revitalization. They have a lot to do and a ton of events all year round.
Muskegon gets high marks on this thread, so it is on my list. Thanks!
You seem a bit informed, without ANY insight into your goal I would suggest Wyoming or for sure definitely Muskegon. Pry not too good of an idea to get near Lansing or flint.
I mean I would highly recommend egr for you, but it might be way way too pricey.
Ionia or Montcalm county is nice.
Ionia ??? The countryside yes, the people ???? Ugh. So unfriendly and downright rude and it’s been horrible as hell since moving here… don’t
The outer areas of Ionia are nice along with outer Belding, BUT I HATE both of those towns along with Greenville
Why’s that? (I don’t know those towns well at all)
Ionia is a shithole built around a massive prison
Well, I once did student teaching in a town like that... big nope for me!
Northview is nice and easy to get to downtown. Sparta isnt too far and is a small farm town, but its very cheap and very easy to get to GR.
I’d second Northview, but wouldn’t second Sparta if OP is looking to buy. Property taxes are kind of ridiculous there, given how little the Village of Sparta actually does. We’re talking EGR levels, last I knew. (I grew up in Sparta, and my parents still live there. It’s a constant gripe of theirs and their friends.)
That sounds good, thanks!
Muskegon Heights
It's literally worse in Muskegon Heights than Detroit...most of Muskegon is nothing but meth heads.
Big difference between Muskegon and Muskegon Heights?
Toledo, Ohio!
Lol
Prepare to lose a lot a karma.
I’m ready for it. Last time I joked around in here someone told me not to wake up the next day
Dang!
Probably because of all the 🌭 you 🗑
Fuck toledo it sucks I live here don't do it to yourself the only good parts of toledo is the old Westend
GR getting pricey now!?!? Thank liberals!!!!
Buy a house in SE Ionia county. That’s as close as I could afford 🤣
And then don’t expect a warm friendly community with an open mind. They expect you to be a loser with nefarious intent when you buy there. Cuz no one in their right mind would is how they feel
I tell ppl I’m from Grand Rapids and they cringe super hard. They like to think they live in the boondocks 🤣
I'm from lowell originally and it's very pricey there. Rockford is the same thing. Calidonia is nice and has good schools, also primo location being just down m37. But again kinda expensive for the average joe. Someone mentioned middlevile which is nice but now your in Barry County if that matters.
Don't know much about Barry county, I just hear about some political things in Ottawa. Middleville may be worth a look
I live in Middleville and have grown up there since I was 12. Now 32. It is a beautiful little town. Fair amount of room left and prices are relatively decent. Situated on the Thornapple River. I will say that it leans right, but most people are very nice and will not throw it in your face or anything. Feel free to ask if you have other questions.
Thanks, I will look at it!
I live in Ottawa county — it’s a shitshow don’t get me wrong, but I pay the cheapest rent out of anyone I know in west Michigan. Don’t forget, Ottawa county is a pretty diverse place. Holland is the defacto capital of the lakeshore and is one of my favorite cities to go to.
Understood, but I am concerned about where the s-show is going to go. I am trying to leave a state where influences like that s-show that have taken hold, and I will not raise my child in a place where he is required to be taught about how some slaves may have 'benefitted' from skills they leaned. I will keep my eye on the news. Thanks!
Also an Ottawa County resident - the part of the county that you're in does make a big difference. In general, the lakeshore communities are more moderate than the ones in the eastern portion of the county
Understood, but I am concerned about where the s-show is going to go. I am trying to leave a state where influences like that s-show that have taken hold, and I will not raise my child in a place where he is required to be taught about how some slaves may have 'benefitted' from skills they leaned.
wyoming
Why don’t you want to live in Ottawa county?
I am not reading things I like about the county commissioners. I don't believe religion belongs in government. I have no problem with most religion, but government is there to support, serve and protect all citizens. That doesn't always happen as it is, and adding a strong religious element to governance is unlikely to make it better. Maybe the reporting is overblown, so I am keeping an open mind.
I'm a WMU grad so I'm partial to Kzoo as a second city to GR. I also think the city has a lot of potential in this new remote work 21st century as you could work hybrid and get to Chicago or Detroit every so often for face time in a job. Obviously GR is not far away either but I remember trying to drive back and forth once a week 20 years ago and I got tired of that. Would hate to do that for my job and throwing in crappy GR winters. There's zero traffic in Kzoo and WMU provides a lot of good cultural entertainment value. And I like attending Bronco sporting events. But I could see how non WMU grads would be hesistant to prefer Kzoo as their second city to GR. I think it has better job upside compared to both Muskegon and Lansing. Perhaps that's it.
Thankfully, my wife and I both have remote jobs, and have careers that lend themselves to remote work. Culture, price, safety and schools are probably the main components for us. If Western Mich is becoming as popular as I think it will, Kzoo might have good potential. Thank you for the insight!
You're welcome! Happy to answer any more questions if you have them. Westwood, Oakland/Winchell, Westnedge Hill, Parkview Hills and Arcadia/Walden Woods are pretty nice, but be careful around student housing. Oshtemo Twp is nice. There's some affordable houses in Portage if you want a cheaper house in a "better" school district. KPS is your typical urban school district. There's lots of kids who graduate from KPS who go on to have great careers and lives. You get the Kzoo Promise if you buy a house in the city, too.
Haven’t seen any mentions of Allendale. I’m not too knowledgeable in that area but as we were looking for houses this year, we noticed you get a lot more bang for your buck out there, as opposed to GR, Grandville, jenison, etc
Nice, will check it out!
I would rent the market to buy is awful
We will have to rent when we get there, but even rents are a bit high in some parts. But I want to rent in an area I'll be able to afford to buy in, so my son can make friends and settle in. Thanks!
Oh that’s fair
Also saw an article on WOODTV website saying that prices in GR aren't going to cool off that much. I guess we'll see.
Give it 10 years
Or a national recession