Living in Grand Rapids, MI: A Complete Guide on What to Expect
Grand Rapids, MI, has a population of just under 200,000, making it the second-largest city in the state, behind Detroit. Grand Rapids is a great choice if you're looking for a small but lively place to settle down. A quality city, it's also centrally located between Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis. There's plenty of beautiful nature to explore in Western Michigan, not to mention an expanse of lakes and forests to the north. In today's post, we're going to tell you everything you need to know about moving to Grand Rapids. Living in Grand Rapids has a lot to offer, so keep reading, and we'll cover all of the bases regarding indoor/outdoor recreation, housing, and the cost of living.
Popular Grand Rapids Neighborhoods
Grand Rapids itself is a relatively small city, but the metro area has upwards of 1 million inhabitants. If you're moving to Grand Rapids, the first thing you'll want to look at is the best neighborhoods in the city.
Creston
Creston is located in the northern part of Grand Rapids. It's home to countless small businesses, parks, and restaurants to accommodate your every need. It's also one of the largest neighborhoods in the city, so you'll be able to find plenty of housing options in Creston.
Ridgemoor
East Grand Rapids is a 10-minute drive to downtown, where you'll find all of the amazing restaurants and breweries that Grand Rapids is famous for. Ridgemoor itself is quiet, with many of the top schools in the city.
It's also located a short drive from the Grand Rapids airport and all of the major throughways that connect the city. It's the perfect place to settle down in your first Grand Rapids apartment.
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Eastown
Eastown is also located east of downtown Grand Rapids, but this community-forward neighborhood is walkable to downtown. Just north of Eastown, you'll find the Fulton Street Farmer's Market, along with plenty of other small businesses and fun things to do.
As one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, Eastown is home to many beautiful Tudor, Colonial, and Victorian-style homes.
Westside Connection
Westside Connection is another Grand Rapids neighborhood, this is west of downtown Grand Rapids. There, you'll find an eclectic mix of people who call it home. It's a quieter part of the city, and there are plenty of good schools there to boot.
Cost of Living
The median home listing in Grand Rapids is about $330,000, but the median sale price hovers around $280,000. If you're looking to rent, you find something great for $1,400 per month or under.
According to PayScale, the cost of living in Grand Rapids is 5% lower than the national average. You'll find savings on everything from groceries and transportation to healthcare, which comes with the small-town vibe of this mid-sized city in the Midwest.
Employment
Grand Rapids has become one of the top cities in the Midwest for remote work, but the job market is booming for workers of all kinds. Two of the biggest parts of the Grand Rapids economy are the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Perrigo and Corewell Health are two pharmaceutical giants that call Grand Rapids home. There's also the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, which is a top-ranked hospital in the country.
Outside of the healthcare industry, you'll also find plenty of jobs in manufacturing and grocery. If you're an aspiring brewer or restaurateur, Grand Rapids is also home to countless amazing breweries, making it one of the brewing capitals of the US. The average annual income for Grand Rapids residents is just over $50,000, which pairs well with its low cost of living.
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Schooling
In addition to a large number of fantastic primary and secondary schools, there are great colleges and universities in Grand Rapids. Calvin and Cornerstone are two top universities in the area where you can study things like engineering, nursing, business management, or psychology. If the arts are your thing, you can study at Kendall College of Art & Design, which is a separate campus connected to downtown Grand Rapids' Ferris State University. There's also Grand Rapids Community College, where you can study architecture, culinary arts, or child development, among other things.
A Green City
Grand Rapids is one of the most sustainable cities in the country. Few cities place value on reducing carbon emissions, but Grand Rapids has done so with a variety of sustainability initiatives over the years.
For example, Grand Rapids has LEED-certified microbreweries, transit stations, museums, and more! The Water Resource Recovery Facility uses a biodigester to transform methane from wastewater into renewable natural gas. You'll also find hybrid-electric buses all around the city's transit system.
Enjoy Outdoor Recreation
One of the reasons why Grand Rapids places so much importance on sustainability is because it's surrounded by nature. The gorgeous Grand River runs right through the center of the city. Millennium Park is one of 75 large parks in the city, featuring walking trails and small lakes.
The Blandford Nature Center and Calvin Ecosystem Preserve give you a chance to connect with the local flora and fauna without leaving the city. Outside the city, you'll find countless sandy beaches on the shores of Lake Michigan, which is an hour's drive away.
Arts and Culture
Grand Rapids is an artsy city. You can easily find yourself in a different gallery, museum, or performance venue on any given day. There are outdoor murals that give the city a vibrant and welcoming ambiance. The Grand Rapids Civic Theater is one of the oldest community theaters in the country. You'll also find plenty of local history in the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives. Grand Rapids is the place to be if you love art; the city hosts the World of Winter every year and ArtPrize, which brings the art of people around the world to the streets of the city for everyone to appreciate.
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Moving to Grand Rapids in 2024?
Moving to Grand Rapids is a fantastic life decision, as you can see. If you're looking for affordable housing, a low cost of living, and plenty of opportunities for a thriving social life and personal growth, there isn't a better city in the Midwest. It can still be tricky to find the perfect apartment. If you're fulfilling your dream of moving to Grand Rapids, apply for a place in The Preserve at Woodland. Our building is located near the Ridgemoor area of Grand Rapids, so contact us to schedule a tour today.