Why live in West Michigan?

West Michigan is home to affordable living, great communities, and safe neighborhoods. In fact, West Michigan was ranked one of the best places to live in 2018.

Is West Michigan a good place to live?

Compared to other major metropolitan areas in the United States, West Michigan offers a remarkably affordable cost of living. Whether you decide to live in a city or a suburban community, home prices are generally more reasonable, allowing residents to enjoy a higher standard of living without breaking the bank.

Why are so many people moving to Grand Rapids Michigan?

Low Unemployment. Grand Rapids is one of the best cities to find a job! Grand Rapids ranked 26th in the nation on WalletHub's Best Cities for Jobs in 2023 analysis. As of September 2021, the unemployment rate in Grand Rapids, Michigan has generally been comparable to the national average in the United States.

What are the pros and cons of living in Grand Rapids Michigan?

On the positive side, Grand Rapids boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, an affordable cost of living, excellent craft beer options, beautiful natural scenery, and a bustling downtown area. However, some potential downsides to living in Grand Rapids include harsh winters, high property taxes, and limited nightlife.

Is West Michigan rural?

Urban city, small town, or rural areas—the West Michigan region has a diverse set of communities catering to everyone. No matter where you live, you're just a quick drive, or maybe even a short walk, from work, schools, volunteer opportunities, and cultural events.

Living in West Michigan PROS and CONS!

What is the unemployment rate in West Michigan?

Basic Info. Grand Rapids, MI Unemployment Rate is at 3.70%, compared to 3.50% last month and 4.10% last year. This is lower than the long term average of 7.31%.

What is considered West Michigan?

West Michigan and Western Michigan are terms for a region in the U.S. state of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Generally, it refers to the Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland area, and more broadly to most of the region along the Lower Peninsula's Lake Michigan shoreline, but there is no official definition.

What are the cons of living in Michigan?

Is Grand Rapids or Detroit better?

Grand Rapids has always had a good balance of affordable cost of living. Over the years, Detroit has been known for having this resurgence in the downtown community, which has made it a little bit more expensive than the Grand Rapids community, but it's fairly close.

Why are people moving away from Michigan?

A 2022 study by United Van Lines reported outbound moves from Michigan were a mix of GenXers and retiring baby boomers. Many reported wanting to be closer to family, or had lifestyle changes due to retirement. Younger people reported wanting to locate to more vibrant cities that had better job opportunities.

Why is Michigan losing population?

From 2011 to 2020, more Americans left the state than moved into it. Within Michigan, townships in the southeastern portion of the state and around Grand Rapids and Traverse City showed considerable population growth between 2010 and 2020. During this time, much of the rest of the state slowly lost population.

What is the nicest area in Grand Rapids?

What is the best city to live in West Michigan?

Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids headline the list of West Michigan neighborhoods ranked by U.S. News and World Report as among the best places to live in America. A recent WalletHub report ranked Holland, East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, and Jenison as the top West Michigan cities to raise a family.

Where do most millionaires live in Michigan?

Barton Hills – The Richest City in Michigan

Barton Hills, a village within Ann Arbor Charter Township, holds the coveted title of the richest city in Michigan. With a median household income surpassing $250,000 per year and an average household income of $421,909, it stands out as an affluent municipality in the state.

What part of Michigan is best to live in?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. –

The site recently released its “Best Places to Live in Michigan” list for 2023-2024, with Ann Arbor firmly in first place.

Why is Grand Rapids popular?

Nestled in the heart of Michigan, Grand Rapids has earned its reputation as a vibrant destination with many offerings. The city provides residents with a diverse array of attractions, including vibrant arts, renowned museums, flourishing craft beer, and outdoor recreation.

Why is Grand Rapids so nice?

Grand Rapids is near many of Michigan's famous freshwater beaches! Hop in your car, drive west for 45 minutes, and you will find miles of pristine Lake Michigan beach. Holland and Grand Haven are the two closest beaches, but the entire west side of the state is littered with fantastic beach towns.

Is Grand Rapids a beautiful city?

According to Travel + Leisure dot com, Grand Rapids comes in at number two on its list of “10 Most Beautiful and Affordable Places to Live in the U.S.”

Why do people love living in Michigan?

With its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, thriving economy, affordable housing, top-notch education institutions, vibrant arts, and entertainment scene, and much more, Michigan offers a multitude of reasons why it's the perfect state to move to.

How much should you make to live comfortably in Michigan?

- As inflation hits people in Mid-Michigan hard many are finding it more difficult to make ends meet. According to a story by Purdue University and go banking rates you need to make $96,000 a year in Michigan to live comfortably. While the national income median falls more than $30,000 below that number.

Why should people move to Michigan?

All told, Michigan is a great place to live for those that love the outdoors, friendly locals, affordable housing and low cost of living. However, the brutal winters are not to be trifled with and can drive you up the wall. If you're prone to seasonal depression, Michigan may not be the place for you.

What is Western Michigan known for?

Western Michigan is an above-average public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 12,149 undergraduate students. The Western Michigan acceptance rate is 83%. Popular majors include Marketing, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Psychology.

Is Michigan the Harvard of the West?

“At the time, Michigan was often referred to as the Harvard of the West,” Kemp says. “Kennedy, a Harvard graduate, commented that he was pleased to be in Ann Arbor as a graduate of the Michigan of the East.”

What rank is West Michigan?

Western Michigan University is ranked #304 out of 439 National Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.