The schools. From elementary to university, West Michigan is known for having some of the best schools in the state, and the nation. Prominent school districts like Forest Hills Public Schools and East Grand Rapids Public Schools are consistently some of the best-testing schools with great opportunities for college and future employment. Grand Rapids is also home to several local top performing universities like Grand Valley State University, Davenport University and Calvin College.
The job scene. Due to the diverse economic base and strong international investment, the Grand Rapids area has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, just at 4.4%. Global Trade Magazine, a quarterly publication on the global marketplace, has selected Grand Rapids as one of the top 10 “Emerging Cities” in the U.S. in its third-annual report on “America’s Best Cities for Global Trade.” Forbes has also ranked Grand Rapids #9 in job growth in the nation. Many Global companies are also headquartered here like Steelcase, Wolverine Worldwide and Amway all of which offer numerous employment opportunities.
We’re family-friendly. Forbes has also ranked Grand Rapids as the #2 best city to raise a family in. The cost of living is low, 77% of residents own their own home (highest in the country), we have low crime rates and public transit like the Rapid make city travel and commute to work and school a breeze. Additionally, Grand Rapids has several suburban neighborhoods like Rockford, Cascade, Caledonia and Byron Center that are all less than 15 minutes from downtown that offer great property values.
Location. Grand Rapids is the perfect distance from two of the biggest cities: Chicago and Detroit. With these cities only a couple hours from Grand Rapids, it allows residents to save a great amount of time when visiting these destinations for recreation or work. It’s a big city vibe without the big city traffic. The best part is that it’s also just a mere 30 minutes from 300 miles of freshwater coastline. Lake Michigan has some of the most beautiful features in the nation like Sleeping Bear Dunes, Manistee Forest and has been named “The Most Beautiful Place in America” by Good Morning America.
Entertainment. The social scene in Grand Rapids is always growing. Sports fans can get their fix with the Grand Rapids Griffins, West Michigan Whitecaps and Grand Rapids Drive. Art junkies can dive into ArtPrize, DisArt and Frederik Meijer Gardens. Festival goers will have plenty to do year round with the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Tulip Time in Holland and the Grand Rapids Public Museum and Gerald R. Ford Museum always have new exhibits for history buffs. With always something to do, Grand Rapids has something for everyone.
Still don’t believe us? Maybe this video will help. If you have been convinced, may we suggest you check out some homes in Grand Rapids? For what the area offers, home prices are remarkably low.
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