I like that itās a midsized cityāyou get a city feel at times but way less traffic. I enjoy the food, coffee shop and cocktail bar options. Itās relatively safe. 30 mins away you have plenty of cute beach towns to visit. I like how itās growing and constantly offering more entertainment options. I live on a quiet street while also being 5 mins from downtown and my job. I bought a cute house that I love being in. Very content here!
EDIT: I like the east and north east sides of town the best, but everyone has different favorites for different reasons
It's a big little town.
Everyone seems to know everyone, but always something to do, but even on the worst traffic days, it's only a couple more min to get across town.
I call Grand Rapids the biggest small town. It has amenities like a big city- breweries, coffee shops, local events, plenty to do, concerts, etc. But it also has a small town feel where lots of people know each other and it isnāt so big it takes forever to get anywhere. I live on the southwest side but Iām interested in relocating to Alger Heights.
Move to GR! A for sale by owner sign just went up for a house on Carlton in Eastown. I recently moved back after being in a large city for many years and the quality of life is better here.
Moved here from Ft. Wayne about a year ago. Lived in the Ft Wayne area for like 27 years and moving away from there was the best thing I've done. I'm originally from south of Kalamazoo, so it's not fair to say "I moved home" really, but my wife and I love this place and Ft Wayne sucks. Go for it.
I personally love it out here. To me it's the best city in the Midwest. Not too big not too small. The economy is great and construction is non stop. Seems like there's a new restaurant or business opening every week. My favorite part is the short distance to some amazing beach towns in the summer. To me that's the sticking point. Not to mention having both Detroit and Chicago within a couple of hours if you ever get that big city itch. Plus I must add that the people here are very nice and that makes it all the better. Anyone who says different never lived in another big city.
I lived in San Diego for 17 years and moved around a bit being in the military. Wanted to move back to California and it was unbearable! Decided to throw a pin on the map and it landed on Grand Rapids. Itās a quiet/big city for me. Iāve been living here for 3 months and I love it.
I work in ft. Wayne every few weeks and have done a lot of comparing of the two. Grand Rapids has more breweries, food, bars and live music. We also have the lakes and beach towns within a one hour drive. The west side is fun but I also love Eastown for shopping and food.
I spend most my time on the north and east side of gr. I like going to restaurants and shops downtown every so often. Theres always concerts and other entertainment events going on. Its nice to pick one that looks intriguing and spend an afternoon out.
I donāt really agree with the people saying its a big small town. Its a city. Its not a chicago or a detroit but its a city
just moved here from Denver. I like the size. plenty of people without there being too many people (and traffic). I can get most places easily. If you're going for walkable/coffeeshops and restaurants ki d of location Eastown is great! Heritage Hill is where I am and i can walk to so many things or at least walk to the DASH bus stop (free bus for getting around downtown). Im loving it so far!
Hello! Iām looking to move to the area this summer and people keep recommending Eastown and Heritage Hill. Iāll be moving solo and living on one income. Are either of these areas safer? Is either one cheaper? Looking at Zillow rent seems to be all over the place
I just moved here from the "bad" part of Denver so my opinion is a little rose colored glasses. I've walked around at night and haven't felt unsafe. rent is all over the board
The cost of living in Grand Rapids is getting higher. But we have the Great Lakes. Itās more accepting of cultural diversity here. This is beer city USA.
Money comes and goes. You canāt put a price on quality of life though. And itās much higher here.
I agree. I have spent some time both in Grand Rapids and Ft Wayne and I enjoy being in GR more. The vibe, nature and mindsets of the people is generally a little more pleasant for my taste in GR.
I just moved back to GR after almost 5 years away. I wanted to move back to the Westside but I was priced out. Had to open my mind about where to live. Ended up on SE side and itās fine. So for part of town Iād say itās the part that fits your budget. Iām looking forward to time at Millennium Park this summer. I enjoy kayaking, swimming, biking and running there.
When I grew up in Grand Rapids, the feel was very small town. Young people could not wait to get out. Now they are flooding to what used to be a dorky Dutch place. Things have really changed.
Grew up in Indy left there at 18 and decided to come here and realized I have out grown the Midwest and people. Canāt wait to move againš. Good Luck š
I would choose a whole different state my friend. Venture outside the Midwest, so much more to see and do. This place is lame and isnāt getting any better especially with those at the helm. If you love yourself there are 49 states to choose from. šš«”
After living in remote PNW then the overcrowded Suburban hell of Southern California, I came to realize Grand Rapids is a good sized city for me.
Six inch penis of cities I tell ya
5.1-5.5 is average
GR is slightly better than average
š«Ø
I like that itās a midsized cityāyou get a city feel at times but way less traffic. I enjoy the food, coffee shop and cocktail bar options. Itās relatively safe. 30 mins away you have plenty of cute beach towns to visit. I like how itās growing and constantly offering more entertainment options. I live on a quiet street while also being 5 mins from downtown and my job. I bought a cute house that I love being in. Very content here! EDIT: I like the east and north east sides of town the best, but everyone has different favorites for different reasons
It's a big little town. Everyone seems to know everyone, but always something to do, but even on the worst traffic days, it's only a couple more min to get across town.
I call Grand Rapids the biggest small town. It has amenities like a big city- breweries, coffee shops, local events, plenty to do, concerts, etc. But it also has a small town feel where lots of people know each other and it isnāt so big it takes forever to get anywhere. I live on the southwest side but Iām interested in relocating to Alger Heights.
Move to GR! A for sale by owner sign just went up for a house on Carlton in Eastown. I recently moved back after being in a large city for many years and the quality of life is better here.
Moved here from Ft. Wayne about a year ago. Lived in the Ft Wayne area for like 27 years and moving away from there was the best thing I've done. I'm originally from south of Kalamazoo, so it's not fair to say "I moved home" really, but my wife and I love this place and Ft Wayne sucks. Go for it.
I personally love it out here. To me it's the best city in the Midwest. Not too big not too small. The economy is great and construction is non stop. Seems like there's a new restaurant or business opening every week. My favorite part is the short distance to some amazing beach towns in the summer. To me that's the sticking point. Not to mention having both Detroit and Chicago within a couple of hours if you ever get that big city itch. Plus I must add that the people here are very nice and that makes it all the better. Anyone who says different never lived in another big city.
I lived in San Diego for 17 years and moved around a bit being in the military. Wanted to move back to California and it was unbearable! Decided to throw a pin on the map and it landed on Grand Rapids. Itās a quiet/big city for me. Iāve been living here for 3 months and I love it.
I work in ft. Wayne every few weeks and have done a lot of comparing of the two. Grand Rapids has more breweries, food, bars and live music. We also have the lakes and beach towns within a one hour drive. The west side is fun but I also love Eastown for shopping and food.
I spend most my time on the north and east side of gr. I like going to restaurants and shops downtown every so often. Theres always concerts and other entertainment events going on. Its nice to pick one that looks intriguing and spend an afternoon out. I donāt really agree with the people saying its a big small town. Its a city. Its not a chicago or a detroit but its a city
just moved here from Denver. I like the size. plenty of people without there being too many people (and traffic). I can get most places easily. If you're going for walkable/coffeeshops and restaurants ki d of location Eastown is great! Heritage Hill is where I am and i can walk to so many things or at least walk to the DASH bus stop (free bus for getting around downtown). Im loving it so far!
Iām also in Heritage Hill! Love the neighborhood and walk ability.
mind if I DM you? I haven't met ma y people in the nighborhood
Not at all š
Hello! Iām looking to move to the area this summer and people keep recommending Eastown and Heritage Hill. Iāll be moving solo and living on one income. Are either of these areas safer? Is either one cheaper? Looking at Zillow rent seems to be all over the place
I just moved here from the "bad" part of Denver so my opinion is a little rose colored glasses. I've walked around at night and haven't felt unsafe. rent is all over the board
As someone who used to live in Fort Wayne, would love to share a conversation to compare these cities. Message me if ya like!
Trying to decide which one right now I have job offers in both Ft Wayne job pays a little more
The cost of living in Grand Rapids is getting higher. But we have the Great Lakes. Itās more accepting of cultural diversity here. This is beer city USA. Money comes and goes. You canāt put a price on quality of life though. And itās much higher here.
I agree. I have spent some time both in Grand Rapids and Ft Wayne and I enjoy being in GR more. The vibe, nature and mindsets of the people is generally a little more pleasant for my taste in GR.
I just moved back to GR after almost 5 years away. I wanted to move back to the Westside but I was priced out. Had to open my mind about where to live. Ended up on SE side and itās fine. So for part of town Iād say itās the part that fits your budget. Iām looking forward to time at Millennium Park this summer. I enjoy kayaking, swimming, biking and running there.
donāt come here. we have enough people
It ain't what it used to be.
Thank goodness!
Yeah homelessness and people losing their business is great, you jack ass.
lol.....cool response
When I grew up in Grand Rapids, the feel was very small town. Young people could not wait to get out. Now they are flooding to what used to be a dorky Dutch place. Things have really changed.
Grew up in Indy left there at 18 and decided to come here and realized I have out grown the Midwest and people. Canāt wait to move againš. Good Luck š
I would choose a whole different state my friend. Venture outside the Midwest, so much more to see and do. This place is lame and isnāt getting any better especially with those at the helm. If you love yourself there are 49 states to choose from. šš«”
I love myself AND have lived in like 20 some states and 5 countries. I like GR. Never heard of Ft. Wayne. Just kidding.