Grand Rapids, MI???

[electricbody]

Hi All,

I've been offered a job in Grand Rapids, MI. Anyone have any thoughts on life, housing, weather, music scene, etc. in the Grand Rapids area? I have other choices, but the job in Grand Rapids is at the top of the list for "job" reasons, but I'd like to hear what folks think of the area.

[trag-o-caster]

I keep hearing that there's a really good blues scene going on there. I've not yet made it on that side of the state to check it out, but I plan to.

[garytelecastor]

I don't know where you are moving from. Where are you now? I will say that if you are in an area that doesn't have a serious winter you will probably have to deal with that. But if you are a fisherman, Michigan has some of the best trout, salmon, northern, walleye in the nation.

[guitbusy]

I don't know much about the music scene, but my in-laws live there. It is a great town and a very pretty area of the state. They do get a lot of lake effects snow, for what it is worth.

[mildwild]

About an 1 1/2 hr from Elderly Music in Lansing.

I live 5 hours away and always pay a visit when I am in town.

Not a reason to move but if you do it is a great place to go if you get a chance.

[markophonic]

I live an hour south in Kalamazoo. Grand Rapids has a pretty good entertainment district and lots to do in the area.

[electricbody]

Originally Posted by garytelecastor

I don't know where you are moving from. Where are you now? I will say that if you are in an area that doesn't have a serious winter you will probably have to deal with that.

I'm in Atlanta now, but I grew up in New England and have lived in Ohio (and in Florida). I know Michigan winter is a whole other level than Ohio.

[enalnitram]

I live in Grand Rapids. Whether or not you enjoy this town, pretty much depends upon what kind of person you are and what your expectations and needs are.

I'm originally from Louisville. After college, I moved around a fair bit, living in Chicago, Alaska, and Berkeley. I moved to GR after living in Berkeley. Culturally, GR, lacks a lot compared to Chicago and Berkeley. there is no comparison. But when I moved here 5 years, ago, at first, I loved it, that it was so affordable. A house here is like 1/6th or even 1/8th of what it would be in California. I'm not exaggerating. if you're looking to buy a house, the timing is great right now to buy. and there is always a place to park here. and no matter what part of town you live in, it pretty much will always take only 10 mins to get to the airport.

There is a music scene here, but it is small. it simply doesn't compare to most American cities. I had a hard time meeting like-minded people. I'm a jazzer that enjoys also enjoys complex rock and pop. but, that largely had to do with me being a new dad. Now that my kid is six, I'm getting out more.

GR is a fine place to live if you have a day job and enjoy playing music for fun. there are some very cool people and players here, and you'll get to know them all pretty quickly.

There are a lot of churches in GR. for a lot of people here, church is their culture. there just aren't as many locally owned restaurants and cool hangout joints as there might be in other similarly sized cities.

for me, I've already been to a gazillion concerts and I'm a total homebody, so GR has been fine.

the winter here is long. it'll start snowing here just after thanksgiving and can stay on the ground pretty much all they way thru mid march. (keep in mind I've also wintered in Alaska). but, the winter here is pretty. it's not as depressing, and dingy, as the winter in Chicago.

you can call me if ya want. PM me and I'll try to help. seriously, let me know. I work at a college that has an ad board with housing and stuff on it. and craigslist is always a good resource.

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/