Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in Michigan and has an estimated population of just over 188,000 residents. Founded in 1826, Grand Rapids is famous for its furniture manufacturing and has played a vital role in other important industries throughout its history. The city is also known for its excellent quality of living and good-natured locals.
Families, business professionals and retirees who are new to the area can explore the best places to live in Grand Rapids to find the perfect home. The city’s average cost of living is lower than most of Michigan and the rest of the United States. Affordable housing can be found in parts of the Heartside, Swan and East Hills neighborhoods. East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills and Ridgemoor are among some of the safest communities in the area.
The changing seasons in Grand Rapids provide a sense of variety for anyone who chooses to live here. With around 75 inches of snowfall a year, Grand Rapids is one of the snowiest major U.S. cities. Temperatures can sometimes drop into the teens during the winter, but the daytime high usually hovers in the 20s or 30s. High temperatures often reach into the 80s during the summer and occasionally surpass 90 degrees.
There are several modes of transportation that can be taken in Grand Rapids and around the nearby suburbs. The Interurban Transit Partnership operates the city’s public buses. Vehicular traffic can travel along Interstate 96, U.S. 131 and other major local freeways. Railroad service to Chicago and other large cities in the area is provided by Amtrak. Domestic and international flights pass through Gerald R. Ford International Airport daily.
Some of the best places in Grand Rapids for fun feature activities that are suitable for the whole family. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum pays tribute to the notable U.S. president. The John Ball Zoological Garden is home to animals like chimpanzees, tigers and stingrays. Beautiful outdoor sculptures and intriguing plant life can be seen at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The Grand Rapids Symphony holds regular concerts inside the DeVos Performance Hall. Avid sports fans can catch a Whitecaps baseball game or Griffins hockey game during the season.
If you are looking for the best places to live in Grand Rapids, you can use our search functionality to help you on your search. AreaVibes provides information about the best places to live in Grand Rapids, allowing you to sort the results by cost of living, employment, crime rates as well as by home and rental prices
