4 Reasons to Consider Moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids is growing and people are noticing. Grand Rapids is the 2nd largest city in Michigan and the 7th fastest growing metropolis in the United States. With the increased growth in population, people are wondering why Grand Rapids is so appealing.

Many people are deciding to move to Grand Rapids over the last decade. The population has increased due to low cost of living, high employment growth, and excellent schools and neighborhoods. The city is full of rich history, beautiful scenery, and diverse population. But these aren’t the only reasons people want to call Michigan their new home.

Grand Rapids, also known as Furniture City, is a historic furniture-making center, home to 5 of the world’s leading office furniture companies. However, that isn’t the only industry they are known for.

The city is economically diverse with high employment opportunities in healthcare, information and technology, automotive, aviation, and consumer goods, among others. These titans of industry appeal to young professionals, growing families, and local business owners.

But many cities in the states offer great jobs and low cost of living. What makes Grand Rapids so different?

Here are 4 reasons people choose Grand Rapids as their new home city:

Arts and Culture

Grand Rapids made art an integral element in its identity. In 2009, Rick DeVos announced that Grand Rapids would have a local art contest that would take part in downtown. For 19 days, the city housed artists to compete for the largest cash prize in the art world. And the winner was based on popular vote. Thus began a staple in the city’s culture and history.

The winner of the first infamous ArtPrize was Ran Ortner who won $250,000 for his art piece, Open Water №24 which is on display at the Reserve Wine Bar and Restaurant in Grand Rapids. This biennial event is open and free to the public and every visitor gets to vote.

Impressive Downtown

Grand Rapids has exploded with tourism in the last decade due to the grand openings of hand-crafted breweries, top-rated restaurants, apartment complexes, and entertainment venues. Downtown offers a huge range of entertainment, shopping, and sightseeing, all within a 10-minute walk. With clean streets and friendly people, tourists experience big-city excitement without the big-city hassle.

Safety Ambassadors, a team of local citizens dedicated to keeping Grand Rapids clean, beautiful, and friendly, wear bright teal and blue uniforms and traverse the downtown area to offer assistance, directions, and maps to tourists. Downtown is the perfect blend of rich history and new development. Grand Rapids is home to former President Gerald Ford. He and his wife, Betty, are buried on the grounds of the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum which is a great attraction in downtown.

Exquisite Gardens

Many people visit Grand Rapids due to the beautiful landscape and gardens. In April 1995, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park opened its doors after 13 years of planning and fundraising. In 1990, Fred and Lena Meijer were asked for their support. They embraced the concept that combines horticulture and sculpture to be shared and enjoyed by the public.

As a result, Meijers Gardens has become internationally known and is a top attraction for Grand Rapids. Meijer Gardens includes Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory, 5 indoor theme gardens, outdoor gardens, nature trails and boardwalks, sculpture galleries, library, cafe, education center, and meeting rooms. Since its opening day, more than 11 million tourists have visited.

Top-rated Breweries

Grand Rapids was primarily known for its furniture until the Founders Brewing Company launched in 1997. Founders became one of the most recognizable and successful breweries, causing a spotlight to shine on the city as a beer hub. As a result, many other craft beers and breweries chose this city as their headquarters. With only 20 breweries at the time, Grand Rapids has won the name Beer City in a US poll in 2012 and 2013.

Due to notoriety, more breweries now litter the city, making it the nation’s best beer scene with more than 40,000 beer tourists visiting annually. Grand Rapids has nearly 40 breweries located in historic, beautiful, and unique buildings, making it a perfect spot for your next beer-cation, filled with beer tours and beer-related events throughout the year.

Grand Rapids is the perfect place to call home. With incredibly active neighborhood associations bringing the metro population together for community events such as the Eastown Street Fair, residents feel like they are part of a small community with big city amenities.

Friendliness is another small-town charm Grand Rapids is known for. Neighbors wave and say hello to each other, people offer assistance to those in need, and acceptance for all walks of life is a huge part of the culture in Grand Rapids.

So, maybe consider choosing Grand Rapids to be the next place you call home!