I've been approached with a job opportunity in Grand Rapids. I never really considered MI at all, but since I would retain my NJ salary and my company offers a generous relocation package, I figured I should at least look into it.

 

I understand the area outside the actual city tends to be conservative which is a good thing. I would probably want to settle within 30 miles of the city itself.

 

Anyone spend any time in the area? I'd really like to get a little intelligence on the place from people other than the ones trying to convince me to take the job.

I grew up in MI just south of Detroit. You will be able to conceal carry, they have some ok gun laws nothing crazy like NJ, oh and you will be able watch some awesome hockey teams. People were I grew up were pretty laid back and not so up tight about guns, there is a ton of hunting and you will have lake Michigan to go fishing boating and swimming in. Sorry man that's all I got oh and I would move back in a heartbeat but I married a Jersey girl.


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We had some friends move from Bridgewater to Grand Rapids due to employment. They love it but they were from MI to begin with.

 

I've visited (no gun related activities while I was there) and from what I've seen it's nice. It was June so there was a lot to do outdoors. Does get snowy in the winter.

 

Houses cost a lot less.

Well it's a good ways away from Detroit so I think you'll be ok

Go over to the hometown section at arfcom and post there.  Always see possible transferees asking about neighborhoods. Good Luck.

City-Data General info about the town

http://www.city-data.com/city/Grand-Rapids-Michigan.html

 

City-Data community section on GR

http://www.city-data.com/forum/grand-rapids-metro-area/

 

A couple of threads that might be relevant

http://www.city-data.com/forum/grand-rapids-metro-area/1775820-culture-grand-rapids.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/michigan/1682173-family-relocating-atlanta-ga-grand-rapids.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/grand-rapids-metro-area/1431096-grand-rapids-rough-detroit.html

 

 

Sorry if you've already scrolled through those - I generally find City-data to be a reasonably good source for making first impression about the place. At some point when I knew literally nothing about NJ at all it actually helped me to stay away from places like Irvington etc...

Thanks, guys.  I'm going to see if I can go check the area out next month and see how it looks.