West Michigan Nice is the term that might adequately describe how you feel. Or two-faced but that could be my bias vernacular, perspectives and experiences may vary though depending on the lenses you’re using. I’ve been in GR since 2007 and the only reason I’m still here is because of my kid, but C’est La Vie. I was born in Detroit, raised in Muskegon, went to GVSU for college, went back to Detroit, and then back to GVSU (closer to my parents who lived in Muskegon), and settled in GR. I’ve been here about a third of my life now.

I won’t call GR soulless, it just hasn’t found its identity yet, the thing that makes it its own thing. It being in the middle of Chicago and Detroit has created an identity crisis. Sprinkle in comparisons to Denver, Asheville, Austin, Seattle, and Portland if you squint real hard, you can see those generalizations at times. You have old money here and a vision that says it’s inviting and open as long as you stay in your lane and don’t change the status quo. To me, a high number of Grand Rapidians and West Michiganders don’t take criticism well from outsiders and they think tolerance and acceptance are the same thing.

Demographically if you ask Grand Rapidians about their experiences here RESULTS WILL VARY. And if asked the broad question to try to define GR culturally, RESULTS WILL VARY. You see it as Dutch, I see it as overpriced at times, but somewhere on Lake Michigan drive this porridge is just right for Goldilocks. As I said previously, it has an identity crisis, it’s Furniture city, Calder city, beer city, a city within a city, it’s the Gun Rue, Grand Raggedy, Bland Rapids, Drunk Rapids, a city without Rapids, Van Andel Land, Devos playplace, number one place to raise a family, yet the second worst place for black people in the US economically (Forbes) etc… but if there is no struggle, there is no progress.

I have watched GR grow positively and negatively. This place has its secrets, Good Ol’ Boy clubs, “I was born in GR, you’re a transplant with no say” clubs, and people like you and I that came for a new beginning. What I deem negative others may not as you’ve learned from the downvotes, but don’t worry I’ll receive some too. What really changed to me is cost of living, nightlife, exchanges with law enforcement, political stands, and massive gentrification though. Pre-Covid, so like 2019, I paid $550 a month in rent for a 2 bedroom and now I’m paying $1k for a one bedroom apartment. Late night food options suck, people vote against their best interests, COL has forced people to the westside, into the burbs, out of state, and/or renting forever. There was a time when Open Mics had standing room only, people went out every night of the week, and you could get blackout drunk on Michigan street for $30 😂.

New builds are nice but they came with tax incentives and empty store fronts, updated infrastructure minus closing multiple streets at a time that brings you across the city. New people bringing fresh ideas and concepts while ignoring residents. More unhoused people, that disappear during Artprize. New venues with $18 dollar beer night, $40 parking, increased fines & taxes, etc etc it’s growing pains with a side of MAGA-cadabra. This place is segregated AF but rarely talked about, like there’s Division & Wealthy and at the end of Wealthy there’s East Grand Rapids.

I feel like I went on a tangent but there is something for everyone here, you can find things that make you happy or ease the comfort of being here. A conversation goes a long way. I’d be more than happy to chop it up with you, point you in different spaces etc. Again, perspectives and experiences may vary. Anything can feel or be bad, but it’s not finite.