Downtown Grand Rapids Skyline

Grand Rapids in West Michigan is the second largest city in the state with a metro population of 1.1 million. Situated about halfway between Detroit and Chicago, the community has a distinct culture, lifestyle, and economy. Our low cost of living makes Grand Rapids a great place to start a career, raise a family, or retire. The region's affordability doesn't come with a sacrifice in quality either; it boasts awarding-winning schools, outstanding health care, and a vibrant downtown. Urban city, small town, or rural areas— West Michigan has a diverse set of communities catering to everyone. No matter where you live, you’re just a quick drive, or maybe even a short walk, from work, schools, volunteer opportunities, and cultural events. Many towns and attractions in our region are repeatedly ranked among top national “Best of” lists.

Grand Haven State Park

There’s plenty of fun to be had too. Whether you’re into outdoor recreation, arts and music, professional sports, or the local food scene, West Michigan has exciting activities no matter what your idea of “fun” is. Blue waters, pristine beaches, craft breweries, delicious eateries, miles of trails, top-notch museums, charming shops, and professional sports will keep you busy through the four beautiful seasons in West Michigan.

Cannonsburg Ski Area Whether you want to watch or play, West Michigan is a great place to be active. We are rated the 8th best golf region in the country, offer nine ski resorts within 200 miles, have several hundred miles of bike trails, 18 world-class beaches, hundreds of inland lakes, and have the most outdoor sports activities ranked in the Top 50 in Lifestyle Market Profiles of any other region in the country.

Meijer Garden and Sculpture Park Summer Concert Series

Alluring Lake Michigan sunsets, cities bursting with outdoor sculpture, intriguing architecture, countless design-centric industries, dozens of film schools, globally renowned art and design schools, award-winning symphony orchestras, live theater, ballet, entertainment districts teeming with nightlife and music, and ArtPrize, the world’s most lucrative art prize — West Michigan sustains a vibrant and avid following for the arts.

Downtown Grand Rapids – Festival of the Arts

Summer days come alive with festivals that celebrate dozens of ethnic cultures, music, dance, flowers and arts and crafts. Festivals draw people downtown or out to the parks for music, to try new foods, and meet their neighbors.

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Many of these celebrations, such as Grand Haven’s Coast Guard Festival, Holland’s Tulip Festival and the Waterfront Film Festival have attracted crowds of enthusiastic supporters for decades. Art museums, artists’ studios and overflowing galleries offer works by world-famous artists such as Paul Collins and Mathias Alten to unknown budding artists who create for the sheer joy of it.

West Michigan Whitecaps – Fifth Third Ballbark

From the creation of Grand Rapids’ 12,000-seat Van Andel Arena to Muskegon’s multi-million-dollar Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center to the $1.1 million beginning of a multi-county trailway connector in Lowell, West Michigan leads the pack with its culture of giving and an unparalleled record for public/private partnerships.

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

Philanthropy, the desire to make a difference for the greater community, has become a way of life, for a new generation of up-and-coming philanthropists. West Michigan residents are driven to do more, to put our money where the need is, to continue building on philanthropic projects of the past. West Michigan also has a heritage of bringing competing industries, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations and government agencies together at one table to leverage the talents and combined resources of all for the betterment of a city, the region and even the state is a feat not seen in other areas of the country.

Fifth Third Riverbank Run in Downtown Grand Rapids

In West Michigan, working together is how we get things done. It’s why there’s been $4 billion of investment in life sciences in Grand Rapids, millions more invested in innovations that convert landfills and farm waste into viable alternative energy, and why Holland’s Hope College has a state-of-the-art soccer stadium.

Grand Rapids Medical Mile

As one of the nation’s top-ranked medical centers of excellence, West Michigan takes pride in its ability to offer its residents the highest quality healthcare. From large health systems to small community clinics, the West Michigan region provides state-of-the-art care in nearly every specialty imaginable. Whatever your needs may be, West Michigan’s diverse healthcare network has everything you need to stay healthy.

Autumn morning at Peppler Park in Downtown Rockford

Cost of Living Index Summary for Grand Rapids

Index 100% Composite Index 94.4 Grocery Items 97.4 Healthcare 95.6 Housing 87.8 Utilities 87.3 Transportation 106.1 Misc. Goods and Services 97.5

Ice Skating in Rosa Parks Circle in Downtown Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Rankings We think Grand Rapids is one of the best places in the world to live and work. Thankfully, many unbiased sources agree with our opinion. Browse through the rankings below to learn more.

2018

• #26 - Best Metro in the U.S. for STEM Professionals - Grand Rapids, WalletHub • #1 - Region for End-of-Life Care Quality - Grand Rapids, Washington Post • #4 - Top Counties in Michigan for Manufacturing Jobs - Kent County, U.S Census Bureau • #1 - Top States for Auto Manufacturing Jobs - Michigan, Bureau of Labor Statistics • #4 - Top States for Manufacturing Jobs - Michigan, Bureau of Labor Statistics • #1 - Metro for Living a Balanced Lifestyle - Grand Rapids, MagnifyMoney • #3 - Best Cities for First-Time Home Buyers - Grand Rapids, LendingTree • #7 - Fastest Growing Economy in the U.S. - Grand Rapids, Forbes and Headlight Data • #2 - Most Improved Metros for Percentage Growth in GRP - Grand Rapids, Headlight Data • #2 - Best Places for New Small Businesses - Grand Rapids, LendingTree

• #5 - Best Places to Live in Michigan - East Grand Rapids, Niche • #54 - Best Places to Live in the U.S. - East Grand Rapids, Niche • #3 - State for Tech Job Growth in 2017 - Michigan, CompTIA • #1 - Small City to Start a Business in the U.S. - Holland, WalletHub • High-Performing City - Grand Rapids, Governing and Living Cities • #13 - Best Large City to Start a Business - Grand Rapids, WalletHub • #2 - Best Place to Make the Most of a Tight Budget - Grand Rapids, MagnifyMoney • #6 - Smaller City Poised to Skyrocket - Grand Rapids, SFGate

2017

• #2 - Aerospace Manufacturing Attractiveness - Michigan, PricewaterhouseCoopers • #1 - Fastest Growing U.S. Economy - Grand Rapids, HeadlightData.com • #19 - Best Cities in the U.S. - Grand Rapids, US News.com • #2 - Best Place to be a Millennial - Grand Rapids, Trulia.com • #3 - Big Cities with the Healthiest Housing Markets - Grand Rapids, SmartAsset.com • #4 - Housing Market to Watch - Grand Rapids, Trulia • #5 - Best Large Cities to Start a Business - Grand Rapids, WalletHub • #9 - Hottest Hipster Markets in the U.S. - Grand Rapids, Realtor.com and Yelp • #3 - Hottest Housing Markets in the U.S. - Kentwood, Realtor.com • #5 - America's Most Underrated Cities - Grand Rapids, Travel + Leisure • #1 - Housing Market in the Nation - Grand Rapids, Trulia

2016

• #3 - Best U.S. cities for affordable home ownership - Grand Rapids, Lawnstarter.com • #7 - Best State to Make a Living - Michigan, Forbes.com • #2 - Best U.S. City to Start a Business - Grand Rapids, Wallethub • #3 - Top Seven Cities Where Incomes have Rebounded Most Since the Great Recession - Grand

Rapids, Yahoo Finance • #1 - Most Improved State for Business - Michigan, CNBC • #3 - Leading Locations - Grand Rapids, Area Development Magazine • #7 - Best Places to Live in the U.S. for Quality of Life - Grand Rapids, U.S. News and World

Report • #13 - Best Places to Live in the U.S. - Grand Rapids, U.S. News and World Report • #1 - Best City in the U.S. to Invest in Housing - Grand Rapids, Forbes • #1 - Top Airports in North America - Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Airports

Council International (ACI) • #6 - Major New Corporate Facilities - Michigan, Site Selection Magazine • #2 - Best Place to Own a Home - Grand Rapids, porch.com • #7 - Most Innovative Schools in America - Zoo School at John Ball Zoological Garden in Grand

Rapids, Tech Insider • #1 - Top Supply Chain Schools in the U.S. - Michigan State University, U.S. News and World

Report • #7 - Top Supply Chain Schools in the U.S. - Western Michigan University, U.S. News and World

Report • #8 - Top Supply Chain Schools in the U.S.- University of Michigan, U.S. News and World Report • One of the Top Economic Development Organizations in the Nation - The Right Place,

Inc., Global Trade Magazine

2015

• #1 - City to Raise a Family - Grand Rapids, Forbes • #2 - Best U.S. Cities to Find a Job - Grand Rapids, Forbes • #3 - Top Cities in the Nation for Economic Growth - Grand Rapids, Detroit Free Press • Top 50 Hospitals for Specialties - Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, U.S. News and World

Report • #1 - Top Places to Visit in the U.S. - Grand Rapids, Groupon • #1 - U.S. Conference of Mayors/USA Funds 2015 National Education Pathways with a Purpose

Awards Program - Grand Rapids, SYS-Con Media • #3 - Cities Leading a U.S. Manufacturing Revival - Grand Rapids, Forbes • #3 - Leading Locations - Grand Rapids, Area Development Magazine

2014

• #3 - Top Economic Performance - Grand Rapids, The Manhattan Institute • #4 - America's Smartest Cities - Grand Rapids, Forbes • #25 - Best Performing Cities in America - Grand Rapids, Milken Institute • #2 - Top Cities for New Engineering Jobs - Grand Rapids, Change the Equation • #21 - Top 50 States, 50 Spots for 2014 - Grand Rapids, CNN • #9 - Top Cities with Affordable Healthcare - Grand Rapids, Livability.com • #8 - America's Most Exciting Mid-Sized Cities - Grand Rapids, MOVOTO Blog • #3 - Best Mid-Sized Cities for Jobs in 2014 - Grand Rapids, Forbes • One of the Most Underrated Places in the U.S. - Grand Rapids, Global Yodel

Arts and Culture in West Michigan

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Museums and other Arts and Cultural Attractions

• Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), the world's first LEED-certified art museum • Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA), a dynamic, multidisciplinary laboratory for the

advancement of contemporary art • The Holland Area Arts Council, promoting Holland-area arts through exhibitions, education, and

events • Saugatuck Center for the Arts, a year-round arts program in a renovated pie factory • Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a 125-acre botanical garden and 30-acre sculpture

park • The Grand Rapids Public Museum, one of the country's leading public museums • Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, part of the Presidential libraries system of the

National Archives and Records Administration • Heritage Hill, tour one of the largest urban historic residential districts in the country • Meyer May House, a restored Frank Lloyd Wright design in Heritage Hill • Artprize, the world’s largest art competition • Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities, an organization cultivating creativity and promoting

academic achievement in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood.

Performance Art

Devos Performance Hall

• Grand Rapids Symphony, one of America's leading regional orchestras • Opera Grand Rapids, Michigan's longest-running professional opera company • Grand Rapids Ballet Company, Michigan's only professional ballet company • Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, the country's second largest community theatre • Actors' Theatre, the off-Broadway of Grand Rapids • Circle Theatre, the largest presenting organization for schools and families in West Michigan • Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids, presenting quality theatrical productions with Jewish themes

• Holland Civic Theatre, encourages performing arts through education and experience in the production of theatre

• Holland Park Theatre, a flexible, multi-use venue that was once a Holland movie theatre • Holland Symphony, a semi-professional orchestra with a wide range of experiences for the whole

family • Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, a fully restored historic motion picture palace in

Muskegon • Mason Street Warehouse, an uptown theatre in downtown Saugatuck

Entertainment in West Michigan

With the scenic Lake Michigan beaches, plenty of wooded parks, smaller lakes, rivers and trails, the West Michigan region offers an unparalleled variety of seasonal outdoor activities.

Muskegon Winter Sports Complex

More than 1.5 million people attend museums, galleries, theatres, sporting events, and live performances every year. Dine in gourmet, ethnic, and casual restaurants or enjoy the varied night clubs, neighborhood pubs, and wine bars. Either way you're bound to have a good time in virtually every community in the region.

West Michigan Entertainment • West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Detroit Tigers • Grand Rapids Griffins, a minor league hockey team affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings • Van Andel Arena, concerts and other live entertainment • Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, amazing educational sky shows • Cannonsburg Ski Area, Pando Winter Sports Park, snowboard and skiing options • Hundreds of trails for cross-country skiing, biking and hiking

• Water trails for canoeing and kayaking • Beautiful West Michigan golf courses • Find more on Outdoor recreation in West Michigan • Find more fun events going on in Grand Rapids

Family-Friendly Entertainment West Michigan is full of unabashedly family-centric communities. Recreational options for parents and/or kids can be found everywhere, from our award-winning Children's Museum in downtown Grand Rapids to community pools, apple orchards, bike paths, lifeguarded beaches, splash parks, and stroller-friendly sidewalks.

John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids

Additionally, busy working parents can choose from dozens of daycare choices, many of them licensed by the State of Michigan. Find information about childcare and preschool options in Kent County and on the lakeshore.

• Grand Rapids Children's Museum celebrates childhood and the joy of learning in an interactive, hands-on environment

• Millennium Park, a 1,500-acre urban park featuring splashpark, hiking trails, and beaches • John Ball Zoo has over 1,100 animals and offers educational programs year-round • Michigan's Adventure amusement park offers rollercoasters, games, and a water park for

summer fun • Robinette's Apple Haus and Gift Barn is a spectacular fall destination • Klackle Orchards mixes a fruit-growing farm with old-fashioned country fun • Nature centers in Holland and Grand Rapids • Check out the Grand Rapids Kids Calendar for entertainment options • More family-friendly activities in Grand Haven • More family-friendly activities in Holland

• More family-friendly activities in Muskegon

YMCA Camp Pendalouan in Montague