Thinking about relocating to Grand Rapids? Smart move – Grand Rapids has been ranked one of the best places in the U.S. to live, retire, raise a family, get a job and buy a home.

Our economy is booming – check our development slate – but we remain one of America’s most affordable cities. And though it can feel like a small town – especially when you settle in one of the city’s eight diverse and distinctive neighborhoods – Grand Rapids anchors a metro region of more than 1.3 million people.

Build the life you want

You want the excitement of a big city, with rollicking nightlife, live music, pro sports and breweries galore? Grand Rapids has got it. Interested in art and culture? Soak it up at six museums, the world’s most attended art festival and professional ballet, opera, symphony and theatre productions. Into outdoor recreation? You can bike, hike, swim, paddle, golf, ski and fish as close as five minutes from downtown. Appreciate great food and drink? Our talented chefs and beverage masters utilize fresh-daily ingredients from family farms across the region to create all manner of incredible delectables.

Do you dream of living in a college town? Grand Rapids is home to more than a dozen of them serving 70,000+ students. Are you committed to sustainability? So is Grand Rapids. Passionate about public transportation? You’ll love our award-winning Rapid bus system. Concerned about health care? The city’s Medical Mile brings together world-class facilities, universities and practitioners to drive medical advancement.

15 more reasons to live in Grand Rapids

We could go on and on about the wonders of Grand Rapids, but it would start to sound like bragging. Instead, take a look what others have had to say about us in the past few years:

  1. “Much of the art, food and music trappings you’d find in Chicago and Detroit, only at half the price and one-quarter the commute times.” (Thrillist)
  2. #2 Most Beautiful & Affordable City to Live in the U.S. (Travel+Leisure)
  3. #1 Best Place to Raise a Family (Rocket Homes)
  4. #1 U.S. City for First-Time Homebuyers (SmartAsset)
  5. #2 U.S. Boomtown of the Future (SPINX Digital)
  6. 1 of the 4 Best U.S. Cities to Start a Tech Career (Yahoo Finance)
  7. #1 Large City with the Most Manufacturing Jobs (Smartest Dollar)
  8. 1 of the Top 10 U.S. Cities for Young Female Professionals (Pheabas)
  9. #5 Most Neighborly City in the U.S. (Neighbor.com)
  10. #4 Safest Metro in the U.S. (Clever)
  11. Beer City USA and America’s Craft Beverage Capital (USA Today)
  12. America’s Most Affordable Foodie City (WalletHub)
  13. 1 of the 10 Best Cities Where You Can See Amazing Art (USA Today)
  14. Top 15 Best Place to Live for Quality of Life (U.S. News & World Report)
  15. 1 of the Top 10 Cities You Should Totally Move To (Thrillist)

Planning your move

Hello West Michigan can help you connect with local employers and explore relocation to the area. They’re also a great resource once you and your family have made the move to Grand Rapids.

Need help managing your move and finding a place to stay? Search below for relocation firms, realtors and builders.

Interested in relocating your business to Grand Rapids? The Right Place can help you!