Grandville contains a lot of geographical references that all have to do with the word "grand." It's located just 8 miles southwest of Grand Rapids and its location near the river bend of the Grand River helped loggers make sure there were no log jams on the way to Grand Haven.
Today there's nothing to remind you that this was ever a logging town. Grandville is now one of the most popular suburbs of Grand Rapids, which is really saying something, because Grand Rapids is one of the country's fastest growing cities in its own right. Grandville is more than just a suburb; it's a great place to live.
Moving to Grandville
If you want to move to Grandville, you have a lot of good company. Since this is a popular area, a lot of people want to move here. But that means the rental market can be pretty tight! There aren't as many rental properties as there are people who want to move into them and there are fewer available rentals compared to the rest of the state. Don't lose hope, though. Even though there are a lot of people vying for the limited rental properties, it won't be impossible to get one. You just need to allow some extra time for your search. Grandville has a number of attractive apartment complexes that you might want to check out, especially if a one bedroom apartment or two bedroom apartment would meet your needs. In general, you might want to allow extra time if you need a three-bedroom apartment, too, since the people who move into three-bedroom apartments tend to stay put for a while.
The really good news about the rental situation in Grandville is that even if it's a competitive market, you won't pay outrageous prices. Many other cities with similarly competitive markets charge incredibly high rents, but the rents in Grandville are still in line with other mid-sized Midwestern cities. That said, though, you need to be prepared to act quickly when you do find that ideal rental property that meets your needs. Come armed with a good job, solid rental references and those ever important security deposits. Most landlords will require at least the first month's rent in addition to the security deposit, but many will ask for the last month's rent as well. If you have a special situation like needing to find an apartment with all bills paid or that will allow you to bring your pets, you may be able to find it with a little extra legwork. However, in exchange for being allowed to bring Fluffy and Fido, you should expect that you will likely need to pay additional deposits.
Neighborhoods
Sommerset West: This part of town includes a lot of new construction homes and is located just southeast of 44th St. and 8th Ave. with easy access to I-196.
Green Timbers: This neighborhood features a mix of older and new homes. This is a great place to live when you want lush, green surroundings, since this neighborhood has a lot of trees and larger lot sizes.
Rushmore / Cherrywood: This neighborhood includes the major streets of Rushmore St. and Cherrywood Ave. A lot of people love this collection of homes in the west side of Grandville because it's such an exceptionally safe neighborhood.
Life in Grandville
When you want to live in Grandville, you need to bring your car! Grandville may be a good place to live, but it's sadly lacking in public transportation options. The vast majority of people here drive their cars to work and public transit is used by a much lower than average percentage of the residents here. But there are a couple of options you may be able to rely on, like The Rapid, which connects Grand Rapids to many surrounding areas, including Grandville and nearby Big Rapids. The bright spot about Grandville's public transportation issues, though, is that commutes here are much shorter than the national average. You may have to drive, but that doesn't mean you will spend all your time stuck in traffic.
Grandville is growing so rapidly because it's a clean city with a low crime rate. The fact that Michigan is so beautiful, lush and green is a well kept national secret. In many parts of Michigan, especially on the western side of the state that includes Grandville, the natural beauty rivals what you would find in resort locations. Why spend thousands of dollars going on vacation to someplace beautiful when you don't even have to leave town to find it?
To celebrate and show off all this natural beauty, Grandville has made the parks system one of the best parts of the city. Spring Grove Park has 16 whole acres of towering trees and is host to ball fields, children's playgrounds and fire pits. It's a popular place to hold weddings and family reunions. Heritage Park has the usual picnic facilities, and also has walking trails to enjoy when you want to be active without having to hit the gym!
You don't need to drive to Chicago--which is only three hours away to enjoy a great meal and a bit of culture. The Kobe Japanese Steakhouse has world class steak and sushi, while the Rush Creek Bistro has a charming, unique spin on American fare. Osgood Brewing is great when you want to kick back with a fine craft beer, which just happens to be brewed right here in Michigan.
Shopping in Grandville won't leave you lacking, either. The RiverTown Crossings shopping mall is the largest mall in the Grand Rapids area and you won't want to miss it.
Life in Grandville is quiet and has everything you could possibly want. Come see why it might be the best place for you to call home!