Moving to Grand Rapids? Michigan’s second-largest city is one of the top 25 best places to live in the U.S., thanks to its affordable living, outdoor recreation, and sustainability initiatives. If you’re considering settling down in Grand Rapids, consider one of these safe, affordable neighborhoods!
Alger Heights
Photo via @blakesellsgr
- Home Price: $103,900 median purchase price; $669 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 53% of Grand Rapids neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Nestled in Southeast Grand Rapids, Alger Heights offers a tight-knit community that attracts residents of all ages! Not only does this Grand Rapids neighborhood offer beautiful Tudor and Cape Cod homes, but it’s also home to several local businesses along Eastern Ave SE that gives it a “Main Street USA” feel. Residents can send their kids to great schools like Link Learning and Alger Middle School and have the benefit of being only 13 minutes from the downtown area!
Things to Do in Alger Heights
Have a picnic, play some tennis, or wander through one of the nature paths of MacKay-Jaycees Park. Check out your favorite book or get some work done at Grand Rapids Public Library-Seymour Branch. Get a few swings in at the driving range, challenge your buddies to a round, or join a weeknight golf league at Indian Trails Golf Course. Fill up on a hearty breakfast of a Monster Omelet, Eggs Benedict, or a Smoked Chicken Skillet from Real Food Cafe. Try chicken wings with 20 different hand-crafted sauces paired with sides like Fried Okra or Funnel Cake Fries at Wing Heaven. Get fresh catfish, shrimp, and frog legs at the Atlantic Fish Market. Chow down on made-from-scratch sandwiches like The Rhett Butler or the Open Faced Brisket Meal at The Old Goat. Or clear your Wednesday evening schedules for Neighbor Night at Brass Ring Brewing, where you can get some original brews like the Pure Mitten Double IPA and Rock Steady Brown Ale.
Creston
Photo via @besthomesofgr
- Home Price: $110,833 median purchase price; $770 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 78% of Grand Rapids neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Just east of the Grand River, Creston in North Grand Rapids is known for its diverse culture, unique small businesses, and beautiful murals. As one of Grand Rapids’ largest neighborhoods, Creston has an array of affordable housing options ranging from cottages and Craftsman-style bungalows to townhouses and spacious apartments, so it won’t be hard to find the right home to settle down in! On top of that, families can find good schools in the neighborhood like All Saints Academy and City High Middle School.
Things to Do in Creston
Go on a scavenger hunt to find your new favorite mural painted by local artists as part of After Dark GR. Fish or boat on the lake, or play a game of softball at tree-lined Riverside Park. Become a member at Kent Country Club, where you can golf a quick nine, play a game of pickleball, or swim a few laps at the pool. Dine on a Cheddar Bacon Melt, Patty Melt, or Fishwich & Cheese at Choo Choo Grill. Try some vegan food in Grand Rapids like Spicy Hash or a Vegan Skillet with Cashew Cream at Lucy’s Cafe. Sink your teeth into a Chicken Alfredo Pizza, Stromboli, or Chicken Pesto Panino from Vitale’s. Grab some bar grub and local brews like a Petoskey Super Trooper or a Saugatuck Oval Beach Blonde at Graydon’s Crossing. Or order an ice cream cone with the Flavor of the Week at Too Tall’s – Tasty Treats.
Eastgate
Photo via @caitwisniewski_realtor
- Home Price: $134,767 median purchase price; $739 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 63% of Grand Rapids neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
East Grand Rapids has been growing in popularity for a while now—and Eastgate is no exception! Located just 12 minutes from Downtown Grand Rapids, this neighborhood offers affordable homes ranging from charming ranches to Cape Cod-style houses. Eastgate is also home to top schools like Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Grand Rapids Christian Middle School, and Mulick Park Elementary School, as well as a shopping center with a variety of stores and restaurants that can keep you busy on the weekends.
Things to Do in Eastgate
Visit Mulick Park in the winter, where you can find one of the best sledding hills in Grand Rapids. Enroll your kids in ballet, acro, hip hop, or jazz dance classes at Haus of Glass Dance. Soak up some sun and go for a swim at Heather Downs Community Pool. Get some shopping done at Jos A Bank, Lululemon, and Ann Taylor LOFT at the Breton Village Shopping Mall. Enjoy some espresso, an Acai Bowl, or a Goat Cheese Panini from Cafe de Miro! Start your day with a Ham & Cheese Breakfast Croissant or order a toasted Cuban Sandwich or Italian Chopped Salad for lunch at Hall Street Bakery. Try mouth-watering food like House Lo Mein or Roast Pork Egg Foo Young at Grand Lakes Chinese Restaurant. Or grab a slice of made-to-order pizza, calzones, subs, or other Italian dishes in Grand Rapids from Andrea’s Pizza.
Eastown
Photo via @besthomesofgr
- Home Price: $153,925 median purchase price; $1,086 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 72% of Grand Rapids neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families
If you want to live close to downtown in one of the best neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, check out Eastown! This neighborhood has Tudor, Colonial, and Victorian-style houses, as well as a central business hub along Lake Dr SE. There are plenty of fun things to do in Eastown, and the neighborhood is home to Aquinas College, both of which make it an ideal spot for young adults. Residents of Eastown have also been leading community outreach efforts to bring the neighborhood closer together through group activities like a community garden and the annual street fair.
Things to Do in Eastown
Expand your horizons with a cooking class from The Local Epicurean. Get crafty and create your own scented candles at Wax Poetic Candle Bar. Catch a production of Hair or Always…Patsy Cline or take some acting classes at Circle Theatre. Visit That Early Bird for vegetarian and vegan breakfast options like a Faux Fried Chicken Burrito, Cochinita Pibil taco, or Breakfast Nachos Divorciados. Stop by Yesterdog for a loaded hot dog like the Cheddardog, Krautdog, or a classic Yesterdog. Sample modern diner food like the Lox Platter, The Mr Fabulous Burger, or Smoked Turkey Wrap at Matchbox Diner & Drinks. Treat yourself to some delicious Caribbean heat like Shrimp Gumbo, Potato Lasagna, and Creole Chicken at The Chez Olga. Grab some drinks like a Beergarita, Mostmosa, or Lemony Snicket cocktail at Harmony Brewing Company.
Westside Connection
Photo via @homesforsalegr
- Home Price: $131,722 median purchase price; $347 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 91% of Grand Rapids neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Westside Connection is a perfect neighborhood for anyone from young professionals to retirees! Located just ten minutes west of downtown Grand Rapids, this neighborhood provides easy access to the rest of the city via Lake Michigan Dr NW and I-196. Westside Connection also has good schools like Holy Spirit School and West Side Christian School, as well as ample employment opportunities for teachers. In addition, Westside Connection has a variety of housing options from budget-friendly apartments to large brick ranches!
Things to Do in Westside Connection
Take a stroll through paths to see some wildlife at Blandford Nature Center. Bike through three miles of trails, plant some trees, or take yoga classes at The Highlands. Introduce your pup to a new friend and have them run off some energy at Covell Dog Park. See animals from around the world like red pandas and ring-tailed lemurs at nearby John Ball Zoo. Start your day with a Peanut Butter Honeymooner, Lemon Raspberry donut, or one of eight flavors of mouth-watering Paczki at Sandy’s Donuts. Grab a filling meal like a Philly Cheesesteak Skillet or Potato Pancakes from Westsider Cafe. Check out Mr. Burger for some of the best burgers in Grand Rapids like the signature Mr. Burger, Gyro, or Tuna Melt. Sample Latin dishes like Bistek A Caballo, Carne Asada, and Pickada from The Latin House. Or kick back with some craft beer and Smoked Chicken Mac at Westside Social American Tavern.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
