If you haven't been out to Western Michigan before, Grand Rapids will likely serve up a pleasant surprise. Grand Rapids proffers big city benefits without the urban stress. It's much like the nearby lakeshore beaches-all refreshment, no stinging salt. To experience this city's exuberant Midwest welcome, just settle into your very own Grand Rapids apartment and pull up a chair. You should sit comfortably. After all, this town is known internationally as "Furniture City."

This city offers residents a cost of living below the national norm. Depending on what part of the city you’re looking in, you can find Grand Rapids apartments for a low as $500 a month for a simple one-bedroom, or as high as $2500 for a super luxurious two-bedroom loft in the Center City. Whether you’re looking to live simply or you want an urban experience, there are apartments in Grand Rapids MI that will fit your style and budget.

Getting to know Grand Rapids is easy. City Center downtown is where you'll find community areas such as a popular pedestrian mall. Heritage Hill, uptown, was the first residential neighborhood in the city. Homes and apartments in Grand Rapids MI come in over sixty different architectural styles. In Southtown, Madison Square has transformed blight to beauty with brick clad condos and a new library. For a swing past locally owned shops, head to West Fulton on the West Side.

Enjoying yourself in Grand Rapids isn't a difficult proposition. There are a number of interesting museums, including the Gerald R. Ford Museum, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and Van Andel Museum Center. The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park will take you at least half a day to cover, with nature trails, exhibits, and the largest tropical conservatory in the state. There are a number of theaters in town, along with a symphony, an opera, and a ballet company. For minor league sports, you can watch the Whitecaps, the Griffins, or the Flight play baseball, hockey, or basketball respectively.

Handymen will have no trouble finding jobs when they rent apartments in Grand Rapids MI. Five of the world's top office furniture firms operate out of the Grand Rapids area, including American Seating, Steelcase, and Herman Miller. Those companies are only one piece of the economic puzzle however. This West Michigan city also makes a big mark in health care, information technology, automotive production, aviation, and manufacturing. Spectrum Health is the city's largest employer, followed by Meijer.

Those seeking a tertiary education in Grand Rapids have a few choices. Grand Rapids Community College has a downtown campus in the city. Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, and Kendall College of Art and Design all have locations in Grand Rapids as well. Western Michigan University operates a graduate program from two facilities here.