Fellow Grand Rapidian here. I think we've done quite well with self-promotion (as evidenced by the fact that we're on just about every "best place to live/work/

Fellow Grand Rapidian here. I think we've done quite well with self-promotion (as evidenced by the fact that we're on just about every "best place to live/work/retire/drink" list in the past five years). I paid just over $200k for 2500 sqft on 3/4 of an acre that's within easy walking distance of four transit lines. It was amusing to hear my friends home for the holidays talking about their $2k+ rents for tiny apartments in NYC and similar locales. Yes, they have access to far more entertainment options than I do, but I have yet to get anywhere close to utilizing all of the options we have here in GR, either. I also appreciate our easy access to water - I can remember once in my lifetime when we had any restrictions on water usage due to drought (lawn sprinkling was limited to alternating days, IIRC). Lake Michigan makes for a great reservoir. As one currently seeking a new job, I've also been disappointed with the number of truly top-notch tech employers in the area; there are a few, but less than we should have IMHO, given the potential client base in the area. Part of it is a function of the labor market, I'd guess—the talent pool here is not as large as it could be. I think that this will continue to improve as GR continues to cement its reputation as a "millenial-friendly" city and the healthcare sector continues to explode.