With all there is to do in Grand Rapids, life here is truly what you make it. Whether it’s big city lights, suburban bliss or country quiet that make you feel at home, the Grand Rapids area is the best place to suit all lifestyles. In fact, the area population increased about 15 percent from 1991 to 2001, well outpacing the national average. This goes to show that thousands of people are choosing Grand Rapids as the ideal place to live, learn and grow. And Grand Rapids is a great place to work and make money. It’s one of the best, actually. In 2004, ING-USA ranked it number 14 in the nation in its list of “Best Cities to Earn and Save Money.”
In 2009, CNN Money listed Grand Rapids as #5 in the "Most Affordable Cities in the Nation
CNN Money: Most Affordable Cities in the Nation
As the second largest city in Michigan, Grand Rapids is not only the commercial, recreational and cultural center of Western Michigan; it is also one of the Midwest’s most important, and beautiful, hubs. With a metropolitan population of over 650,000, this community is the perfect size to be able to foster a unique blend of big city excitement with small town participation. It’s no wonder that Grand Rapids was named one of America’s Top Ten Most Livable Mid-Sized Cities.
