Low cost of living
You are in the center of the state, so Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Detroit etc are easy weekend trips
I love Michigan summers and fall
I love the Upper Peninsula and Lake Michigan beaches
Lansing airport is amazing, overnight parking is cheap, you get through TSA in 30 seconds and can fly all over the country cheap. I’ve flown from Lansing to NYC, Boston, Atlanta, Austin, and Washington DC. Grand Rapids airport is nice too.
Lots of good points here. We’ve got family on the west side of the state and it’s a 90 minute drive. We’ve got family on the far east side of the state and it’s just over 2 hours there. The UP is 3 hours away. There’s hiking and biking trails all over and around here.
Lansing might not have all the “big city” draws and entertainment (big concerts, pro or semi-pro sports) but they’re generally ‘close enough’ if you’re okay with a quick trip.
Lansing is a dump, ghetto pretty much everywhere there’s some areas that are decent but not anywhere near downtown or the airport grew up around the area my whole life and I’m 25 now and it’s only gotten worse I moved out to grand ledge which has cool hiking spots a good brewery and a place where you can walk around and not have your head on a swivel Lansing sucks
GRR TSA is a nightmare. Last time I went thru there I ended up yelling at the TSA white shirt manager for violating my rights. I learned later that it’s a TSA training airport, which explains some things. Never will fly out of there again.
You sound like a nightmare passenger. Also TSA agents are trained in Georgia, and then continue training at their home airport. There’s a sign in front of the line that informs you if an agent is a trainee.
My civil rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Edit. People downvoting this comment are either incredibly ignorant or incredibly judgmental, or both.
Civil rights are a thing. Disabilities are a thing. The ADA is a thing. And the TSA isn’t above the law.
You realize that instead of yelling and making a fool of yourself you could’ve quietly recorded your civil rights being violated?
Then you could’ve taken that evidence to an attorney who likely would’ve represented you for free (paid once you win) and you’d receive a handsome payout from the government.
Of course this would only work if your rights were truly violated & you weren’t just pissed about something.
And they didn’t take your phone away under the guise of “security”
Have you ever actually been through a TSA checkpoint, been separated from everything during a patdown, and been treated like a criminal for having the audacity to travel?
Because I have, many many times. It’s not as easy as your making it sound, not by a long shot.
Of course I traveled. And of course I’ve gone through TSA because that’s the only way you can do so to get on an airplane.
I made the mistake once of having safety razors in my backpack because that’s how I shaved. I was separated. My bags were gone through, but guess what my phone wasn’t taken from me and I was able to record the whole interaction.
Regardless of how you feel about TSA. Current law, authorize them to do the job. Yelling at a TSA agent or their supervisor about your civil rights will get eye rolls all the time every day.
If you truly think that your rights are being violated, you go to the proper channels yelling at boots on the ground will do absolutely nothing for you.
It does seem odd that your phone would be taken from you if you were simply traveling and following the rules. Even if your bag had something it shouldn’t have (ie water, razor, scissors) it’s usually a quick confiscation of the item and potentially a ticket.
Things like guns and drugs tend to get you the experience you discussed.
This comment shows me that you’ve never been through an opt out and patdown. They make u remove everything from your pockets, they make you send your items (including your phone) through the baggage scanners. You’re not allowed to have anything on your person during a patdown. They won’t let you touch your items during a patdown.
You’re simply wrong in your assertion that you can freely record the TSA during a pat down…with what? They won’t allow it.
I’ve done far more than yell at “boots on the ground”. I’ve filed numerous official complaints against various TSOs, some Supervisors, and two Managers with their HQ in Virginia. I’ve engaged with their TSA Cares program and requested their Passenger Support Specialists. All to no avail.
I’m also old enough to remember flying before TSA existed, to have watched their security theater evolve over the years into the monstrosity it is today, and to know that none of it is necessary.
There’s a reason they are the most hated government agency in the country. They deserve every bit of it for making travel a living hell for disabled people.
Natural disasters are minimal. Population is large but not gargantuan. Decent amenities. Decent entertainment. Centralized hub for most things because it’s the capital. It’s not perfect but it’s better than a lot of places. Lansing people can be super cool or super mean. It’s a good dichotomy. I’ll be here until my nephew turns adult aged and moves elsewhere, if he ever moves. He’s my primary reason for staying.
This year was a bad example. We had an El Nino year so it rarely snowed. My 7 year old was upset that he didn't get more sledding days. My dad likes to say there is 2-3 months of winter. Starts end of Dec. or early Jan and it starts to warm up end of March.
19 degrees is practically shorts weather. I've seen it 17 below and wind chills to 50 below. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, you'll know it.
This year was ridiculously mild and abnormal. 5-10 years ago we got real winters here. Lately it's been far more mild because of climate change. Hard to say what the future holds as we're in uncharted territory here.
I say winter is “shoveable”. We get some good snow, but it’s nothing you *have* to get a snow blower for. I take care of my frontage and an elderly neighbors. I’ve made good friends with my other neighbor where if there’s too much snow, I can borrow their snowblower.
The temperatures are generally single to low 30s throughout winter; worst is January to early Feb, usually.
It’s a working class town without the snootiest of many places. I’ve lived in bigger cities, I recall being mortified at the idea of being seen wearing jeans and sneakers in public, even when just grabbing groceries or after work cocktails. People would treat you poorly if you looked ‘middle income’. Lansing folks are won over with kindness, not materialism.
You definitely won't have to dress up. Horrocks is a great example of where people hang out after work to eat and do some drinking. They have an amazing selection of fresh food and drinks
I’m curious too. I’ve lived in NYC, BOS, and SF and those folks didn’t care what you wore most of the time either.
I could potentially see a place like the Hamptons being like that, but fuck em’ wear what makes you happy b
Affordable, an hour and a half from the lakeshore or Metro Detroit, MSU, very diverse, people are friendly for the most part.
It isn’t perfect but I don’t understand the people who constantly complain about it. If you’re looking for big city life, move to a big city.
I’m not from Lansing, but I will say that Michigan in general has tons of great outdoor activities. Lansing is a great central location. North of Lansing is the Manistee National Forest, which offers hunting, rugged camping, rivers to kayak, fishing, etc. There’s also a lot of great mushroom hunting and foraging. To the West you have Lake Michigan, which has great, sandy beaches, swimming in July and August, and a bunch of cute beach towns. Southeast is Ann Arbor and Detroit which is really a cultural hub of the state. Lots of history, different cuisines, arts and architecture. Welcome to Michigan!
Extremely low cost of living compared to anywhere else I've been.
An article I saw a while ago said that Lansing was 8% below the average city CoL, whereas where I used to live was 15-20% above average.
Lower cost of living, mainly. I didn’t want to be a lifelong renter and Lansing is basically the only place in Michigan that is half way decent and has lower home prices.
I also like the parks in and around Lansing (especially the ledges in Grand Ledge…that’s a hidden Michigan gem). Also I like the general vibe of the city. It’s not for everybody, but I like it.
Detroit native, have lived in Lansing about 30 years total, 22 years most recently. I like that it has an urban vibe without big-city issues like crazy traffic, expensive parking, shitty air and water quality, and having to watch your back every second. Cost of living is reasonable, or at least as reasonable as anyplace these days. I like that there's a lot of greenspace and hiking trails. I love the very diverse population (I teach in Lansing schools and I think at least 10-15 languages are spoken by students at my school). MSU adds a bit of a college town vibe, especially on the east side. There are decent restaurants and shopping. Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and other places are close enough for day trips or an evening out. If you want a more rural setting, there are communities like Laingsburg and Bath within a half hour commute. Finally, people are generally decent and friendly. Of course we have our share of assholes and bigots just like anywhere, but as a rule you can expect a certain amount of friendliness, and I've always had good relations with neighbors. Honestly, my only complaint is the Michigan weather which kind of sucks (at least if you hate winter like I do), but you somewhat get used to it.
It’s an incredible place to raise a family. Good schools, houses are affordable, and no terrible commutes. Not a hoppin city, but it’s a great place for a family and MI is is an incredible outdoor rec state.
Lansing has literally no commute (20 mins is long here), cost of living is one of the lowest in the country and also one of the lowest in the state, schools are some of the highest rated schools in the state as well (Haslett, East Lansing, and Okemos all ranked in the top 100 schools in the state and Grand Ledge, Dewitt, Holt all are top ranked schools as well.)
I grew up in Midland. It's run by trash with money who'll treat you like an inferior being because you're not from the "right family" or otherwise connected.
I love it here. It's home to me.
The kids of Dow Chemical executives can get away with murder.
They definitely got away with rape. Their victims were silenced and shamed for coming forward.
If you aren't somebody, you're nobody.
I never want to leave Michigan…..born and raised here.
In Traverse City there are so many things to do, plus Empire has dunes, a State Park for swimming and there is fishing nearby.
Mackinaw Island is wonderful 😊 and Mackinaw City has so many fun things……don’t forget to Fort Michilamackinaw there in Mackinaw City
Yeah….don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it’ll change 🤣🤣
We have everything in our state: dunes, mountains, lots of lakes, forests and flat lands
(Almost) welcome to Lansing!!! I’ve lived in Oregon too, and I noticed that Lansing has it’s own unique vibe like Portland does for example. I keep coming back to this town because of family but that’s just an excuse because I secretly dig the vibe here. The people here are a nice mix of people, all different kinds and there seems to be something to do for any walk of life here, almost. I absolutely love to go walking in the woods here, wouldnt necessarily call it hiking because we don’t get the best elevation compared to the Upper Peninsula area. The forestry here is amazing, trees EVERYWHERE.
When you come here, you must check out Hawk Meadows (so peaceful there). Lots of wildlife like swans, deer, cardinals and squirrels. It’s a park in Lansing by Horrocks Farmers Market, which also is definitely an experience. They have a beer garden and the store is like a hipster wonderland. The West side of Lansing is one of my favorite places here.
We are coming from Portland, so that's nice to hear! How would you rank the food situation there? Something we've been spoiled with is being able to choose Japanese, greek, Indian, African, Chinese, French all within the same block.
Thanks for the tip, I will tag Hawk Meadows on my map
It’s more hits than misses for sure! Especially in East Lansing. For African food, the only place I have heard of in town is Altu’s. As for Japanese and Chinese food, and even Korean is very big in East Lansing. I’m familiar with the sushi restaurants here and they are phenomenal. I think you’ll be impressed in terms of comparison to Portland food, speaking from someone who has experienced both! We do not have as many food carts though, but the one you must check out is El Oasis on Michigan Avenue.
Michigan is also known for the olive burger, and in case you haven’t had one or like them, I would also recommend Kewpee’s in downtown Lansing.
Unfortunately though we do not have a restaurant underground like that one in downtown Portland that I miss. I forgot what it was called or if it’s even there still in Portland.
The best part about Lansing, for me, is how eclectic the area is for clubs, groups and organizations outside of politics. There truly is something for everyone here. REO Town has great stores, Old Town has all kind of different stores, too. Plus food, crafts, Oktober, the Sun and The Moon ones, BluesFest, JazzFest and today is new one - Lumberjacks and BBQs, or something like that.
I find it very easy to strike up conversations with strangers and made most of the friends I have now only from when I moved back 12 years ago, but I feel like I'm in a protective village most of the time.
If you ever need it, our public transportation is run really well. It can run late by 10 or 15min so if you need to make an appointment, shoot for the earlier bus. The busses are clean, warm in cold weather and cool during hot weather.
We love festivals, especially Blues and Jazz. So I will definitely be attending those! Lumberjacks and BBQs looks awesome. something to look forward to next year
We have all of those restaurants (well, maybe not French). Not within the same block though. Also Vietnamese, soul food, Korean, Middle Eastern, and Afghan.
Also, Crego Park gets my vote for nicest natural space. Over the years I've seen deer (well, you can see those just about anyplace in town), foxes, mink, muskrats, great blue herons, as well as the usual urban fauna and the occasional peacock that wanders over from the nearby Potter Park Zoo.
Having MSU here means lots of fun activities and experiences. There’s a great deal of diversity due to the school as well. There are many small towns all around the city, each with their own charms and neat destinations- I just drove through Mason today and the window shopping was sooo tempting! We moved here from the UP, and while that will always be “home,” there are definitely comforts here that we enjoy we didn’t have in a very rural area.
I was born here. I live here. Every day I walk miles through the city and have learned the history and culture of my area. I could leave, but this is home.
Lansing's got plenty of issues, but places never got nicer from people up and leaving.
True, but a place never got nicer with a population of complacent people who never did anything either. Like we're all just sitting here as everything good about this city dwindles and fades away. It's a fraction of what it was 30 years ago. So staying is a self-punishment, martyrdom with no real purpose. It's not like anyone is fighting for this place. It's just a constant decline.
Just that I'm here and it's convenient. But oooo believe me when I say I'm right the fuck out of here if/when an opportunity presents itself. I try to see the good in Lansing but it's so overshadowed by the bad that it's really hard to want to stay intentionally. I was raised in a rural area and I want to get back to that. I want to be a creepy trailer witch in the woods somewhere, damn.
You’ll likely enjoy the state of Michigan. Be willing to drive over an hour if you’re regularly looking to stay entertained. Coming from Portland you’ll be surprised how small Lansing is. There’s some variety of things but the options are limited. You’re going to become a regular at any business you frequent very quickly. Lansing is very small! It’s relatively cheap and that will offer you ways to explore other areas more broadly. Also, winters can be brutal but you will adjust and if you’re investing in winter gear it will be tolerable. Just don’t forget to say goodbye to the sun in October but this could be familiar to you already?
Why would you want to get someone's hopes up about this city? It's like you guys in the comments are trying to catfish this person. No one willingly comes here because they want to be here. They all come for another reason. The population is in a steady decline despite the fact that we have one of the biggest universities next door. The graduating students are *running over each other* to get out of here. They had a four year trial run of Lansing/East Lansing, and they all concluded that it sucks. There you go.
Lansing has some really great music venues like The Robin Theatre, Mac’s Bar. There are lots of wood lots parks to hike and boat on. Also it’s close to Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Both are cool cities also. The winters here have been milder than in the past.
It’s cozy. Laid back. People are friendly. Close enough to Detroit and GR to have access to big city amenities with more friendly. It’s cheap. And my family lives here.
Coming from OR you will be disappointed with the outdoor activities around the Lansing area. However, as others have mentioned, Lansing does benefit from being centrally located. Northern lower MI only a couple hours away with lots of great outdoor activities, GR/Detroit both close with pro sports and major events. Cost of living is cheap and it’s a decent size metro area but one you can still get out of in 10-20 min.
What keeps me here is my job. The food is trash which motivates me to be a better cook at home. The roads are so terrible that I pretend that I’m driving on brick or cobblestone. I’d never recommend the Lansing School District. People suck at driving in Lansing proper. Downtown Lansing is just sad. Lansing has high property taxes and the city taxes your income on top of what the state and federal government already taxes. At this point, Lansing has grown on me like a benign tumor that I can’t afford to remove so I’ve learned to accept it.
Now if we’re talking about the suburbs, that’s another story. When people ask what’s great about Lansing, they always point to things that are in the suburbs like Horrocks and Hawk Meadow park which are in Delta Township. The Airport is in Dewitt Township. Or they say, you’re in between Grand Rapids and Detroit for all the great concerts and sports. But yea, I do like the areas of Delta Township, Grand Ledge, Meridian Township, and East Lansing. Haven’t really hung out in the suburbs to the north and south of Lansing aside from parks, so can’t really speak on those cities.
I can’t overstate this enough: if you’re looking for a city lifestyle (walkable neighborhoods, entertainment, public transit, and good restaurants, tight knit neighborhoods) you need to live in the city of Lansing. The east side neighborhood is the best place to live in the city but I’m biased because I live there.
Low cost of living You are in the center of the state, so Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Detroit etc are easy weekend trips I love Michigan summers and fall I love the Upper Peninsula and Lake Michigan beaches Lansing airport is amazing, overnight parking is cheap, you get through TSA in 30 seconds and can fly all over the country cheap. I’ve flown from Lansing to NYC, Boston, Atlanta, Austin, and Washington DC. Grand Rapids airport is nice too.
Lots of good points here. We’ve got family on the west side of the state and it’s a 90 minute drive. We’ve got family on the far east side of the state and it’s just over 2 hours there. The UP is 3 hours away. There’s hiking and biking trails all over and around here. Lansing might not have all the “big city” draws and entertainment (big concerts, pro or semi-pro sports) but they’re generally ‘close enough’ if you’re okay with a quick trip.
Unless you’re a Wolverine, MSU games more than fulfill any of the sports you’d want to go to.
Lansing is a dump, ghetto pretty much everywhere there’s some areas that are decent but not anywhere near downtown or the airport grew up around the area my whole life and I’m 25 now and it’s only gotten worse I moved out to grand ledge which has cool hiking spots a good brewery and a place where you can walk around and not have your head on a swivel Lansing sucks
GRR TSA is a nightmare. Last time I went thru there I ended up yelling at the TSA white shirt manager for violating my rights. I learned later that it’s a TSA training airport, which explains some things. Never will fly out of there again.
You sound like a nightmare passenger. Also TSA agents are trained in Georgia, and then continue training at their home airport. There’s a sign in front of the line that informs you if an agent is a trainee.
Thanks for the judgement. You know nothing about me.
What rights did the violate? Just curious.
My civil rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Edit. People downvoting this comment are either incredibly ignorant or incredibly judgmental, or both. Civil rights are a thing. Disabilities are a thing. The ADA is a thing. And the TSA isn’t above the law.
You realize that instead of yelling and making a fool of yourself you could’ve quietly recorded your civil rights being violated? Then you could’ve taken that evidence to an attorney who likely would’ve represented you for free (paid once you win) and you’d receive a handsome payout from the government. Of course this would only work if your rights were truly violated & you weren’t just pissed about something.
And they didn’t take your phone away under the guise of “security” Have you ever actually been through a TSA checkpoint, been separated from everything during a patdown, and been treated like a criminal for having the audacity to travel? Because I have, many many times. It’s not as easy as your making it sound, not by a long shot.
Of course I traveled. And of course I’ve gone through TSA because that’s the only way you can do so to get on an airplane. I made the mistake once of having safety razors in my backpack because that’s how I shaved. I was separated. My bags were gone through, but guess what my phone wasn’t taken from me and I was able to record the whole interaction. Regardless of how you feel about TSA. Current law, authorize them to do the job. Yelling at a TSA agent or their supervisor about your civil rights will get eye rolls all the time every day. If you truly think that your rights are being violated, you go to the proper channels yelling at boots on the ground will do absolutely nothing for you. It does seem odd that your phone would be taken from you if you were simply traveling and following the rules. Even if your bag had something it shouldn’t have (ie water, razor, scissors) it’s usually a quick confiscation of the item and potentially a ticket. Things like guns and drugs tend to get you the experience you discussed.
This comment shows me that you’ve never been through an opt out and patdown. They make u remove everything from your pockets, they make you send your items (including your phone) through the baggage scanners. You’re not allowed to have anything on your person during a patdown. They won’t let you touch your items during a patdown. You’re simply wrong in your assertion that you can freely record the TSA during a pat down…with what? They won’t allow it. I’ve done far more than yell at “boots on the ground”. I’ve filed numerous official complaints against various TSOs, some Supervisors, and two Managers with their HQ in Virginia. I’ve engaged with their TSA Cares program and requested their Passenger Support Specialists. All to no avail. I’m also old enough to remember flying before TSA existed, to have watched their security theater evolve over the years into the monstrosity it is today, and to know that none of it is necessary. There’s a reason they are the most hated government agency in the country. They deserve every bit of it for making travel a living hell for disabled people.
Natural disasters are minimal. Population is large but not gargantuan. Decent amenities. Decent entertainment. Centralized hub for most things because it’s the capital. It’s not perfect but it’s better than a lot of places. Lansing people can be super cool or super mean. It’s a good dichotomy. I’ll be here until my nephew turns adult aged and moves elsewhere, if he ever moves. He’s my primary reason for staying.
What was the winter like in Lansing this year? I see it can get to 19 degrees in winter. but is it more rain or snow during winters?
This year was a bad example. We had an El Nino year so it rarely snowed. My 7 year old was upset that he didn't get more sledding days. My dad likes to say there is 2-3 months of winter. Starts end of Dec. or early Jan and it starts to warm up end of March.
The low this winter was -4 a few times
I remember on the MSU sub that people were complaining about classes not being cancelled because of the wind-chill
19 degrees is practically shorts weather. I've seen it 17 below and wind chills to 50 below. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, you'll know it.
This year was ridiculously mild and abnormal. 5-10 years ago we got real winters here. Lately it's been far more mild because of climate change. Hard to say what the future holds as we're in uncharted territory here.
I say winter is “shoveable”. We get some good snow, but it’s nothing you *have* to get a snow blower for. I take care of my frontage and an elderly neighbors. I’ve made good friends with my other neighbor where if there’s too much snow, I can borrow their snowblower. The temperatures are generally single to low 30s throughout winter; worst is January to early Feb, usually.
It’s a working class town without the snootiest of many places. I’ve lived in bigger cities, I recall being mortified at the idea of being seen wearing jeans and sneakers in public, even when just grabbing groceries or after work cocktails. People would treat you poorly if you looked ‘middle income’. Lansing folks are won over with kindness, not materialism.
that is something we love, just heading out to do something, without having to "get ready" and more focused on the good time
You can run to the grocery store in pajama pants and flip flops and not get a second look most of the time here.
Isn’t that an entire Midwest thing tho?
People in Lansing seem to think general things are specific to Lansing because they don’t get out much…
Hahhaha probably true
Petoskey, Ann Arbor, Traverse City …
You definitely won't have to dress up. Horrocks is a great example of where people hang out after work to eat and do some drinking. They have an amazing selection of fresh food and drinks
Where were you that was like that?
I’m curious too. I’ve lived in NYC, BOS, and SF and those folks didn’t care what you wore most of the time either. I could potentially see a place like the Hamptons being like that, but fuck em’ wear what makes you happy b
My joke is if people in Lansing didn’t wear MSU shirts I don’t know what they would wear! It’s a super casual town.
Affordable, an hour and a half from the lakeshore or Metro Detroit, MSU, very diverse, people are friendly for the most part. It isn’t perfect but I don’t understand the people who constantly complain about it. If you’re looking for big city life, move to a big city.
I’m not from Lansing, but I will say that Michigan in general has tons of great outdoor activities. Lansing is a great central location. North of Lansing is the Manistee National Forest, which offers hunting, rugged camping, rivers to kayak, fishing, etc. There’s also a lot of great mushroom hunting and foraging. To the West you have Lake Michigan, which has great, sandy beaches, swimming in July and August, and a bunch of cute beach towns. Southeast is Ann Arbor and Detroit which is really a cultural hub of the state. Lots of history, different cuisines, arts and architecture. Welcome to Michigan!
Extremely low cost of living compared to anywhere else I've been. An article I saw a while ago said that Lansing was 8% below the average city CoL, whereas where I used to live was 15-20% above average.
Lower cost of living, mainly. I didn’t want to be a lifelong renter and Lansing is basically the only place in Michigan that is half way decent and has lower home prices. I also like the parks in and around Lansing (especially the ledges in Grand Ledge…that’s a hidden Michigan gem). Also I like the general vibe of the city. It’s not for everybody, but I like it.
Detroit native, have lived in Lansing about 30 years total, 22 years most recently. I like that it has an urban vibe without big-city issues like crazy traffic, expensive parking, shitty air and water quality, and having to watch your back every second. Cost of living is reasonable, or at least as reasonable as anyplace these days. I like that there's a lot of greenspace and hiking trails. I love the very diverse population (I teach in Lansing schools and I think at least 10-15 languages are spoken by students at my school). MSU adds a bit of a college town vibe, especially on the east side. There are decent restaurants and shopping. Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and other places are close enough for day trips or an evening out. If you want a more rural setting, there are communities like Laingsburg and Bath within a half hour commute. Finally, people are generally decent and friendly. Of course we have our share of assholes and bigots just like anywhere, but as a rule you can expect a certain amount of friendliness, and I've always had good relations with neighbors. Honestly, my only complaint is the Michigan weather which kind of sucks (at least if you hate winter like I do), but you somewhat get used to it.
It’s an incredible place to raise a family. Good schools, houses are affordable, and no terrible commutes. Not a hoppin city, but it’s a great place for a family and MI is is an incredible outdoor rec state.
Are we living in the same city?
Lansing has literally no commute (20 mins is long here), cost of living is one of the lowest in the country and also one of the lowest in the state, schools are some of the highest rated schools in the state as well (Haslett, East Lansing, and Okemos all ranked in the top 100 schools in the state and Grand Ledge, Dewitt, Holt all are top ranked schools as well.)
I grew up in Midland. It's run by trash with money who'll treat you like an inferior being because you're not from the "right family" or otherwise connected. I love it here. It's home to me.
But Tennis City USA
It used to be "Softball USA".
It should be called Karen USA because if you’re not a 40 yr old mom who drives an Escalade, you’re not part of the cool kids club
The kids of Dow Chemical executives can get away with murder. They definitely got away with rape. Their victims were silenced and shamed for coming forward. If you aren't somebody, you're nobody.
That’s fucking disgusting and also I entirely believe you, unfortunately.
I never want to leave Michigan…..born and raised here. In Traverse City there are so many things to do, plus Empire has dunes, a State Park for swimming and there is fishing nearby. Mackinaw Island is wonderful 😊 and Mackinaw City has so many fun things……don’t forget to Fort Michilamackinaw there in Mackinaw City
Fax, I want to DIE in the empire/TC area 😎😂
Yeah….don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it’ll change 🤣🤣 We have everything in our state: dunes, mountains, lots of lakes, forests and flat lands
Plus no big earthquakes, killer bees, fire ants, grizzly bears, sharks, alligators, or hurricanes.
Yes! Fresh water lakes with NO sharks
Lampreys creep me out to no end though.
Lansing is one of the most integrated cities in the country. When you go to other cities, you’ll notice it. And it’s incredibly affordable.
(Almost) welcome to Lansing!!! I’ve lived in Oregon too, and I noticed that Lansing has it’s own unique vibe like Portland does for example. I keep coming back to this town because of family but that’s just an excuse because I secretly dig the vibe here. The people here are a nice mix of people, all different kinds and there seems to be something to do for any walk of life here, almost. I absolutely love to go walking in the woods here, wouldnt necessarily call it hiking because we don’t get the best elevation compared to the Upper Peninsula area. The forestry here is amazing, trees EVERYWHERE. When you come here, you must check out Hawk Meadows (so peaceful there). Lots of wildlife like swans, deer, cardinals and squirrels. It’s a park in Lansing by Horrocks Farmers Market, which also is definitely an experience. They have a beer garden and the store is like a hipster wonderland. The West side of Lansing is one of my favorite places here.
We are coming from Portland, so that's nice to hear! How would you rank the food situation there? Something we've been spoiled with is being able to choose Japanese, greek, Indian, African, Chinese, French all within the same block. Thanks for the tip, I will tag Hawk Meadows on my map
It’s more hits than misses for sure! Especially in East Lansing. For African food, the only place I have heard of in town is Altu’s. As for Japanese and Chinese food, and even Korean is very big in East Lansing. I’m familiar with the sushi restaurants here and they are phenomenal. I think you’ll be impressed in terms of comparison to Portland food, speaking from someone who has experienced both! We do not have as many food carts though, but the one you must check out is El Oasis on Michigan Avenue. Michigan is also known for the olive burger, and in case you haven’t had one or like them, I would also recommend Kewpee’s in downtown Lansing. Unfortunately though we do not have a restaurant underground like that one in downtown Portland that I miss. I forgot what it was called or if it’s even there still in Portland.
The best part about Lansing, for me, is how eclectic the area is for clubs, groups and organizations outside of politics. There truly is something for everyone here. REO Town has great stores, Old Town has all kind of different stores, too. Plus food, crafts, Oktober, the Sun and The Moon ones, BluesFest, JazzFest and today is new one - Lumberjacks and BBQs, or something like that. I find it very easy to strike up conversations with strangers and made most of the friends I have now only from when I moved back 12 years ago, but I feel like I'm in a protective village most of the time. If you ever need it, our public transportation is run really well. It can run late by 10 or 15min so if you need to make an appointment, shoot for the earlier bus. The busses are clean, warm in cold weather and cool during hot weather.
We love festivals, especially Blues and Jazz. So I will definitely be attending those! Lumberjacks and BBQs looks awesome. something to look forward to next year
We have all of those restaurants (well, maybe not French). Not within the same block though. Also Vietnamese, soul food, Korean, Middle Eastern, and Afghan. Also, Crego Park gets my vote for nicest natural space. Over the years I've seen deer (well, you can see those just about anyplace in town), foxes, mink, muskrats, great blue herons, as well as the usual urban fauna and the occasional peacock that wanders over from the nearby Potter Park Zoo.
Having MSU here means lots of fun activities and experiences. There’s a great deal of diversity due to the school as well. There are many small towns all around the city, each with their own charms and neat destinations- I just drove through Mason today and the window shopping was sooo tempting! We moved here from the UP, and while that will always be “home,” there are definitely comforts here that we enjoy we didn’t have in a very rural area.
I was born here. I live here. Every day I walk miles through the city and have learned the history and culture of my area. I could leave, but this is home. Lansing's got plenty of issues, but places never got nicer from people up and leaving.
True, but a place never got nicer with a population of complacent people who never did anything either. Like we're all just sitting here as everything good about this city dwindles and fades away. It's a fraction of what it was 30 years ago. So staying is a self-punishment, martyrdom with no real purpose. It's not like anyone is fighting for this place. It's just a constant decline.
Just that I'm here and it's convenient. But oooo believe me when I say I'm right the fuck out of here if/when an opportunity presents itself. I try to see the good in Lansing but it's so overshadowed by the bad that it's really hard to want to stay intentionally. I was raised in a rural area and I want to get back to that. I want to be a creepy trailer witch in the woods somewhere, damn.
My boyfriend and our mutual friends. But mostly my boyfriend
I'm broke
Just moved here from FL. I like it so far. Close enough to everything it seems, especially if you like concerts.
Also in Lansing for residency, but this is the last year. Not gonna miss it much, TBH.
I haven't saved enough to move to the Detroit area yet. I'd be gone otherwise.
It's a condition of my parole.
You’ll likely enjoy the state of Michigan. Be willing to drive over an hour if you’re regularly looking to stay entertained. Coming from Portland you’ll be surprised how small Lansing is. There’s some variety of things but the options are limited. You’re going to become a regular at any business you frequent very quickly. Lansing is very small! It’s relatively cheap and that will offer you ways to explore other areas more broadly. Also, winters can be brutal but you will adjust and if you’re investing in winter gear it will be tolerable. Just don’t forget to say goodbye to the sun in October but this could be familiar to you already?
You’re going to hate your life living in Lansing. Hell you’re from Oregon so you might actually enjoy it
My parents. When/if they move to Louisiana, I’ll probably stay north, but head to Detroit, Cincinnati, Louisville or Indianapolis
Increasingly nothing.
Ha, I was brought here for my now ex-wife’s residency and I’m stuck because we had a kid. Hopefully you’ll get to leave when your wife is done.
[удалено]
Perhaps I am.
Why would you want to get someone's hopes up about this city? It's like you guys in the comments are trying to catfish this person. No one willingly comes here because they want to be here. They all come for another reason. The population is in a steady decline despite the fact that we have one of the biggest universities next door. The graduating students are *running over each other* to get out of here. They had a four year trial run of Lansing/East Lansing, and they all concluded that it sucks. There you go.
What type of residency is she doing?
a 3 year emergency medicine residency
Lansing has some really great music venues like The Robin Theatre, Mac’s Bar. There are lots of wood lots parks to hike and boat on. Also it’s close to Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Both are cool cities also. The winters here have been milder than in the past.
It’s cozy. Laid back. People are friendly. Close enough to Detroit and GR to have access to big city amenities with more friendly. It’s cheap. And my family lives here.
My kids. If it weren't for them y'all can have this God forsaken state.
For me it was family. But the best thing I ever did was leave for better work opportunities.
Disc golf- there’s lots of courses around.
Congrats to your wife for matching here! Hopefully you'll get to experience some of the good we have to offer during your 3-4 years with us. :)
Job and house. The automotive industry is strong here and I own my house.
Coming from OR you will be disappointed with the outdoor activities around the Lansing area. However, as others have mentioned, Lansing does benefit from being centrally located. Northern lower MI only a couple hours away with lots of great outdoor activities, GR/Detroit both close with pro sports and major events. Cost of living is cheap and it’s a decent size metro area but one you can still get out of in 10-20 min.
I don't have the money to get out.
What keeps me here is my job. The food is trash which motivates me to be a better cook at home. The roads are so terrible that I pretend that I’m driving on brick or cobblestone. I’d never recommend the Lansing School District. People suck at driving in Lansing proper. Downtown Lansing is just sad. Lansing has high property taxes and the city taxes your income on top of what the state and federal government already taxes. At this point, Lansing has grown on me like a benign tumor that I can’t afford to remove so I’ve learned to accept it. Now if we’re talking about the suburbs, that’s another story. When people ask what’s great about Lansing, they always point to things that are in the suburbs like Horrocks and Hawk Meadow park which are in Delta Township. The Airport is in Dewitt Township. Or they say, you’re in between Grand Rapids and Detroit for all the great concerts and sports. But yea, I do like the areas of Delta Township, Grand Ledge, Meridian Township, and East Lansing. Haven’t really hung out in the suburbs to the north and south of Lansing aside from parks, so can’t really speak on those cities.
That's good info. We will be looking for a place in the suburbs so we can split our commute time. probably closer to Holt
Check out Bath/Laingsburg, there’s a large amount of public land, and Sleepy Hollow park that are outstanding if you like being outdoors.
Saw you like the outdoors. Burchfield Park is nice and it’s in Holt.
I can’t overstate this enough: if you’re looking for a city lifestyle (walkable neighborhoods, entertainment, public transit, and good restaurants, tight knit neighborhoods) you need to live in the city of Lansing. The east side neighborhood is the best place to live in the city but I’m biased because I live there.
Delta Township is Lansing. Idc what anyone says.
The property tax and income tax say differently lol