A Couple More Relocation Questions! :-)

S.-

If you go to www.familyeducation.com, you can search the school districts you are interested in by zip code (based on where you think you might be living) and get information. Some have their own websites that you can go to, but all have contact information so that you can get information from the schools directly. Ada and Cascade are both close to all the amenities of town. I've lived in GR my entire life, but I'm from the north end (vs. the south end where you are interested in) so I can't give you any more specifics. Good luck!

Hi S.,
I think you will find more newcomers to the GR area in the Forest Hills, Cascade, Ada area. When we moved here from Illinois I found that the NEWCOMERS group was a great place to meet people who were also new to the area. Here is the link to their website: http://www.grandrapidsnewcomers.org/ you might want to check them out.
Best of luck with your move.
P.

Hi S.,

We moved to Grand Rapids 6 years ago and we absolutely love it. Not knowing anybody, we wanted a newer community with young families like us and we definitely found it. We live in Ada - in the Forest Hills school district. Our neighborhood is called Clements Mill - lots of families with kids and we have quite a few neighborhood gatherings throughout the year - block parties, last day of school beach party for families, etc. There are a number of homes for sale right now in our neighborhood from the 300-350k range.
As far as kindergarten, they have a full day and half day program, so you can choose what you prefer. The full day is 2 full days and one half day per week - so you have 2 days to yourself. You just let them know what schedule you prefer, 1st and 2nd choice, and they do their best to accomodate you. My daughter is currently in the half day afternoon kindergarten and we are very happy with it. Please email me if you have any questions. I'd be happy to help. My email is: ____@____.com
Good luck!
M. B.

As you can see from all the great responses to your great questions, it's a nice place to be!! It sounds like you'll have no problem fitting in and meeting great people!
Do keep in mind that the schools have lots of opportunities to get involved and meet other famililes (parents groups and fundraising events, etc.). Also lots of sports and enrichment programs in the area and that's a great way for kids AND parents to make friends! Feel free to email anytime... ____@____.com
Good luck S.!!

Hi S., I am thrilled you are moving to Grand Rapids. I work for the relocation department of a real estate office and come in contact with people with your concerns all the time. We have a lot of information that I could pass on to you if you don't already have it. Quickly, kindergarten depends on the school. Most are 1/2 days but not every day which transitions the little ones nicely. Forest Hills and East GR are great school systems (I live in Ada and my children all went to Forest Hills Schools) but so is Rockford. They are the top 3 in our area. East GR taxes are the highest, then Forest Hills, then Rockford. Ada and Cascade have some rural areas but everything is close to shopping and all. In Ada and Cascade, I don't feel anything is really within
walking distance, unless you live near downtown Ada (which I did for 12 years), but everything is close by car.
I totally understand how you feel about breaking into a new neighborhood. I came here 20 years ago from NYC and did find it hard to make friends. Fortunately, having children helps with that. I also was involved in a church which helped a lot. As for areas that have more "re-los" I would say that the Cascade/Ada area has more of that than East Grand Rapids. It seems that East people have been there for years. A lot of the relocations we do end up living in Cascade or Ada if they are looking for a good school system, especially since the taxes are a little better than East GR. As an example, I live in Ada (but it is Cascade Township--too long to explain right now) on a cul-de-sac which is within walking distance from an Elementary School. Several of my neighbors have relocated here (one is a cruise ship captain from Italy-how fun is that?) and several have young children. We have such a variety on our small block, from a doctor to newlywed couple to small business owner. It comes alive in the spring and summer. Anyway, I'm rambling on now. I would love to get to meet you and introduce you to people once you are here. We have several organizations that would help you meet new people, including a Newcomers Club. Of course, having a darling little boy will help you meet lots of new people. If you are interested, our company offers free tours for people relocating into the are at no charge. That tour could even include visiting schools you may be interested in having your son attend. There is no obligation. Let me know if I can be of any help. I am at home right now and don't have the website for the school info but I will send that to you later. Also, check out this website on Grand Rapids. http://www.rightplace.org/live/ Click on the Live Vibrantly button. I think it sums up Grand Rapids quite nicely. I wish you the best. J. (feel free to contact me at ____@____.com)

I'm not sure the if the Kindergarten is full or half day in those two specific areas, I do know that we opted to put our 4 1/2 year old in a charter school to avoid the inner city Grand Rapids schools. The area that you are looking at though have better school systems. As far as shopping areas - Cascade is very close to a lot of shopping stores and two of the smaller malls in the area. Ada is fairly close to the larger shopping areas, just not as close as the Cascade area is. Grand Rapids is full of highways that allow for easy commute to the bigger mall that is more towards the Grandville area.

Good morning. My husband and I just moved back to the Forest Hills school district from East Grand Rapids and I can help you out a lot. Feel free to send me an e-mail at ____@____.com.

A couple of great neighborhoods for "re-los" are Clements Mill(corner of Ada Drive and Spaulding) and Ada Moorings (Grand River Drive off of Buttrick)

We have friends who live in both neighborhoods and can't believe how many kids there are ALWAYS outside playing. The friend who lives in Ada Moorings mentioned how a lot of her neighbors were "re-los"

I can even recommend our realtor who is prominent in this area.

Good Luck!

Hi S.,
I think I can answer some of your questions. I totally understand your questions because I too relocated here 10 years ago. I live in Forest Hills School District and LOVE it. Kindergarten is either half day or full day, your choice. (really nice) I have a 6th grader and a 4th grader and love the area and school district. Ada and Cascade and pretty close to everything. You can find a home that is on land but for the most part those areas are close to most things. Just remember Cascade taxes are MUCH higher than Ada or Grand Rapids Township taxes. (Grand Rapids Township being the lowest) On you question regarding people not being 100% from Grand Rapids, when we moved here we were told to stay clear of East Grand Rapids because its very old money and if you are not from here than you wouldnt fit in. (this came from the realator). I have found that to be true. I love Forest Hills and I have more friends here than I every did living in my home state. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Hey, when I read your first one I didn't respond because you're financially outta my league :)
However, I thought of the Ada area. My brother-in-law's family live in Ottawa Hills (near East Grand Rapids) but sent their kids to the Christian School in Ada for the very thing you're talking about--kids weren't necessarily from this area/state. And their family had lived in Tokyo for a number of years and then London, England. So they wanted their boys to be a comfortable school setting. That worked VERY well for them.

I live in EGR and my son will be starting young 5's or kindergarten in the fall. It's a half day and yes, you get what you get. You can put in your preference, but the school decides in the end. I am partial to the EGR Forest Hills area, but I would imagine you might find more new residents in Forest Hills, Cascade or Ada. EGR is a very small community with many people living here all their lives or returning after being gone for college-early 20's etc. In fact, I grew up here, went through the school system and ended up coming back. That being said....it's a wonderful community. And there isn't a better school district in the area. Although if I had to move I'd choose Forest Hills, Ada or Cascade so in my opinion you're on the right track! I can't tell you how easy it would be to make friends in EGR, but if you need, you can contact me! I'm happy to show you around and get a cup of coffee. Good Luck!