Overall Score
The city of Grand Rapids is located in the western part of the state and has a population second only to that of Detroit. Warm summers with heavy rain and snowy winters are separated by a short interregnum. The city is known as the birthplace of five of the worlds top quality furniture giants. Once upon a time, the small firms that first appeared here grew to become the worlds largest manufacturers. Obviously, these circumstances were the reason for its unofficial designation as the City of Furniture. But its not just local products that are an asset for local manufacturers. Local firms specializing in information technology and consumer-oriented products thrive here. The citys health care, aviation and automobile industries contribute substantially to the economy.
The area on which the city now stands was inhabited more than 2,000 years ago. It was inhabited by the nations of the Hopewell culture. Later on, the Indian Ottaweul people came here and settled there for a long time, building their villages. In the early 19th century, during the period when the Jews were settling there, monitors arrived to convert the Indians to Christianity. Apart from them, there were traders in the area who were engaged in profitable trade. In exchange for colorful textiles and cheap jewelry, they received from the Indians fine furs and excellent leather. The Anglo-Europeans subsequently founded a fur company, which in a few decades moved on to places more favourable for the development of commerce.
By the beginning of the second half of the 19th century, the Grand Rapids had become a center of furniture production. The local artisans quickly spread throughout America. Following the international exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876, the city was recognized as a world leader in the production of stately and high quality furniture. It filled the domestic market for 75 years, and in the 1960s it went global.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 32 US AQI Good. Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- Tap water: Yes, safe to drink
- Religious government: Non-religious
- Population: 200,000 people
- GDP: $57,808 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 115V60Hz
- Internet: 47 Mbps
- Best wireless: T-Mobile
- Pay without cash: Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
- Tipping: How much should I tip at a restaurant? A gratuity of 15 to 20 per cent on top of the bill (before sales tax) is standard, with 25 per cent given for topnotch service. Servers in America work hard for the money – they’re generally friendly, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile for customers.
- Apartment listings: Craigslist
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Uber
- Best coworking space: The Forest
- Online electronics shop: Amazon
- Best hospital: Spectrum Health
- Best short-haul air carrier: Jet Blue
- Best intl air carrier: United Airlines
- Monthly costs for expat: $2100
- Monthly costs for family: $4600
- Monthly costs for local: $1300
- Meal: $10
- Small Cola: $1.7
- Beer 1 Pint: $5
- Coffee: $3.5
View Larger Map