Grand Rapids for Dummies

[JJinPDX]

Originally Posted by Zenstyle

First off, you are not a tool, my dear.
"I say the F word a lot.
Come sit by me.
Don’t want to live in an old Victorian home with walkability/live among the hipsters.
This eliminates the Heritage Hill and Eastown neighborhoods, respectively.


Coming from California, you'll find your housing budget will pack a big punch here. especially in the burby-neighborhoods.
Republican but not ultra conservative or religious (agnostic).
This wild-eyed lefty thinks you'll fit in anywhere here just fine. Avoid the outlying areas of Grandville, Jenison or Byron Center, though;insular areas, in my opinion.

One thing you need to be warned about:

There's a reason it's called Sunny California.The winter sun here in West Michigan is...........elusive. Prepare yourself. Lay in a stock of melatonin,
Hope you make it to our shores! You will find a warm welcome here.

LOL, you rock. Thank you!
We actually are lucky enough to be able to travel and get the F out for a month or two when winter gets too oppressive feeling. I’m hoping that’ll create the best of both worlds vibe.

Interestingly, we lived in Portland, OR for 2.5 years. It was lovely but not a forever home for us.

Your response makes me feel good and gives me hope!

[DTWflyer]

Yeah, just to put it in perspective, I don't think I've actually seen the sun in 2-3 weeks.
We are in the cloudy, gray, dark time of the year in Michigan.
I feel like for the past week or so its been perpetual twilight, even at midday.

[lvredrider]

Originally Posted by DTWflyer

Yeah, just to put it in perspective, I don't think I've actually seen the sun in 2-3 weeks.
We are in the cloudy, gray, dark time of the year in Michigan.
I feel like for the past week or so its been perpetual twilight, even at midday.

Old thread, I know, but this is what scares me. I'm from the southwest, moving the GR soon, and am NOT looking forward to a sunless winter existence. Will probably get one of those lamps that mimic the sun, I know that may sound cheesy, but I think that's my salvation

[tuebor]

People overstate the gray. We never go 2 weeks with literally no sun. But we may go that long with only sporadic sunshine, and if you work indoors, you may be stuck at your job when the sun is out, and the sun may set before you get home from your commute. If you work at home, though, you can take a break and step outside for some vitamin D.

[mjlo]

Originally Posted by tuebor

People overstate the gray. We never go 2 weeks with literally no sun. But we may go that long with only sporadic sunshine, and if you work indoors, you may be stuck at your job when the sun is out, and the sun may set before you get home from your commute. If you work at home, though, you can take a break and step outside for some vitamin D.

I was thinking the same thing. Folks who've only "heard" about the gray think there's no sun from November to March. While there's definitely quite a bit of overcast days, once the lake temp and air temps start being the same the cloud dome dissipates. There's still sunny days. It's about 50/50. Super cold air makes it harder for clouds to form. Warmer winters are more cloudy.

[Bondurant]

It is Christmas Day and the sun is shining. What remains of the snow has melted.

[bexy11]

As someone who grew up here, moved to Philly and then San Francisco (the FOGGY part) for 20+ years, I can say 100% the lack of sun is not overstated.

It depends on the year of course, but one year when I was in high school (in the 1990s) we had zero sun (essentially, totally overcast sky) for 45 straight days. That is unusual, but a couple years ago when I moved back here after living in foggy SF for 12 years, I found I desperately needed one of those sun lamps.

In SF, rarely does a day go by when you don’t see at least a glimpse of the sun. In Grand Rapids, you can easily go several days in a row with no sun at all. It is a huge adjustment for many people.