[Sharks With Lasers]

One of the advantages of the Lansing area is that within about 60 miles are a lot of other cities - such as the northwest Detroit suburbs, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids, so if commuting is an option, you might not need to limit your search to the immediate Lansing area. As far as the jobs situation, keep in mind that you'll be there six years. The country is in a recession right now - obviously Michigan is worse than most places, but it's going to be difficult to find a job anyway, and the situation most likely will improve sometime during your stay.

[skkelly]

Congrats on MSU. I am familiar with the med. school and also worked almost 10 years at one of our local hospitals so I saw their interns and residents in action too. I have lived in several areas, edge of East Lansing, City of East Lansing and Holt. You might try the area across from the MSU University Club. I lived there the longest and it is not too far from the school and is also a quiet scenic area. The neighborhood has a few houses along with nice duplexes, condos and apts. I know of several med. students who bought duplexes lived in half and rented the other. It was easy for me to get to work at the hospital or MSU when I needed to. East Lansing was more expensive, and had more "rules" because of student population, ie no offense meant, it is just that way with any college town I have lived in. Holt is ok live in a nice sub. and house, but then again I work here so it a huge time and gas saver. I did have a job in Williamston and commuted from East Lansing it was a pain to commute because of the time it took and going the hwy was not really a timesaver. I have also commuted from East Lansing to Holt and it was about the same thing.
It really depends on what kind of area you like to live in or are adjusted to, everyone is different.
I don't like the Baker area and would not move near there, updating or not. When I lived in East Lansing the area was mostly family houses and it was quiet try area around Lake Lansing , Hagadorn, it also runs into Haslett which in nice too. If you are able to spend a little time driving around you can easily get the feeling of areas that would be suited to your needs. As with many cities there are these "pocket areas" that only you can tell be a quick visit. Personally I do not like the Northside, downtown (near the Capital), anything close to the hospitals is usually not great although there are some of those pockets or good areas there too.
Good Luck

[Kew527]

First of all, I would definitely stay away from the area surrounding Baker street!

I would check out all the surrounding areas around Lansing....East Lansing, Holt, Dewitt, Haslett, etc. It's really hard to pick an area that's good or bad IN Lansing....one block could be good and the next block not. Plus, everyone's opinion is different.

Good luck!