SperlingViews - Kalamazoo, Michigan

Kalamazoo is a trap. The only thing that has kept me here so long is family and free college. I don't want to sound like I'm taking that for granted - free tuition is a huge blessing, but that's about the only thing about Kalamazoo worth writing home about. The art and music scene is small, but vibrant. Go to the Union, Globe Theatre, or walk the mall downtown on Art Hop night and you're sure to hear a decent band or two. There are a few small galleries on the mall, and the KIA is a great place to experience art. Good food downtown, although way overpriced for what it is. Go to any major city and you will experience yummy ethnic food for cheap... since it is such a rarity here in SW MI, it is not nearly as authentic and comes with a cost. Unfortunately, when it comes to work - especially if you are young and going to college - you have two choices. The mall or a restaurant. Maybe a bank if you're lucky. Don't kid yourself, you'll have to work HARD and put in your time if you want to make a measly $10, $11 an hour. Even post-graduation, very few *real* employment opportunities exist. Cost of living is low, although you get what you pay for. If you're a student, I recommend carefully examining your rental choices. Although some homes in the Vine Neighborhood, affectionately called the "Student Ghetto", are nice, most of them are not. You will end up shelling out decent money for a rundown house with bats, mice, holes in the floor, etc. Not to mention the people that hang around in the Vine neighborhood... pretty sure my house almost got broken into twice in one year. Homeless people knock on your door asking for bottles and linger around your backyard. Kalamazoo is definitely not the most dangerous place in the world (I've lived in DC, Ann Arbor, and spent time in Philly, Boston, NYC...) but it's definitely not the safest. I grew up here and there are still areas I would not go near. There are only a couple areas I recommend living, and you will pay quite a bit more for peace of mind. Overall, I don't hate it but I don't love it. It's a fun place to go to college, but I wouldn't recommend staying longer than that. I would love to see Kzoo's economy turn around because I have definitely met some amazing people here! [read more...]

I have lived in Kalamazoo for most of my life. I went to school and college here. I have lived in Great Britain and travelled throughout the country, and I have found few places with such good day to day liveability as Kalamazoo. I recently lost my job and the economy is tough. I'm fortunate that my husbands job is reasonably stable. However, because the cost of living is lower here than many other places, our house is paid off. We live in a great neighborhood in the middle of the city within walking distance of the local Farmer's Market (which has been going strong since the 1970's) and a small library branch. The neighborhood children will have their college paid for by the Kalamazoo Promise, if they attend public schools. The downtown has rebounded well since the late 1980s and early '90s, when one could hear crickets after 6 p.m. Now there are a multitude of restaurants, a performing arts center, and quite a bit of night life. Kalamazoo has always had a good choice of theatre, between Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University, The Civic, the New Vic, and the Whole Arts Theatre. As well as the student theatres at WMU and Kalamazoo College. We host a Symphony as well as a Junior Symphony, which draws musicians from around the area. We also host the International Gilmore Keyboard Festival, which brings classical, jazz, & blues pianists from around the world to perform. Kalamazoo also hosts the annual USTA Men's Junior Tennis Championships in the summer at Kalamazoo College. Andre Agassi and other well known US Tennis athletes have competed here. Kalamazoo weather can be challenging if you want year round sunny weather. We have more cloudy days than Seattle. But, we also have brilliant crystal clear days in Winter for cross country skiing and snowmobiling. We are a 45 minute drive away from Lake Michigan. A significant proportion of the restaurants in town are owned locally, including some very fine farm to table, high quality restaurants. We have a diverse economy. We make auto parts, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals here. We grow apples, blueberries, cherries, pears, asparagus, and just about anything you can imagine. Michigan has the most diverse agriculture outside of California. Kalamazoo and the surrounding area provides a huge variety of seasonal produce. During the summer I can get everything from locally produced honey, farm raised eggs, and grass fed beef to handmade jewelry, baked goods, and local fruit at the farmer's market a mile away from my house. Our local food co-op recently expanded. And it might take you ten minutes to get from the center of town to the countryside, depending on which direction you choose. Kalamazoo is a great place to live. I know. I live here.[read more...]

Like most towns, there is the older inner city that should be avoided, obviously. However, between WMU, Kalamazoo College and other universities, a lot of intellectual people and interesting things happen in this midsize town. Not a bad place to live! Winters in this area of the United States, long and depressing. But it brings out new forms of culture and entertainment. [read more...]

For its size, Kalamazoo is fairly rich in the arts. While I lived there, I was active in the local scene and used to attend shows several times a week---jazz, classical, folk, country, indie rock, blues, bluegrass, and spoken word mainly. There are many talented local artists, too, and even live radio theatre. The library and a local movie rental have great selections of art film, independent movies, foreign flicks, and classics. K'zoo is an educated community, so it's fairly easy to strike up a stimulating conversation with strangers, share some writing or sketches in local coffeehouses and such. Chicago and Detroit are only about 2.5 - 3 hours away when you need a big city fix. Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Ann Arbor are within a 1.5 hour drive, too. The cost of living is very reasonable especially for starving artists and college students. I never really had much trouble finding a job in health care and human services in the 6 years I lived there, but finding work in other fields can be hard. Michigan has good laws to protect tenants, but beware of slumlords and management companies that prey on college students, like the ones that own lots of property near campus and in the Student Ghetto (a section of the Vine St. Neighborhood). Downtown housing is super cheap but certain areas are fairly high in crime, notably near campus where the college kids are victim to break-ins and intoxicated co-eds are prone to assault and robbery. Use common sense and be careful. K'zoo is a "blue-dot" in southwest MI, but a hotbed of progressive activism and community involvement for sure. If you like Ann Arbor's political scene, you'll probably enjoy K'zoo, on campus and throughout the community. Last I knew, there were 3 independent health food stores in the area---including a co-op---which seemed to have a good selection of vegan/vegetarian products last time I visited town. The population is diverse ethnically and culturally---far more than many of the surrounding rural towns. K'zoo is more liberal than Grand Rapids with more focus on local culture and community. However, the winters are pretty brutal and after 6 years, I could not handle another one. I grew up only an hour away, but the lake-effect weather in K'zoo results in longer winters (about 6 months long), significant snowfall, and less sun. Nothing really shuts down for winter storms, so I learned to drive well on bad roads. But the town is incredibly beautiful in the summer and Lake Michigan is only 45 minutes away. If you love winter sports and outdoor activities, you'll be pretty happy in the area.[read more...]

Kalamazoo is a really great place to live. Western Michigan University and other local colleges make this place full of young people that seem to be very laid back and friendly. The downtown area suprisingly has a lot to offer including a brand new cinema, resturaunts, a retail shopping mall, pubs, and Bell's beer. Year round recreation is available including two ski areas within 15 minutes, and a 30 mile bike trail to the Lake Michigan coast and South Haven. The city also offers parks with disc golf courses. Motorists seem to respect pedestrians and cyclists pretty well and there are designated bike lanes. The city also seems to have more landscaping and trees than other cities in the midwest, making life more comfortable. Kalamazoo has some of the best looking friendly women in America. Kalamazoo is also one of the most accessible cities for the blind because of the Michigan Commission for the Blind training center and WMU's blind rehab program. Amtrak provides service to Detroit and Chicago via the downtown transit center. Public transit busses are available, but have poor frequency on most routes. Neighborhoods in the city range from very upscale to very poor. Overall, Kalamazoo is a nice place if you are looking for a small town with an urban feel and most importantly good beer.[read more...]

Yes, winters are bad, but there's more livable outdoor weather year round than Texas where your forced into air conditioning 90% of the year. People are progressive but not too liberal. The town is balanced with Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Davenport University and industries like Stryker, Pfizer, Perrigo (Allegan), among other industies. The area has four sushi restaurants, three Indian restaurants, Malaysian food, Thai food. Schools are improving, not declining but have room for improvement. Every parent will need to make their own choices - but go to the school and talk to the principal to see for yourself![read more...]

Well, I'd admit that I'm spoiled because I moved from Atlanta. I miss the big city, but I moved to Kalamazoo to be closer to family. Well the economy is horrible and the unemployment rate is staggering. I've been here a little over a year and I'm still looking for a permanent job. Also, being from the south, I don't find people in the north to be as polite. Maybe the depressing weather makes them irritable. I'd say the cost of living is pretty reasonable. Certain things are definitely cheaper than they were in Atlanta, but then again salaries are very low. If you're thinking of moving to the area, I'd definitely consider Grand Rapids. Jobs, especially the higher paying ones, are much more plentiful in the bigger cities.[read more...]

I was surprised to find the quote about shooting everyday on the Northside especially since the writer was from Holland, Michigan. I have lived on the Northside for the past three years and I don't recall any statistical reports/supports of daily shootings occurring. Granted, last summer was rough but this summer we have boasted of no deaths by gunshot .[read more...]

I was surprised to find the quote about shooting everyday on the Northside especially since the writer was from Holland, Michigan. I have lived on the Northside for the past three years and I don't recall any statistical reports/supports of daily shootings occurring. Granted, last summer was rough but this summer we have boasted of no deaths by gunshot .[read more...]

I stay in kalamazoo because of the kalamazoo promise.My teenagers are both guarenteed 100% of the promise and my youngest teenager has 2 years left of Loy Norrix before i can go anywhere. I also have a 2 year old who i will never let go to kalamazoo schools. In the last few years this town has gone downhill. There are NO jobs, NO places to let teenagers hang out safely, NO good schools, and NOTHING to keep people here. The weather has gotten almost as bad as all the neighborhoods! I would never recommend coming to kalamazoo for more than to visit someone you know that is stuck here![read more...]

A short drive to lake Michigan. Halfway between Detroit and Chicago. And The Kalamazoo Promise- a program the guarantees every Kalamazoo Public school graduate free college tuition! WOW even those who don't shpw up until high school get 65% of their college tuition to any public university in Michiagn. So if you don't mind snow and can find a job the state with t he highest unemployment and come on up! Oh and housing is really really reasonable. You can get a house for as little as $40,000 or you can get 2000 sq ft and under 10 yrs old for under $200,000.[read more...]

K-zoo, the little town with big city problems[read more...]

i recently lived in kalamazoo for the past 15 months...15 months i will never get back...where to start, the cost of living isn't bad, but when the local and state economy is as bad as MI it seems much worse...no jobs!!!, minimun wage kinda town...weather is horrid late october til mid april...in these months many residents turn as cold as the climate, just downright rude...roads are terrible...there is a neighborhood which is effectionately labled "the student ghetto" which is named accordingly as Wester Mich. Univ. students and Kalamazoo College students live in nasty conditions while paying too much for college...hip hop culture has ruined the population because too many here are so easily influenced...most white kids think they are black kids or wannabe...most of the black kids are trying to turn it up a notch in terms of "blackness" and are assembling themselves little mini gangs---of course follow the leader---"everyone else is doing it why can't we" kind of approach...they have to do something I guess since the white kids are trying to be blacker than they are...education is not on the upswing, Michigan prides itself on education but most of the young people here have been taught by BET and MTV...STDs run rampant, especially among girls, i read that 72% of girls at WMU had or have had an STD...they pride themselves on beer, and they do have great beer selection, but if I was a lifer in that hole I would need a lot of beer too...if you have no ambition like methamphetamine and wannabe "hustlaz", K-Zoo is your place...if quality of life is more up your alley go elsewhere.[read more...]

i recently lived in kalamazoo for the past 15 months...15 months i will never get back...where to start, the cost of living isn't bad, but when the local and state economy is as bad as MI it seems much worse...no jobs!!!, minimun wage kinda town...weather is horrid late october til mid april...in these months many residents turn as cold as the climate, just downright rude...roads are terrible...there is a neighborhood which is effectionately labled "the student ghetto" which is named accordingly as Wester Mich. Univ. students and Kalamazoo College students live in nasty conditions while paying too much for college...hip hop culture has ruined the population because too many here are so easily influenced...most white kids think they are black kids or wannabe...most of the black kids are trying to turn it up a notch in terms of "blackness" and are assembling themselves little mini gangs---of course follow the leader---"everyone else is doing it why can't we" kind of approach...they have to do something I guess since the white kids are trying to be blacker than they are...education is not on the upswing, Michigan prides itself on education but most of the young people here have been taught by BET and MTV...STDs run rampant, especially among girls, i read that 72% of girls at WMU had or have had an STD...they pride themselves on beer, and they do have great beer selection, but if I was a lifer in that hole I would need a lot of beer too...[read more...]

There isnt a lot going on in Kalamazoo but the Kalamazoo Promise is what keeps me here with my children. Both of my teenagers will get 100% of their college education payed for as long as they go to a college in Michigan because of a few anonymous donors because they attended Kalamazoo public schools for all of their school years. Because of this i stay here so they can have advantages that i never had.[read more...]

A city decimated by Pfizer. Don't blame the economy on the city. I don't live in Kazoo anymore, but it is a great little city. Very few cities it's size have ever been able to pull off things like the Promise and downtown revitalization, especially in spite of corporate run-aways. Compared to the rest of W. Michigan, it is a bastion of liberalism and progressiveness. And beleive me, living in Texas now I know what a progressive environment is (it ain't in Texas).[read more...]

Downtown Kalamazoo is a decent place to live. There are still quite a few vacant store fronts on the main drag, but new construction projects are bringing in ammenities like new movie theatres and other hospitality businesses. The Kalamazoo River (hence the name) cuts along the outskirts of the city and in the summer time is a great place to catch small mouth bass on a fly rod (you should use a boat). Don't eat the fish, though, as this may cause hair to grow on the bottom of your feet and third eyes to spout on your forehead. Best of luck and tight lines.[read more...]

Don't believe the hype about the Kalamazoo Promise it's a gimmick to keep people here in this boring, dying city.[read more...]

In general I've found the cities in west Michigan (minus GR and exclusive summer spots) to be dying. Kalamazoo has a decent setting, but if WMU wasn't here it would be a ghost town. Attempts to keep residents in the area by offering assistance with education as long as they kept kids in public schools has still not made up for the absence of any jobs beyond the university in the area. Another college town that provides its residents with a mall to work at, and several service jobs. Chain restaurants, boring nightlife and lots of commercial beer. Beer guts, scruffy faces and ugly places.[read more...]

The public transit system is pretty poor which is a shame[read more...]