Get in while the gettin's good! - 1/28/2022

I am in my fifth house in the greater Lansing area since relocating here in 1997 from the tri-city area (Midland/Bay City/Saginaw). Pros: people are friendlier here- they let you in in traffic, or hold the door while you enter a store and sincerely say "How are you?" Cost of living is astonishing, compared to other locations- you can do your homework and find amazing values in walkable areas that other places marvel at (having lived in Austin, Tx, briefly, for example!). Cons: it's working its way back out of decades of doldrums and progress is not perfection. Comparatively, Grand Rapids MI was in an economically challenged place when I was living there (1983-1985) but they more rapidly accelerated out of that phase to become a "cool city"- although they lean very conservatively. Lansing offers State Government jobs, several major insurance companies, GM expansion and two large hospitals which draw from surrounding rural areas. What amazed me about relocating here was it's a city: however, in fifteen minutes in any direction you can be out of town viewing farm fields. Major highway access facilitates N/S/E/W access to GR, Mt. Pleasant, Greater Detroit or Ann Arbor in an hour or so. We have a little airport here so you can "fly local" or drive one hour to DTW depending on the flight schedule you need. More Mom and Pops are gaining momentum (Yay!) over the chain-restaurant options and we have inspired markets like Meijer's Capital City Market (on the main floor of a hotel right downtown across from the Lansing Lugnuts ball field) with easy/free parking. (Target, Walgreens, Whole Foods, Gas Stations, Banks: TAKE NOTE! We need you downtown!) With a little effort you can find your people in Lansing (e.g. Board Games? Historical Preservation?) by viewing "The City Pulse" for events by day of the week. Lansing's overall culture is much more accepting of diversity compared to other locations I have experienced. Lansing would further benefit from a large influx of hard-working, artsy and creative young families invested in advocating for a stronger public school system. I wish we'd come up with creative plans to draw them in like property-tax abatements or student-loan forgiveness incentives! After living in multiple locations (most recently Dearborn, MI for six years) I came back to Lansing as the most optimal city in our freshwater, four-seasons state to score an affordable, walkable residence with enough to do but without the overpricing drama and gridlock I have experienced elsewhere.

[Comment on this Posting]

Greater Lansing is improving - 12/16/2020

I first moved to Lansing in the early 2000s for grad school @ MSU, went away and returned after several years. I must say, the area has improved VERY significantly during the past generation, and I have grown to appreciate it more and more. First off, Greater Lansing is not flashy. As others have indicated much of downtown Lansing and newer parts of MSU are 'Soviet chic', and the roads are probably worse than the developing world (though slowly they're getting better). Nevertheless, there the area has a certain style and attitude: very down-to-earth, approachable and sometimes gritty, the latter common in the City of Lansing itself. For instance, I have met scores of MSU professors, many world renowned, who are approachable and friendly, not snobby, and are just regular, everyday folks in the community. Being a Spartan fan is something that unites people across cultural and economic backgrounds - though it is also amazing how many U of Michigan fans there are, too! If only America could get along like MSU & U of M fans manage to do! The mix of people in the different parts of Greater Lansing is interesting. One way to see the different flavors of the area are to visit the different Meijer superstores located throughout the region. In South Lansing you'll see and feel the vibe of the city's dynamic African American community. In West Lansing you'll feel a more buttoned down, more prosperous suburban vibe but still diverse and interesting. In East Lansing you'll see MSU students from every corner the world. In Okemos you'll probably see the most prosperity but no less diversity, e.g. MSU faculty and staff from all over the world, professionals of Indian descent, MSU students, etc. (Of course you see much more than this, but each place does have a different flavor.) Besides the above, I have found just a super interesting mix of people, whether they work for GM or an auto supplier, are immigrants/refugees from Africa, Asia or the Middle East seeking a better life, government workers (in environment, IT, social services, etc.), current MSU students, previous MSU students who put down roots, MSU profs/staff, etc. Given the small size of the area, the mix of people is quite incredible. Probably because of the international 'coverage' of MSU, it is totally normal to encounter people from every corner of the globe. Otherwise, there is a building boom happening, especially in East Lansing, which has changed drastically. New high rise apartments/condos are going up downtown and near campus, and cool new restaurants and businesses are coming with them. The contrast of the stately, bucolic historic part of the MSU campus on one side (way better than the aforementioned Soviet Chic part), and the dynamic collegetown across the street is dramatic. This collegetown vibe and MSU's outreach - which is also awesome for sports, activities, events, etc. - are unique. You get all of this with very minimal traffic, and it is easy to get out of town. Within the area, there are lots of great regional parks, trails, etc. These assets exist because a faith in the importance of useful services continues to exist. Tax measures to fund libraries, schools, trails & parks, bus service, community health and the like almost universally pass with strong majorities. The health systems are strong, which I have seen due to family members needing advanced specialty care. The fact that the MSU School of Medicine partners with the large hospitals helps to make Lansing a great regional healthcare magnet. As noted in the profile, winters can be long and dreary, but the summer by far makes up for it. Uncover the layers and you will discover amazing things in Greater Lansing!

[Comment on this Posting]

Lansing Is really nice but a little caution - 9/25/2018

This is a really nice place to live and people here are friendly there is a lot to do and a wide variety of different people and belief systems if you know where to look so you can find some place to fit in. They have nice parks and its kept up a lot better than many michigan cities outside of a few small rundown looking areas I will give them that. However just be aware the downtown area is not somewhere you want to hang out or the neighborhoods near it. It is very unsafe around the cata station. There are a lot of homeless people and drugs and crime things like that. So I avoid it but there are some really great neighborhoods in the city just be careful and research before moving. I think overall it's a pretty cool place though.

[Comment on this Posting]

Not a great town, but not awful either - 6/21/2017

I moved here to go to MSU. If it weren't for my family and the school, I would definitely not have moved to Lansing. The roads are terrible, there are next to no interesting stores, and you won't see the sun for four months out of the year. Lansing is incredibly windy as well, which is great if you love windchill. The job market here is not great either, unless you want to work for the city or the state. There are sections of town right next to the capital that are filled with drug houses. There are also normal neighborhoods out there, but use caution.

[Comment on this Posting]

Michigan Not for Me - 5/27/2017

My wife and I have lived in Michigan, including Lansing, for about 7 years. Though it has a few positives, this state is one of the most depressing places we have ever lived, which has included 5 different states. Greater Lansing is basically composed of three things: MSU, high crime rates and corrupt politics. The roads are probably some of the worst in the nation, the DMV auto fees and car insurance rates are among the highest in the nation, and the winters are composed of endless cloudy days. We are moving back down to the south this summer and will be very glad when we do.

[Comment on this Posting]

Moved here June 2015 - 10/29/2015

We love it here. My husband loves his job. My son loves his school. It has been affordable. The people are friendly. Tons of fun things to do every season all over this state. Lots of festivals and fairs and lots of culture and beauty.

[Comment on this Posting]

People, town - 7/20/2015

Great friendly people, nice city with lots of parks and beautiful homes.. Great place!!!!

[Comment on this Posting]

Not Very Much To Do - 6/28/2013

Lansing for the most part is very quiet. I live in the downtown area and I am a graduate/professional student so I do not need a bunch of distractions, but I am out of here as soon as I take my last exam. Good area if you plan to work in the government arena. Do not expect a great social scene.

[Comment on this Posting]

great place to live - 3/14/2013

Lansing is a great city. There are wonderful parks of all types and there are a lo of them. The river trail is really superb! There is a large variety of neighborhoods in every price range. I live in a very walkable neighborhood, so I hardly ever have to use my car. people are polite and friendly, and rents and real estate are real bargains.

[Comment on this Posting]

Lansing - 7/8/2011

Hi there, I'm going to get real. I grew up on the conservative west side of the state and moved to Lansing in 1997. The first few years were okay. There was a steady job market, crime really wasn't so bad, violent crimes were rare. We moved south of Lansing in 2006. The efforts in making Lansing a better place to live is appreciated, and let me tell you why that effort is taken. GM was a huge employer in the area. It is the life-line of the city. There were several "sister" companies who made products for GM and also employed thousands of people. Here's the problem: when jobs are taken away and no longer existent, people get desperate and places fall apart. There are no jobs here, crime is out-of-control (going from one murder a year to several), bank robberies, thefts, high-speed chases, etc. It's really crazy. Mayor Bernero is trying to "clean up" the city by planting flowers and making downtown prettier for visitors, but the real problems are not being solved. Police force is being layed off, teachers are pink-slipped, fire fighters are forced to resign, and the list goes on. Foreclosures are everywhere and it extends out from the city to suburbs 15 miles away in every direction. Literally every neighborhood's housing is about half foreclosed. People who need to move to find jobs are moving. Those who can't afford to move or don't care, are staying, but double-checking their locks. If Lansing looks ghetto when driving through, it's because it is. It's so sad because it used to be a really cool place to live with everything near and businesses booming, but now even businesses have packed up. I moved because the school systems were deteriorating. Whites are the minority now, there's nothing wrong with that, but greater diversity means greater crime. That's a fact - look it up. The roads are terrible. So much money being spent on flowers and superficiality and not enough on fixing that 4' X 6' pothole in the middle of MLK Blvd. The cops don't mess with you unless you're doing something very suspicious because they're dealing with crazy crimes. The neighborhood my mother-in-law lives in used to be a really nice, quiet, safe neighborhood. She recently had someone in her house, while she was there, with a knife trying to rob her, or whatever he was doing there, TWICE in two weeks! What is going on?! They reports say that the population has dropped 5%, but that is not true. When I moved there 200,000 people lived there, now there's a little over 100,000 and the roads are still crowded. I'm sad that the economy hit Lansing so hard and wishes it can bounce back, but it's not looking promising. Do not move here right now unless you have a job and find a place on the outskirts of town. I feel like it's a ticking time bomb at the beginning of an explosion.

[Comment on this Posting]

Lansing is Catching - 4/7/2011

I am really surprised about all the negative comments about Lansing. I have lived in the Lansing area for 16 years and in the city limits for four. A few years ago downtown was dead after 5pm, but it is really starting to turn around. There are a lot of bars, but quite a few new restaurants as well. The river trail is one of those hidden beauties and connects from north of Old Town to Hawk Island. With the remodel of the old Ottawa Power Station and the new City Market and other construction Lansing is finally starting to take it's riverfront seriously. The city has had a lot to work through with all the GM problems, but I for one really see a lot happening. A city is really what you make it, and if you live here and complain and don't get involved then that's the mentality others will see.

[Comment on this Posting]

How amazing Joanne Fabrics is - 12/9/2010

I love Joanne Fabrics. Everything about it just makes me so happy. I go here for all my yarn & crafts and they have wonderful discounts:). There is nothing that I would rather be doing than shopping at this store It's huge and smells like the inside of a cinnamon bun. YUM! I'm getting hungry. Ta ta for now. TAKE CARE<3.

[Comment on this Posting]

Lansing - 5/29/2010

Lansing is a city that has fallen on hard times. With the failing auto industry a lot of the people who could afford to leave did. So now you have a lot of neighborhoods that look run down and not taken care of.

[Comment on this Posting]

Places to go and things to do - 5/7/2010

The greater Lansing area has a wonderful variety of activities for all ages and interests. From swimming classes for babies to senior citizens. Book clubs, craft classes, service groups, garden clubs and bus tours, no one person could possibly attend all the events they would like to. Michigan State University has fabulous live theatre, music and sports activities year around. Top rated Broadway plays such as "Phantom of the Opera", "South Pacific", "Grease", "Lion King" and "Rent" are booked at the fabulous Wharton Center. National musical groups, such as Celtic dancers, and big bands appear at this location annually. The city has athletic facilities for family, team and individual use. Just a couple of blocks from the State Capitol is a professional baseball stadium where the Lansing Lugnuts play. From there you can walk to one of several downtown restaurants, bars and taverns. The Michigan Library is located in an area of State government buildings in the center of town. There are many displays and docents to help explain what some of them are about. You could easily spend half a day here. Also downtown is Impression Five Museum, a hands on place that is especially good for families with children, the Michigan Woman's Historical Museum, and of course the State Capitol of Michigan, with tours. Lansing has a restored early 1800's home, the Dodge-Turner House, which is open for tours. It depicts life at the time it was built, complete with parlors and a grand ballroom. They have planned activities during the summer, usually out of doors on the lawns. In the summer there are free outdoor concerts in the river front parks and at several other public sites. Several taverns and bars have local bands and jam sessions with local people just dropping by and the audiences are encouraged to sing along. There are many public parks with playgrounds, softball fields, and some have peddle bike tracks and jumps. Iron grills are installed in some parks. There are three major malls in the area, each with major anchor stores and a multi- screen motion picture theatre. There are bike paths and walking trails throughout the area. Greater Lansing includes Lansing, East Lansing, DeWitt Township, Holt, Delta Township, Grand Ledge, Haslett, Okemos and a few other communities in the Tri-County area of Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. Neatly groomed golf courses are in every area of Greater Lansing. There are gun shooting facilities, archery clubs, and paint ball parks, miniture indoor and outdoor golf courses and driving ranges. Lansing and it's suburbs have many religious centers that welcome new people. The fine hospitals are first class and in addition to world class care provide an opportunity for volunteer work. The area has many senior citizen nursing, assisted living, and group housing varities. Some schools and churches operate licensed child care facilities, as do many state licensed individuals. Fairly new to the region are dog parks. We are blessed with the finest veterinary medical training facility at MSU, and many dedicated animal doctors in the area. There are doggie day care centers and grooming salons to suit the most descriminate canines and felines. Public transportation is available through the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) and taxi cabs are just a telephone call away. We have a National Port of Entry level airport at Lansing. There is also nation wide bus service from Lansing. There are many places you can go to just enjoy the nice summer weather. Picnic on the beautiful MSU campus, or along the river, perhaps near the fish ladder at Old Town. Ride bikes along the trails as far as you like. If you like to just explore on your own, Lansing offers many opportunities. There are second hand shops, auctions, barn sales, garage sales, estate sales, especially on the weekends.

[Comment on this Posting]

Lansing, Michigan Politics - 11/21/2009

What a crazy place! Everyone in Lansing politics is inbred and feed upon the dysfunctional nature of Michigan's political leadership and the automobile industry. I've tried to be involved because I am civic minded, but if you are a newcomer, the local's design is to eat you alive if you don't become exactly like them - corrupt - and no one in a good mind wil want to do that! No a good place for civic minded people to relocate.

[Comment on this Posting]

Not the best place - 10/16/2009

I lived in Lansing for about four years and although it's not Podunk, there's nothing to do except follow Michigan State University sports and hear all the bad news about GM. This is the least progressive city I've ever been to. It's not pretty during any month of the year. The people are pretty friendly, but it seems there's more empty store fronts by the day and there are no cultural activities to speak of. There's a few decent restaurants, but they get old quick. It's almost a sad city because all the people seem to live for is following mediocre sports teams like the Lions and Spartans.

[Comment on this Posting]

Makes you feel depressed and dirty. - 6/15/2008

What's something good I can say about this place? Nothing. There's A LOT of theft and and buildings are old and need updating. No one really seems to care about their appearance of themselves or their homes. You're in hope if you're an alcoholic. There's a lot of bars around. The only place that's halfway decent is the city with Michigan State University, East Lansing...and that's probably just so they get a good reputation from tourists and foreigners. Did I mention the amount of prostitutes and homeless people? Wow. The crime is not anything too dangerous, like Flint or Detroit, but again, the theft. I don't believe you could even leave a trash can outside unattended. Lansing needs to plant more flowers and pick up its trash.

[Comment on this Posting]

cheap - 3/19/2008

not that nice but not that bad. Real cheap to live and have lots of stuff

[Comment on this Posting]

very gray... - 6/20/2007

Lansing is a very cloudy city. Michigan generally has great falls, and spring is quite nice, but winter is looooong. We also get a lot of gray weather, which can be very dreary after a while!

[Comment on this Posting]

Quality Of Life Stinks - 2/20/2007

Quality of life here stinks. I have lived here my entire life and am looking at relocating south of Michigan. This place is boring. Nothing to do. No jobs.

[Comment on this Posting]