Having lived overseas as a child and in Hawaii (the most diverse state in the Union), being a bi-racial woman in my late thirties is difficult in G.R. at times. It is a very racially segregated city and having lived a significant portion of my life in very diverse areas, I feel the color of my skin here more than anywhere else I've lived. It's very subtle, however. G.R. is a very conservative, Republican, working class mentality city, and progressive thinking is not well-received here, or rather, you have to work hard to seek out such people. The randomness of running into such people only exists in larger, more metropolitan cities. There is a lot of natural beauty in G.R., which makes living here bareable, however, the winter months can be harsh unless you can view them as prime time for catching up on DVD's, reading, and other pleasurable indoor activities. It is not choose to move to as a single woman, however, as it is not a city that fosters individuality. If I did not have family here, I would not choose to live here, however, I am trying to tunnel my way out of this city, so I recommend it for those looking for a slower pace, settling into a family (cost of living is decent, school systems are good, and it's a relatively nice place to raise a family).
stacie | Grand Rapids, MI | Report Abuse