West Michigan
Just minutes from Lake Michigan, West Michigan enjoys everything that 250 miles of beaches has to offer: four season recreation ranging from swimming and boating to sledding and ice fishing. Kayakers, paddle boarders, kite surfers, hikers, yoga-ers unite. Schools are great, commutes are nearly stress-free and career opportunities at our thousands of world-class companies abound. We take pride in our well-resourced health care facilities, devoted to providing top-tier care for residents. An emphasis on outdoor living encourages all ages to stay active, relishing the fresh air, clean waters, and expansive trails.Put simply, West Michigan is a beautiful place to be.
Cost of Living
Our economy is a well-composed concerto of diverse industries, with agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism at the forefront. Small businesses and startups find fertile ground here, supported by forward-thinking policies and a community eager to support local ventures.
Cost of Living scores and indexes are a means of comparing the overall price of goods and services between different cities throughout the United States. The national average for all Cost of Living Index categories is 100.
- Composite
- Grocery
- Housing
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Healthcare
- Miscellaneous
Education Options in Ottawa and Allegan Counties
Education in West Michigan strikes the perfect note, with our schools consistently achieving high scores and rave reviews. Our children have the opportunity to thrive in a rich educational environment, where quality teaching and innovative learning are the standard melodies of our educational institutions.
Colleges and Universities:
Davenport University, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), Grand Valley State University (GVSU), Hope College, Muskegon Community College
Independent School Districts:
Allegan Area Education Seer Agency, Kent ISD, Ottawa Area ISD, Van Buren Intermediate School District
Public K-12 School Districts:
Allegan Public Schools, Allendale Public Schools, Coopersville Area Public Schools, Fennville Public Schools, Glenn Public School, Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Hamilton Community Schools, Whitehall Public Schools, Hopkins Public Schools, Hudsonville Public Schools, Johnson Public Schools, Martin Public Schools, Otsego Public Schools, Plainwell Community Schools, Saugatock Public Schools, Spring Lake Public Schools, Wayland Union Schools, West Ottawa Public Schools, Zeeland Public Schools
Nowhere is Michigan shining brighter than West Michigan, accounting for one-fifth of all new jobs in the state, despite compromising just one-tenth of the population.”
Bridge Magazine, June 2016