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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
CHYMES?? Addt'l Question!
Hi 'Chymes',
You responded to a recent post from me asking for assistance with locations for my brother who is relocating to the area. Thank you again. We're here today (only had the luxury of a short trip for apartment hunting) and saw a few places. Quick question: thoughts on the 900 block of Wealthy? We saw a place that seemed to be in a "cute"/developing neighborhood but I know it can be dicey here. What's your opinion?
We are working with a realtor and looked at a few of the condos you mentioned (Union Square and Boardwalk) but price is so much higher so wanted to make sure he was on the right path . . .
Re: CHYMES?? Addt'l Question!
That is real close to my church. Like you said it is an upcoming neighborhood. A few blocks from there, there are several new resturants that have gone in or are going in. There has been a lot of money invested in that area.
I don't think it is a bad neighborhood...only a few blocks south is a little shady, however I am in the situation, where I live south of that particular neighborhood, but regulary drive through that area.
I think it all depends on his comfort level. Yes, there is crime that occurs around there, but I really don't think it looks like anything major. I think people from the subrubs that never come in the city would probably look at that area and say scary. People who are used to living in a city are fine with it.
I forgot to include the crime mapping for that area.
http://www.crimemapping.com/map.aspx?aid=9c0b0922-5160-447b-b6cd-e672f79e4931
Well, without giving too much away, I live only a couple blocks away from there. I think it would be fine, although that particular block is a very interesting one compared to the rest of the surrounding neighborhood. For whatever reason, the houses on Wealthy between Eastern and Diamond are not as kept-up/refurbished as anything east of Diamond or west of Eastern. It's kind of a little lull in the redevelopment of Wealthy Street, perhaps because there are no businesses in that little stretch? I'm not sure; just speculation. However, there is a ton of redevelopment going on west of Eastern, east of Diamond and pretty much anything north of Wealthy. (I hope you have a map out when you're reading this post!) I feel very safe walking down Wealthy and would definitely consider that block if the homes looked nicer. However, I personally would not want to live any further south of Wealthy than Sigsbee Street. I know it's not that much further south, but in that area things can get dicey pretty quickly. My personal barometer for a place to live is to stay north of Wealthy when looking between Union (to the west) and Benjamin (to the east). Again, pull up a Google map to help you out.
Has he looked at any lower-priced condos, like Avenue 23, the Hillmount or maybe even Fairmount Square? Just trying to throw out more names in case you were discouraged by prices yesterday...
Bottom line is, if he found something in that block that is in his price range and has the amenities he needs/wants, AND he doesn't want to buy anything right now, I'd go for it. Like GVSUbride said, if he's used to living in a big city in an urban area, it's not going to be anything he isn't used to. Plus, it is really an AWESOME neighborhood with so many cool things happening, lots of local businesses and people who really care about the community there.
gvsubride0 & chymes,
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. He ended up taking a place in Union Square. I really liked the place on Wealthy (any place with three yoga studios in walking distance is heaven for me!) but I think the covered parking was just too appealing
I did really like that apartment as well so I'm hoping he'll be happy there. I certainly had a great time visiting your city and thank you again!
Happy to help and I'm glad he found something he likes. I love what the developers did in Union Square and would consider buying there if we could afford it - such fun with an old school like that! I hope he likes Grand Rapids and let us know if he needs any other pointers.