3 years ago · Justin Becker · Comments Off on Living in Cedar Springs: Everything You Need to Know

Living in Cedar Springs: Everything You Need to Know

You may be asking yourself, where is Cedar Springs, Michigan?

Cedar Springs is a city in Kent County, Michigan. The city is situated in northern Kent County and covers about 2.1 square miles of land.

Cedar Springs is a small, quaint town with a lot to offer. With an active community and plenty of entertainment, you’ll never be bored here.

There’s always something to occupy your time, from the Cedar Springs parks and rec to the top Cedar Springs restaurants. The downtown area is close to residential areas, and there are plenty of bars and Cedar Springs, MI shopping for any occasion.

Living in Cedar Springs

Cedar Springs is an amazing city to reside in. In fact, it’s one of the friendliest places you’ll ever come across. The people here are so welcoming and light-hearted that this can be a very rewarding place to work and call home.

When deciding whether or not to move to a new town, there are many factors to take into account. Personal taste happens to be one of those important things to consider when determining whether or not a particular town or county is right for you. Other items to consider include the climate, family-friendly activities, job opportunities, and affordability.

So let’s go over all of this and more when it comes to Cedar Springs, in Kent County, Michigan.

Cedar Springs Overview

The population of the city of Cedar Springs is 3,509 people, and it was officially incorporated as a city on March 25th, 1850. Cedar Springs got its name from the fine springs bordered by a grove of cedar trees.

The Cedar Springs community is a scenic and serene neighborhood just off of the beaten path. The community is ideal for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle, as it’s nestled away from city life.

Its location offers easy access to several amenities such as shops, banks, churches, cultural amenities and restaurants in Cedar Springs, MI.

If you’re looking to visit or move to Cedar Springs, here is everything you should know:

What Does it Cost to Live in Cedar Springs?

People may think that the way of life in Cedar Springs is expensive because it’s so close to Grand Rapids and there are so many things to do here. However, the average rent in Grand Rapids, Michigan, along with the overall cost of living, is much higher than it is in Cedar Springs, MI. In fact, Cedar Springs is among the most affordable cities in Kent County, Michigan!

Cedar Springs is Strategically Located

No matter if you work from home or commute constantly from place to place, Cedar Springs, Michigan, might be the perfect location for you.

The city is located right off Interstate 96 and has easy access to downtown Grand Rapids and downtown Muskegon. Also, if you enjoy hunting, fishing, or camping, then it’s the perfect location for you.

Cedar Springs, Michigan is nestled in the northern part of the U.S. Midwest, and is about a 2.5 hour drive from some of the country’s most well-known places, such as metro Detroit and Chicago.

Big city amenities in this little town include dog parks for your furry friends, along with top Cedar Springs schools and hospitals. With that in mind, living in the community provides you with plenty of perks to enjoy.

Cedar Springs has a Stable Economy

When you’re moving to a new city, unless you are moving because of a change in employment, finding your next job is often on the top of your list of priorities. So the economy of that city is certainly an important factor to consider.

It is not ideal to move to a place that has fewer opportunities compared to where you’re moving from. You also don’t want to move to a city with a higher cost of living than what you are used to. Fortunately, Cedar Springs, Michigan has a strong economy; as such, there are so many opportunities for employment here.

Cedar Springs is only a short drive from essentially every major city in the Midwest, from Indianapolis to Minneapolis. This proximity makes Cedar Springs, Michigan an excellent option for those looking for more economical housing or job opportunities, but who still want to be close to friends and family.

What this town is becoming known for, and what it will be known for in the future, is its diverse and growing population of employers. As more and more companies are setting up shop in this small town, they need skilled professionals to fill all of their workforce opportunities.

Top Performing Schools

Cedar Springs, Michigan schools are some of the best schools in the state.

If you’re living nearby and don’t have the financial muscle for private schools, you’d be glad to hear that Cedar Springs Public Schools are some of the top rated in all of Michigan. The high-performing schools have an excellent track record for academics and also offer a wide variety of extracurricular activities.

The Cedar Springs Public Schools district has four schools that cover grades PK-12. The elementary school has classes from Pre-K to 5th Grade, and the high school offers grades 6-12.

How Does the Cost of Living Compare with Other Cities?

The cost of living is one of the major factors people consider when deciding where to settle. With things like:

● Rent

● Utilities

● Childcare

● Healthcare

It’s difficult for people to make a decision.

A higher cost of living also means a higher income is needed to sustain an adequate lifestyle. Fortunately, Cedar Springs’ cost of living index is 6.5 lower than the national average, per bestplaces.net.Groceries, housing, and healthcare are all below the nationwide average living index, meaning you will spend less on those items, on average, compared to the average cost in all other places across the United States.

For example, a studio apartment in Cedar Springs has an average rent price of $745 per month, compared to the nationwide average of $949.

The community also ranks near the top for affordability when it comes to a one bedroom apartment, with the average rent price being around $802 per month, while the nationwide average stands at $1,048. For a two bedroom apartment, the average rent price in Cedar Springs, Michigan is $972 per month, while the nationwide average stands at $1,278.

Cheaper Mobile Homes

Cedar Springs is a small community that has embraced mobile homes as its primary housing option. This decision has been made mainly due to the affordability of mobile homes.

There are no adequate low-income housing options in Cedar Springs, Michigan, so they have chosen an alternate solution to this living problem. As a result, over a thousand mobile homes are now inside this community.

Cedar Springs Mobile Estates is one of the top choice mobile home communities in Cedar Springs, Michigan. They offer both mobile homes for sale in Cedar Springs, MI and mobile homes for rent in Cedar Springs, MI. The features of this community include spacious living quarters, a wide selection of homes, beautifully landscaped yard space, and many mobile home amenities for your enjoyment.

One of the Safest Places to Live in Michigan

Living in a community comes with the concern of security, right?

Fortunately, Cedar Springs is one of the safest small towns in America. The crime rates are in fact 52% lower than the national average and it has one of the lowest rates for violent crimes in the country, being 24% lower than the national average.

With the statistics above, you can rest assured Cedar Springs is one the safest places you can consider living with your family.

Plenty of Recreational Places to Visit

Cedar Springs is a small town with a big personality. Living in this community means you will enjoy a diverse selection of historical buildings, unique shopping centers, and amazing restaurants. The town is a thriving community in the heart of Michigan, and it has everything you could need.

With that said, this is not just a town with all the amenities you are looking for; there is also an interesting Cedar Springs, MI history.

There are many festivals in this world, but few compare with the Red Flannel Festival and its history. The event is over 100 years old and has seen many people coming together over the years to celebrate the Red Flannel Festival.

Here are a few other attractions worth mentioning that you can visit in Cedar Springs:

Morley Park – 60 Cedar St. NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
Heart of Cedar Springs Park – 69 W. Maple St. NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
Boomer Park – 13440 Ritchie Ave. NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
Cedar Springs Historical Museum – 204 E Muskegon St, Cedar Springs, MI 49319

If you love nature, Lake Michigan is only 25 miles away. Lake Michigan is considered the 2nd largest of the five Great Lakes in North America. With a size equivalent to 11% of France, it provides recreation and works for many people.

On the rare occurrence that you can’t find what you’re looking for within this community, venture into the neighboring cities, like Grand Rapids, and see if they provide what you are seeking.

Final Thought

Although it is not as large as other major cities in the state of Michigan, such as Detroit and Grand Rapids, Cedar Springs possesses many attributes that make it a great place to live.

The town offers lower prices than the surrounding areas, for those looking for a more affordable way of life, and there is also a strong economy with ample employment opportunities.

The town of Cedar Springs, Michigan is great, and we can all find plenty of reasons to justify moving here. With that said, come see for yourself, we have a feeling that you will not be disappointed.

4 years ago · Justin Becker · Comments Off on Cedar Springs, Michigan: 5 Reasons You Should Live Here

Cedar Springs, Michigan: 5 Reasons You Should Live Here

They say home is where the heart is, but what if you’re relocating to Kent County, in Michigan, and not exactly sure where to settle?

Well, if this is the case, Cedar Springs can be your new home too!

Cedar Springs, Michigan

Located a few minutes away from Grand Rapids and Belmont, Cedar Springs is a great small town, off-the-beaten-path, that should be up on your list if you’ve considered relocation to Kent County.

Still, need a little more convincing? Then here are five good reasons why you should live in Cedar Springs, Michigan.:

● Strategically Located

● Plenty of Fun Things to Do

● Tight-Knit Community

● Affordable Living

● Secure & Full of Growth Opportunities

1. Strategically Located

If your job involves a lot of movement within Kent County, then Cedar Springs, Michigan is an ideal location.

Cedar Springs, MI is surrounded by some of the county’s prominent locations.

For instance, Cedar Springs is only 20 miles away from Grand Rapids and only about 26 miles away from Wyoming, Michigan. At the same time, it’s only 10 miles away from Rockford.

It’s also only a few hours away from Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, and other areas of interest in Michigan. Cedar Springs, simply put, is an ideal location if your job or business involves a lot of traveling.

2. Plenty of Fun Things to Do

Even though Cedar Springs, Michigan is a small city, it surprisingly has a lot of fun things to do.

For starters, this small city is the birthplace of the Red Flannel Festival, the most famous, and longest-running festival in all of Michigan. This is why it’s nicknamed the Red Flannel Town.

The Red Flannel Festival takes place every autumn and involves beautiful displays of arts and crafts, car shows, amazing parades, and even a thrilling horseshoe throwing contest.

Being a part of a state famed for its natural beauty and the Red Flannel Festival, all while being located only 25 miles from Lake Michigan, Cedar Springs, MI also does not disappoint if you are a nature lover.

Cedar Springs, Michigan has breathtaking terrains. This town is also home to the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail, a 92-mile, partly paved trail where you can enjoy walks with your pet, your friends and your family.

You will also be spoilt for choice if you are a foodie, as Cedar Springs also boasts a long string of beautiful, yet fun restaurants that double up as hangout joints for the locals, such as the Classic Kelly’s family restaurant.

If you are a history-geek and live music lover, then you will probably fall in love with the small Cedar Springs Historical Museum, and the famous Roundup Tavern.

In a nutshell, Cedar Springs might be laidback, but it has plenty of things to keep you occupied in your free-time, and it’s all within a two-mile radius.

3. Tight-Knit Community

If you have always wanted to live in a small town, with a small, friendly community that has plenty of fun things to do, Cedar Springs is your perfect fit.

With a population of slightly more than 3,000 people, and sitting on only 2.10 square miles, Cedar Springs is a small town with a suburban vibe. This is because, as noted, it offers you plenty of things to do, yet at the same time, the inhabitants are so friendly and fun to be around.

People know each other pretty well here. All you need to do is visit the local hangout joints on Main Street, and within no time you will have a bunch of friends who will make you feel as if you’ve been living in Cedar Springs, Michigan forever.

4. Affordable Living

To add on to the list of what Cedar Springs brings to the table, it has affordable living.

In comparison to the rest of the country, Cedar Springs’ cost of living is about 6.5% lower.

Housing, to be precise, is quite affordable, and what’s fascinating is that the real estate market is pretty flexible. This gives you plenty of options.

For instance, if you are looking to own a home without blowing a hole in your bank account, then you will be glad to know mobile homes are very affordable in Cedar Springs.

Plus, if you work with a reputable community like Cedar Springs Mobile Estates, you can get the exact mobile home to meet and exceed your expectations.

Housing aside, basic costs of living, such as commuting and groceries, are also fairly inexpensive, especially when compared to Grand Rapids, which is extremely helpful if you are on a tighter budget.

5. Secure & Full of Growth Opportunities

We all want to live in a secure place. If you are looking for your relocation options in Kent County, there’s no doubt that your safety and security are near the top of your priority list.

With that said, safety and security would be the least of your worries when moving to Cedar Springs, Michigan.

As a small town with a population of about 3,000 people, nearly everyone knows everyone here. Plus, the business, and even residential areas, are properly lit at night. This keeps crime rates lower in comparison to other towns and cities surrounding Cedar Springs, like Grand Rapids.

When it comes to growth opportunities, you will be glad to know that Cedar Spring is on an upswing. It has had a population growth rate of 4.4%.

This growth rate is high enough to create new business opportunities, yet at the same time not too high to cause stiff competition.

Therefore, if you plan to start a new chapter of your life, you’ve got a better chance of thriving in Cedar Springs as there are plenty of unexploited entrepreneurship opportunities.

Brief History of Cedar Springs

If you are going to move to a new place, it pays to know how it started and to have a little insight into its history.

Such information may serve as an excellent ice breaker when you are trying to create a conversation with the locals.

In that light, it’s essential to note that Cedar Springs dates back to 1856. The town got its name from the many beautiful springs it had, which all seemed to be surrounded by Cedar Groves.

Cedar Springs, MI began as a lumber town and plays a significant role in American timber history. Thanks to this, it was home to an array of lumber and shingle mills, which attracted business-minded individuals from all over the state of Michigan.

The town’s growth was further accelerated by its prime location. It served as a grand terminus for traders and business people going to and from cities like Indian Railroad, Grand Rapids, Toledo, and Muskegon, among many others.

The Red Flannel Movement

The primary economic activity, as you may have noticed, was logging. It spurred the popularity of red flannel garments, which remain relevant to date.

Initially, these garments were just sold here, but as logging caught on, one of the town’s founders, Mrs. Mae Oppenneer began making them in her home in 1952.

Mrs. Mae would later sell to Mrs. Sally, who made the business a big success and even established the Red Flannel Factory. This factory, as a matter of fact, remained an essential economic driver for the next four decades.

The factory is still in existence today and serves as a great part of Cedar Springs’ community and history. It is one of the places that you should definitely visit if you are moving to Cedar Springs.

These flannels are the reason Cedar Springs is nicknamed the Red Flannels Town, and you should also consider getting one once you move here.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Cedar Springs is a great place to live and work. The community here is pretty friendly and there is plenty to do during your free time.

Moreover, there are plenty of business opportunities you could try out, and you could easily own a home thanks to Cedar Springs Mobile Estates.

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