Fascinating Negative Reviews Lurking On The Web About Grand Rapids

It's 616 Day! So I did some searching online and found that no matter how much you love the place you live, some people just don't get it.

I Think It's A Good Idea To Take On Some Criticism

I lived in the Grand Rapids area off and on for close to 15 years, and I love it. I like the people, I love the proximity to the Lakeshore, I love the fact that most of the city has bike lanes and I love my little Creston neighborhood, where I seem to know everyone that lives around me.

Are there some problems? Yes, no place is perfect. For instance, I'm not a big fan of firework season, winters can be dreary, and well, potholes. But I'm planning on living out my life here, so I'm all in.

That doesn't mean it works for everybody. And constructive criticism can be a helpful thing, so I dug up some one and two star reviews from Niche.com, a "places to live" guide to see how we can get a little bit better.

Let's take a look at some of the things that rub or rubbed folks the wrong way about Grand Rapids, shall we?

Bad Weather

There is no sun in Grand Rapids. I repeat, there is no sun. 54% of the days are totally overcast. There is some sun, however little, for 46% of the days. Full sunshine is rare. Only 60 days of 365 feature clear skies. This is from the national weather service. If you hate sunshine and blues skies, you'll love GR.

It looks like somebody did their homework. Here's the thing about living in Michigan: you have to embrace the bad weather. Learn a winter sport, take a bike ride in the rain. I have lived places where there's TOO much sun, believe it or not.

We're A Little Bit Crazy

A town full of psychopaths. Everyone in this town is strange. The craziest thing about it is they attempt to hide it just like psychopaths would do. Don’t be fooled. America trust me on this. Run!!! Run fast!!!

As Pee Wee Herman might retort, "I know I am, but what are you?"

Yeah, I have some crazy neighbors, but after getting to know them, I found out they also are good people inside who have helped me out in a pinch and keep an eye onmy stuff when I'm gone.

And Full Of Ourselves

I hate west Michigan it's a horrible place to live and raise a family, I hate it even more now that I have spent a few years out of state in various places, and realizing how west Michigan is uniquely snobby. Most places don't function like that. It's not their nature but it is west Michigan's. There is a strong Calvinist and Christian reformed mentality in the area and it's not pretty. Most of the people are uptight, irritable, arrogant and self righteous. This is also a very boring area if you like adventure. I don't believe most here do, it might liven their dead spirits which they would see as a tragedy or in other words a sin. And no you don't want to raise your kids here, there is so much better out there and they deserve better. I am moving out of state as soon as I can and living in west Michigan is one mistake I will make sure to never make again.

"Most people"? Really? Sure, there's a smugness that runs through town, but to say it's most people is a little hyperbole if you ask me, but then again, I'm better than you.

That's a joke!!

And Maybe A Little Tipsy

it's a very dull old city. I keep hearing Art Prize then what is there to do? The weather is horrible snow, cold, cloudy, rainly. Moved here from the east side of the state. There is a ton of more things to do there. People think it's a big deal to have a lot of beer joints...oh well, guess if you live here long enough you will be a drunk.

Yeah, to quote Mr. Bojangles "we drinks a bit", but it IS good beer.

We're A Bit Pricey...

Everything is overpriced. Housing, food, even gas is 20-30 cents more than anywhere else. The jobs in GR pay low relative to what it costs to live here. And Im a degreed professional with 10 years experience in my field. Looking to move soon.

A fair assessment, but isn't every place now? I know for a fact we're not the only city with a weirdly high housing market, and if you want cheaper gas, there's always Belding.

Crime Is On The Rise

I do not feel safe in most areas. There are always accidents on the road as traffic is heavy and people drive unsafely to rush somewhere and cause an accident. There are events such as art prize and downtown ice skating but you have to be very careful what areas you go to as some are more dangerous than others.

Is there more crime recently? Unfortunately, yes, but clearly this person has never been to Saginaw or Flint. I've never thought of the downtown to be dangerous, and we have a fairly vibrant nightlife, so not everyone agrees.

To Be Fair...

Of over 500 reviews of Grand Rapids on Niche, only 12 were below average, and almost half of them were 5-star reviews, so let's not let the negative Nancys and Karens and Chads being us down.

Have a great day 616 day!