That Big City Feeling

Posted Nov 12th 2009 10:17 AM by Jamie Allen
Filed under: Maranda's Go-To Gal
Tags: Chicago, Grand Rapids, Maranda's Go-To Gal

2879840631_44ff6ddf41 At age 14, I got my first taste of a big city when my family took a trip to Chicago. I’ll never forget sitting in the backseat with my younger sister and watching the skyline as we drove in. I was immediately memorized by skyscrapers and the hustle and bustle of the big city. From that point on, I told myself I was moving out of Grand Rapids when I got older.

I remember being in high school and thinking, “Grand Rapids is so boring.” Or, “there is nothing fun to do around here.” But as I got older and wiser I learned to appreciate the things that really matter and make Grand Rapids such a cool city. Over the past 10 years I’ve seen Grand Rapids transform into a place with excellent schools and health care, diverse restaurants, music and art institutions, growing tourism, innovative “green” initiatives and a caring community. In fact, it makes me proud to be raising my daughter in a place that is the best of both worlds…..a big city feel and strong mid-west values.

I recently came across an article in Rapid Growth Media and it sparked my interest. Do you think Grand Rapids has the potential to be the next Chicago? We shall see…..

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/auduhomes/ / CC BY 2.0

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Anne Veltema

I was very intentional about moving to Grand Rapids 8 years ago. I didn't want to move home to the Lansing area but didn't want to move to metro Detroit. Grand Rapids is now my home and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Jamie Allen

I agree Corey. I don't think we'll ever be able to grow to a city of that size, but hopefully the arts and culture of Grand Rapids will only continue to grow. After seeing what ArtPrize did for our city this past fall, I think the opportunties are endless.
Corey Wynsma

It has been great to see downtown Grand Rapids blossom again. The transformation on Ionia Avenue alone is amazing! I'm not sure about it becoming the next Chicago, though. For the most part, Grand Rapids is now land locked by neighboring municipalities and so can't expand much geographically. That's not to say, however, that the great revival the city's experienced in the past decade or so can't continue and extend well beyond downtown. Here's hoping!
Karin

Coming from a very small town in Northern Illinois, I was drawn to GR because there was so much to offer, compared to where I grew up...12 years later, still love it!
Maranda

I love Grand Rapids and West Michigan too and am proud to be part of this amazing community!

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Jamie Allen

I’ve been a part of the WOOD TV8 team since 2005. As Special Projects Producer, I work side by side with Maranda making things happen behind the scenes. I coordinate Maranda’s Park Parties each summer and produce a variety of station broadcasts and events through out the year. I also serve as the producer of Maranda’s weekly half-hour show, Where You Live. I love the variety of my job and getting to be a part of the impact Maranda is making on kids in our community! Outside of work, I've been married for seven years to my husband John and we have two beautiful daughters, Sophia and Stella. When I'm not busy trying to keep up with the kids, I spend "me time" reading fashion or celebrity magazines, sneaking in some good reality television, walking around Reeds Lake with girlfriends and exploring new restaurants with my hubby. Inspirations for my blog come from my daily life as a busy working mom -- trying to juggle a full time job and be a full time mom to a spitfire five year old and a new baby.