Tami Vroma LiveInWestMi.com

Where do you want to live is probably the wrong question. It should be more, how do you want to live? What is it about living in the country that draws so many people? Why do some gravitate to the city? As a realtor in the West Michigan area, I find people and their living habits fascinating. As a person describes what they are looking for in a home, you start to think of the scene in your mind. What makes someone choose living outside of the city as opposed to living inside the city? What is the definition of country to you and what is the city? What is even more interesting is the fact that most people are very definitive about the type they are. “I am definitely a country bumpkin”, or “I love the city!”

A look at the City Dwellers

What quantifies as city to most people? As I look at West Michigan, Grand Rapids is definitely the main metro area. When you look at a map, there are several cities that make up greater Grand Rapids in Michigan—Forest Hills, Wyoming, Walker, Grandville, Jenison, Kentwood, etc. Then there are also the smaller metro areas of Holland and Grand Haven that are separated from Grand Rapids yet still small cities. These are the geographic characteristics of West Michigan, but is there something else that contributes to a feeling of city or country?

In my minds eye, the definition of city is any continuous blocks of activities made up of homes and businesses. Another great interpretation would be any where there is a lot of sidewalk and concrete . . . hence the concrete jungle? Mowing the lawn is easy, because the lots are small. How about any place there is more than one high rise building and lots of light and noise? The city is all about the non-stop barrage of information, crowds and traffic. If you can ride a city bus, you are most likely in the city. Many people say they love the hustle and bustle of the city. They never feel alone because homes are very close by and grouped together with the businesses they need. Yet in the city, you can meld in and become a face in the crowd. Does the city give a sense of security in some ways and sense of anonymity in others?

A Look at the Country Bumpkins

In what way is the country different? Geographically, when I think of West Michigan the towns of Allendale, Coopersville, Ada, Caledonia, Zeeland, Byron Center, and Sparta come to mind. These areas surround Grand Rapids to the North, East, South and West, yet most are within 30 minutes of Grand Rapids. Most have their sub-divisions but for the most part, they still hold the small town feel. But what is the essence of these places called the country?

When asked about the definition of country, these small town areas give you a different feeling. Could it be the opportunity to unwind on the drive home through open country with no bumper-to-bumper traffic? Do the horses grazing lazily in the fields give you a sense of calmness? Out in the country, where it gets truly dark, the stars can be seen so clearly. Does the definition include large areas of expansive trees, woods and golden wheat fields swaying in the wind? Unlike the city, it is harder to just meld in—you run into people you know regularly and you don’t have any problem going into your neighbor’s shed to borrow a garden tool. The people in the country seem to know that, yes, occasionally you will loose your electric because all the lines are no longer underground. But they are willing to put up the small, occasional inconvenience to be able to ride their snowmobiles and quads in the vast expanse of land around them.

To me the city and the country are more feelings and ways of life than geographical positions. It is the feelings they create. Many of us adapt to what works at the time, but down deep . . . . .do you consider yourself a city dweller or a country bumpkin?

Barn Picture courtesy of my freind Judy Revell

Gina VanLaar 5K run in Allendale, MI I am so excited! My son is entering his first 5K race! He has gotten involved with The Allendale Cross Country Team. I love to see him getting involved and choosing to try. It's hard to express what we have been through with him! Let's just say bi-polar is something that is difficult to deal with!

If you want more information, you can go to Classic Race Mangement for the printable entry form.

Here are the Details

Where: Allendale High School 10760 68th

When: July 4, 2008 8:00 AM

Cost: $25 - Proceeds to Allendale Cross Country

LOTS of DOOR PRIZES GIVEN AWAY!!

I'll let you all know the results!

Memorial Day my husband and I, our two teenagers, and my daughter's boyfriend went for a walk out on the Grand Haven pier. First thing I realized immediately was that I was going to freeze as I had forgotten my coat. As we briskly walked down the pier I noticed a new building and wondered what was up with that. What I found out was that was no ordinary building and that my little community was going "green"!

Grand Haven State Campground is leading the way to providing a more earth friendly atmosphere in West Michigan--The Other West Coast! Today is the big ribbon cutting ceremony as they proclaim to the world how progressive they are by opening one of the first state "green" shower and toilet facility.

So what makes it "green"? The shower and toilet facility is equipped with many energy saving basics. My personal favorite are the light sensors that make the lights come on only when someone is occupying the particular facility--I need those for my bathroom I am sure. But that isn't it. They are saving electricity and water in several ways! The 4 private and 8 family shower facilities have on demand water heaters with timers and low flow toilets and urinals. To further reduce the use of electric, windows have been installed to let the natural light in. There are also solar panels that power the ventilating systems for the showers and toilet facilities.

Apparently it is one of the first campgrounds to try this. Personally I couldn't think of a better place to try this--have you ever tried to get into Grand Haven State Campground? Nearly impossible. It is always packed because the campground sits right on the beach. But don't think you can just go to the beach and check it out! It is only for the campground.

My second thought was, I wonder how much this cost Michigan. Our state is leading the way in foreclosures (although we are no longer first--yeah!!!) and really can't afford spending money that doesn't need to be spent. I was happy to hear that the $750,000 project was funded by a land conservation fund. It will be exciting to exactly how much money this shower facility will save! Hopefully I will do a follow-up in the fall to let you know what happened!

I am proud of the community I live my life in called West Michigan--The Other West Coast!

I'm one of those country girls who loves the fact that I live in a small community where we don't lock our doors!

Well yesterday that came to an ubrupt halt! How can it be? In the middle of the night 12 plus homes were hit. They robbed the cars and took anything electronic they could find. Heck I used to advertise that I had a GPS in my car by leaving it glowing in my car at night sitting outside my house! No more! Everything is locked up.

I still want it known that Allendale, Michigan is an awesome community to live in. For a college town (Grand Valley State University), we have realatively low crime. I hope this was just a wake up to us all that we can all be subject to it no matter how small our town is. I am still going to believe though, that it was just someone passing through.

By the way all--I have a very big dog with very big teeth!

God's Blessings