In case you missed it over the weekend, many of the social media pages of Michiganders are showing off an article by Thrillist.com boasting that Michigan was recently ranked as the #1 state by the less-than transparent process used by the author of the article. While the site usually focuses on more topical articles about food and other goodies or travel, this list is more of a “best overall.” Many Michigan-born people and transplants to our lovely state have been sharing this article around, and with good reason.
Michigan is often viewed by outsiders as the state with Detroit. However, there is much more to the Mitten State, including a currently booming real estate market that still has very reasonable prices, especially when compared with the cost of real estate in big cities on either coast. From large, newly constructed homes to beachfront properties and even vacant land, Michigan offers a perfect mix of affordability and beauty. Also, of course, we have a thriving restaurant industry and more local beer breweries than you can tour in a weekend.
For those who are interested in reading the article at Thrillist ranking Michigan as the best states, the original article can be read here. We always appreciate when our beautiful state gets some positive press, so here's a list of the top three reasons why Michigan should be the place you buy your next home.
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There is water and beachfront property everywhere. In addition to the beautiful, ocean-like Great Lakes, Michigan boasts roughly 11,000 inland lakes. Statistically, that means that Michigan residents are never more than 6 miles from a lake, according to the Michigan Historical Society. That means that in the summer, it's pretty easy to pack up the kids and hit the beach, even if you don't feel like driving all the way to one of the “big” lakes.
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We get all four seasons, even if our winter is cold. Many Michiganders really relish the cold, bracing winds and deep, beautiful snows of a Michigan winter. Here on the west side of the state, that is compounded by the lovely lake affect snow storms that roll in off of Lake Michigan. Fall in Michigan is arguably more beautiful than fall in many other places, as our plethora of trees put on a gorgeous color display.
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You get more bang for your buck. Chicago is the closest out-of-state metropolis, and prices for housing there are astronomical when compared with prices in Grand Rapids and other cities in Michigan. A mortgage goes a lot farther here in the Great Lakes state, and there is a massive market of second homes/summer homes, and cabins as well. Those with a passion for hunting or camping can easily find a small, unimproved parcel bordering on one of the state's sprawling forests to pursue their preferred leisure activity.
Being a Michigan-based company, of course there's some inherent bias to our reception of Michigan's #1 slot in Thrillist's rankings, but we're of the opinion that that position was earned. Despite minor issues, our state is a beautiful one, full of opportunities. There's every reason in the world to buy a home here in West Michigan, and Pyxis Realty would love to help you find that perfect property.