As if you needed another reason to consider moving to West Michigan, beyond our rich, diverse culture and beautiful natural resources, there's also the fact that our commute times are below the national average. According to an article in the Grand Rapids Business Journal citing another piece by Redfin, the average commute to a job in Grand Rapids is 21.6 minutes, over four minutes shorter than the national average commute time of 25.7 minutes. Add to that the fact that the average home sale price on West Michigan real estate market or Grand Rapids real estate market is $153,000, over $100,000 less than the national average of $263,000. That means that for the average home in West Michigan costs roughly 58% of what homes across the nation average.
For the average worker, who makes that commute ten times a week (once before work and once after), that four minutes adds up to over two and a half extra hours of time each month, or nearly 32 hours a year. That means that West Michigan employees gain an entire extra day of time to engage with their family, their community, or their hobbies and passions when compared with the average American commuter. In an urban center that places a lot of importance on family-friendly events, that extra day can be filled with any number of joyful unique experiences.
Of course, commute isn't generally the biggest consideration when a person or family is deciding where to live, but here in West Michigan, it's barely even a consideration. Thanks to our numerous highways and expressways, there are quick, direct routes from most of the major suburbs to the city center and other areas with large numbers of employees commuting to and from work. Whether you live in Rockford, Byron Center, Jenison, or Ada, there are direct routes to many other areas all over West Michigan within minutes of your home, which makes the Greater Grand Rapids area very accessible for those with their own vehicles!
People who live in Chicago, for example, have an average daily commute time that is 16 minutes longer than people who live in the Grand Rapids area, meaning that they spend over an extra hour every week driving to and from work, in addition to paying much higher prices for comparable housing. When you consider the quality and diversity of entertainment and cultural events available in the West Michigan area, it's clear that Grand Rapids has a lot to offer individuals and families!
Whether you're looking to move into the West Michigan area because of a new job or have decided to retire here, the team at Pyxis Realty is always ready to help you find a home that fits all of your needs! From first time homeowners to those looking for a retirement condo, you'll find that our client-oriented team has the education and passion to make the purchasing process as painless as possible. We're here to help you find the right home in the right neighborhood, so give us a call or send us an email today!