It’s that time of year again! As I sat shivering in my car this morning, waiting for my windshield to thaw, I thought about all the complaints people have about winter—the icy roads, the early sunsets, and frigid temperatures. Sure, those things aren’t always convenient, but honestly? I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Winter [...]
A New Home: Brian's Rapid Roots Experience Brian Danner, originally from Southeast Michigan, relocated to Grand Rapids in early 2024 to take on a new role with Meijer. Although his previous visits to West Michigan were limited and mostly work-related, his recent move has opened the door to a deeper connection with the region—thanks in [...]
Thankful for West Michigan: Why I Love Calling This Place Home (Especially in November) As the leaves crunch underfoot and the air turns crisp, I find myself reflecting on how lucky I am to live in West Michigan. This region isn’t just beautiful, it’s vibrant, welcoming, and full of experiences that make life here feel [...]
Fall into Opportunity: Why Autumn is the Perfect Time to Grow in West Michigan As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reset, and explore what’s next, especially when it comes to your career and lifestyle. Whether you’re seeking new professional opportunities, a place that balances work and quality of life, or [...]
From the shoreline sunsets of Lake Michigan to the hum of innovation across our region, West Michigan is a place where careers and community grow side by side. Living here combines the perfect blend of being rooted in community and finding a place that feels like home with opportunities to grow and the support to [...]
West Michigan has so much to offer– from the great outdoors to festivals across the region, there are endless things to do during the summertime. Whether you’re a tried-and-true local, a prospective West Michigander, or just here for a visit, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten things you should put on your West [...]
Interns Asked, Experts Answered: Follow-up Questions from Intern Connect 2025 At Intern Connect 2025, we gave interns the opportunity to ask our speakers their pressing questions about how to navigate life as an up-and-coming professional. There were so many insightful questions that we couldn’t answer them all, but don’t worry: our speakers decided to [...]
Olivia's Intern Connect Journey: From Intern to Committee Member When it comes to internships, I took the non-traditional path. During my days as an undergraduate at Grand Valley State University, I was involved in many aspects of campus life, including being a Resident Assistant, Leadership for Alternative Breaks and Laker Traditions Team. An internship wasn’t [...]
After a decade of life in various places—schooling, football, the military, and work—Tommy has made his way back to his roots in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tommy was born and raised in Grand Rapids, and after ten years away, the return was made possible when his wife matched to a medical residency program in the city. [...]
Cafes and Coffee Shops in West Michigan One of my favorite activities is finding a new coffee shop every week and savoring a delicious cup of joe. West Michigan has a wide variety of local roasters and coffee shops to enjoy! Whether you are looking to have a relaxing experience, coffee catchup with a friend, [...]
St. Patrick’s Day Activities 2025 You are in luck if you are celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in West Michigan! As March 17 approaches, there are plenty of things to do to celebrate—just remember to wear green! If you and your lads are still deciding how to spend the holiday, here are a few options: Paddy's [...]
Tatiana P. Sometimes, life’s unexpected turns lead us to places we never imagined. For Tatiana, her journey from Social Worker and Educator to becoming a Project Accountant has been a testament to embracing change and finding fulfillment in new experiences. What she loves most about West Michigan is its blend of nature, community, and the [...]
Outdoor Winter Activities in West Michigan The calendar flipped to 2025, and at the same time, it feels like the weather flipped as well. Winter is full-blown here. The temperature has dropped, each morning you may need to scrape the snow off your car, and you find yourself ordering a hot latte—rather than an iced [...]
Rachel Gray, our Executive Director, loves to ski. Read part five of this skiing series below. If you’ve been following along with my winter series, you know this whole skiing thing has been a desire of mine for a while. Consequently, I’ve been lurking in the skiing space for a while. When I first expressed [...]
Rachel Gray, our Executive Director, loves to ski. Read part four of this skiing series below. If you’ve been following along on my mission to become a downhill skier, you’ll know I took this selfie with shorts on. I’ve been waiting patiently since the summer! If the snow bug has just bitten you, or you’ve [...]
Rachel Gray, our Executive Director, loves to ski. Read part three of this skiing series below. In our Rapid Roots community onboarding program, I teach a session on how to find friends as an adult. One of the tenets of the lecture is identifying your hobbies, finding groups related to that hobby, and attending group [...]
Michigan has a special place in Heather’s heart. It’s where she spent her college years, has family, and—of course—has beautiful Lake Michigan. After living in several places across the globe, Heather—a self-proclaimed “lifelong learner and connector”—recently boomeranged back to West Michigan. The sense of community in West Michigan is one aspect that attracted her back [...]
Shopping in West Michigan: Holiday Markets and More The holiday season is upon us. No matter what you’re celebrating this season, you most likely will need to buy a gift or two! I enjoy getting the perfect gift for loved ones. The process of buying the perfect gift is a bit grueling, but it is [...]
Fall is here. As I add an extra layer of clothing to my outfit, walk to a local coffee shop for a pumpkin spice latte, and spend a portion of my weekend watching football with friends, I am reminded of how cozy this season feels. Now is the time to embrace this cozy feeling and [...]
Nature Awaits: Backpacking the Beautiful Manistee River Trail Who else loves to get outdoors and to explore? If you’re like me, you also like to be outdoors and to explore. In Michigan, we get to experience all four seasons, meaning outdoor recreation varies with each one. As autumn approaches and the weather cools, there are [...]
As yellow school buses line the roads, and the green leaves slowly lose their vibrance, now is the time to reflect on the months of summer and prepare for this new season. As I walk to work, I can feel the temperature drop and a breeze fill the air. Fall is almost here. While I [...]
Who doesn’t love a good old famers market? As summer winds down, make sure to head to your local farmers market for fresh produce and groceries. Michigan farms produce over 300 different commodities, which is the second largest amount among the US states. Stopping by a West Michigan farmers market is a great way to [...]
Late July in West Michigan means it is time for the annual Coastguard Festival. This year, the festival is particularly special because it is the 100th anniversary of the event, which means whether this will be your first-time or 50th-time at the festival, this will be a year to remember. The festival starts July 26 [...]
Being summer and in West Michigan, I’ve been trying to channel my inner -“Coastal-Grandma-Aesthetic,” whether that’s trying a new recipe or learning to embroider or learning to play tennis. If you don’t know what the Coastal Grandma Aesthetic is, this is what I mean: Pottery painting is just another hobby that falls into this category. [...]
Unique or Classic, Try These Ice Cream Shops There is a lot to love about summer in Michigan, and one of them is the abundant supply and need for ice cream. Ice cream is a social event. It cools you down. It offers a diverse range of flavors. And it can be nostalgic. I probably [...]
Keep the Fun Going After Intern Connect Grand Rapids always has something new to eat, explore, and experience. If you’re headed downtown for Intern Connect on June 26, make a plan to continue the fun after the conference with one of the suggestions below. Whether it’s a new restaurant, park or place, here are restaurant [...]
From Surf City to Beer City: Brett's Relocation to West Michigan Moving from the sunny beaches of Huntington Beach, California, to the charming landscapes of West Michigan might seem like quite the leap. But for Brett and his family, the transition has been an adventure worth taking. With family ties to the region (his mom [...]
How to Celebrate Father's Day in West Michigan I enjoy telling bad puns. That's just how eye roll. This wouldn’t be a Father’s Day blog post without a dad joke. All joking aside, if you’re looking for ways to celebrate this year’s Father’s Day, here are a few West Michigan experiences to celebrate the father [...]
Summer is upon us. This means longer days, warmer weather, and the bluest skies. All these ingredients mix a perfect recipe for a beach day. If you’re like me, you’ll agree summer is the best time to visit West Michigan beaches. When I hop in the car and head west, my favorite site is the [...]
It may be cliché, but spring has sprung in West Michigan. Birds chirping. Grilled burgers waft the neighborhood. Local tennis and pickleball courts echo with laughter and competition. A silver pick-up truck hauling its boat. Sports games grace the family calendar. These are the signs of springtime in West Michigan. Spring is an exciting season [...]
This is Part 2 of Rachel's Winter Series. To read Part 1, click here. In my job, I often get asked what I like to do on the weekends. For me, the answer depends on the season. During the summer I love to go to the beach and visit farmers markets. In the winter, I’m [...]
If a new job is on your to-do list for 2024, Thanksgiving is the time to start on that resolution. If you’re coming to Michigan for the holiday, it’s a great time to explore what relocation could look like for you. Attend ReThink West Michigan on Thanksgiving Eve to connect with regional employers. In this [...]
I look forward to winter. There I said it. It’s not what you typically hear from Michiganders. When I talk to people interested in moving here, especially from warm weather states, the thing they’re usually most worried about is winter. Here at Hello West Michigan, we always suggest layered clothing, safety devices for the car, [...]
If you are pondering whether you should move back to West Michigan, know that there are great benefits to living in this region. We are here to tell you why you should make the move. West Michigan has the perfect work-life balance for employees to have a professional and personal life. The region holds excellent [...]
One of my favorite ways to spend a summer day in West Michigan is at Silver Lake State Park. There are plenty of things to do there with friends and family like dune rides, exploring lighthouses, and visiting farm markets. Silver Lake is home to three miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline and nearly [...]
Did you know that West Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation behind California? In fact, Michigan is one of the top-producing states in growing blueberries. More than 50% of all Michigan blueberries are shipped at fresh markets, but July and August are the perfect time to enjoy a West Michigan [...]
Get active with your community in West Michigan! Plenty of volunteer options exist for you and your friends and family to participate in. Learn about more volunteer opportunities you can be a part of in West Michigan. One volunteer event that is happening right now until November is myTEAM TRIUMPH. This is an athletic ride-along [...]
West Michigan has a thriving coffee culture with a wide variety of local roasters and coffee shops! Whether you are looking to have a relaxing experience, or just need a quick pick me up there’s no shortage of options here! Ferris Co. & Nut is one of the oldest operating businesses in Grand Rapids. With [...]
As a student who is studying at Grand Valley State University and is from the East side of the state, I am not familiar with the Grand Rapids area. Thanks to our Executive Director Rachel Gray who took me along on a Grand Rapids walking tour, I have learned many facts about Grand Rapids, and [...]
Spend your Mother’s Day in West Michigan! With the holiday approaching, it’s time to start thinking about how we can show appreciation to the amazing moms, or motherly figures, in our lives. In West Michigan there is something for every mom, whether she’s into high fashion, trendy, outdoorsy, artsy, or easy-going. If your mom [...]
In honor of Earth Day, let’s take a moment and appreciate West Michigan’s natural beauty because it surrounds us daily. Whether we choose to enjoy the landscapes, the beaches, or the wildlife of West Michigan we are grateful to have this day to celebrate the nature of our home! To celebrate, we’ve put together a [...]
Did you know Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state? Why do we need so many? Because we have more freshwater coastline than any other state. There are over 100 lighthouses in Michigan. Walk the pier with friends, watch the sunset, climb to the top, and learn the unique history of each lighthouse to [...]
It’s that time of the year again…The sun is coming out and the temperature is rising as we welcome the spring season! As we are blooming into the season, we created a list of outdoor activities for you so that you can get a head start on enjoying the sunshine. Spending a day outdoors during [...]
You are in luck if you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in West Michigan! As St. Patrick’s Day approaches there are plenty of things to do to celebrate! For me St. Patrick’s Day is usually spent wearing my favorite green outfit, spending time with friends or family, and enjoying an Irish dinner at a local [...]
Love is in the air for this Valentine’s weekend in West Michigan. Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend, spending time with family, or want to treat yourself. West Michigan has the perfect Valentine’s traditions for you. The Valentine’s Dash: Are you ready to be active? This festive race is a perfect way to [...]
With downtown Christmas trees lit and festive events happening almost daily, the West Michigan holiday season is in full swing! No matter what you’re celebrating this month, there’s a good chance you’ll be doing some shopping in preparation. If, like myself, you take pride in giving unique and personal gifts but sometimes struggle to find [...]
Have you recently been looking to relocate or take the next step in your career? Whatever the case, if you’re in the market for a new job, you’ll find that networking is more important than ever. Just as technological advances and the pandemic have changed how we work, they’ve also changed networking. If you’ll be [...]
Michiganders (and former Michiganders) know that one of the best parts about living here is that we truly get four seasons. Even if you aren’t a fan of the cooler temperatures, it’s hard to deny the beauty when the leaves turn from green to varying shades of orange and red in September and October. What’s [...]
ArtPrize is in full swing in Downtown Grand Rapids! With 750+ exhibits scattered throughout 150 locations across the city, ArtPrize is the world’s largest display of public art. Whether you’re an avid art lover who’s attended the event since it began, or this is your first ArtPrize (like me), there’s something for everyone to enjoy. [...]
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