#MiReason Blog
There are millions of reasons to love living in West Michigan. That’s why we want to share first-hand experiences of what it’s like to live, work, and play in West Michigan. Relocating or new in town? Discover why thousands of people have relocated to the region.
If you’re currently in West Michigan loving life and would like to write a guest blog post, contact Rachel Gray at grayr@hellowestmichigan.com.
Share your reason for loving West Michigan by using #MiReason on social media.
A Midwest Cajun Palate
While I consider myself a West Michigan native, my parents certainly are not. They spent their childhoods and a good part of their young adult life down south in Louisiana. So, even though I may have grown up in the north, there was certainly a constant Southern influence in the house. The South is well known for [...]
Jennifer R.
Jennifer is a Chicago native who has been in the marketing communications field for more than 20 years. Previous roles included time with the Chicago Board of Trade and Office Max, however she was laid off at her previous job [...]
Mel Trotter Ministries
As all of my friends went back home this summer, I found myself alone in a city I didn’t know and looking for something to do. I’ve always enjoyed volunteer work, and I thought it would be a great way [...]
Not in Kansas Anymore?
Growing up in West Michigan is quite the experience; you could get a completely different perspective from 10 people that grew up 30 minutes apart. For me, the first thing that comes to mind when I think about growing up [...]
Dancing Away Stress at Tuesday Night Swing
The first time I found myself at Tuesday Swing Dancing in Rosa Parks Circle was during the afterglow at West Michigan Intern Connect, a networking requirement of my summer internship; and the first experience hooked me. It was certainly nerve wracking to stand at the [...]
My New Breakfast Spot
Wolfgang’s. For many Grand Rapidians, a necessary pilgrimage. Among students, the restaurant enjoys mythical status as the place you can get a $4 early bird special, that is, if you can peel yourself out of bed in time. It’s common [...]
At the Blueberry Patch
Next to California, West Michigan boasts the second most diverse agricultural output of any place in the U.S. We get to enjoy the corn and pumpkins, soybeans, apples, and, most important to this blogger, blueberries. Late July is the season [...]
Big Sky or Big Lake?
Like so many others in this day of Google maps, I have a mountain fascination. I envision taking my travel guitar, large hat, and vintage suitcase to a log cabin for a getaway with my friends. I want to snap [...]
Philanthropic Fashion
I recently volunteered for the April 21st event, Runway On The Rapids, benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Program at Mercy Health St. Mary's. It featured a high-trend fashion show, elegantly executed at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids. The event [...]
Rowing Into Summer
On April 8th, I had the privilege of representing Hello West Michigan and the region to over 500 collegiate athletes at the GVSU Lubbers Cup Regatta. When I started my internship, I didn’t know what a regatta was, but I [...]
Jeffrey S.
Jeffrey’s list of residences reads like a list of iconic American cities. He was born and raised in Livingston, New Jersey before attending college at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating, he lived and worked in Brooklyn, New [...]
