Written by: Madeline Blake
Date:

Michigan. A beautiful state amongst the lakes bordering the United States of America and Canada. It is one of the most beautiful states in America and also one of the more expensive ones. That is if you do not know where to look. It is the bedrock of the car industry of America and with abundant natural beauty to drive through or hike in. With its 3.000 miles of shoreline, it is one of the places with the most abundant natural attractions in the US. Getting there, however, due to Michigan’s harsh climate can get difficult. But with moving companies that Verified Movers can help you find, you won’t have a thing to worry about. In this article, we will talk about the best places to live in Michigan. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

Here are our picks for the best places to live in Michigan

Michigan is a state on the northern border of the United States of America, with the Great Lakes in its vicinity. The name Michigan originates from the Ojibwe word mishigamaa, meaning “large water” or “large lake”. This state has a continental climate, however, it has two distinct climate regions. The northern region is colder throughout the year, and the southern region is warmer. The upper peninsula can have a cold to freezing winters with the minimum recorded temperature sitting at -46 degrees C. The state average warm temperature is sitting between 14 and 24 degrees C in July, and the cold average stands at  -11 to -3 degrees C in January.

an icy road
Be prepared for Michigan’s harsh winters

The average precipitation level is 30 to 40 inches annually. In addition, there are about 30 thunderstorms on a yearly average in Michigan, so in order to enjoy its natural beauty, you better check the weather forecast. You should also check the weather forecast before hiring cross country moving companies Michigan. Rarely does a company want to conduct the moving process in such extreme weather, so you need to prepare very carefully. Now, let’s get down to business.

Ann Arbor is one of the most moved-in cities in Michigan

Ann Arbor is a city in Washtenaw County with 116,000 citizens currently residing there. It is located near the 130-mile-long Huron River which boasts a lot of beautiful natural attractions. The city is filled with many vibrant parks, a low crime rate, a very progressive community organizing a lot of free music festivals and outdoor music events, and a very vibrant economy. A vibrant economy should be your top priority if you are moving commercially. In addition, there are many great schools in Ann Arbor which is a great benefit if you are moving with your family. According to Niche, it is in the number one spot on the Best places to live in America list. If this does not put it on the best places to live in Michigan list, we do not know what will.

The average rent price is $1,503 and that is great news for people moving here to study. The median house value is $240,700 which also makes Ann Arbor a top destination for your new dream home. So call up your long distance movers Ann Arbor, and arrange the move!

Troy’s affordability and proximity to Detroit makes it one of the best places to live in Michigan

Troy is a small city within commuting distance of Detroit. It is home to the Chrysler Headquarters and Technology Center. It is also home to GM’s Global Propulsions Systems Engineering Center If you are working in the car industry this is probably your dream city. Other than that, there are a lot of opportunities for bank workers and other types of businesses.

As do all Michigan cities, this one has huge patches of grassland and parks for you to enjoy. It is also home to the Troy School District which takes up most of the surface area of the city. In addition to that, there are also five more school districts in the vicinity which makes Troy a great place to move to for education. It also has a lot of shops and malls. If this looks like a solid place for you, be sure to find the best long distance moving companies Troy in order to ensure the success of your relocation.

The average rent price is $1,248 which is a lot lower than Ann Arbor, despite Troy’s vicinity to Detroit, the largest city in the state. You probably won’t need long distance movers Detroit to get to the big city! However, the average house price is higher and is sitting at $315,900. Good news for renters, bad news for buyers and real estate companies.

People talking about best places to live in Michigan
If you plan to rent, then Troy might be among the best places to live in Michigan for you

If you like small towns, Okemos should be in consideration

Okemos is another Michigan city to emerge on the Best places to live in America list, taking the 4th spot. It is a small city in Ingham County with only 22.000 residents. However, this is what makes this place a great place to live. The peace and quiet you get from living in a small town are often overlooked due to the convenience of living in a big city. A huge amount of parkland and hiking trails make this a great place for recreational activities for people of all ages. There is even a small historical village with a nice little chapel which actually still hosts weddings.

Other than that, it is in close proximity to many farms that fill up the marketplace at any time of day. Natural, organic food is the norm here! The average rent price is $967 which is very cheap and a great place to move with a family. The average home price also sits at an average of $249,700, which is a lot lower than in Troy.

East Grand Rapids is a perfect suburb

East Grand Rapids is a suburb of 11.000 citizens and it was ranked number 3 on the best places to live in Michigan list a couple of years ago. Now it is ranked 4th because of the rise of the previously mentioned cities. There are great schools and job opportunities with the average income sitting at $112,000. It also has a low crime rate and a high quality of life. The average rent price is $971 which is abysmally low compared to the average income. If you want to move here, long distance movers Grand Rapids have you covered!

A family talking to real estate agent after moving to one of the best places to live in Michigan
Grand Rapids has surprisingly low living costs- perfect for those moving on a budget

Want to live in a place that’s perfect for family life? Birmingham is the answer!

Birmingham is the best place to raise a family in Michigan. It has a population of 20.500 citizens and it is known for its amazing schools. A college education is also widespread here and can be seen by the average income of $108,135. It has a very high employment rate and a very low crime rate which makes it one of the best places to live in Michigan!

However, despite Birmingham being a fantastical place to live in Michigan, its weather might catch you unprepared. After all, Michigan is a state in the north of the US, so you should prepare for moving to a colder environment. Luckily, reliable moving companies can help you greatly when it comes to this. They have adequate tools and equipment so they can move your belongings even in harsh conditions.

Traverse City is a charming tourist attraction, but also a great place to live in

Traverse City is a relatively small but charming city located in northern Michigan. It is most famous as a tourist attraction, but this place can also be a wonderful place for life. What makes this place so mesmerizing and breathtaking is its location. Traverse City is situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, and it is known throughout the state (and beyond) for beautiful beaches. Additionally, Michigan has many wineries, so if you are a wine enthusiast, you will quickly think of Traverse City as one of the best places to live in Michigan. And of course, thanks to the untouched nature around this place, there are many outdoor activities waiting for you, such as:

  • Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails
  • Clinch Park
  • Timberlee hills
  • Haserot Beach
  • East Bay Park
  • Boardman River Nature Center

Despite being somewhat of a hidden beautiful gem, this city also has a solid and evolving job market. If you are looking for some of the best places to live in Michigan with good employment opportunities, don’t sleep on Traverse City. Besides the strong job market, this place has respectable educational institutions, which makes it a great place to raise a family. However, because of its popularity, Traverse City has a bit higher living and housing costs, especially when you compare it to the other places on this list. Compared to last year, prices have gone up by 10.2%. The most recent data show that an average home sells for almost $382,000. Luckily, with its steady supply of open job places, you will easily find an increase in your paycheck that will make life in this place easy and simple.

A forest on the top of the rock
For nature enthusiasts, Traverse City is considered one of the best places to live in Michigan

Marquette is also among the top picks, because of its amazing landscape

We cannot talk about the best places to live in Michigan without mentioning Marquette. It has around 20,400 citizens, so you can expect to find a small-city vibe here. It is in a similar position as Traverse City, as Marquette is also situated on the shores of a lake. Lake Superior is one of the most beautiful lakes in this region, and Marquette is proof of that. There are many scenic beaches and waterfalls all around Marquette, so if you want to be surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, look no further. Apart from the lake, there are also numerous hiking and biking trails that are perfect for exploring and enjoying the surrounding forest. For those who want a calm, laid-back style of life, combined with access to marvelous nature, Marquette might be the perfect place for you.

A person hiking
Experience the breathtaking nature around Marquette during hikes

As for housing costs, you will be glad that they are on the lower side. When you compare it to similar Traverse City, you might be amazed to find out that they are around $172,000 lower. Currently, the average home cost sits around 254,789 USD. So, not only is Marquette beautiful, charming, and calming, but living costs are also affordable. If you need to move on a budget, this city might be a good choice. However, the prices have gone up by almost 10% compared to 2022, so, if you are looking for a property to buy, be sure to do it quickly. The prices are only expected to keep rising.

Holland’s education system is difficult to match

Holland is another charming, relatively small city that you must consider on your quest on finding the best places to live in Michigan. This place, which has around 34.000 people, is located in the western part of the state. When you think about this place, fields of tulips and images of scenic windmills come to mind. Also, the city itself is beautiful and has a charming downtown area. The thing that makes it stand out among other candidates on this list is the top-rated schools. Some of the best elemental schools can be found here, such as:

  • Lakeshore Elementary School
  • Sandyview Elementary School
  • Lakewood Elementary School
a kid running in school which is in one of the best places to live in Michigan
Holland will provide your kids with the perfect environment for education

Amazing schools, coupled with low crime rates and plenty of outdoor activities will make this place perfect for your kids. Also, with so many fun family activities in this place, you will never get bored here. Living costs are also affordable, compared to the national average. While a bit more expensive than some other places on this list, you will be glad to find out that the current average home cost is around $306,821. However, just like some of the previous places, the price has increased by 10% since last year, and it is predicted to continue doing so. If you want to call Holland your home, we suggest you start planning your move, while the property prices are still low and affordable.

Rochester Hills is in a great location

If you want to live in a small-community-vibe place, while having easy access to large city opportunities, then be sure to check out Rochester Hills. This place is a suburb of Detroit, but it has its own respectable schools and beautiful parks. And when you factor in low crime rates, it becomes one of the top places to raise a family in. The home prices are a bit higher here, due to its vicinity to Detroit. The average home value here is around $400,000. True, it is much higher than some other places on this list, but with all the other benefits, this place is worth checking out.

When looking for the best places to live in Michigan, consider all aspects

When looking for the best places to live in Michigan, picking one out won’t be easy. There are many places in this state that have breathtaking nature, top-notch schools, and low crime rates. Luckily, you can’t make a wrong choice if you stick to this list. We wish you all the luck when moving to Michigan.