Big Rapids has a college-town atmosphere and standout recreation
Big Rapids is a small city, built around a local university and set against the backdrop of Michigan wilderness. With the Muskegon River flowing through town and acres of surrounding national forest offering hiking and hunting, Big Rapids is defined by natural attractions. “We have what other people in the big cities will go to for vacation, right here,” says Karen VanderGoot, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt and a city native for over 20 years. Big Rapids doesn’t see the tourist activity of places farther north, like Traverse City and Charlevoix , but it does have university activity and is less than an hour from Grand Rapids . “People live here and work in Grand Rapids because it’s so much cheaper to get a home,” VanderGoot says.
Walkable neighborhoods and space to live among trees
The center of Big Rapids has sidewalk-lined streets and homes with front porches and gabled roofs of early-1900s houses. Ranch-style houses were added in the late 1900s, and since 2000, there has been some construction on the rural edges of the city. “We live out by the national forest, surrounded by nature,” VanderGoot says. “But we used to live in town, and we liked that too, because everything was so accessible — you can walk anywhere.”
The median home sale price in the Big Rapids area is about $230,000. Some smaller houses can get as low as $100,000, and spacious contemporary properties on several acres of land can get up to $730,000. VanderGoot says that the lower prices and taxes often draw homebuyers to the area.
Several schooling options and a local university
Big Rapids Public Schools includes Riverview Elementary School, which earns an A-minus grade from Niche. Big Rapids Middle earns a B-minus, and Big Rapids High School receives a B. Students may also enroll in private schools like St. Peter’s Lutheran School and St. Mary Catholic School, or attend Crossroads Charter Academy for kindergarten through twelfth grade.
The city is home to Ferris State University, a public school with a student population of just under 10,000. Big Rapids High students can take dual-enrollment courses with area colleges, including Ferris State.
Outdoor fun year-round along the Muskegon River
The Muskegon River is an epicenter for outdoor recreation, open for summer kayaking and winter ice fishing. Public green spaces along the river include Hemlock Park, which has a castle-like wooden playground, pickleball courts and a splash pad. The Big Rapids Riverwalk connects all the waterside parks. “The Riverwalk is very popular. It’s several miles that people can walk, bike or skateboard,” VanderGoot says. “There are a couple of parks to stop by to have a picnic or play frisbee at the disc golf course.” The Riverwalk also runs into the White Pine Trail, a major paved pathway that spans more than 90 miles from the edge of Grand Rapids to Cadillac to the north.
Thousands of acres of national forest are also within a 40-minute drive of Big Rapids, offering hunting, hiking and snowmobiling opportunities. Hardy Dam, about 20 miles south, has sandy beaches and miles of mountain biking trails.
Locally owned businesses cluster around a small downtown
Big Rapids has a small downtown with a few boutiques and restaurants. The area is a designated social district, which means residents could pick out a drink at the upscale Blue Cow Cafe wine bar and enjoy it outside with a charcuterie plate from Two Cheezy Guyz. VanderGoot recommends heading next door to Three Girls Deli & Bakery for fresh-baked desserts. Farther south, she also mentions Nawal's Mediterranean Grille as a standout for the city. For larger retailers, Perry Avenue has a Walmart Supercenter, Meijer and Lowe’s, among several chain restaurants.
Small-town celebrations and a big sports scene
Big Rapids has events throughout the year, including a downtown farmers market and outdoor concerts along the river. The Festival of Lights is a community favorite, with live reindeer, visits from Santa and a parade. Ferris State University also brings some activity, as the school’s indoor ice rink and 18-hole Katke Golf Course are open to the public. VanderGoot says locals often purchase season passes to attend Ferris State sports games. For families with kids, youth sports are also big. “There’s baseball, softball, football, hockey for both boys and girls — if somebody is seeking some kind of sports activity, they should be able to find it,” VanderGoot says.
Commutes are about an hour to Grand Rapids
Major employers include Ferris State University and Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital. For commuters, Grand Rapids is about 55 miles south along U.S. Route 131, which is just a few miles west. The larger city has Gerald R. Ford International Airport, the closest option for flights.
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Written By
Catherine Lashley
