Two little girls pose next to a statue in Downtown Holland, Michigan.

UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.

#3. Holland

A large wooden windmill, white sandy beaches and the smell of Dutch bakeries wafting through downtown create a storybook setting in Holland, MI. Families quickly fall in love with the city’s scenery, recreational options and architecture. What makes Holland one of the Best Places for Families is the city’s combination of small-town charm, natural beauty, great schools, low crime and a strong commitment to children. The economy in Holland is strong with a diverse range of businesses providing jobs. 
 


HIGH FIVE: Learn the five resons to move to Holland, MI. 


Hugging Lake Macatawa, near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, Holland’s Dutch ancestry is celebrated throughout the year. It’s been called one of the Best Cities for Water Activities. Millions of tourists visit Holland each May when an estimated 6 million tulips planted across the city reach peak bloom. Reader’s Digest named Holland’s Tulip Time Festival one the best small-town events in the country. Children are delighted by the DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory and Nelis’ Dutch Village, a reproduction of an 1800’s Dutch community.


HOMES IN HOLLAND: See what housing options are availble in Holland. 


Though Holland brims with history, it offers many modern amenities and vast cultural attractions including a indoor aquatic center with slides and splash zones, more than 100 restaurants, and heated streets and sidewalks in downtown that melt snow. Parents are delighted with the many restaurants in Holland that offer kids menus alongside more adult meals. Bike paths connect neighborhoods with schools, parks and beaches. Families enjoy free waterfront concerts during warm months and touring the countryside during fall to take in the colorful foliage. Children in Holland experience the full benefits of winter with plenty of snow for cross-country skiing and sledding and temperatures cold enough to turn small ponds into ice rinks. Schools in Holland get good rating from parents. Hope College provides an option for parents to take night classes and lets younger students stay close to home. 

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