Why Families Love Michigan
Deciding where to raise a family isn’t an easy decision, and it often comes with a lot of questions. What will life be like? Can we afford to live there? Will there be opportunities for my kids to thrive? Will we have the support we need? These only begin to scratch the surface of topics parents explore when faced with such a decision. Fortunately, a move to Michigan eases much of this tension, as the state and its amenities are set up to help families thrive. Ahead, find out why families love Michigan and why you should consider making the Great Lakes State your new home.
Plentiful Outdoor Recreation
It’s no secret that some of Michigan’s best assets are its natural amenities. From paddle sports on popular Lake Michigan to ski resorts in the highlands, the Great Lakes State offers something for every attitude — and at varying altitudes.
Sammie Seeger, a mom of two, says she takes advantage of the wealth of parks and playgrounds available in her hometown of Kentwood, a suburb of Grand Rapids.
“In the summer when it’s hot, I love being able to visit the splash pads at various parks,” she says. “Pinewood Park is very close to our house and is our favorite. We can walk there, and it has it all — playground equipment for toddlers, space for older kids, a splash pad, bathrooms and soccer fields.”
Seeger’s children, ages 2 and 4, also enjoy interactive and engaging outdoor attractions, such as exploring John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids and Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park in Alto.
“We love visiting little farms around Grand Rapids, especially Deep Roots Produce [open seasonally] in Caledonia. It’s close to our house and has animals you can feed,” she says.
Amanda Shaffer, a Lansing resident and mom of two, also leverages her home state’s outdoor recreation amenities.
“We are incredibly blessed with our local parks system and have actually visited 63 of Michigan’s 103 state parks,” she says. “We love hiking and finding a new playground or body of water to explore. And with Michigan, there is no shortage of those.”
Shaffer says her family’s outdoor activities align with the seasons.
“Whether picking fresh produce, visiting butterflies at Dow Gardens, walking through orchards or sledding down snow-covered hills, each season offers something incredible for families here in Michigan,” she says.
Excellent Child Care and Education
Michigan is committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve a bright future. Options like the Tri-Share Child Care Program present Michigan families with flexible options for supportive child care so they don’t have to opt out of the workforce due to cost restraints.
Launched in 2021, this pilot program split the cost of child care equally among the employer, employee and state. According to the program’s outcome assessment published a year later, participants’ monthly child care costs decreased by an average of 65%. Roughly 82% of employees agreed or strongly agreed that Tri-Share makes them more likely to keep working and stay in their current jobs.
In addition to child care options, Michigan’s school districts continue to be recognized for academic excellence. Birmingham Public Schools in Beverly Hills received an A+ rating, while East Grand Rapids Public Schools and Forest Hills Public Schools, both in Grand Rapids, and Byron Center Public Schools in Byron Center received an A rating from data analysis website Niche. Niche determines grades based on districts’ academics, teachers, clubs and activities, sports, resources and facilities, diversity, college prep, administration and food. The schools were also included on Niche’s 2025 Best School Districts in Michigan list. As for younger students, the Great Start Readiness Program, Michigan’s free pre-K initiative for eligible 4-year-olds, assists with early childhood education.
Shaffer says her family takes advantage of area library programming, as well.
“I am able to take my children to tons of free, age-appropriate events provided by the Muskegon Area District Library, from story times to Lego builds and special holiday events,” she says.
Healthy, Affordably Living
Michigan parents know they have convenient access to world-class health care systems, including the University of Michigan Health, Detroit Medical Center, Trinity Health Michigan, Spectrum Health, Henry Ford Health, Corewell Health (formerly Beaumont Health), McLaren Health Care and Ann Arbor’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
“We have been thrilled with the level of care we find for our children’s health here in Michigan,” Shaffer says.
The state’s affordability also contributes to Michigan’s great quality of life. The interactive You Can in Michigan site offers unique tools, such as a cost-of-living calculator, to help families considering a move to Michigan determine how much they can save. In fact, the Seeger family’s salary increased an estimated 32% after moving from San Diego to their new home in the Grand Rapids area.
“The allure of being able to buy a home and someday pay that home off was very appealing,” Seeger says of their relocation. “We also wanted more space than what we would get in San Diego.”
Spending less on necessities means families can afford to splurge in other areas.
“We are able to comfortably afford our home and household expenses, and we’re still able to save for retirement and go on vacation,” Seeger says.
Whether families are looking for recreational activities, top-notch education options or an affordable quality of life, all this and more can be found in Michigan.