Grand Rapids is best known as the hometown of Judy Garland, who, before ascending to fame as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, was known by the decidedly less attractive name of Frances Ethel Gumm. Her home is now the site of the Judy Garland Museum, one of the biggest tourist attractions in a town known for its rich and distinctive history.
It might not be as well known as its eponymous equivalent in Michigan, but Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is still regarded as one of the state's finest gems
Grand Rapids is best known as the hometown of Judy Garland, who, before ascending to fame as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, was known by the decidedly less attractive name of Frances Ethel Gumm. Her home is now the site of the Judy Garland Museum, one of the biggest tourist attractions in a town known for its rich and distinctive history.
It might not be as well known as its eponymous equivalent in Michigan, but Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is still regarded as one of the state's finest gems. This is the city responsible for producing the lovely Judy Garland, but that is certainly not Grand Rapids' only accomplishment. With a population of 10,869 in 2010, Grand Rapids is also the home of multiple hockey legends, including Miracle on Ice athlete Bill Baker and Minnesota North Stars player Jon Casey. If you hate hockey, keep your mouth shut. You might end up out on the ice - as a puck.
Finding a Home or Apartment
Your hunt for housing for rent in Grand Rapids may or may not be successful, depending on the type of housing you prefer and your determination. Or stubbornness, if you're proud of that label. Single-family homes are by far the most common type of housing in this city, with the vast majority of these structures built in the post-war boom of the late 1940s and early 1950s. However, there are a number of options available for anyone hoping to find apartment living opportunities in Grand Rapids. Many of these apartment complexes are located along Highway 38 and Interstate 169. Because space may be limited, it's important to remember when renting an apartment to apply at least two months before you plan to move to Grand Rapids. If you put off things until a rainy day, be prepared for a monsoon to follow your butt around town. And you would deserve it. Just don't say you weren't warned.
Preparing For Moving Day
The ease of your move to Grand Rapids will depend somewhat on the location of your previous residence. If you're arriving from Duluth, Bemidji or Brainerd you are lucky to have a short and easy moving process ahead of you. Many residents come from further away, however, with some driving in from the Twin Cities and still others choosing to move to Grand Rapids after living in Fargo or Grand Forks. For longer moves, it will ultimately be easiest to make the big transition during the spring, after the hazards of winter driving are a not-too-distant nightmare but before the lengthy road construction season begins.
You'll soon be saying "there's no place like home" in one of these Grand Rapids neighborhoods.
Hale Lake: The region of Grand Rapids located north of Interstates 2 and 169 is actually home to four lakes, of which Hale Lake is easily the largest and most significant. The American Legion Memorial Park lies along this beautiful lake, as does Reif Performing Arts Center.
Paper Mill Reservoir: Controlled by a Grand Rapids Dam, the Paper Mill Reservoir serves as something of an impoundment of the Mississippi River. The reservoir serves as a welcome source of scenery for those living in this area; other conveniences found in the Paper Mill Reservoir neighborhood include Grand Rapids Wayside Park, Grussendorf Park, the Forest Lake Restaurant and Mad Dogs Pizza.
River Road: After the Paper Mill Reservoir turns back into the Mississippi River, it meanders along the eastern segment of Grand Rapids before joining up with the Prairie River and continuing on to the Savanna State Forest. River Road, which lies parallel to the Mississippi River, is at the center of one of Grand Rapids' most peaceful neighborhoods.
Airport Road: The southern segment of Grand Rapids is distinguished by the presence of the Grand Rapids-Itasca County Airport. Proximity to this airport may prove an annoyance for residents in nearby 2 bedroom apartments ; however, other conveniences of this neighborhood to consider include the presence of the Judy Garland Museum, the Children's Discovery Museum, Willow Park and the Grand Rapids Hospital.
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is absolutely nothing like Grand Rapids, Michigan. And that's a good thing! In the Minnesota version, residents enjoy a slower-paced way of life, with outdoor recreation serving as a clear priority. Lazy bums, rejoice! Every summer, residents from Grand Rapids and the rest of Itasca County gather at the Itasca County Fairgrounds for an annual fair, which includes several exciting rides, intriguing farm exhibits and plenty of live entertainment. The rest of the year, Grand Rapids residents enjoy hanging out at the American Legion Memorial Park and the Grand Rapids Sports Complex. When the weather is not conducive to outdoor recreation, the best alternative is hitting up a Trampled By Turtles concert at the Reif Performing Arts Center. Other prominent indoor attractions include the Judy Garland Museum, Forest History Center, the Children's Discovery Museum and the MacRostie Art Center.
