Should You Move to Ottawa County, Michigan?
Heartland Builders has years of experience building custom homes in the West Michigan area, which includes Ottawa County. This county has many towns and cities that check off all of the things you’re looking for on your list – and then some. Aside from the area, you might also consider the home you’re looking for. Heartland has that covered, too! We offer build-on-your-lot homes, so you’re guaranteed to have the home of your dreams built the way you want. Before we get into more of that, let’s talk about why you should move to Ottawa County, Michigan.
5 Reasons to Move to Ottawa County in Michigan
Making the decision to move is exciting, especially when you start thinking of all of the places you could move to and why. You probably already have a list handy with the top things you’re looking for in your new area. Perhaps it’s somewhere you know your family will be safe. Definitely somewhere that’s affordable. And of course, an overall great environment with tons of things to do and ways to cultivate a happy, fulfilling life. Here’s five reasons why you should be looking at Ottawa County, Michigan.
1. It’s Safe
A lot of times when people think about the safety of an area, they mainly think about crime rates. However, there are many things you can consider when it comes to safety such as air and water quality and natural disasters. Thankfully, a move to Ottawa County in Michigan is safe all around. It has an overall A+ crime rating, according to crimegrade.org, with the safer areas being in the southeast part of the county. The air and water quality are among the highest in the nation, with air quality being good 90% of the time and water being good 100% of the time. Though you may experience severe storms and potential tornadoes, it’s unlikely that you’ll have to worry about hurricanes, volcanoes, or earthquakes.
2. It’s Affordable
Affordability is sure to be at the top of anyone’s list of needs when it comes to the area they move to. In Ottawa County, you’ll find that the overall cost of living is lower than the national average. This includes housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare to name a few. Housing takes up a majority of one’s cost of living, so you may think building a custom home is more expensive, but it’s not. In fact, Heartland Builders works with you from the beginning to ensure your home is within your budget throughout the process.
3. It’s Right by Lake Michigan
The lake, the lake, the lake! We can’t talk about a county in Michigan without bringing up the largest freshwater system in the world. Ottawa County sits right on the coast of the majestic Lake Michigan. Imagine being moments away from its sparkling fresh waters gently crashing against a shore of sugar-sand beaches. You can explore many inland lakes and rivers fed by Lake Michigan and fun beach towns along the 1,000 miles of coastline. Aside from swimming, surfing, sunbathing and other water recreational activities, there are wine tours, craft breweries, campgrounds, miles of dune trails, and wide-open vistas to visit too. Grand Haven is a popular and charming beach town with two Lake Michigan beaches open to the public (Fun fact: Heartland builds here!)
4. It’s Close to Grand Rapids
Where is Ottawa County, Michigan? Well, we know it’s right by Lake Michigan, but it’s also close to Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids area provides another world of adventure that’s easily accessible from Ottawa County. The entertainment options are endless with tons of historical sites, fun events, cultural festivals, and great dining and drink experiences. With four distinct seasons of weather, there’s something to enjoy during each one. View colorful blooming tulips during the Tulip Time Festival in spring (even better, this fantastic event is located in Ottawa County so no need to travel far if you live here!), or visit Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens for some hiking, bird watching, and flower gazing. In the summer, the John Ball Zoo is a great spot for animal lovers with over 1,100 animals housed in their respective habitats and unique ways to view the zoo. Take a camel ride, a tram ride, a zipline, ride swan paddle boats, and more. No matter what season, the restaurants and breweries in Grand Rapids have a way for you to enjoy a meal and drink outdoors. From winterized patios to fire pits and transparent domes, they’ll make sure you have a comfortable dining experience.
5. Simply Put: It’s One of the Nicest Places to Live in Michigan!
Ottawa County in Michigan was voted #1 Best Counties to Buy a House in Michigan and graded an A+ overall by niche.com. It was also #2 for Best Counties for Outdoor Activities in Michigan and Counties with the Best Public Schools in Michigan. What we’re really trying to say is that it’s one of the nicest places to live in Michigan. Making the decision to move here should come easily as it really has everything one could need for an amazing life. You can rest assured you’ll be safe, have an affordable place to live, and tons of things to keep you busy throughout the year.
Connect with Heartland Builders for the Very Best Build-on-Your-Lot Homes!
Heartland Builders is a one-of-a-kind build-on-your-lot custom home builder who truly cares about building the best homes in West Michigan. Not only do we have the goal of building the best homes, but we want to build the best home for you. We take pride in building homes that are high quality, aesthetically pleasing, and functional for the way you live. You’ll find universal design features, a range of home styles, and a fun home building experience. Yes! Easy, fun, and fast(er than you think) is the motto we live by, along with core values that speak to why we’re a top custom builder in the Grand Rapids/West Michigan area.
What are you waiting for? Get started building your dream home on your lot with Heartland Builders! Start by browsing our customizable floor plans and then contact us if you have any questions. We’re always happy to help!