The Renter's Guide to Grand Rapids' Best Neighborhoods Near Major Employers
My name is Mike, and I am your ApartmentHomeLiving.com guide for the greater Grand Rapids area. I grew up in southwestern Michigan and am very familiar with Grand Rapids and all of the great job providers, housing, and apartment rentals in the growing city. Here are some of the more prominent employers in Grand Rapids and terrific neighborhoods to consider for those who are moving to the area to work in and enjoy all that the city offers.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in the Grand Rapids Area
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,323 | $895 | $2,500 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,533 | $440 | $3,825 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,800 | $500 | $3,982 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,308 | $555 | $4,708 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,694 | $635 | $4,057 |
Steelcase Produces High-Quality Furniture
Steelcase helped make Grand Rapids a thriving manufacturing and business center by producing some of the nation’s best office and home furniture. The company opened in 1912 in Grand Rapids and has its headquarters and industrial park located at 901 44th Street SE in south-central Grand Rapids. The company continues to produce outstanding furniture and remains one of the city’s top employers. Here are some neighborhoods to consider when renting a home.
Millbrook Offers Short Commutes and Quality Living
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,023 | $980 | $1,049 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,272 | $975 | $2,003 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,564 | $1,095 | $2,500 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,808 | $1,485 | $2,450 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,000 | $2,550 | $3,450 |
Millbrook is a great neighborhood that is noted for its quality of living, excellent schools, and terrific housing. It’s located just a few minutes away from the Steelcase facility in southeastern Grand Rapids and has a total population of just under 15,000. Housing is a blend of single-family homes and apartment rentals, which makes the Millbrook neighborhood a terrific choice for Steelcase workers who want quality housing nearby.
West Millbrook is a Great Place in which to Live
As its name implies, West Millbrook is located due west of the Millbrook neighborhood and offers many of the same great housing benefits for Steelcase employees. The West Millbrook neighborhood features mid-century modern, single-family homes and upscale apartment rentals that are just a short drive to Steelcase and about 7 miles from downtown Grand Rapids. It’s a very quiet area, safe, and offers a good mix of rentals and owner-occupied housing. Local schools are excellent, and the neighborhood offers ample shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities.
Kentwood Provides Quality Apartments
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,198 | $980 | $2,099 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,453 | $950 | $2,430 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,706 | $1,095 | $3,982 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,227 | $1,485 | $3,661 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,250 | $2,550 | $3,750 |
Kentwood is an independent suburb located within the southeastern part of the greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area. It is about a 10-minute drive to the Steelcase facility, which is located to the east and next to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Single-family homes and apartment rentals in Kentwood are well within the budget of most anyone who works at Steelcase, and the community is very inviting for people of all types. The suburb has a lot of local shopping, dining, and access to outdoor recreational areas that make it truly great to rent Kentwood apartments near Steelcase.
Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals is Close to Downtown
Corewell Health is one of the best hospital systems in Michigan and operates Blodgett Hospital, Butterworth Hospital, and the Fred & Lena Meijer Heart Center. Corewell Health is located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids and very close to the I-196 spur that connects downtown to the I-96 interstate that is located further east. Corewell is centered in the “Medical Mile” area of Grand Rapids and is situated due north of Grand Rapids Community College. Here are some of the better neighborhoods to consider for those looking to rent while working for Corewell Health.
Belknap Lookout is Very Close to the Medical Mile
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,361 | $895 | $2,500 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,659 | $875 | $3,825 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,871 | $923 | $3,818 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,065 | $760 | $4,355 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,352 | $635 | $3,419 |
Simply called “Belknap” by locals, the neighborhood is very popular. The Belknap Lookout neighborhood is directly north of Corewell Health and the Medical Mile area in downtown Grand Rapids. The I-196 spur separates Belknap from Corewell Health and other medical services providers in the Medical Mile, but surface streets take you under the overpasses for uninterrupted commutes to and from work.
Most Belknap Lookout apartments near Corewell Health are in modern buildings and often provide residents with great views of the city and neighborhood. There are a lot of first-rate recreational opportunities very near the neighborhood, plus great shopping, dining, bars, and brewpubs. It’s a great location for those who want to enjoy all that Grand Rapids has to offer.
Heritage Hill Provides Stately Rentals for Students
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,272 | $1,095 | $1,353 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,448 | $1,195 | $1,631 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,738 | $1,395 | $2,819 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,098 | $2,098 | $2,098 |
Heritage Hill apartments near Corewell Health are situated south of the Medical Mile and are just a short drive away. The neighborhood has stately and historic Victorian homes and others of more modern design and construction. There are a lot of opportunities to rent traditional apartments and others that make great homes. Those who love historic buildings could find many great options in the Heritage Hill neighborhood. It’s very close to downtown and all of the fun activities that it supports, and the neighborhood is a mostly open and friendly place in which to live.
East Hills Offers Great Dining and Nightlife
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,352 | $895 | $2,500 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,635 | $440 | $3,825 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,871 | $500 | $3,275 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,033 | $555 | $2,919 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,212 | $635 | $3,419 |
East Hills is a fun and very walkable neighborhood that is situated a couple of miles southeast of Corewell Health and the Medical Mile campus in Grand Rapids. The East Hills neighborhood is a very friendly locale that offers some great local restaurants, brewpubs, coffee bars, and much more. Local schools are very good for families with school-age children, and there are ample recreational opportunities within and near the neighborhood. We highly recommend it for its combination of quality of living and easy commutes within Grand Rapids, including those who work at Corewell Health.
GE Aerospace Produces Outstanding Air and Space Technologies
GE Aerospace produces components for aircraft and spacecraft and is located at 3290 Patterson Ave SE in Grand Rapids. The facility is located just north of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which serves the greater Grand Rapids area. GE Aerospace is an independent company that is among three that were recently spun off of the former General Electric conglomerate. Those working for the aerospace company should find these Grand Rapids neighborhoods to be to their liking when it comes to rental housing.
Fulton Heights is Close to Nearly Everything
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,344 | $950 | $2,500 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,633 | $875 | $3,825 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,879 | $999 | $3,458 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,457 | $1,901 | $2,919 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,350 | $680 | $3,419 |
The Fulton Heights neighborhood in Grand Rapids is situated about 5 miles directly west of GE Aerospace and is a short drive to work from Fulton Heights apartments near GE Aerospace. The I-196 spur borders the Fulton Heights neighborhood’s northern boundary and gives locals very easy access to virtually all parts of the greater Grand Rapids area, including the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Local schools are great, and so are the many shopping, dining, and entertainment options in and near Fulton Heights.
Ridgemoor is Close and Comfortable
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,115 | $980 | $2,009 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,363 | $440 | $1,889 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,655 | $500 | $2,500 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,851 | $555 | $2,450 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,450 | $3,450 | $3,450 |
Those who prefer a nice and quiet Grand Rapids apartment near GE Aerospace would do well to consider the Ridgemoor neighborhood. It is located directly west of the facility and has several roads leading to the workplace. The drive to work is a short five or 10 minutes and does not involve traffic congestion. The simple and easy commute greatly minimizes transportation costs and makes it much safer by greatly reducing the potential for being involved in a rush-hour accident. Ridgemoor has many upscale apartments that are ideal for young families, and local schools are terrific. Several creeks flow through the tree-lined neighborhood and support fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Heritage Hill Offers Historic Charm
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,272 | $1,095 | $1,353 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,448 | $1,195 | $1,631 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,738 | $1,395 | $2,819 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,098 | $2,098 | $2,098 |
Heritage Hill is one of the oldest and most unique neighborhoods in Grand Rapids. It was first developed in the mid-1800s and offers a great blend of Victorian, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and other unique and historic styles for its stately homes. The Heritage Hill neighborhood also contains many modern apartments, plus others that are located inside historic homes that have been converted into outstanding apartments. The neighborhood is very safe and walkable, and it’s the kind of place that people enjoy returning to after wrapping up their workdays at GE Aerospace.
Honeywell Technologies Streamlines Manufacturing and Construction
Honeywell produces industrial automation machinery and building technologies that are essential for 21st-century success. It’s a highly revered firm that is located at 4695 44th St SE in the southeastern part of the greater Grand Rapids area. Honeywell is a terrific employer, and here are some of the neighborhoods that we highly suggest for rental housing.
West Ridgemoor Ensures Peace and Quiet While at Hom
As you might have guessed, Grand Rapids has an industrial park located next to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which is ideal for shipping and receiving commercial cargo. Honeywell is located very close to the Steelcase facility, and the neighborhoods that are ideal for Steelcase are also ideal for Honeywell. The same is true of GE Aerospace. We already told you about the Ridgemoor neighborhood, and all of the praise for it equally applies to the West Ridgemoor neighborhood.
As its name implies, West Ridgemoor is directly west of Ridgemoor, and it offers excellent apartment and home rentals for Honeywell employees. It is a quiet neighborhood where people get along and don’t have to go far for excellent shopping, dining, and recreational activities. Those who have children will appreciate the great schools, too.
Cascade Hills Supports Outdoor Fun
The Cascade Hills neighborhood in southeast Grand Rapids is situated due west of the Honeywell Technologies facility and very close to great parks, streams, and lakes. Those who enjoy fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and leisure time in outdoor parks will find many such opportunities in the Cascade Hills neighborhood. It’s an upscale community that supports golfing and other popular activities and is very close to the airport and the I-96 freeway, so getting around the area and traveling long distances if fast and easy.
Burton Heights is Close to Downtown
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,364 | $1,310 | $1,395 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,199 | $440 | $1,710 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,344 | $500 | $2,650 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,680 | $555 | $2,250 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,550 | $2,550 | $2,550 |
Burton Heights is about 10 miles west of the Honeywell Technologies campus and easily accessible on wide surface roads that lead to southeastern Grand Rapids and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. The Burton Heights neighborhood is about a 15-minute drive to Honeywell and makes stops for groceries and other items very convenient after completing a day at one of the area’s top job providers. Apartments are plentiful and reasonably affordable for those who are paid good wages and salaries at Honeywell. When the weekend comes, the Grand River and downtown area of Grand Rapids are very close for year-round fun.
Pick Your Favorite Grand Rapids Apartments
No matter where you work in Grand Rapids, there are lots of great apartments and rental housing options from which to choose. Many people like the area so much that they choose to spend the rest of their lives in the Greater Grand Rapids area. We have given you some great options to consider when working at some of the city’s more prominent workplaces, and there is no shortage of quality neighborhoods from which to choose for apartment rentals.
