Father, mother and young daughter walk along a sunny trail path in Mount Lookout.
Your Place in Michigan

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Your Next Chapter Starts Here

If you’re looking to settle down where year-round outdoor recreation is a, “tell me when and where,” local cultural experiences are a, “how do they even do that?” and an affordable cost of living is an, “of course,” it’s time to turn the page to Michigan. Our ten regions weave a tapesty of vibrant communities with an unmatched quality of life, see your perfect match below.

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Main street in Port Huron with white tents and crowds of people during the Mackinac Race.
Thumb Region

Fun in the Thumb

Family-friendly | Laid-back | Scenic

Home to charming cities, such as Port Austin, Frankenmuth and Cass City, Michigan's thumb region is spoiled for choice when it comes to communities with rich, local culture and an affordable cost of living. Port Huron, the Maritime Capital of the Great Lakes, perfectly exemplifies the region's balanced lifestyle between its opportunities for outdoor adventures and rewarding career opportunities across industries, from professional services to advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

Explore Thumb Region
Average Home Price $156,372 Finding your dream home in Port Huron is ... well, a dream.
Average 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent $850/Month
Average One-Way Commute 20.4 Minutes
Walk Score 47/100, Car-Dependent It's time for a joy ride in Port Huron.
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Two women paddleboard in Grand Traverse Bay on a sunny day.
Traverse City

Home to Fresh Perspectives

Artsy | Convenient | Vibrant

With job opportunities spanning technology, manufacturing, creative industries and robust startup support, Traverse City offers endless opportunities for career advancement. All the while, you can enjoy nature-infused adventures, quick commutes, and endless water activities in summer, followed by winter adventures like skiing and snowmobiling. Traverse City, in particular, boasts stunning fall foliage, a vibrant arts scene and year-round community events.

Explore Traverse City Region
Average Home Price $417,942 (according to Zillow.com) Your dream home in Traverse City was worth the wait.
Average 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent $1,398/Month
Average One-Way Commute 22.1 Minutes
Walk Score 85/100, Very Walkable Whether your running errands or running along the Boardman, getting from point A to B is a breeze in downtown Traverse City.
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Family enjoys the Northern Lights in Alpena.
Northeast Michigan

Where Adventure Meets Affordability

Enchanting | Outdoorsy | Welcoming

Discover the allure of Michigan's Sunrise Coast, where endless waterways, hiking trails, and serene nature preserves await. Nestled along Lake Huron's welcoming shores, this historic family-friendly region is the heart of the sought-after "Up North." With a robust economy, secure job opportunities, and affordability, it's an ideal place to establish a career, business, and family.

Explore Northeast Michigan
Average Home Price $161,840 Buying in Alpena is a breeze with prices significantly below the national average.
Average 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent $477/Month Renting in Alpena is a win-win: charming and affordable.
Average One-Way Commute 14.9 Minutes
Walk Score 65/100, Somewhat Walkable In Downtown Alpena, errands can be accomplished on foot along the Thunder Bay River.
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The Tridge -- a three-way footbridge -- in Midland, Michigan.
Mid-Michigan

At the Heart of it All

Balanced | Eclectic | Industrious

Mid-Michigan's charm lies in its well-roundedness. From Saginaw to Bay City and Midland, this region is captivating for art enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. Fueled by a rich history in engineering and production, Mid-Michigan boasts diverse industries, from advanced manufacturing to life sciences, creating a wealth of job opportunities.

Explore Mid-Michigan
Average Home Price $145,541 Affordable homes are available across Bay City, Midland & Saginaw.
Average 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent $753/Month Renting in Bay City, Midland & Saginaw is a breeze.
Average One-Way Commute 18.7 Minutes
Walk Score 38/100, Car-Dependent Scenic drives are a must in Bay City, Midland & Saginaw.
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Michigan state house in downtown Lansing with cherry blossom trees in bloom.
Lansing

The State Capital

Captivating | Historic | Welcoming

Lansing offers a lively cultural scene and convenient lifestyle, with an acclaimed hospital, prominent university, excellent K-12 schools and an affordable cost of living. Nature enthusiasts will also relish the numerous parks and trails, all while enjoying a short commute. Anchored by the historic Michigan State Capitol building, Lansing allows quick access to cultural hubs like Ann Arbor and day trips to beach towns like Grand Haven.

Explore Lansing
Average Home Price $145,586
Average 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent $827/Month
Average One-Way Commute 19.3 Minutes
Bike Score 85/100, Very Bikeable Biking in Old Town Lansing is a dream.
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Aerial of downtown Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo

A Quality of Life to Celebrate

Idyllic | Innovative | Inviting

Kalamazoo is renowned for its exceptional quality of life, boasting a lively artistic community, family-friendly science museums and 83 accessible lakes. The region also serves as a hub for healthcare and life sciences industries, driven by major employers like Pfizer and Stryker, while esteemed educational institutions like Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College foster intellectual growth and career advancement through partnerships with local companies.

Explore Kalamazoo
Average Home Price $223,841
Average 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent $858/Month
Average One-Way Commute 19.4 Minutes
Bike Score 50/100, Bikeable Gear up and hit the Kal-Haven Trail or Portage Bikeway
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People walk along the river in downtown Grand Rapids in the summer.
Grand Rapids

Art & Entertainment on the Grand

Energetic | Scenic | Creative

In West Michigan, captivating landscapes blend with renowned corporations and top-tier communities to create a flourishing city on the banks of the Grand River: Grand Rapids. This city is a dynamic epicenter in Michigan, home to a vibrant downtown, a high-impact healthcare industry — including, the country’s sixth largest cluster of biopharmaceutical suppliers — and a cost of living below the national average.

Explore Grand Rapids
Average Home Price $268,540
Average 1-Bed Apartment Rent $1,250/Month
Average One-Way Commute 19.4 Minutes
Walk Score 99/100, Walker’s Paradise Daily errands in downtown Grand Rapids do not require a car.
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Detroit's cityscape on a partly cloudly day.
Detroit

Where Every Street Tells a Story

Distinctive | Diverse | Dynamic

With its walkable downtown, world-class art museum and impassioned sports culture, it’s no surprise Detroit made Time’s Top 50 World’s Greatest Places list. The city’s dynamic major employers, including Ally Financial and Ford, are just the cherry on top for recent college graduates, skilled workers and families alike looking to thrive professionally and personally.

Explore Detroit
Average Home $67,745
Average 1-Bed Apartment Rent $1,050/Month
Average One-Way Commute 26.4 Minutes
Transit Score 53/100, Good Transit Public transportation options aren’t hard to find downtown.
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Facade of University of Michigan's Law School.
Ann Arbor

Cutting-edge, Cultural Oasis

Academic | Active | Artistic

Ann Arbor is a haven for growing families and early-career professionals like. Nestled within a vibrant, artistic community and anchored by robust, tech-driven careers — and the prestigious University of Michigan — this city has an energy unlike anywhere else in the state. As a melting pot of experiences, from the Ann Arbor Art Fair to Zingerman’s Reuben sandwiches, Ann Arbor is where community-focused exploration thrives.

Explore Ann Arbor
Average Home Price $493,633
Average 1-Bed Apartment Rent $1,721/Month
Average One-Way Commute 20.4 Minutes
Walk Score 98/100, Walker’s Paradise Downtown Ann Arbor was built to be explored.
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Small child points to lighthouse on beach in Manistique.
Upper Peninsula

Take the Path Less Traveled

Breathtaking | Eclectic | Small-Town Feel

Every-season outdoor recreation, a vibrant arts scene and an affordable cost of living make Michigan's Upper Peninsula a captivating and fulfilling place to call home. Whether you're looking to live where every day is an adventure or where careers in manufacturing, healthcare and education are flourishing, look no further than Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Explore Upper Peninsula
Average Home Price $123,783 Affordable homes are available across the Upper Peninsula.
Average 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Marquette $873/Month In Marquette, you get a room with a view.
Average One-Way Commute 11.9 Minutes
Bike Score 60/100, Somewhat Bikeable Whether it’s on or off-road, getting from one place to another is an adventure in Marquette.