Whether you’re a lifelong Michigander or a newcomer to the Mitten, you might find yourself itching for a change—or just a little more change in your pocket. 

Luckily for you, there are plenty of affordable places to live in Michigan on an average salary, including locations where the cost of living is low, but there’s still plenty to do and see.

Today, we’re running down the six most affordable places to live in Michigan.

Plus: A new interactive StoryWalk in Downtown Howell combines reading, local businesses, and outdoor fun.

From now until June 16, we’re running our Supporter Drive, and we need your help to ensure we can continue to cover the critical local stories that matter most to Michiganders.

Your donation today will help us provide the news and information you’re looking for about your local community.

Any amount helps, and every dollar brings us closer to our fundraising goal to help ensure we can keep Michiganders informed.

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Or, share our newsletter with friends and family. Let them know why local journalism is essential for ensuring a well-informed electorate in Michigan.

Thank you again for being a vital part of the The ‘Gander’s community!

MI HOUSE VOTES TO SCRAP ONE-MAN GRAND JURY LAW (WCMU): The Michigan House voted to repeal a law that let a single judge act as a grand jury—a process used to charge former Gov. Rick Snyder in the Flint water case—after the state Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. Supporters say it’s a win for due process, while critics argue it erases accountability for what happened in Flint.

GUN SALES DROP IN MI ( WILX): Gun sales in Michigan dropped 13.3% last year—the third biggest decline in the country—amid new laws like universal background checks and safe storage requirements.

GR CHURCH OFFERS FAMILY SANCTUARY FROM ICE (MLIVE): After  US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Carlos Menjivar—despite his plans for voluntary return to El Salvador—a Grand Rapids church stepped in to offer sanctuary to his wife and children. Supporters say ICE broke trust and are calling for his release, urging the community to take action before he’s deported.

The historic capitol building in downtown Lansing. (Matthew G Eddy/Shutterstock) 

Want to put down roots in the Mitten?

Take a look at our roundup of some of the cheapest places to live in Michigan and discover your new hometown, including:

6. Southfield

As yet another city on the outskirts of Detroit, it might be easy to write off Southfield as just a suburban sprawl. But this community, where the average home price is $231,000, has character all its own.

When you move into your new digs in Southfield, you’ll have easy access to outdoor treasures like Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve and the manmade delights of the beautifully designed Southfield Public Library.

5. Westland

Don’t let its proximity to a major metropolis fool you: Westland is home to parks and green space galore, making it a great spot to settle down for nature enthusiasts. The city, which has a median home price of $208,000, offers plenty of fresh air and activities for the whole family.

You’ll enjoy the playgrounds and picnic areas at Central City Park, the splash pad at Tattan Park on hot summer days, and the magnificent holiday lights display at Hines Park come wintertime.

4. Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo might just be one of the most underrated cities in Michigan (though people who love it really love it), but with an appealing median home price of $198,500, it won’t stay that way for long. Most of us know Kalamazoo as the home of Western Michigan University and the smaller Kalamazoo College, but these academic institutions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what makes K-Zoo worth considering as a place to live.

Local businesses in Downtown Howell, Michigan. (Joshuay04/Wikimedia Commons)

Downtown Howell has transformed into an interactive storybook adventure, inviting families to embark on a unique literary journey through its bustling streets.

This summer, visitors can follow the tale of a conservation-minded mermaid while exploring local businesses and enjoying the outdoor atmosphere of this charming Michigan community.

Earlier this week, we shared the story of a group hoping to add a proposal to next year’s ballot that, if passed, would raise taxes on wealthy Michiganders to help fund public education.

We asked ‘Ganders their thoughts on the idea, and here’s what you said:

“If the increase is going from 4.25 to 5 percent, that makes a few thousand dollars difference in the tax payout from these wealthy Michiganders. The amount is not significant to an individual earning $500,000 per year.
With the feds cutting funding, our schools and our students need money for important education and support programs. I don’t want hungry kids at our public schools.” – Amy Delpiere

“I don’t like the idea at all.  It serves as a disincentive to work hard, provide for one’s family and enjoy the fruits of your labors in your old age.  I mean why work if the powers that be are going to take your money for their and others enjoyment without the labor you put into getting it.” – Sid Durham

“It works for Massachusetts. I would like to see it paired with cuts to corporate handouts and better accountability for how the current revenue is spent. A highly educated workforce solves most problems.” – Daniel Redmond

“The federal government has a graduated income tax. Why not the state of Michigan. In fact, instead of two income categories, why not three or four?” – Joseph Rankin

“I’ll keep this short and sweet. I fully support your idea to tax the rich for public schools!” – Antinia Shirley

Have a question you want me to ask our community? Feel free to send it my way. I might feature it in a future newsletter.

Calling all food lovers! The ‘Gander’s second annual Grand Rapids Food Guide is open for nominations. And this year, we’re starting by asking you, our loyal readers, for your hand-picked favorites in each category. Yes, we need you, the fork-wielding local experts, to help build this year’s guide.

From fine dining to groceries, and breweries to burritos, we want to leave no stone unturned on our quest to find the best food in Grand Rapids. If it feeds your soul (and your stomach), it belongs on the list. Your nominations will help shape the finalists — the places that make eating in Grand Rapids so special.

You can submit one nomination per category, and the restaurants with the most nominations will move on to the final voting round. Your input helps celebrate the people and places that flavor this city. And, just so you know, filling out this form takes about two to three minutes. Thanks for your time, and see you in the next round!

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This email is written by Karel Vega, newsletter editor at The ‘Gander. Have a question or comment? Reply back to this email!