Ten Reasons to Love Lansing

Adam loves to remind me that, back in 2002 when I first moved to Michigan, I hated it here. After all, I had just left the bustling metropolis of New York City, where you can get an incredibly good slice of pizza, a scrumptious round bagel or cheap Chinese food pretty much all day and night. There's culture, culture, culture and life doesn't really ever stop. Why did I leave again?

It took some time to reconcile myself to life in Michigan, but after making some dear friends and becoming more involved in the community, it started to feel like home. And, in 2008, I began volunteering for community organizations and local activist campaigns and really felt like I had carved out my niche. Add to that fact, I had a baby and developed an amazing cohort of smart, funny and strong fellow mama friends, and I realized I was rooted to this place. And then, I moved. And I was really, really sad, in case you don't remember. And now I've moved back, and while not everything is the same, I feel like I'm home again.

So, in honor of all the warm fuzzies I'm getting about being here again, I thought I'd do a shout-out to this fair city. You have lots of things that can be improved, old girl, but you're on your way, and there are a lot of us here who love you.

1) Cost of living. This place rocks when it comes to being able to afford a decent standard of living. You won't live in a palace and your house will likely be a fixer-upper, but you can probably own your own piece of property on a student or entry-level job income. And you still might have some extra dough to splurge on eating out from time to time.

2) Transit system. We don't have light rail here, but the Capitol Area Transit Authority (CATA) is rated amongst the top systems in the nation when it comes to cost, accessibility and regularity. Even though having a personal vehicle makes things more convenient, you don't really need to have one here; CATA will take you just about anywhere you want to go in Lansing, East Lansing Okemos and beyond.

3) Educational opportunities. Lansing is a virtual epicenter when it comes to access to post-secondary education. Just over the border in East Lansing is Michigan State University, where one can enroll in an undergraduate, graduate or continuing education program (not to mention medical, dental, veterinary or law school). Downtown Lansing offers Cooley Law School (the largest law school in the nation), Lansing Community College and Davenport University. Whether you're hoping to enroll in law school at Cooley or you want to take a night class in Swahili at MSU, opportunity abounds.

4) State government. There is no better place to have your finger on the pulse of state politics than in the state's capitol city. I am just a bike ride away from our capitol building, city hall and various other government buildings. My claim to fame is driving one Saturday morning along one of Lansing's major thoroughfares while snarfing a bagel and cream cheese. While stopped at a stoplight, I turned to look at the car next to me only to see that Governor Jennifer Granholm was seated in the passenger seat. I looked at her, she looked at me, I waved like an idiot with cream cheese smeared all over my mouth, she frowned at me, and then the light turned green and she was gone. I was fascinated and humiliated all at the same time.

5) The City Pulse. Speaking of having one's finger on the pulse of things, Lansing's local alternative newspaper is a staple here, read by liberals and conservatives alike. It's the go-to newspaper to read about local politics, current musical and theatrical events and the best eats around. I found my favorite breakfast place--Sawyers Pancake House--while reading the City Pulse. I particularly love the crossword puzzle and "Ask Amy" advice column toward in the back.

6) Arts & Entertainment. Lansing and East Lansing are havens for the performing arts. Between the local theater troupes--Riverwalk Theater and Boarshead Theater--and the travelling professional theatrical shows that perform at the Wharton Center at MSU, we are not at a loss for culture by any stretch. Musical acts range from homegrown groups that play at bars such as The Green Door and (before they closed) Magdelena's Teahouse and Temple Club, to world-renowned artists that play jazz, classical, rock and country music concerts at Wharton and Breslin Centers. Students can usually get fairly cheap tickets to the professional performances, and if you're willing to sit in the nosebleed section, you can usually afford to attend just about anything.

7) On the radar. While most Lansingites wouldn't believe it, our little city was recently named amongst the top ten U.S. cities to live in for young adults. Kiplinger took into consideration many of the things that have already made my list--low cost of living, educational opportunities, cultural attractions--and propelled good old Lansing into the top ten. Many people I know can't believe that Lansing was even being considered, but I say, "Wake up, folks. There are lots of things to do here if you just pick up the City Pulse and read. Trust me." And now the rest of the nation knows it, too.

8) Community. When I first moved to Lansing, I had the advantage of being in the microcosm of school to help me meet people. Then, I had a job and had the benefit of friendly coworkers, and then I had a baby and met a bunch of fellow mothers. But Lansing's community is strong on connectivity. I can't meet a person here who doesn't somehow know one of my other friends from a totally different part of my Lansing life. I volunteer at different community events and by the end of the day, I have left with ten new friends. Seriously. This place is truly a social butterfly's paradise, which is why it was so hard for this papillon to leave last year. But wouldn't you know it...my first trip to the grocery store since I've been back had me running into two friends--one from grad school and one from my community activism days. It didn't take long for me to feel like I was back in the embrace of my people.

9) Diversity. Lansing is diverse. Ethnically, minority groups make up about 40% of the total population, and with higher education available, many foreign students regularly relocate to the city. Additionally, Lansing hosts an impressive refugee community orginating from Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Lansing is also home to a large and active LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community, which hosts the Michigan Gay Pride Parade in downtown every year, and is constantly working to educate the public about its culture. Lansingites are poor, middle-income and well off. Some have healthy retirements and others live on welfare and food stamps. But, we are all citizens of this city, and most of us are proud of it.

10) Access. Located in the heart of Michigan, Lansing is only a short drive away from many of the state's top tourist attractions, ranging from the urban metropolis of Detroit, to the hippy counterculture of Ann Arbor, to the natural wonders of the Lake Michigan coastline. The drive to the Mackinac Bridge is roughly 3 1/2-4 hours away; the Upper Peninsula (known to Michiganders as the "U.P.") is then at your fingertips.

We all know about Michigan's economic hardships, so it can be hard to remember what draws people to this area. I know why I love it here; perhaps this can serve as a reminder (and an incentive to come) to others. Go Green, Go White, Go Sparty!