Patrick Terranova lives in an apartment with a high-rise view. He is also surrounded by nightlife, dining, cultural attractions and a network of friends—all within walking distance, a short commute, and an economy underpinned by growth-oriented jobs.
That's livability. And it's happening here in Lansing, in the middle of a state that was decimated by the global recession a half dozen years ago. The city is filling in its dot on the map by making headlines as one of the nation's top 10 mid-sized cities to live.
In early 2015,
Livability.com ranked Lansing fourth in its "Top 10 Best Affordable Places to Live." Lansing is the only Michigan community to appear on the popular site that explores what makes small- to mid-sized cities great places to live, work and visit. And the "affordability" criteria applied by Livability.com places Lansing in the company of cities that are less expensive than most, but offer a high quality of life and afford savings on many cost-of-living expenses.
Terranova can attest. Originally from Lansing, the law-school grad moved back after having called Chicago his kind of town for several years. In the fall of 2014, Terranova got a job offer from Auto Owners Insurance to work in the home office legal department. While the position aligned with his career goals, he was on the fence about trading Chicago for Michigan's capital city. But after a little research, he changed his mind, realizing he could attain a quality of life that might be out-of-reach in a major urban area.
"I really enjoyed Chicago, but the rent there was astronomical," says Terranova. "Here, I have a brand new apartment with all the amenities, good security, and a beautiful view. The biggest adjustment is the car; I didn't have one in Chicago. Now, anytime I want I can take it out, park it, and the traffic is fantastic."
Terranova made the move in early December and is now fully settled in the new Marketplace apartments by the Grand River. Seated in his front room, gazing out over his balcony, he's waiting for spring, imagining the leisurely strolls to the Lansing City Market, a ball game at Cooley Law School Stadium, and dinner and nightlife in the Stadium District and downtown Washington Square.
"I'm looking forward to trying out all the new places here," he says. "There's lot of exciting things going on. I picked a really good time to come back."
Growing for a living
While sometimes regarded as fodder for Facebook memes, many top 10 lists carry cache beyond a casual talking point.
For Lansing, making a Livability.com list reaffirms the city's capability to provide for range of needs that add up to a solid quality of life.
Livability.com's "affordability list" scrutinizes costs of living categories such as health care, food, housing and transportation, and draws data from several sources, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Site editors also examined the tax climate in each state and look at costs for common items or services like eggs, pizza and haircuts.
Lansing came in decidedly strong, weighing in with a sales tax rate of 6 percent. Costs of eggs, a T-bone steak, a pizza and a haircut also came within range of similar items in the city deemed most affordable: Round Rock, Texas.
"The biggest thing to note is we made the list not just because of our affordability, but because of the big global assets that go along with it," says Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. "It's not just about 'who's the cheapest' but about who adds the greatest value for an individual or a family. That's a huge selling point for Lansing."
Trezise ticks off the features that combine to make Lansing a city for living: proximity to Michigan State University and all it's cultural and athletic attractions; a wide-range of high-paying jobs in high-tech, bio-tech, Fortune 500, manufacturing and government; housing that's a third of the cost of major cities; and easy commutes and low transportation costs—both for personal vehicles and otherwise. It's also a city within a one to two hour drive of Detroit or Grand Rapids, or a half-day freeway ride to Chicago.
"In Lansing, you get to enjoy all that big-sized quality at a good price," says Trezise. "Now that's the good life."
Nicholas Stachurski seems to agree.
The founder of
Eightfold Marketing and Creative says Lansing offers everything he's looking for when it comes to finding a home base for the two-year-old creative agency born from the Hatch business incubator.
The recent MSU graduate is among a team of eight young professionals engaging customers and audiences through filmmaking, video production, advertising, marketing, writing, web design, photography and editing.
And while Stachurski says he and other Eightfold staff had their sites set on Los Angeles, all saw the hope and promise of Lansing's rebirth. In the last year, Eightfold scouted locations in downtown Lansing and decided to headquarter the company in an old Victorian home that boasts a front porch view of the Capitol.
"We're excited to be here and be part of the growth and potential for growing the creative arts," says Stachurski. "The new American Dream is not just about jobs, it's about fulfillment. I think there's a lot of fulfillment to be had in this area."
Stachurski points to a recent agency project that was fueled by the sparks and synergy of the Lansing community. "
Cager," a film produced in part by Eightfold for MSU basketball's Keenan Wetzel, made it's theatrical debut in early spring. The film—now ready to roll out to film festivals—unleashed Eightfold's potential for additional film projects.
"It's a snowball effect," says Stachurski of being part of Lansing's momentum "It's easy to get attached and push forward. You can actually grow this city and be part of it. It's exciting."
A welcome surprise
Despite the down years, Lansing is emerging as a welcoming, mid-sized city for individuals, families and businesses. Other stats support Livability.com's take on Lansing, with the Council of Community Economic Research reporting a cost of living that's 8 percent below the national average. Median home values of $85,000 also rank 33 percent below most major cities, making home ownership a possibility for those seeking to live in city neighborhoods. And a network of parks, trails and natural area—including Lansing's 13-mile River Trail—preserve green space and help create a sense of place.
"We hear from people all the time who have left and come back," says Tim Daman, president and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. "They've been presently surprised at what Lansing looks like."
That look will continue to change as Mid-Michigan experiences the state's biggest population growth by 2030—making it one of the fastest growing regions in the country. The Washington-based Urban Institute forecasts in its Mapping America's Futures report that Greater Lansing will have more than 540,000 residents by 2013—representing a 17-percent increase. That growth of nearly 77,000 people, some say, depicts a rapidly emerging global community, and an environment supportive of business and talent.
"To borrow and play upon that old car slogan—this isn't your father's region anymore," says Daman. "Our economy now is one where insurance and health care dominate, as well as one with a vibrant entrepreneurial and small business community. That's our backbone now."
Zack Armstrong was among those who moved away and came back. The 20-something graduate of MSU went to California seeking opportunities in finance, then resettled in Lansing after realizing the potential for career growth he had overlooked in his own backyard.
"At first, it was a little hard to be back in a mid-sized city," says Armstrong, a financial adviser for Sienna Wealth Advisors. "But as I branched out and started joining various groups and clubs, it got a lot easier. I love what I do and I love this area. I have no plans to move on."
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Ann Kammerer is the News Editor for Capital Gains and writes occasional features.
Photos ©
Dave Trumpie
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of
Trumpie Photography.