GrandRapids-West Mi Homes Blog

Is it a Roundabouts or a Silly Circle?

You know that moment. . . . you look down a road well traveled, a road you use all the time, and there it is . . . . road closed, construction ahead!  You bite your lip and take a deep breath and think, OK, I have to figure out a way around this . . . . I wonder how long the road will be closed . . . . .I wonder what they are doing . . . . .is it really closed or can sneak through all the heavy equipment?!!?  Hopefully my car won't bottom out too bad!!

That was my thought last year.  We live in between two small towns.  One is Allendale, MI (home of GVSU) and the other is Coopersville, MI.  Coopersville is even smaller than Allendale.  Coopersville is where I grew up, where I went to high school, where I had my first job, where I got fired from my first job (only job ever fired from I might add), where I drove my first car,where I smashed up my first car and where I met my first love (and married him).  It is a small little town with very little traffic.  When I saw the entire intersection ripped up, I wondered what in the heck they were doing--a small little town certainly doesn't need a big intersection like that.

What I found out was that they were building something called a roundabout.  Roundabout!!!!  What the heck is that?!?!??  I found out it is an intersection where everyone drives around in a circle to get through to where they want to go.  Does this sound absolutely ludircous to anyone but me?!!  Now I will concede, this is a busy intersection because it is the main ramp that everyone from Hudsonville, Jenison, Standale and many other communities use to get on a major expressway.  In the summer, there are a million campers that go through there to head up north to to their camping destination.  But come on!!!  I know that in the summer campers can be lined up for a couple miles but it still seemed a little unnecessary.  I also learned that Coopersville was one of the first communities in West Michigan to put one in . . . . .great!!!  The guinea pig town. 

My second thought was, I drive a big flippin rig!!  It is a big Chevy Duramax diesel and we pull a 32 foot living quarters goose neck horse trailer!!  I'll never make it through there I thought.  I am paranoid enough when I have to drive that rig, now they are going to make an obstacle course for me!!  To make matters worse, the vet is just on the other side--as in you can see it from the intersection . . .but it's on the other side . . .I have to go through it.  This roundabout was the talk of the town and before it was done it had a nickname . . .The Silly Circle.

The day came and the Silly Circle was completed.  I got myself a cup of coffee at the java joint on the corner where the "Silly Circle" was newly opened.  It was absolutely comical--no one had a clue on what they were suppose to do.  In the two hours I sat there, we logged 15 near misses and one fender bender.  We all sat there talking about who the chump was that thought up this great plan.

Now here we are, almost a year later, and I have to tell  you that . . . .jeez I hate to even admit it . . . .I love the Silly Circle!!!  You never have to wait for a stop light, it is never backed up anymore and it is really fast to get through  . . . .even with a 40 some odd foot rig.  There are two lanes and the big rigs take up both, but it is really easy to navigate.  I have actually driven the rig through and not hit a curb (she says proudly to her husband who was sure SHE would be the first one to dent the rig).  Once you get used to it, it isn't that bad.  First rule, ALWAYS yield to those already in the Silly Circle.  Second rule, stay in the outside lane unless you're taking both lanes.  There is one thing I haven't figured out--if your on the inside circle and your are going to leave it, how can you go straight and not hit someone who is in the outside lane continuing around the circle?

Anyway, moral of the story is that sometimes you may think people are crazy for doing something that seems, shall we say, out there.  But in the end, they are probably just the adventurous ones daring enough to do something new.  And to the people sitting on the board at the Coopersville Chamber . . . . . I'm sorry I called you chumps!!

round about sign picture courtesy of FreeFoto.com

Where do you want to live is probably the wrong question.  It should be more, how do you want to live?  What is it about living in the country that draws so many people?  Why do some gravitate to the city?  As a realtor in the West Michigan area, I find people and their living habits fascinating.  As a person describes what they are looking for in a home, you start to think of the scene in your mind.  What makes someone choose living outside of the city as opposed to living inside the city?   What is the definition of country to you and what is the city?  What is even more interesting is the fact that most people are very definitive about the type they are.  “I am definitely a country bumpkin”, or “I love the city!”

A look at the City Dwellers

What quantifies as city to most people?  As I look at West Michigan, Grand Rapids is definitely the main metro area.  When you look at a map, there are several cities that make up greater Grand Rapids in Michigan—Forest Hills, Wyoming, Walker, Grandville, Jenison, Kentwood, etc. Then there are also the smaller metro areas of Holland and Grand Haven that are separated from Grand Rapids yet still small cities.  These are the geographic characteristics of West Michigan, but is there something else that contributes to a feeling of city or country?

In my minds eye, the definition of city is any continuous blocks of activities made up of homes and businesses.  Another great interpretation would be any where there is a lot of sidewalk and concrete . . . hence the concrete jungle?  Mowing the lawn is easy, because the lots are small.  How about any place there is more than one high rise building and lots of light and noise? The city is all about the non-stop barrage of information, crowds and traffic.   If you can ride a city bus, you are most likely in the city.   Many people say they love the hustle and bustle of the city.  They never feel alone because homes are very close by and grouped together with the businesses they need. Yet in the city, you can meld in and become a face in the crowd.  Does the city give a sense of security in some ways and sense of anonymity in others?

A Look at the Country Bumpkins

In what way is the country different?  Geographically, when I think of West Michigan the towns of Allendale, Coopersville, Ada, Caledonia, Zeeland,  Byron Center, and Sparta come to mind.  These areas surround Grand Rapids to the North, East, South and West, yet most are within 30 minutes of Grand Rapids.  Most have their sub-divisions but for the most part, they still hold the small town feel.  But what is the essence of these places called the country?

When asked about the definition of country, these small town areas give you a different feeling. Could it be the opportunity to unwind on the drive home through open country with no bumper-to-bumper traffic?  Do the horses grazing lazily in the fields give you a sense of calmness?  Out in the country, where it gets truly dark, the stars can be seen so clearly.  Does the definition include large areas of expansive trees, woods and golden wheat fields swaying in the wind?  Unlike the city, it is harder to just meld in—you run into people you know regularly and you don’t have any problem going into your neighbor’s shed to borrow a garden tool.  The people in the country seem to know that, yes, occasionally you will loose your electric because all the  lines are no longer underground.  But they are willing to put up the small, occasional inconvenience to be able to ride their snowmobiles and quads in the vast expanse of land around them.

To me the city and the country are more feelings and ways of life than geographical positions.  It is the feelings they create.  Many of us adapt to what works at the time, but down deep . . . .  .do you consider yourself a city dweller or a country bumpkin?

Barn Picture courtesy of my freind Judy Revell