Station/Boat Location~
Station Grand Haven and SFO Grand Haven
Date there~
2007-2010
Weather~
Dec/Jan/Feb/Mar - SNOW! Very cold and you'll start to miss the sunshine (10-35 degrees). They plow and salt the roads so driving is not bad (I'm a FL girl, and I survived three winters). They rarely have closings due to bad weather.
April - cold and still might get one more dumping of snow for the season (35-55 degrees).
May - snow should be done by now. It's nice to be outdoors, but you'll still need to turn on the heat some of the time (45-65 degrees).
June/July/Aug/Sept - BEAUTIFUL! The nicest weather I've ever experienced. We're outside all summer long (65-85 degrees). Oct/Nov - Short autumn. The leaves change and drop too quickly to appreciate the colors, but it's still nice to see them change (35-60 degrees). We did get snow on Thanksgiving one year, but that's rare. The summers are well worth the winters.
Military facilities~
There is a very small exchange attached to the SFO across the street from the Station.
Medical~
You'll use Tricare Prime Remote. Most use the Medical facilities at Harbor Dunes Health Center and are pleased with the service. If your PCM can't do it, he/she will refer you out. Make sure you always get a referral!
They have a Family Practice, small Hospital, Women's Center, Eye Care Center, and Pharmacy all under one roof. It's very convenient.
The Dentists that most of us see are Fritz or Kamminga at Beechtree Family Dentistry, and they are wonderful.
There is a nice, clean urgent care clinic right in the middle of town that accepts Tricare so you can avoid emergency room visits.
Housing~
We live on the economy. It's quite affordable to live here whether you are renting or buying a home. There are plenty of apartment complexes and homes for rent within the BAH. Heating bills can add up though, so don't max out your BAH on rent or mortgage alone.
I love living close to the station in Grand Haven (2-5 minute drive, my husband rides his bike to work in the summer & fall). Some others live over the bridge in Spring Lake which is a very nice area as well (10 minute drive to the station). Few live in Holland (25-30 minute drive). I don't know of anyone who lives in Muskegon, but that's a possibility as well (20-30 minute drive). Here is a good web site for houses on the market. It has the most pictures. Grand Haven's Zip is 49417.
Shopping~
In Grand Haven: quaint little downtown specialty shops, Super Walmart, Meijer (exactly like a Super Walmart except it has a few more amenities and is a bit more expensive), D&W grocery, Walgreens, Blockbuster, Home Depot, unique small-town restaurants like Clover Bar Pizza and Snug Harbor, chains like Applebee's, McDonald's, and Starbucks (but the local coffee shops are great too). In Spring Lake: small town shops & restaurants. In Muskegon (north) & Holland (south): Malls, every well-known store and restaurant like Toys R Us, Target, Khols, Olive Garden, Chuck E Cheese, Red Lobster, etc.
Child Care/Schools~
There is childcare everywhere here, including private in-home.
Preschools are reasonably priced, and there are many to choose from: GHAPS (Grand Haven Area Public Schools), YMCA Learning Tree Preschool, Grand Haven Christian, St. John's Lutheran, Joyful Noise, etc.
Public Schools are very good. Grand Haven and Spring Lake have school of choice so you're not limited to the school in your housing area. ALL the schools here are good though. Some parents choose to send their children to Grand Haven Christian School (pre-K through 8th) not because they think the public school system is poor, but because they want their children to have Christian religion education along with basic education. Elementary: Mary A. White, Rosy Mound, Peach Plains, Griffin, Ferry, Robinson, Spring Lake. Middle: Lakeshore, White Pines, Spring Lake.
High School: Grand Haven (Central High school is an alternative), Spring Lake, Western Michigan Christian.
There is a great support system for homeschoolers as well.
Adult Schools~
Baker College, Grand Valley State, Hope College, West Michigan University, Muskegon Community College. Some you'll have to drive to Grand Rapids to attend (45 minute drive).
Fun Activities~
Mulligan's Hollow skiing & snow boarding, sledding, skate park, hiking, fishing, boating, camping, hunting, 4-wheeling, beaches (lots of them-water is cold), u-pick farms & orchards, farmer's markets, 4H, horseback riding, craft fairs, concerts, festivals, carnivals, Michigan's Adventure, John Ball Zoo, lots of sports & teams, about 2½ hours from Notre Dame, musical fountain summer show, Grand Haven 9 Movie Theater, The Frauenthal Theater Arts & Entertainment, museums, about 3 hours from Chicago (train that runs from Holland to Chicago with military discounts), about 4 hours from Canada, Annual Coast Guard Festival, great libraries, playgrounds galore (indoor and outdoor), indoor water parks, beautiful parks, Meijer Gardens, tons of community events for every holiday, lots of free family fun, YMCA has a great CG family discount which gives you access to the indoor pool, gym, fitness classes, indoor Ace Place play zone, childcare while you exercise, discounts on children's classes and preschool. I think there's more of a nightlife in Grand Rapids.
Additional Info~
This is a wonderful, family-friendly, safe community. Can you tell I've loved living here? You will too! It may be a bit slow paced for single guys/gals or young couples without kids, but you'll still be able to find things to do. Make sure you enjoy everything Grand Haven - Coast Guard City USA and nearby areas have to offer while you're stationed here.
Homeport MI
Station Grand Haven and SFO Grand Haven
Date there~
2007-2010
Weather~
Dec/Jan/Feb/Mar - SNOW! Very cold and you'll start to miss the sunshine (10-35 degrees). They plow and salt the roads so driving is not bad (I'm a FL girl, and I survived three winters). They rarely have closings due to bad weather.
April - cold and still might get one more dumping of snow for the season (35-55 degrees).
May - snow should be done by now. It's nice to be outdoors, but you'll still need to turn on the heat some of the time (45-65 degrees).
June/July/Aug/Sept - BEAUTIFUL! The nicest weather I've ever experienced. We're outside all summer long (65-85 degrees). Oct/Nov - Short autumn. The leaves change and drop too quickly to appreciate the colors, but it's still nice to see them change (35-60 degrees). We did get snow on Thanksgiving one year, but that's rare. The summers are well worth the winters.
Military facilities~
There is a very small exchange attached to the SFO across the street from the Station.
Medical~
You'll use Tricare Prime Remote. Most use the Medical facilities at Harbor Dunes Health Center and are pleased with the service. If your PCM can't do it, he/she will refer you out. Make sure you always get a referral!
They have a Family Practice, small Hospital, Women's Center, Eye Care Center, and Pharmacy all under one roof. It's very convenient.
The Dentists that most of us see are Fritz or Kamminga at Beechtree Family Dentistry, and they are wonderful.
There is a nice, clean urgent care clinic right in the middle of town that accepts Tricare so you can avoid emergency room visits.
Housing~
We live on the economy. It's quite affordable to live here whether you are renting or buying a home. There are plenty of apartment complexes and homes for rent within the BAH. Heating bills can add up though, so don't max out your BAH on rent or mortgage alone.
I love living close to the station in Grand Haven (2-5 minute drive, my husband rides his bike to work in the summer & fall). Some others live over the bridge in Spring Lake which is a very nice area as well (10 minute drive to the station). Few live in Holland (25-30 minute drive). I don't know of anyone who lives in Muskegon, but that's a possibility as well (20-30 minute drive). Here is a good web site for houses on the market. It has the most pictures. Grand Haven's Zip is 49417.
Shopping~
In Grand Haven: quaint little downtown specialty shops, Super Walmart, Meijer (exactly like a Super Walmart except it has a few more amenities and is a bit more expensive), D&W grocery, Walgreens, Blockbuster, Home Depot, unique small-town restaurants like Clover Bar Pizza and Snug Harbor, chains like Applebee's, McDonald's, and Starbucks (but the local coffee shops are great too). In Spring Lake: small town shops & restaurants. In Muskegon (north) & Holland (south): Malls, every well-known store and restaurant like Toys R Us, Target, Khols, Olive Garden, Chuck E Cheese, Red Lobster, etc.
Child Care/Schools~
There is childcare everywhere here, including private in-home.
Preschools are reasonably priced, and there are many to choose from: GHAPS (Grand Haven Area Public Schools), YMCA Learning Tree Preschool, Grand Haven Christian, St. John's Lutheran, Joyful Noise, etc.
Public Schools are very good. Grand Haven and Spring Lake have school of choice so you're not limited to the school in your housing area. ALL the schools here are good though. Some parents choose to send their children to Grand Haven Christian School (pre-K through 8th) not because they think the public school system is poor, but because they want their children to have Christian religion education along with basic education. Elementary: Mary A. White, Rosy Mound, Peach Plains, Griffin, Ferry, Robinson, Spring Lake. Middle: Lakeshore, White Pines, Spring Lake.
High School: Grand Haven (Central High school is an alternative), Spring Lake, Western Michigan Christian.
There is a great support system for homeschoolers as well.
Adult Schools~
Baker College, Grand Valley State, Hope College, West Michigan University, Muskegon Community College. Some you'll have to drive to Grand Rapids to attend (45 minute drive).
Fun Activities~
Mulligan's Hollow skiing & snow boarding, sledding, skate park, hiking, fishing, boating, camping, hunting, 4-wheeling, beaches (lots of them-water is cold), u-pick farms & orchards, farmer's markets, 4H, horseback riding, craft fairs, concerts, festivals, carnivals, Michigan's Adventure, John Ball Zoo, lots of sports & teams, about 2½ hours from Notre Dame, musical fountain summer show, Grand Haven 9 Movie Theater, The Frauenthal Theater Arts & Entertainment, museums, about 3 hours from Chicago (train that runs from Holland to Chicago with military discounts), about 4 hours from Canada, Annual Coast Guard Festival, great libraries, playgrounds galore (indoor and outdoor), indoor water parks, beautiful parks, Meijer Gardens, tons of community events for every holiday, lots of free family fun, YMCA has a great CG family discount which gives you access to the indoor pool, gym, fitness classes, indoor Ace Place play zone, childcare while you exercise, discounts on children's classes and preschool. I think there's more of a nightlife in Grand Rapids.
Additional Info~
This is a wonderful, family-friendly, safe community. Can you tell I've loved living here? You will too! It may be a bit slow paced for single guys/gals or young couples without kids, but you'll still be able to find things to do. Make sure you enjoy everything Grand Haven - Coast Guard City USA and nearby areas have to offer while you're stationed here.
Homeport MI
