Downtown Muskegon - Urban Pioneers Speak

Many folks drawn to urban living are loving living downtown Muskegon. Following are comments from some of downtown Muskegon's Urban Pioneers.

Larry & Jean Naramore

How long have you lived downtown Muskegon?
We have lived downtown since December 2007.

What is your main reason for living downtown?
We wanted to experience the amazing rebirth of the downtown area firsthand, and take pride in calling it our home.

What do you like best about living downtown?
We enjoy being able to walk to the restaurants and cultural events, love the scenic bike paths, and look forward to the opening of additional retail stores. Also, it is great having someone else run the snow-blower, shovel snow, and do the yard work!

What is your living arrangement?
We live in the historic YMCA building built in 1926 and located at 297 Clay, which has been renovated into unique condos. The convenience of swimming year around was one of the many selling points of the Y!

What is your profession?
Larry – Happily retired!
Jean – School to Career Consultant with the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District/Career Tech Center (I’m less than 10 minutes from work!)

Laura VanderMeulen

How long have you lived downtown Muskegon?
I’ve lived downtown since May of 2006. That’s when I moved back to my hometown from Los Angeles.

What is your main reason for living downtown?
I’m a firm believer that is our responsibility, as residents of the area, to recycle downtown. I want to be a part of the movement to revitalize our city center. And the WaterMark offers everything I need without the responsibilities associated with owning a house.

What do you like best about living downtown?
I have a view of the water; it’s a million dollar view, but I didn’t have to pay that much for it! I’m also close to my family. This location allows me to live a lakeshore lifestyle in an urban setting.

What is your living arrangement?
I own a loft-style condo at WaterMark Lofts.

What is your profession?
I’m an interior designer at Talsma Furniture in Grand Rapids.

Jeremy Cyr

How long have you lived downtown Muskegon?
One year and eight months.

What is your main reason for living downtown?
As a young professional, I enjoy the energy created by living in a downtown environment. It's easy to meet like-minded people in the area, and being in such close proximity to local entertainment venues is really convenient.

What do you like best about living downtown?
Definitely the atmosphere—Muskegon's downtown is growing,
and it's exciting to be front-and-center as the character of a new downtown evolves.

What is your living arrangement?
I live in the Amazon Apartments on Western Avenue. The staff and community at the Amazon are all great people—it's a wonderful place to live.

What is your profession?
Software Engineer

Bill and Marcia Hovey-Wright

How long have you lived downtown Muskegon?
We have lived downtown for 3 1/2 years.

What is your main reason for living downtown?
We moved here because we found the most gorgeous house for much less money that our house in Norton Shores and we wanted to be where the action happens.

What do you like best about living downtown?
What we like best is being part of a neighborhood and all it's activities and because we can walk so many places.

What is your living arrangement?
We own our historic home.

What is your profession?
I am a psychotherapist with an office in our library ( another reason for buying our house) and my husband is a retired teacher.

Dan Rinsema-Sybenga

How long have you lived downtown Muskegon?
Since October 2003

What is your main reason for living downtown?
Close to the heart of activity for Muskegon County

What do you like best about living downtown?
Diverse, vibrant neighborhood close to the cultural amenities of downtown Muskegon.

What is your living arrangement?
Own a historic home

What is your profession?
Main Street Manager, Muskegon Area First