Welcome to Lansing, Michigan!
Congratulations on choosing Lansing as your new home! As Michigan's state capital and home to Michigan State University, Lansing offers an unbeatable combination of government stability, college-town culture, affordable housing, and Midwest friendliness. With a population of 115,000 in the city and over 470,000 in the metro area, Lansing provides big-city amenities with a smaller-city feel. Here's your complete guide to making your move smooth and successful.
📦 Moving Checklist: 60 Days Before
✓ Essential Tasks 60 Days Out:
- Research Neighborhoods: Okemos, East Lansing, Old Town, REO Town (see below)
- Schedule Home Inspection: Get professional roof, HVAC, and structural check (critical for MI winters!)
- Arrange Movers: Book 6-8 weeks ahead for best rates ($2,500-5,000 for long-distance)
- School Research: Check Lansing's top schools - registration deadlines matter
- Job Hunting: State of Michigan is largest employer; also GM, McLaren, MSU
- Housing Search: Median home price $140,000 (extremely affordable!)
📋 Moving Checklist: 30 Days Before
✓ One Month Out:
- Set Up Utilities: Consumers Energy (electric/gas), Lansing Board of Water & Light (some areas)
- Transfer Records: Medical, dental, vet, school transcripts
- Update Address: USPS forwarding, bank, credit cards, insurance
- Declutter: Michigan winters = storage space matters; donate what you don't need
- Winter Prep: If moving in cold months, prepare for snow (get boots, coat, shovel)
🏡 Moving Checklist: First Week in Lansing
✓ Immediate Priorities:
- Michigan Driver's License: Secretary of State (within 30 days) - bring proof of residency
- Vehicle Registration: Register your car in Michigan (within 30 days)
- Find Doctors: McLaren Greater Lansing, Sparrow Hospital, or MSU Healthcare
- Get Library Card: Capital Area District Libraries (CADL) - excellent system!
- Explore Neighborhoods: Walk River Trail, visit Old Town, check out Hawk Island Park
- Meet Neighbors: Lansing is friendly - introduce yourself!
- Snow Removal Plan: If you have a driveway, get shovel or snowblower before winter
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods for Different Lifestyles
1. Okemos
Median Home Price: $210,000
Why It's Great:
- Okemos High School - top-rated in Michigan (9.7/10)
- Safe, suburban feel with excellent amenities
- Meridian Mall and shopping nearby
- Well-maintained homes and neighborhoods
- Strong property values
- Great parks and recreation
Drawbacks: Higher home prices, some HOA fees, heavier traffic during MSU events
2. East Lansing
Median Home Price: $195,000
Why It's Great:
- College town energy and culture
- Walkable downtown with restaurants, bars, shops
- MSU campus and events
- Excellent schools (East Lansing High 9.4/10)
- Diverse, educated population
- Great parks and River Trail access
Drawbacks: Student noise in some areas, gameday traffic, higher property taxes
3. Old Town
Median Home Price: $150,000
Why It's Great:
- Trendy, artsy neighborhood with unique character
- Galleries, boutiques, craft breweries, restaurants
- Direct River Trail access
- Affordable historic homes with charm
- Strong community vibe
- Close to downtown Lansing
Drawbacks: Some homes need updates, limited parking, urban noise
4. REO Town
Median Home Price: $135,000
Why It's Great:
- Revitalized industrial area with cool vibe
- Breweries, cideries, trendy restaurants
- Affordable entry point to city living
- River Trail runs through neighborhood
- Strong appreciation potential
Drawbacks: Still developing, limited residential stock, some areas sketchy at night
5. Holt
Median Home Price: $160,000
Why It's Great:
- Affordable family homes with space
- Good schools (Holt High School 8.5/10)
- Safe, suburban neighborhoods
- New construction available
- Less expensive than Okemos/East Lansing
Drawbacks: More car-dependent, less walkable, longer commute to downtown
6. DeWitt
Median Home Price: $175,000
Why It's Great:
- Small-town feel with Lansing proximity
- Decent schools with smaller class sizes
- Safe, family-friendly
- More land/larger lots available
Drawbacks: Rural location, limited dining/entertainment, 20-min drive to Lansing
💼 Job Market Overview
Major Employers in Lansing:
- State of Michigan - 15,000+ employees (government jobs, benefits, stability)
- Michigan State University - 11,000+ employees (education, research, healthcare)
- General Motors - 5,000+ (Lansing Grand River & Delta Township plants)
- McLaren Greater Lansing - 3,500+ (healthcare)
- Sparrow Health System - 8,500+ (healthcare)
- Jackson National Life - 1,500+ (insurance/finance)
- Auto-Owners Insurance - 2,000+ (insurance)
Key Industries:
- 🏛️ Government (state agencies, legislature)
- 🎓 Education (MSU, Lansing Community College)
- 🚗 Automotive manufacturing (GM plants)
- 🏥 Healthcare (major hospital systems)
- 📊 Insurance and financial services
Average Salaries:
- State government jobs: $50,000-85,000
- MSU positions: $45,000-90,000+
- GM manufacturing: $60,000-90,000
- Healthcare: $50,000-120,000+ (varies by role)
💰 Cost of Living Snapshot
Overall: 15% below national average
Housing Costs:
- Median home: $140,000 (65% below national average!)
- Rent (1BR): $800-1,100/month
- Rent (2BR): $1,000-1,400/month
Monthly Expenses (Typical):
- Utilities (gas/electric): $150-250 (higher in winter!)
- Groceries (family of 4): $600-800
- Transportation: $400-600
- Dining out: $300-500
See our complete Cost of Living Guide for detailed breakdown.
🚗 Transportation & Getting Around
Driving:
- Car Necessity: HIGH - Lansing is car-dependent outside downtown/East Lansing
- Commute Times: 15-25 minutes typical (low traffic vs. major cities)
- Parking: Free and abundant (even downtown!)
- Winter Driving: AWD/4WD helpful but not required; good snow tires essential
Public Transit:
- CATA Bus System: Covers city and MSU campus, limited routes
- Cost: $1.50 per ride, $30 monthly pass
- Reality: Most residents drive; transit is minimal
Biking:
- River Trail: 20+ miles of paved paths (excellent!)
- City Biking: Possible but limited bike lanes
- Winter: Not feasible due to snow/ice
Airport:
- Capital Region International (LAN): Small airport 15 min from downtown
- Flights: Limited direct routes, often need connections
- Detroit Metro (DTW): 90 minutes away, major hub with all routes
🎓 Education Options
Top School Districts:
- Okemos Public Schools - Best in area (9.7 rating)
- East Lansing Public Schools - Excellent (9.4 rating)
- Holt Public Schools - Good value (8.5 rating)
- DeWitt Public Schools - Solid suburban option
Higher Education:
- Michigan State University - Big Ten university, 50,000+ students
- Lansing Community College - Affordable 2-year programs
- Western Michigan Cooley Law School - Law degree
Complete school guide: Best Schools in Lansing
🏥 Healthcare
Major Hospital Systems:
- Sparrow Hospital - Level 1 Trauma Center, teaching hospital with MSU
- McLaren Greater Lansing - Full-service hospital, excellent cardiac care
- MSU Healthcare - Network affiliated with university
Healthcare quality is excellent; costs below national average.
❄️ Preparing for Michigan Winters
Essential Winter Items:
- ✅ Snow Shovel or Snowblower - You WILL need this (50" annual snow!)
- ✅ Winter Coat - Insulated, waterproof, rated to -10°F
- ✅ Snow Boots - Waterproof, insulated, good traction
- ✅ Ice Scraper - For your car (keep in vehicle always)
- ✅ Rock Salt or Ice Melt - For driveway/walkways
- ✅ Emergency Car Kit - Blanket, flashlight, snacks, water
Home Winter Prep:
- 🏠 Furnace Inspection - Before first cold snap (September/October)
- 🏠 Roof Inspection - Critical to prevent ice dams! Call Elite Roofing for free check
- 🏠 Gutter Cleaning - Must clean before winter to prevent ice buildup
- 🏠 Insulation Check - Attic should have R-49 minimum
- 🏠 Seal Windows/Doors - Prevent drafts and heat loss
- 🏠 Protect Pipes - Insulate exposed pipes in basement/crawlspace
🎉 Things to Do in Lansing
Entertainment & Culture:
- MSU sports - Spartans football, basketball (huge!)
- Lansing Lugnuts baseball (minor league)
- Wharton Center - Broadway shows and performances
- Michigan State Capitol tours
- R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
- Impression 5 Science Center (great for kids)
- Potter Park Zoo
Outdoor Recreation:
- Hawk Island Park - beach, water sports, sledding
- Lansing River Trail - 20+ miles biking/walking
- Fenner Nature Center - hiking, nature education
- Old Town - shopping, dining, art galleries
Full guide: Best Parks in Lansing
🏠 Critical: Get Your New Home Roof-Ready!
BEFORE You Move In - Schedule a Free Roof Inspection
Lansing's harsh winters (50" snow, ice dams, freeze-thaw cycles) are brutal on roofs. Many newcomers don't realize the importance of a solid roof until their first Michigan winter brings ice dam leaks and damage. Don't learn this expensive lesson the hard way!
Why Roof Inspection Matters for New Lansing Homeowners:
- ✅ Ice dams cause $2,500-8,000 damage on average in Lansing
- ✅ Identify issues BEFORE you buy or move in (leverage in negotiations!)
- ✅ Prevent emergency repairs during winter
- ✅ Know your roof's condition and remaining lifespan
- ✅ Understand ice dam risks specific to your home
Elite Roofing's New Homeowner Package:
- 🆓 Free drone roof inspection
- 🆓 Ice dam risk assessment
- 🆓 Attic insulation/ventilation check
- 🆓 Written condition report
- 🆓 Priority emergency service (24/7)
Special for new Lansing residents: Mention you're relocating and get 10% off any repairs or upgrades identified during inspection.
📞 Important Lansing Contacts
Government & Utilities:
- Consumers Energy: 1-800-477-5050 (gas/electric)
- Lansing Board of Water & Light: 517-702-6006 (some areas)
- City of Lansing: 517-483-4000
- Secretary of State: 888-767-6424 (license, registration)
Emergency Services:
- Emergency: 911
- Lansing Police (non-emergency): 517-483-4600
- Sparrow Hospital: 517-364-1000
- McLaren Greater Lansing: 517-975-6000
Home Services:
- Elite Roofing (24/7 Emergency): (555) 123-4567