Grand Rapids ranks among top-20 ‘Most Charming Small Cities’ in US

Grand Rapids ranks among top-20 ‘Most Charming Small Cities’ in US

The Blue Bridge in downtown Grand Rapids is a pedestrian walkway that extends across the Grand River. Courtesy Experience Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is considered one of the “most charming” cities in its class.

Grand Rapids ranks No. 20 in a ranking of the “Top 20 Most Charming Small Cities” by RentLingo.com, an apartment search site.

Ann Arbor ranks No. 4.

The ranking includes cities with between 75,000 and 200,000 residents.

“Downtown Grand Rapids ranked highly, according to the Charm Index, due to a concentration of appealing local amenities, such as art displays, theaters, locally owned boutiques and the presence of parks, a university and a library,” the ranking says.

Charm Index

RentLingo’s Charm Index, an online data-mapping tool, creates an overall charm score for each city, which includes factors such as local businesses, crime and more.

Also included in the ratings are store prices, store ratings, store ownership and lifestyle amenities, such as nearby gyms, bike tracks and parks.

Cultural and educational amenities, such as universities and museums, also help boost charm scores.

Grand Rapids earned a Charm Index score of 70.

The city’s Charm Index score was highest in the central downtown area.

Top 20

1.   Alameda, California

2.   Downtown San Mateo, California

3.   Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts

4.   Ann Arbor

5.   Orange, California

6.   Downtown Berkeley, California

7.   Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

8.   Burbank, California

9.   Oceanside, California

10. Old Town Pasadena, California

11. Carlsbad, California

12. Downcity, Providence, Rhode Island

13. Downtown Evanston, Illinois

14. North Historic District, Savannah, Georgia

15. French Quarter, Charleston, South Carolina

16. Tempe, Arizona

17. Downtown Vernon Street, Roseville, California

18. Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee

19. Downtown Tallahassee, Florida

20. Grand Rapids