Affordable Kalamazoo Storage Units

Moving and storage go hand in hand. Whether you are traveling across town or the country, moving is an exciting and fresh start. While Storage Rentals of America is here to help you with all your storage needs, we also want to help you get familiar with the area. That's why we put together this resource guide for Kalamazoo.

About Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo is a small city located in southwest Michigan. As of 2010, the city had a population of 74,262 people. It is one of the major cities in the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolitan Statistical Area. Kalamazoo is known for its excellent cost of living, educated college town populace, and excellent amenities. The city has an industrial and commercial feel mixed with a college-town flair. It’s a wonderful place to live, work, and play — whether you’re single or have a large family!

What to do in Kalamazoo, MI

There are many things to do in and around Kalamazoo that will keep you busy. Overall, this town’s college-industrial feel suits people with a lot of energy to explore their surroundings, enjoy local dining and attractions, and make some exciting road trips.

• Local Attractions: Kalamazoo has a host of notable features, such as the Kalamazoo Mall, a large outdoor shopping area. The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, which runs through the city, is also a wonderful way to explore the area.
• Museums: Kalamazoo has a lot of museums to explore that are fun for all ages. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum has a lot of exhibits about technology and history and includes a planetarium. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts has a robust collection of American and European art. Also, the Air Zoo museum allows guests to explore vintage aircraft, flight simulators, and exciting rides.
• Road Trips: Kalamazoo is conveniently situated for some of the best road trips. Chicago and Detroit are both 150 miles from the city.

Working in Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo has a strong work economy. Its diverse industries and nearby universities give the city employment stability. Currently, jobs have increased by 0.9% over the past year, which is higher than the -6.18% rate for the rest of the country. However, the unemployment rate is 6.3% — higher than the national average of 6%. The average yearly salary in Kalamazoo is $32,959 per household, which is lower than the national average of $57,652.

The most common industries that provide jobs in Kalamazoo include: Educational services (15.1%), Accommodation & food services (10.9%), Health care (9.8%), Construction (4.1%) Professional, scientific, and technical services (3.7%), Administrative & support & waste management services (3.6%), and Finance & insurance (3.4%) careers.

Kalamazoo, MI Neighborhoods

Kalamazoo’s affordable housing costs make it a great place to relocate from more expensive areas. Each neighborhood has something to offer, meeting the needs of different lifestyles and budgets. Whether you need to rent or own, there are options for you in Kalamazoo.

• Texas Corners: Texas Corners has a median real estate price of $354,773, making it one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Kalamazoo and Michigan as a whole. The average rental unit is around $1,500. It is a suburban neighborhood with mainly medium to large single-family homes and mobile homes. Most of the homes here are built after 1970, with a fair amount built after the year 2000. The majority of residences here are owner-occupied.
• Cooper: Cooper is a rural neighborhood with a median real estate price of $229,133. The average rental in this area is $1,204, and there are mainly medium to large single-family homes in this neighborhood. This area contains older homes compared to Cooper, with many built between 1970 and 1999 and a fair number of homes built between 1940 and 1969.
• Dougherty’s Corners: This suburban neighborhood averages $309,265 as a home price, which makes it an expensive but desirable place to live in Kalamazoo. There are many mid to large single-family homes and apartments in this neighborhood. Like Texas corners, many of the homes are built after 1970 and well into the new millennium.

Kalamazoo, MI School District

Kalamazoo’s public schools all belong to Kalamazoo Public Schools, which spends $12,573 per student — on par with the U.S. average of $12,383. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1, ensuring a moderate classroom size. But what makes Kalamazoo’s education system stand out is The Kalamazoo Promise. It is a scholarship that pays up to 100 percent of a student’s post-secondary tuition and fees if the graduate meets certain attendance and residency requirements. This progressive policy has increased graduation rates and helped many students become first-generation college graduates!

Kalamazoo is also a college town due to its proximity to Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Moving to Kalamazoo, MI Resource Guide

Moving to Kalamazoo, some research about the city regarding amenities and utility setup. Here are some of the services that you need to get established.

• Internet/phone: Most phone, cable, and internet services are bundled by one company. Since there are many competitors in the Kalamazoo area, here are the top 5 internet service providers to start your search.
• Electricity & Natural gas: Standard Electric Co and Consumers Energy are a couple of the energy providers that serve the Kalamazoo area.
• Water/sewer: The City of Kalamazoo Water and Sewer provides water and sewer services to the city. For more information, call (269) 337-8149.
• Trash: Kalamazoo residents have access to some trash disposal services that include Republic Services, Flash Sanitation, and Waste Management (for residents who want to dispose of trash on their own).
• City Council: Kalamazoo’s local government has many boards and commissions that manage a variety of needs in the city.
• Parks and Recreation: The City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation manages and maintains over 30 parks and facilities. Whether you want to take your kids to a tot lot or rent a pavilion for a picnic, there’s something for everyone.

Kalamazoo, MI Housing

The cost of living in Kalamazoo is 20.8% lower than the U.S. average. The largest contributor to this is the average home cost of $189,100, which is lower than the national average of $291,700. Healthcare costs are also around 10% lower than the national average, as well as local transportation. Meanwhile, home values have increased by 15.6% in the last year.