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5 Best Outdoor Motocross Tracks

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There’s a lot that goes into making a motocross track a good one. There’s the track itself, the surrounding area, and even the atmosphere for fans that all go into making a simple track one that’s a must-see destination. The sport of motocross has a lot of great tracks around the world, especially outdoors.

Out of all of those tracks, though, which ones stand out as the best of the bunch? If you’re a motocross enthusiast, here are five outdoor tracks that you have to see whether you’re riding or simply there to watch the best in the world.

5. Unadilla

Located in Central New York, Unadilla MX is the longest-running AMA facility in the United States with the first event occurring in 1972. There have been a couple of short breaks since then, but for the most part, it has been a staple of professional motocross. The track known simply as “Dilla” to fans is home to the Pro National MX Weekend in mid-August and started offering spectator camping in 2022 to really make it a party.

The track has remained largely the same as it heads over vast terrain and challenges even the most experienced racers. In the 450 Class, Ricky Carmichael has won at Unadilla six times while Bubba Stewart leads the 250 Class with three wins. 

4. Hangtown

Another one of the “OG” tracks on the AMA Tour is the Hangtown Motocross Classic which takes place in Rancho Cordova, California. With the exception of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual race has taken place every year since 1974. The track was founded six years prior by the Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club and started holding professional races with small purses.

Since then, Hangtown has grown into one of the most popular tracks in the world. With challenging jumps and a massive landscape, Hangtown is a great place for amateurs to see if they’re ready for the next level. 

3. Glen Helen

Another track from California, Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino is the motocross jewel of the inland empire and had its first AMA event in 1993. Since then, Glen Helen has held an event in most years, with its most recent run coming from 2014 to 2018. Glen Helen is home to a lot of major events each year, including the Red Bull Day in the Dirt each November.

Glen Helen is a great track for riders of all experience to get some practice in, and the long track makes for plenty of great spectator spots throughout the course. There’s just one thing that they ask you to do at Glen Helen, and that’s “feel the speed.”

2. Washougal

Heading up the Pacific coast you’ll find Washougal MX Park in the state of Washington, a mainstay for the AMA schedule since 1980 with a couple of rare exceptions. For those that love nature, it doesn’t get much better than spending the weekend at Washougal each year, with the Pro Motocross Championship taking place each July.

The track is one of just three natural terrain tracks in the United States and was established in 1970. Once known only by local racers, Washougal has become a worldwide favorite for fans and professionals alike.

1. Red Bud

At the top of the list is the small city of Buchanan, Michigan where you’ll find Red Bux MX. Red Bud has been home to the AMA’s biggest party every year since 1976 with Michiganders getting their first taste of the action in 1974. Over Fourth of July weekend every year, tens of thousands make their way to Red Bud where you’re certain to hear people yell the track’s name over and over again.

If you ask any professional motocross rider, Red Bud is likely in their top three with many selecting it as their overall favorite. The track is known for having some of the best dirt and the sheer size of it allows racers to showcase their entire skillset. Red Bud is also home to one of motocross’s most notorious jumps, LaRocco’s Leap which stretches for more than 120 feet.

5 Greatest AMA Racers of All Time

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Back in 1972, the American Motocross Association launched the AMA Motocross Championships which brought together the best racers in the world to compete on a weekly and season-long basis. Ever since then, there have been plenty of names that have come and gone, but only a few truly dominated the sport. Out of all of the AMA racers, here are the five greatest in the organization’s history.

5. Ricky Johnson

One of the OGs of professional motocross, Ricky Johnson was a dominant force during the 1980s, especially in the later part of the decade. Johnson won several championship titles, including the 1984, 1986, and 1987 AMA 250. Johnson would continue to race well after the 1980s ended, too, but started focusing on other sports.

Johnson would get involved with stock car and off-road racing in the late 1990s. He participated in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series and Stadium Super Trucks. It wasn’t until after the 2021 season that Johnson decided to retire, and his legacy of motorsports is one of the best in the world. In AMA, Johnson secured 22 titles to earn him the fifth overall spot.

4. Bob Hannah

Slightly ahead of Johnson on the list is Bob Hannah, who notched 27 career wins during his competing days in the late 1970s and all of the 1980s. The outspoken Hannah was part of the American surge in motocross, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee started off his season-long championship resume with a 1976 AMA National 125cc title.

Hannah added back-to-back AMA National 250cc championships in 1978 and 1979, and throughout the 1980s he continued to dominate. Hannah had slipped toward the back of the pack in 1989 and called it quits after 15 years in the pros, ending one of the greatest careers in motocross at 33 years old.

3. Eli Tomac

Nobody dominated the amateur circuit quite like Eli Tomac did while growing up, so it only makes sense that he would go on to become one of the greatest professional racers in history. Tomac and he would stake his claim right away. In his first professional race in the 250cc class, Tomac took the top of the podium, making him the first in AMA history to do so.

Ever since then, Tomac has been setting records left and right that some thought would never be broken. At the lowest points in his career, Tomac is still a guarantee for the podium in at least half of his races. With time still on his side, Tomac has the chance to take the number one spot in almost every record.

2. Ryan Dungey

The pride of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, Ryan Dungey has a title in every major motocross and supercross circuit with seven AMA championships. Dungey got off to an incredibly strong start in his career, averaging a finish of 2.38 in each AMA race. By 2012, Dungey reached the podium in every single event.

Dungey has nearly 40 wins in the 450 Motocross Class and another 34 in the 450 Supercross class, and over an eight-year span finished outside of the top 10 in just two races. In 2015 and 2016, Dungey won back-to-back ESPY Awards for the Best Male Action Sports Athlete and would retire in his 20s before making a comeback in 2022.

1. Ricky Carmichael

While the rest of the list is certainly up for debate, there is nobody that questions Ricky Carmichael as the greatest AMA racer of all time. Carmichael is to motocross what Wayne Gretzky is to hockey with the type of dominance he had during his career. Carmichael won multiple season-long titles in several classes and even branched out into NASCAR.

Carmichael won three 250/125cc class championships, five supercross 450cc championships, and seven motocross 450cc championships during his illustrious career. He also won multiple gold medals at the X Games and had a top 10 as a stock car racer with the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2010.

5 Best Professional Tennis Venues

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For most tennis players, all we need is a chain link fence that’s tall enough to make sure we’re not losing any balls and a court that doesn’t have any holes. When you’re among the best players in the world, though, only a large and illustrious stadium will do. 

With that in mind, there are top-notch tennis venues all around the world, but a few really have the most prestige. Here are the five best professional tennis venues on Earth.

5. Rod Laver Arena

Surprisingly, Rod Laver Stadium is one of the oldest tennis venues on the list as it broke ground in 1985 and was opened in January 1988. Rod Laver Arena is a multipurpose venue, but most people around the world know it for tennis as it’s the home to the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the calendar year.

Kooyong Stadium had long been the main venue for the Australian Open, but its age was really starting to show. In today’s money, more than a quarter billion was spent on the construction of Rod Laver Arena, which was originally known as the National Tennis Centre at Flinders Park. Now, it’s named after the tennis great who won three Australian Opens.

4. Louis Armstrong Stadium

Named after legendary American musician Louis Armstrong, this stadium in Queens, New York is located at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. What makes LAS so unique is that the stadium is one of the largest tennis venues in the world with a retractable roof. The former stadium of the previous name was torn down in 2016, with the new version opening in 2018.

Rossetti Architects is responsible for the design of the beautiful venue that’s by far the youngest on the list. Featuring a DecoTurf surface, there are more than 14,000 seats inside the stadium that are split almost evenly between the lower and upper decks. The first official match was also a big one, with a WTA number one ranked player (Simona Halep) losing in the opening round of a US Open for the first time ever.

3. Arthur Ashe Stadium

The other major event at the US Open is also named after a legendary American, except this time with a focus on tennis. Arthur Ashe Stadium is where the championship of the US Open takes place, and it’s the largest tennis-focused stadium in the world with a capacity of nearly 24,000 people.

Arthur Ashe Stadium first opened in 1997 and has undergone a massive renovation that changed the structure to include a retractable roof. The stadium has held several non-tennis events as well but has been home to some of the greatest matches in United States tennis history.

2. Court Philippe Chatrier

All tennis players dream of making it to the French Open so that they can play at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. The second-oldest venue on the list, Roland Garros first opened in 1928 and has been the home to the French Open ever since. There are 20 courts total at Roland Garros spread across 34 acres including three full-sized stadiums.

The largest of the stadiums is Court Philippe Chatrier, which holds 15,000 people, and was named in honor of the man that led the French Tennis Federation and kept the sport in the Olympics. The venue has people feeling like they’re right on top of the action and the recent renovation has kept it a top notch facility.

1. Wimbledon Centre Court

Of course, the most famous venue in all of the tennis has to be at the top of the list, and that’s Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, a.k.a. Wimbledon. The court, when originally constructed in the late 19th century, had just a couple of rows of seating. Now, there’s a capacity of over 15,000 people, and was finalized in 1922.

Centre Court has held some of the best moments in tennis history, and since 2009 has had a retractable roof to keep the party going into late night, rain or shine. Even the Royal Family makes sure to attend Wimbledon each year as they get their own box and the best seats in the house.

The 5 Players To Achieve A Singles Calendar Grand Slam

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Any professional tennis player will tell you that the hardest thing to do is win a grand slam tournament. Every player brings their best game as these tournaments bring the most rankings points and prize pools of the year. The greatest players of all time are usually determined by their performances in these grand slams, too.

Now imagine how hard it is to win all four in the same year. There’s no margin for error, and that’s why only a handful of people have accomplished this feat as a singles player. Here are the five to do just that on the men’s and women’s side of professional tennis.

Don Budge

The first person to ever win a professional calendar grand slam was the only one to do so in the singles circuit for a very long time. Don Budge accomplished the feat in 1938, and his four grand slam wins were part of eight consecutive grand slam titles.

Budge won the Australian Open to start the year by defeating John Bromwich in three sets. He then defeated Roderich Menzel at the French Open and Bunny Austin at Wimbledon. Budge faced his fourth different finals opponent in a row at the US Open when he defeated Gene Malko. Malko didn’t make it easy for Budge, though, as he needed four sets to win and become the first calendar grand slam champion.

Maureen Connolly

It took 15 years after Budge became the first man to accomplish the calendar grand slam for the first woman to do so, with Maureen Connolly winning the big four in 1953. Like Budge, her total grand slam victory streak reached six, including the calendar slam. 

Unlike Budge, however, Connolly didn’t have to beat four different players in finals matches, she only had to defeat two. The first was Julia Sampson, whom Connolly defeated in two sets at the Australia Open. The other three finals all featured Connolly defeating Doris Hart, and she did so in two sets each time. After Connolly, it would be a long time before another woman accomplished the calendar slam.

Rod Laver

Only one person on the list has accomplished the calendar slam twice as a singles competitor, and that person is the legendary Rod Laver. Laver won 200 career titles as a professional and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981. With 11 total grand slam championships, he was able to get his first calendar grand slam in 1962.

The second came seven years later in 1969. Along the way, Laver had some familiar opponents. The first calendar slam featured three victories over Roy Emerson and one over Martin Mulligan at Wimbledon. The second career slam, though, had Laver defeating a different opponent in each of the grand slam finals, which was capped off with a US Open victory over Tony Roche.

Margaret Court

Heading into the 1970s, Margaret Court had already accomplished the calendar grand slam twice, but she did it in mixed doubles competition. Court had teamed up with Ken Fletcher for her first and then three different partners (including Fletcher) for her second. In 1970, though, Court did it all on her own.

Court easily won the Australian Open in January 1970 by defeating Kerry Melville in two sets, then went on to defeat Helga Niessen at the French Open and the legendary Billie Jean King at Wimbledon in one of the greatest matches in women’s tennis, 14-12 and 11-9. Court finished the calendar slam with another tough test, defeating Rosie Casals in three sets at the US Open.

Steffi Graf

Despite the dominance of some of the eventual all-time greats in both men’s and women’s tennis, Steffi Graf is the only person to win a calendar grand slam since 1970, doing so in 1988. To put in perspective how hard it is to achieve the calendar slam, Graf won 22 grand slam titles but only did it all in a single year once.

Graf opened the 1988 grand slam calendar by defeating Chris Evert at the Australian Open, then defeated Natasha Zvereva at the French Open and Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon. With millions of people watching to see if Graf would make history at the US Open, she did just that by topping Gabriela Sabatini in three sets.

5 Longest Tennis Matches In Professional History

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One of the many great things about tennis is that you just never know when a match is going to end. Sometimes you can buy a ticket to a match that you think is going to go for a couple of hours and it’s done and over with after just 30 minutes. Then, there are matches that can take six hours or more, truly giving you your money’s worth.

It’s extremely rare for a match to start approaching the six-hour mark, though. Even more rare is seven hours, with only two matches in professional tennis history making it that far. Out of the marathon matches that tennis has seen, which ones are the longest? These five, which all happen to be at major tournaments, had fans sleeping in their seats due to the sheer time it took for a winner to be determined.

5. Fabrice Santoro vs. Arnaud Clement

The only match in the top five that didn’t take place at Wimbledon or the Davis Cup was a 6 hour 33 minute affair at the 2004 French Open between Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement.

In a match that took two separate days to complete, Santoro defeated Clement in five sets, taking that final set 16-14 in a tiebreaker. Santoro had won the first two sets, so the match could’ve been much, much shorter. Strangely enough, Santoro won his next match before falling in the third round to Olivier Mutis.

4. John Isner vs. Kevin Anderson

While the rest of the matches on the list were in the first round, the match between John Isner and Kevin Anderson was in the semifinal of a grand slam tournament. At Wimbledon 2018, Isner and Anderson came into the tournament as the ninth and eighth seeds, respectively. Isner had already played a lengthy Wimbledon match (more on that later), and this one with a chance at the finals on the line lasted for 6 hours and 36 minutes.

Anderson won the first set 7-6, with Isner taking the next two 6-7, 6-7. Anderson then forced a fifth set that he won 26-24 to clinch his finals spot. Anderson, however, ran into the buzzsaw that is Novak Djokovic and lost in straight sets.

3. Team Argentina vs. Team Brazil

The 2015 Davis Cup was full of surprises, which included unseeded Great Britain winning the finals. Before then, however, Brazil and Argentina played a first round match for the ages that lasted for 6 hours and 43 minutes. Leonardo Mayer represented Argentina and squared off against Brazil’s Joao Souza.

Mayer got off to a good start by winning the first two sets, but Souza answered with two set wins of his own. The winner was determined with a 15-13 tiebreaker in the final set, allowing Argentina to advance to the second round where they lost to Serbia.

2. Team Czech Republic vs. Team Switzerland

At the 2013 Davis Cup, the Czech Republic was one of the favorites as they were given the second seed behind only Spain. Spain suffered a massive upset in the first round against Canada, however, paving the way for the Czechs to take home the title. It wouldn’t be easy, though, as they also had their first round struggles.

Representing the Czech Republic were Tomas Berdych and Lukas Rosol, and they squared off against Team Switzerland which was represented by Stan Wawrinka and Marco Chiudinelli. After splitting the first four sets, Berdych and Rosol prevailed after 7 hours and 1 minute, winning the final set 24-22 and going on to beat Serbia in the finals.

1. John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut

John Isner seems to have a flair for the dramatic (and lengthy) as his match against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010 is not only his second appearance on the list, but it’s also the longest match in professional tennis history. Second place isn’t particularly close, either, as these two dueled for 11 hours and 5 minutes over the course of three days.

What made the match even more unique is that all of this was in the first round of the Wimbledon tournament, which caused a lot of scheduling issues for the subsequent rounds. Isner and Mahut went five matches, with Isner ending up on top due to the insane 70-68 final set which took 8 hours and 11 minutes. Isner was so tired that he lost in the second round in just 74 minutes to Thiemo de Bakker.

5 Birthday Ideas For Your Significant Other

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There are certain days of the year that you don’t want to forget, especially if you’re in a relationship. One of those days is your partner’s birthday. While they might say that their birthday isn’t a big deal, you can still make it feel like a big deal and turn it into a special day that they’ll remember forever.

If your loved one has a special birthday coming up and you’re not sure how to celebrate, there are tons of great ideas to pick from. From last-minute gifts to special projects that you can do at home, here are five birthday ideas for your significant other that will turn what they call “just another day” into one they’ll cherish for life.

Get a Personalized Book

These days, there are tons of sites online where you can get a personalized book made for your honey. It can be as intricate, or simple as you’d like. Show your significant other you care for them by using a personalized book to tell the story of your love. Some sites allow you to create characters that look like you and your lover as well. Then you can fill in the blanks, or even write a story all your own on the pages. It’s a sweet gift that will last over the years, yet never get old. 

Cook and Bake For Them

It doesn’t have to be a five-star, three-course meal. Or it can be. Whatever your skill level is, cooking or baking a delicious creation is a special way to show your significant other you love them and that you’re willing to put in the effort to woo them. The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach and feeding a loved one is such a nurturing and caring act. Even if you’re not the best chef or baker in the world, try out an easy recipe with step by step instructions, and don’t bite off more than you can chew. It’s the thought that counts. 

Take Them Somewhere Special

Every relationship has that one place that means a lot to the both of you and brings back fond memories every time you think of it. It could be the first place you laid eyes on each other, the location of your first date, where your significant other proposed, or maybe it’s a unique place you both fell in love with. Surprise them by setting up a date, or activity at a place you both love visiting. You could even make it an overnight stay and get away from the norm for a night or two to really enhance the romantic and loving experience.  

Tickets to a Show

If you know your partner well, you’ll know the kind of music they listen to, the comedians they enjoy, and their general interests. All throughout the year, a variety of venues host events big and small. Find one, or a few that they would be interested in and surprise them with tickets. Make sure to think ahead and clear both of your schedules for the event. It may be a tough secret to keep, but the joy on their face when you tell them you have tickets to their favorite show will make it worth it. 

Go To An Escape Room

If your significant other loves puzzles, high-energy environments, and thrills, an escape room would make for an awesome birthday. It’s something you both can do together and you can bring along friends too. Make a day, or night of it and book a few different places if you really want to create a lasting experience for your partner. It will make for some fun and interesting moments between you all that you won’t soon forget. Their birthday doesn’t have to be lavish, or heartfelt. Sometimes making fun memories with people you love is enough to make their special day even better. 

5 Birthday Ideas For Your Kids

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When you’re older, you might feel like your birthdays don’t matter all that much. For children, though, a birthday can be one of the biggest days of the year. That’s why, as parents, it’s also a big deal to make sure that a child’s birthday is a special day. However, it can be a bit difficult for parents to come up with ideas on how to celebrate a birthday.

If your little one has a birthday coming up, don’t worry! There are plenty of great ways to spend a child’s birthday. Here are five ideas for your kids, some of which can cost a bit of money, while others can be completely free. Get creative with these ideas and your child is sure to love their special day.

Arcade

What kid doesn’t love arcades? Bringing your child to the arcade for their birthday is an idea they’ll love. Whether you have their birthday party at the arcade itself or bring them and a few friends out for a fun birthday trip, they’ll have so much fun with all the variety arcades offer. 

It doubles as a fun activity for the parents as well. Unlike a lot of places you bring your kids to, arcades are fun for all ages and you can unleash your inner child. Some arcades may even offer sensory-friendly days for children who struggle in the typical arcade setting.

Scavenger Hunt

Everyone loves a scavenger hunt. The excitement you feel discovering and solving each clue, which leads you to another, then another, until you get to the final prize. Kids tend to love experiences more than the actual present, or prize itself. 

Creating a fun activity like a scavenger hunt gives children the chance to problem solve and build excitement, enjoying the fun along the way. You can make it a birthday party game and have all the kids play along, using party favors as clues and prizes. Or maybe use the scavenger hunt as a way for your child to find their gifts in a fun and exciting way. 

Sleepover Party

Sleepovers are a great way to keep the party going because sometimes you don’t want the party to end. Plan ahead and coordinate beforehand with the other parents to make it all run smoothly. 

Surely they’ll be more than happy to have a quiet night to themselves without the post-birthday party sugar high their kids will have. To make it more fun, have the kids arrive in their pajamas and indulge in classic sleepover activities to keep the kiddos entertained. 

Do Whatever They Want For The Day

Kids don’t often get much of a say in what they get to wear, what they eat, where they go, and what they’re allowed to do.  Their lives are often set in routine and drawn out for them, because, well, they’re kids. 

Doing whatever they want for a day, within reason, is an idea kids really ought to enjoy. It gives children the feeling of freedom, excitement, and as if they’re in charge for once. You’ll have to keep an open mind and let loose to truly allow them to have as much fun and freedom as possible for their special day. Of course, set some boundaries, but otherwise, let them lead the way. 

Bring Them to a Petting Zoo or Aquarium

Oftentimes children relentlessly ask their parents for a pet. Sometimes the household, or child may not be ready for an adorable new family member just yet. 

One way to give your child a memorable birthday is to give them a closer look at some of the animals they love and adore. It’s a wonderful way to give your child the experience of being around animals, without having to take on the responsibility of having a pet at home. 

Ranking The 5 Michigan College Football Stadiums

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Michiganders love their football, and even more so, arguing about football. There are five universities that are in the FBS division of college football, and all of them are rivals with one another. These five schools are also proud of their stadiums, especially with a certain school in Ann Arbor boasting about its maximum capacity.

When looking at all five of the FBS stadiums in Michigan, how do they stack up against one another? Though some people would disagree, a majority would be willing to admit that the five belong in this particular order.

5. Rynearson Stadium (Eastern Michigan University)

Rynearson Stadium is located in the northern part of EMU’s campus in Ypsilanti, which opened for the first time in September 1969. Since then, there have been a pair of expansions, but the stadium is lacking in upgrades compared to its counterparts, even in the Mid-American Conference. 

Though the stadium itself seats over 30,000 people, Rynearson Stadium has yet to have more than 87 percent of its seats sold for a single game. Many college football fans feel that Rynearson needs a serious facelift to draw in a crowd, with many citing the track that surrounds the field as one of the biggest eyesores.

4. Waldo Stadium (Western Michigan University)

There’s a big jump from number five to number four as many consider Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo to be a perfectly fine venue for football. With a cost of just over $4 million when adjusted to today’s money, Waldo has been open since 1939 and has seen a capacity number jump from 15,000 to its current 30,200.

There have been instances in which Waldo Stadium has gone well over capacity, including a 2000 matchup against Indiana State that drew in over 36,000 people. Of course, Waldo does have one tiny problem due to its elevation. No other part of Kalamazoo is lower than Waldo Stadium, which can result in easy flooding.

3. Kelly/Shorts Stadium (Central Michigan University)

There was once a time when Kelly/Shorts Stadium was lower on the list, but due to upgrades both during and after the Brian Kelly era, the Chippewas’ home stadium in Mount Pleasant climbs up to number three. Opened in 1972, the capacity has increased from 20,000 to over 30,000, breaking the attendance record in 2012 with 35,127 against Michigan State.

The stadium has seen a lot of new amenities added over the years, including new team facilities in the end zones and permanent lighting that make it stand out. Of the three MAC schools in Michigan, CMU’s football stadium stands out as the top.

2. Spartan Stadium (Michigan State University)

Originally named College Field when it first opened up in 1923, Spartan Stadium has seen a lot of changes over the years. This includes massive expansions and renovations, two of which have taken place since 2005. Spartan Stadium’s capacity has increased to over 80,400 during its history and has been home to some of the most memorable games in the state.

The updated press box and luxury suites are a sight to behold, and the seating arrangement makes Spartan Stadium a true home advantage for the boys from East Lansing. The new bells and whistles at Spartan Stadium haven’t gone unnoticed, and it’s only expected to get better as the Big Ten Conference revenue increases.

1. Michigan Stadium (University of Michigan)

We mentioned it earlier, and of course “The Big House” has to be tops in the state due to its size and history alone. Opened in Ann Arbor in 1927 with a capacity of 72,000, Michigan Stadium has undergone a lot of changes that have increased that capacity to 107,601. The record attendance was set against Notre Dame in 2013 with over 115,100 people in the stadium.

Michigan Stadium was built with the idea of potentially needing 150,000 seats, and that may one day be realized. The stadium is built into the ground and is unassuming for fans from the outside, and feels like its own large city when you’ve passed through the gates.

5 Best Places to Live in Michigan

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The great state of Michigan has some of the proudest residents, and for good reason. The state that we call home has something for everybody, from big cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids all the way down to the small towns surrounded by beautiful lakes and everything in between. While Michiganders will tell you there’s no bad place to live, there are some that truly stand out as being great.

When narrowing it down to just a handful of cities, which ones in Michigan are the best? Here are the top five that have people moving from across the country to start a family, get a nice house, and find a new career.

5. Midland

Midland comes from humble beginnings with a population that was only around 8,000 in 1930 and increased nearly five times over in the next 40 years. While the population has remained steady since 1970, the city has had more life brought to it throughout the decades. Midland is home to Dow Chemical Company, which was instrumental in putting the city on the map.

Midland is a nice blend of both rural areas with white-collar suburbia all in one package. You can own a great home while working a six-figure job without having to worry about heavy traffic. Midland has plenty of natural beauty and is only a short drive away from Central Michigan University.

4. Okemos

Located just minutes from the state capital of Lansing, Okemos is a small suburb of just over 20,000 people that was founded in 1839. Okemos got its start by being a farming area, though it has grown into the finest Lansing suburb.

Okemos has a lot of the same rural-suburban blended charm as Midland, all while being closer to more sizeable areas. Okemos has some of the finest public schools in the state and is a great place to start a family. The low crime rate is an added bonus, though the housing prices may make Okemos inaccessible for a lot of people.

3. East Grand Rapids

Naturally, East Grand Rapids (or EGR for short) is a suburb of Michigan’s second-largest city, Grand Rapids. Founded in 1891 as a village and in 1926 as a city, EGR has a population of just over 11,000. Much of the city’s area is water, comprising of Reeds Lake and Fisk Lake.

East Grand Rapids has a lot of the city charm that Grand Rapids has while giving it a more suburban small-town feel with a lot of natural beauty. EGR, like Okemos, has a tremendous public school system that makes it an ideal spot for families. There’s no shortage of things to do in the town, either.

2. Birmingham

The closest city on the list to Detroit is Birmingham, which is part of the Woodward Corridor and was established as a city in 1932. Birmingham has a population of over 21,000, which is actually lower than it was in 1960, but the city overall has seen a lot of growth.

Birmingham is among the most expensive places to live in the state of Michigan, but there’s a reason for that. Birmingham has some of the lowest crime rates and best schools in the country, not just in the state of Michigan. It’s a short trip to many notable venues in the Detroit area and offers great nightlife that some of the smaller cities on the list don’t. 

1. Ann Arbor

The largest city by far on the list, Ann Arbor has a population of over 120,000 thanks to it being the home to the University of Michigan. On top of having one of the most prestigious universities in the country, Ann Arbor has been designated as one of America’s best cities to live.

Ann Arbor is certainly a city that was built with pedestrians in mind, which makes it a great destination for people from all walks of life. Ann Arbor is one of the more diverse cities in Michigan and boasts great schools, low crime, and an endless list of things to do at all times of the day. 

5 Best Lifestyle Gadgets For Under $20

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All of us want to save money every day, but we’re not quite sure how when we’re at the store. Sometimes we see a new gadget that we could use in our household, but it could end up costing well over $100. Thankfully, there are some nifty lifestyle gadgets that won’t break the bank. Even if you think you don’t need any of these gadgets, they could make the perfect gift for holidays, birthdays, or just for fun occasions.

Check out these five best lifestyle gadgets that cost less than $20. Some are practical, some are and some are just downright fun. You can pick these up at local retailers or shop online adding convenience to your savings.

Bidet

Bidets have been around for quite some time, but haven’t really made their way into the average household up until the recent pandemic. Since 2020 bidet sales have been on the rise and are quickly becoming a popular household tool used in place of toilet paper, or as an aid to reduce toilet paper use. 

They come in handy when paper products are difficult to come by, they’re more environmentally friendly and do a better job of cleaning those hard to reach places. You can get one yourself from a range of prices, but most standard bidets cost less than $20. 

Rapid Egg Cooker

For around $16-$20, you can get yourself the Dash rapid egg cooker that does exactly what you think it does. It’s a fun little gadget that any egg-loving household should have. You place the eggs into the machine and it does all of the work for you. 

It takes hardly any time for the rapid egg cooker to do its thing, even less time than it takes to boil the water you’d normally use to cook the eggs in. The product has an automatic shut-off feature to prevent overcooking of the eggs and delivers a perfectly cooked egg every time. 

Flashlight Gloves

Another curious, yet incredibly useful product created by Rick L. Ziemer is the gloves that are equipped with LED flashlights located on the top of the hand and the fingertips. What do you do when you’re out shoveling a cold, dark day, or night and you can’t juggle a phone, or flashlight while holding the shovel? 

What about when you’re out for a chilly stroll and want to ensure nearby vehicles know you’re there? For those situations and more, these gloves are sure to literally come in very handy. They’re around $16 on Amazon. 

Toilet Bowl LED Light – Illumibowl

One cool product we all need in our lives is a toilet bowl LED light. Who would have thought? Matt Alexander and Michael Kannely did. They came up with the innovative product in 2014 and it’s been a strange, but welcome addition to many homes since then. So what exactly is this intriguing invention? 

The Illumibowl is a small LED light that attaches to the inside rim of the toilet bowl and has a variety of colors to choose from. It’s a surprisingly useful tool for those who constantly wake in the middle of the night and want to go to the bathroom without stubbing their toe and bumping into things. 

Cleaning Putty

For as little as $3 you can get yourself a fun, easy, and safe way to clean hard-to-reach messes in your car, on your keyboard, and other electronics. The cleaning gel, or putty is a simple product, but it works. It uses its sticky, but mess-free texture to grab hold of pesky little crumb and dust that is nearly impossible to get out of those difficult places. It’s a safe way to clean electronics without the use of chemicals and liquids as well.