i got married a few weeks ago and made an appointment to change my last name with social security…read more i had the quickest and most easiest experiences ever as i have never been to the social security office. heck, i didn't even know we had not just one but two locations here in grand rapids! i was able to easily set up an appointment online and got texts and emails confirming/reminding me of my appointment. when i got there i was able to check in on my phone and got a text when it was my turn. literally was in and out of there in 5 minutes! loved how quick they got me in and out and how friendly the clerk was. this process was a lot less intimidating than i assumed it would be and hopefully my next experience here is just as pleasant. i also love how this location is close to the movies, shopping, and food so once you're done taking care of business you can go about your day right away!

Went in on a Tuesday after a holiday weekend around 215pm. I had filled out information online…read moreprior to change my last name. There were quite a few people in the waiting room so I thought it would take forever without an appointment. There are 2 ways to sign in- a QR code or a touch screen computer. You can watch your number on one of the TV screens. They typically call number but sometimes it was by name. There are 2 halls and 1 main area that you could go to- signs are on the walls to help. I was called at 240pm. The gentleman that helped me (Desk B) was quick and I left within 5 minutes.

I either go to this library or the Comstock Park Kent District library on Alpine Ave, but this one…read moreis significantly larger than the one on Alpine. I've come here to browse for books and to study/do homework. It is quiet and there are plenty of seating options. I wish electrical outlets were a little more prevalent, but for the most part it is conducive for studying and connecting to the Wifi. I have also used the printer services here which has been very convenient; I can send a document to the library either by uploading online or emailing it, and the printer stores the order under your library card number to pull up once you arrive at the library. I also just placed a book on hold 2 days ago, and the next day I received an email that it was ready for pick up. I have had a positive experience thus far with this library and its staff!

honestly this library makes me sad. we loved going here because of all the options for kids to…read moreplay, but it's gotten bad over the last few months. the workers try and parent your own kids for you and are so picky about kids being kids. they can't move around freely and be kids without someone working here having something to say. everyone always looks sad and miserable to be here and it's always an uncomfortable vibe when we walk in. it's close and accessible so i love that aspect, but the only welcoming people seem to be the ones who sit at the front desk. it could be a lot more friendly in terms of how they interact with the kids. i'm not saying kids don't need boundaries because they do, but they micromanage your own kids and it's inappropriate

I needed to renew my drivers license, and I do appreciate that you can usually do this online now,…read morebut I wanted to go in and actually get my photo re-taken. I was kind of preparing myself for the worst, since I feel like you always hear horror stories about SOS offices. I made an appointment online for my preferred location on Plainfield. They had a lot of times available so I was able to get in the next day. I arrived just around my appointment time (the confirmation email specifically stated that I did not have to arrive early) and an employee checked me in. I brought a book thinking I'd have to sit and wait, but I was seen shortly after my appointment time after standing in line. The employee who helped me was super funny, personable, and seemed really happy, which has not always been my experience at any SOS office. That was refreshing and I really liked chatting with her. I wish I had gotten her name because she was so great. I got my photo taken quickly and then I was on my way. Can't ask for a much better visit!

Made an online appt to renew my drivers license. It was quick and easy. I was in and out of their…read moreoffice in under 10 minutes.

This post office is terrible. The staff treats customers as if we should be aware of ALL shipping…read morerequirements, know where packaging material within the lobby is, and basically just shouldn't have any questions at all. As if we are the ones who work there every day. They are rude and condescending. I try to get as much information as I can online before I go here, to try and reduce how rude whoever is working at the desk will be. Basically unless you have a pre-printed, pre-paid label and have everything packed up and ready to go it's not going to be an easy time. One time I needed to tape a package shut. I know I've done that at other post offices before and it's never been an issue. The man behind the counter was so rude. I can understand if that's not something they do, or if they aren't able to tape things for customers, but there was absolutely no reason to be rude about it. In that instance I ended up going home, taping the package, and going back later. It's not the first time I've gone home to fix or change something to avoid having to pay more there. Bring your own tape. Bring your own scissors. Bring your own pens. There was one employee who was very pleasant, but I haven't seen her there in a long time. Which is unfortunate since every other employee I've had to interact with seems to be on a mission to make peoples' lives more difficult. Go to a different location if you can. The folks working in the downtown Rockford location are much more pleasant.

We applied to get a passport for our child at this post office. They did not sign the form, so we…read morehad to return another day, again taking time off from work. This time, the man was passive aggressive, and did not want to sign the form in front of us. It was only after we insisted that we witness his signature, that he signed. It's so frustrating that they made a mistake and instead of apologizing, acted like it was our fault and refused to correct the mistake. No wonder the post office is failing.

Great break out rooms to study! Near some cool places to eat and parking was super easy!read more

As a former librarian, I have a deep love for libraries that started when I was a kid. There are…read moretwo library systems in the Grand Rapids area: Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL), and Kent District Library (KDL). GRPL is my home library system, which covers the city of Grand Rapids. KDL's service area is anything outside of GR proper, including Byron Township, Caledonia, East Grand Rapids, Plainfield Township, Wyoming, etc. Library cards are free to residents with proof of current address. GRPL no longer charges fines on late materials, which is amazing and a great step for accessibility for the library. (If you lose or damage items, you still have to pay to replace them.) The main branch of GRPL is housed in the beautiful Ryerson building, which was originally built in 1902. The limestone exterior and Italian carrara marble steps give the building a historically regal look. The interior has been updated and added on to over the years, but it's always fun to find old touches inside the building. Multiple floors make up the main branch, so it can be an adventure to find things. Just ask a friendly librarian or staff person and they can direct you where you need to go if you're in a hurry. Self checkout stations are located on the main floor right inside the entrance, and new books are located nearby. The library houses an amazing collection of books, vinyl records, DVDs, CDs, used books for sale, a great local history collection, computers for internet access and library catalog searching, and more. They host many community events and lectures throughout the year. There is a designated parking lot for the main branch. The first two hours of parking is free - just get your ticket validated on the main floor. Parking rates are $1.10 per half hour during the week, free on weekends and for library events. I love spending time at the main branch and try to get there at least once a month, as the selection is huge and I can always find something great to check out when I'm there.

My house and garage were searched thoroughly. Nothing was broken. Things that were on top of…read moreother things were gently laid aside. They protected my privacy. They brought me socks and shoes. They brought me 2 monsters and a mc chicken. They responded to every question. Very professional!

I recently watched they're show on ID network. The first thing that jumped out were the defaced…read moreflags. What happened to the flag protection act of 1989? I also thought it was extremely over done with the amount of cops that showed up for a guy with mental illness and his weapon was a lighter. I think it would be interesting to know how many tax dollars were used to pay all those officers in swat gear for that call? ​

This branch of Kent District Library (KDL) is tiny and is housed in the same building as the Alpine…read moreTownship hall. Nate and I recently visited for their event to meet some sled dogs! It was such a fun experience being able to learn about them and give them some pets in the parking lot. Once we were finished we went inside to warm up and check out the library. Again, it's very tiny, but full of wonderful displays, books, activites, and a nice spot for the community to get their library fix. I chatted with one of the employees who was so friendly and kind. They have computers for internet access, copier, printing, and wifi.

I get all my books from here the staff is very kind and friendly and they have clubs for teens and…read morethey always have the books your looking for at least in my experience!

This is a perfect mid size Midwest city. There are a ton of great restaurants, breweries, and…read morethings to do for all types of people. Do you like the outdoors? Check out all of the park and gardens, including the Meijer Gardens. One of the best sculpture gardens I have ever been to. There is also a river walk which is nice. This town has a lot of college opportunities as well. It has multiple satellite campuses as well as Grand Valley. Ferris, MSU, Western, and more are all represented here There are a ton of places to eat. We found quite a few that I wrote reviews on. Highly recommended to come here. A little of something for everyone.

Great beer and great art Cheers Beer City USA!…read moreI'm a Brewsader I had been wanting to get to Grand Rapids to visit for probably ten or more years now. It is the long reigning Beer City USA. Founders is the most well known of their breweries and lived up to the hype. I also really enjoyed City Built which is just north of Downtown, Two Guys to the South, and Perrin to the North. Lots of public murals and I have heard nothing but great things about their annual Artprize event every fall. Although I did not partake, there is a free public bus that does loops around the Downtown area (I guess they call it Center City there). The metro population checks in at a little over a million which is not that much smaller than Buffalo or New Orleans. Not quite big enough for any pro sports teams yet. If you decide to go there for the beer like me, make sure to download the BeerCity Brewsader app on your phone. Check into eight different breweries and score a sweet T-shirt which you now pick up at Founders. Hope I make it back to Grand Rapids at some point in the future!