A few years back, my wife and I were looking to move back to the Midwest to be closer to her family in Fort Wayne. We were living in Pennsylvania at the time while I wrapped up my doctorate at Penn State, so when an opportunity opened up at Spring Arbor University (see image above, Photo Credit: Spring Arbor University), we jumped at the chance to move here.
As we explored the area looking for a place to live, we decided fairly quickly that we wanted to put down roots in Jackson. We got the sense that the city was rebounding in an exciting way, and we wanted to be a part of that renewal. We became first-time homeowners when we purchased an adorable, hundred year-old house in the Queens neighborhood five minutes away from Spring Arbor’s Downtown Jackson location. Then we set out to get to know our new city and make ourselves at home here.
We quickly came to love so many things about the greater Jackson area. Although I could talk at length about why I enjoy living here, here’s our -
Top Five Favorite Places to go in Jackson, Michigan
1. Church
After a few months of searching for a church home, we landed at First Church of the Nazarene (JaxNaz). We love the teaching and worship there, and we’ve made great friends through our small group.
2. Spring Arbor University athletic events
We love attending games at SAU, particularly soccer and volleyball. Not many small Christian colleges can boast a national championship women’s soccer team, after all!
3. Local Restaurants
Whether it’s deep dish pizza at Klavon’s, a bacon jam burger at Grand River Brewery, wood-fired pizza at Slice of Spice, or brunch at City Crepes, we love the local fare.
4. Hinkley Bakery
Yes, this is technically a restaurant I suppose, but their donut holes are so delicious that they deserve their own category. Driving past their shop on my way to work may be the most challenging part of my day.
5. Parks
Whether it’s an early-morning jog around Sparks Park (AKA The Cascades) or playing Frisbee at Ella Sharp, we love getting into the outdoors here in Jackson.
Although this short list does not do justice to all the good things happening in the Jackson area, it does capture a bit of why we love the place and call it home. Check it out!
Author Bio: Josh Wymore is the Executive Director of Spring Arbor University’s South Region. When he and his wife Emily are not enjoying one of the 5 things above, they’re probably watching college football or reading books from the Downtown Jackson Library (favorite spot #6, if you’re counting).
Posted Otober 6th, 2017