Essentials
- City
- Traverse City, Michigan, United States
- Population
- 15,800 (City), 155,000 (Metropolitan Area)
- Internet Speed
- High speed available, 100-500 Mbps via Spectrum or AT&T Fiber
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD); Major banks include Chase and Huntington Bank
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, high quality from Lake Michigan source
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile; local shops on US-31
- Banking for Expats
- Credit cards accepted everywhere; Wise or Revolut for international
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Hotel Indigo, various beachfront resorts
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, nearly 100% card/tap acceptance
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, or furnished Monthly rentals via Zillow
- Budget Accommodation
- Travelodge by Wyndham ($90–$130/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Downtown or East Bay Beach District
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Slabtown or Old Mission (quieter, residential)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- 20Fathoms (101 N Park St, $25/day pass)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Mundo Roast (720 W Front St) or Higher Grounds Trading Co
- Networking Events
- Traverse Connect monthly mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- TC Newcomers & Neighbors Club
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Lyft are both operational
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- McLain Cycle & Fitness ($40/day for high-end bikes)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Clinch Park Beach (Downtown) or Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Top Regional Airline
- American Eagle, Delta Connection (TVC Airport)
- Top International Airline
- United (via Chicago O'Hare connection)
- Highway Access
- US-31 North/South and M-72 East/West
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- BATA (Bay Area Transportation Authority) Hall St Transfer Station
- Public Transport Passes
- BATA Day Pass ($3.00)
- Regional Travel
- Indian Trails Bus lines to Grand Rapids or Detroit
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Munson Medical Center (1105 Sixth St)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yen Yoga & Fitness (Frontend St. location)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Grand Traverse Bay YMCA ($15 day pass)
- Laundry Services
- Standardized Cleaners (100+ years in business)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash and Grubhub
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cherries (in any form) or Whitefish from Lake Michigan
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Rad.ish Street Food (inside Stone Hound Brewery)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Grand Traverse Pie Company (various locations)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Meijer (3900 US-31 S)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.com, Walmart.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Shipt or Instacart
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Front Street (Downtown)
- Local Brewery
- Right Brain Brewery (1600 Boardman Ave)
- Wine Bars
- The Workshop Brewing Company or Left Foot Charley
- Street Food Stalls
- The Little Fleet (Food truck lot on E Front St)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Spanglish (Mexican) or Georgina’s (Asian-Latin fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (30 mins away)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Dennos Museum Center
- Historical Sites
- Village at Grand Traverse Commons (Former State Hospital)
- Religious Sites
- Grace Episcopal Church, various Christian denominations
- Annual Events
- National Cherry Festival (July)
- Cultural Districts
- The Warehouse District
- Theater Venues
- Old Town Playhouse or City Opera House
- Local Markets
- Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market (Sat/Wed)
- Music Scene
- Interlochen Center for the Arts (nearby venue)
- Street Art
- Front Street Mural and Downtown Alleys
- Cooking Classes
- Fustini's Oils & Vinegars
- Local Heritage
- Odawa and Ojibwe Native American heritage
- Art Galleries
- Crooked Tree Arts Center
- Historic Buildings
- The Park Place Hotel
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Boardman River Valley Nature Preserve
- National Parks Nearby
- Isle Royale National Park (reachable by ferry/plane)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- TART Trails (25+ miles of paved trails)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Inspiration Point on M-22
- Birdwatching Locations
- Common Coast Research & Conservation spots
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Many local RV parks or private Airbnb beachfronts
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- FedEx Office Ship Center (121 E Front St)
- Tech Repair Services
- LifeCycle Computers
- Table Tennis Spots
- The Coin Slot (Arcade and Bar)
- Language Classes
- Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) community classes
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Traverse Area District Library (Woodmere Ave)
- Community Centers
- Grand Traverse County Parks & Recreation
- Gaming Lounges
- The Coin Slot
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel (Williamsburg)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $220,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $152,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $312,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $210,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $384,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% Federal + 6% Michigan Corporate Income Tax
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Generally 0-20% depending on income bracket (Federal)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for US Citizens; Resident Aliens taxed on US income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% Federal + 4.25% Michigan flat tax
- VAT
- No VAT; 6% Michigan Sales Tax
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict GILTI and Subpart F rules
- Property Tax
- Yes, roughly 1.5% of assessed value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax approx. $8.60 per $1,000 of purchase price
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No, US citizens taxed regardless of location; state tax applies if resident