Flint, like many cities across the country, is in comeback mode. Once one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, it later faced the twin challenges of the automotive industry collapse and the water crisis. However, what matters most is where the city stands today.

The answer is nuanced. As many realtors say, Flint has "great bones." Its housing stock could make coastal buyers envious, it boasts an arts scene rivaling cities twice its size, and Genesee County offers outdoor experiences that reflect the natural beauty of the Great Lakes State.

That said, the city still grapples with significant challenges, including a reputation problem. If you're looking to flip houses, Flint may not be for you. The timeline for resolving its deeper issues—both real and reputational—is uncertain.

However, Flint presents a unique economic opportunity if you have patience. The quality of its homes compared to their low prices is unmatched. If you're interested in owning a home in a city with great amenities, substantial potential, and ambitious plans for improvement—especially downtown—Flint is worth a closer look.


Patience

LookyLOO Review of Flint

Considering what Flint has suffered through and its reputation as a result, the city offers a ridiculous availability of cultural institutions, arts scene, and outdoor parks and nature preserves. It also has a fiercely loyal local population that embraces local community initiatives, farmer's markets, the music scene, and more.

**Cultural Scene Opportunities**

[**The Flint Institute of Arts (FIA)**](https://flintarts.org/) is one of Michigan's largest art museums and a cultural cornerstone in Flint. It features rotating exhibits from contemporary to classical art, a vast permanent collection, and hands-on workshops and art classes.

[**The Whiting Auditorium**](https://thefim.org/whiting-auditorium/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiArby5BhCDARIsAIJvjIR1w0mmQykmvFd5qOacN5cH44aLrzgyb62G9VnNThmbsnl2JbMG0S0aApAJEALw_wcB) is the city's premier performing arts venue, hosting everything from Broadway shows to concerts and symphony performances. It's part of the Flint Cultural Center campus, which makes it easy to hit up other cultural spots nearby.

[**Flint Symphony Orchestra**](https://thefim.org/fso/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiArby5BhCDARIsAIJvjIR059jk1JgcH_71mcH9Qky0FmP5Gbn6R3upbAnziFmJyc_ytu--KP8aArGQEALw_wcB)
Led by world-class conductors, the Flint Symphony Orchestra offers classical music performances throughout the year. It is known for both its high-caliber musicianship and its accessibility, offering affordable performances to the community.

[**Flint Institute of Music**](https://thefim.org/)
Home to the Flint Symphony Orchestra, the Flint Institute of Music (FIM) also offers educational programs in music, dance, and theater, serving people of all ages with high-quality arts instruction.

[**Sloan Museum of Discovery**](https://sloanlongway.org/)
This museum offers an engaging blend of history, science, and technology, with exhibits focusing on Flint's automotive history and broader Michigan heritage. Works for families and kids of all ages. 

[**Capitol Theatre**](https://thefim.org/capitol-theatre)
Originally built in 1928, this historic theatre has been beautifully restored and now hosts live music, comedy shows, films, and various other performances. It’s the cultural landmark for the city’s entertainment scene.

**Outdoor Experiences**

[**Stepping Stone Falls & Thread Lake Park**](https://geneseecountyparks.org/stepping-stone-falls-picnic-area/)
Located on the Flint River, Stepping Stone Falls is a beautiful spot with walking trails, picnic areas, and peaceful water views. Nearby Thread Lake Park also offers kayaking, fishing, and walking paths, perfect for nature lovers looking to unwind close to the city.

[**For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum**](https://geneseecountyparks.org/for-mar-nature-preserve-arboretum-2/)
This 383-acre nature preserve offers hiking trails, educational programs, and a serene setting to explore flora and fauna native to Michigan. Check it out if you're into eco-tourism, nature hikes, or family-friendly outdoor play.

[**Bluebell Beach**](https://geneseecountyparks.org/bluebell-beach-flint-river-bike-path/)
Situated along Mott Lake, Bluebell Beach is a hugely popular destination in warmer months for swimming, picnicking, and family outings. It also connects to the Flint River Bike Trail, providing an excellent route for cyclists and runners.

[**Flint River Trail**](https://mitrails.org/flint-river-trail.php)
This scenic trail follows the Flint River and is well-used by cyclists, runners, and slow walkers. The views are beautiful and it connects some of the city's major parks, making it a great option for those who are looking for a long walk or ride.

[**Flint Farmers' Market**](https://www.flintfarmersmarket.com/)
Located downtown, the Flint Farmers' Market is a hub of activity year-round. It offers fresh local produce, artisan goods, and tons of different boutique food vendors. The market also serves as a social center for the community, hosting events, cooking classes, and local artists.









Lifestyle

The [**Flint Community School**](https://www.flintschools.org/) system is where Flint has the most progress to make. It rates a [**"D" grade on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/flint-public-schools-mi/) but it is working hard to improve performance through magnet and charter schools. 

These emerging magnet and charter school options include:

-[**Gateway to College-Mott Community College**](https://www.mcc.edu/gateway/index.shtml) is a public, magnet, alternative high school that is part of a national network of Gateway to College schools. It [**rates higher on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/gateway-to-college-mott-community-college-flint-mi/?map) than other local options in areas like Administration, Clubs & Activities, and College Prep. 
-[**Southwestern Classical Academy**](https://swa.flintschools.org/) is another public magnet option in Flint. It [**rates higher than other area schools**](https://www.niche.com/k12/southwestern-classical-academy-flint-mi/?map) in Teacher quality and Diversity. 

Schools

Flint is working hard to transition to a more diversified economy, though the effects of deindustrialization linger. Major sectors showing sustained or growth signals include:

-Healthcare
-Education
-Government
-Small manufacturing
-Retail and services

Major employers in Flint and the surrounding area include: 

-**General Motors (GM)**: shocking but yes, GM still has a plant in Flint. 

-**McLaren Health Care**: McLaren is a significant player in the healthcare industry, and its Flint-based hospital, McLaren Flint, is a major employer. 

-**Hurley Medical Center**: Another important healthcare institution, Hurley Medical Center, serves as a critical trauma center and teaching hospital in the region.

-**Kettering University**: Formerly known as the General Motors Institute, Kettering University is a prominent engineering and business university with strong ties to the automotive industry.

-**University of Michigan-Flint**: The regional campus of the University of Michigan.

-**Mott Community College**: Has ~6,000 students and 500 employees. On the rise as more college-age students opt for junior college and work. 

New locals are in many cases WFH'ers looking to take advantage of the low housing prices and robust cultural scene. You also get long-distance commuters who make the hour+ drive to Detroit or surrounding suburbs for work (in most cases not 5 days a week). 

There has been a big push for entrepreneurial and small business growth, particularly in downtown Flint, with restaurants, shops, and startups playing a part in the city's emerging economic recovery. Groups like the Mott Foundation are offering grants for downtown renovation and business development. 

Worklife

**jlarnold**
Living in Flint
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I think Flint can be an excellent place to live, but we have many challenges. I love living here and previously lived in Philadelphia for 3 years. While we have many challenges, there's also been a tremendous amount of new development in the last few years. DannyDeadhack explains a lot about Flint well.

As someone who loves walking, biking, and taking public transit rather than driving, Flint is about the only place here locally where that lifestyle is even feasible.

Like any city, it depends on what neighborhood you are in and what your needs are. But the city has seen and continues to see a tremendous amount of new investment. Happy to provide recommendations!

For more reviews of what living in Flint is like from locals check out: [The Reviews](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/flint/reviews).




Reviews of Flint from Locals

Flint

**Anonymous**
Living in Flint
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

There's a legitimate housing shortage for the first time here that I can ever remember. Sure there is a surplus of blighted, unusable housing, but there is a severe shortage of quality/safe housing right now. Every time a new, more dense development goes in near downtown, they reach capacity very quickly.

Development never happens in every neighborhood all at once, it's a slow process that takes time. People who expect Flint to change over night or even within a few years, aren't realistic.

That being said, growing neighborhoods right now:

Grand Traverse District (Immediately west of Downtown)

Carriage Town (Immediately northwest of Downtown)

Central Park (Immediately east of Downtown)

Established Neighborhoods with minimal "issues":

Mott Park

College Cultural

Woodcroft (South of Miller Rd, east of Ballenger Highway, west of Hammerberg)

Ignore everything anyone from the suburbs says about Flint. They're a few generations removed from white flight and every old-timer who grew up in the City of Flint has a weird ass chip on their shoulder about the city. They then trained their kids and grandkids to be terrified of the city, and they do nothing but trash it.

**jlarnold**
Living in Flint
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I think Flint can be an excellent place to live, but we have many challenges. I love living here and previously lived in Philadelphia for 3 years. While we have many challenges, there's also been a tremendous amount of new development in the last few years. DannyDeadhack explains a lot about Flint well.

As someone who loves walking, biking, and taking public transit rather than driving, Flint is about the only place here locally where that lifestyle is even feasible.

Like any city, it depends on what neighborhood you are in and what your needs are. But the city has seen and continues to see a tremendous amount of new investment. Happy to provide recommendations!

**weezulusmaximus**
Living in Flint
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Welcome! Flint definitely still has some problems but there are still a lot of people that love the city and are doing their part to make it better. While the schools aren’t great there is school of choice if you’ve got a way to transport your kid to and from. I’m in Grand Blanc, about 15-20 minutes from Flint. In my experience the schools here are great. My kid is only 6 so is still in elementary school. We’ve been very impressed with his teachers and the staff at his school. I can’t speak to what middle or high school is like here though. Congrats on breaking free from the west coast. I spent 20 years living in CA and it’s exhausting just working to exist out there. I think you’ll enjoy a much slower pace of life here.

**Menty810**
Living in Flint
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Welcome to Flint!!! I've lived in Florida, New York and D.C. before moving here (my husband is native to Flint) in 2018. I.LOVE.IT. 💞

While the pay in the City of Flint is lower than the surrounding areas...the cost of living is 🤌🏾 to me. There is NO traffic, and our property taxes are way lower than what we were paying in D.C. We don't have kids, so I can't t help you there, but I love the slower pace (for now). Downtown Flint is okay - I wish we could get a Trader Joe's or World Market. The only drawback personally are the limited flights out of Bishop Airport. Everything else I can deal with.

Michigan is a well kept secret...while folks keep yelling the water crisis that don't live here. We're enjoying our better quality of life and financially saving a lot more. 😉

All the best to you & your family!!

Flint, Michigan

Don't Call it a Comeback

Looklyloo Score: 80