If you’ve ever borrowed a ladder from the guy down the street, had a snow-blower brigade show up unannounced, or found your lost dog because someone posted about it five minutes after spotting it, you know this city runs on neighborliness.
So when Nextdoor released its 2026 list of the “Friendliest Neighborhoods” in Grand Rapids, we were curious. Flattered, even.
According to the social platform—which says it’s used by more than 100 million neighbors nationwide—the rankings are based on how residents interact with one another online. Think: helpful replies, welcome posts, free-item sharing, local business recommendations, and general digital goodwill.
And the winner is… Kentwood.
Yes, Kentwood.
Which brings us to a small but important geographic footnote: Kentwood is its own city. Not a neighborhood. A whole municipality with its own mayor, services, and ZIP codes. We love Kentwood. Truly. But calling it a Grand Rapids neighborhood is a bit like referring to East Grand Rapids as a cul-de-sac off Wealthy Street. (Friendly? Sure. Accurate? Not quite.)
That said, here’s the full top five as reported by Nextdoor:
Kentwood
Alger Heights
Creston
Remembrance / Blandford
SWAN (Southwest Area Neighbors)
Unlike Kentwood, neighborhoods such as Alger Heights and Creston do, in fact, carry Grand Rapids addresses—and strong identities to match. Alger Heights has its walkable business district and storybook Tudors. Creston offers front-porch charm and a fiercely loyal following. Remembrance/Blandford boasts proximity to green space and the city’s northwest side calm. SWAN—an acronym for the Southwest Area Neighborhoods—has long been a cornerstone of community advocacy and cultural vibrancy.
So how did Nextdoor decide who’s nicest?
The company created a “Friendliness Score,” an index in which one local area earns a top score of 100, and others are ranked in relation to it. Factors include:
The tone of posts (positive vs. negative)
Whether neighbors fulfill requests for help or recommendations
Expressions of neighborhood pride (or dissatisfaction)
The number of free items shared
Welcome posts that receive responses
Residents promoting local businesses
In other words, friendliness—at least in this ranking—is measured in clicks, comments, and couches listed for free.
“When people are considering where to live in Grand Rapids, they want to know more than just the statistics—they want to understand what it’s really like to be part of that community,” said Kelsey Grady, Chief Communications Officer at Nextdoor, in the company’s announcement. The idea is that digital interactions can offer a window into real-world connection.
Maybe they can. After all, many of us first meet our neighbors these days through a screen—asking for contractor recommendations, tracking down a package delivered to the wrong porch, or discovering that the fireworks were, in fact, scheduled.
Still, we can’t help but wonder: does online engagement equal offline warmth? Is the friendliest neighborhood the one with the most welcome posts—or the one where someone actually brings you soup when you’re sick?
We’re curious what you think. Does this list ring true? Did Nextdoor get it right—or miss a few blocks?
Let us know if you agree. Or, in the spirit of true neighborliness, politely disagree.
