Traverse City is a lively, four‑season lakeshore hub with a walkable downtown of restaurants, craft breweries, farmers markets, nearby wineries and easy access to beaches, trails and the towering Sleeping Bear Dunes—perfect for multi‑week assignments that feel like a long mini‑vacation rather than being stuck somewhere boring.
For weekend variety and extra services, the charming resort towns of Charlevoix (≈50 miles) and Petoskey (≈66.5 miles) are both within easy driving distance for day trips, dining and shopping.