Anyone Moving out of Metro Detroit? (Grand Rapids, Sterling Heights: sales, real estate, foreclosure)

[Angel Bear]

Hi,

Just curious if anyone is moving out of Metro Detroit right now here. I live in Metro Detroit now and just wondered if anyone would mind sharing why they are moving and to where?

I'm thinking of getting out of here really soon myself...

Thanks in advance...

[mariatherese]

me! i'm moving in 5 days. i cant stand it here. i am from northern michigan, though... so its understandable. i have hated it since the day i moved here. i have been deaming of the day i could move away... and its finally here... 5 more days!

reasons:
1-rude people/image conscious culture
2-no nature
3-soulless suburbia
4-traffic
5-crime

[politikally]

I moved about 5 months ago.

Top Reasons:

1. Lack of a Job Market for new grads or anyone else for that matter
2. Taxes are terrible
3. Crime

Outside of that Michigan just doesn't have much going for it at the moment. The Car companies in the state are fleeing because of the Unions and the State can't keep anyone in because of the lack of the job market.

Beside myself I've had 11 friends move away from Michigan in the past 9 months.. the most recent one was actually yesterday!! The top reasons for their moves were a result of either 1. Can't find a job after graduation or 2. Had a job, got laid off, and can't find another job.

All in all Michigan is a dying state in my opinion, so I left. Also, as a note - I looked for a job in Michigan for a couple of months after I graduated and could not find one!! When I moved I had a job within a few days (Minnesota), for more money than I expected. So yeah

Good luck to you if you decide to stay!

[TracyLynnS]

I'm trying to move out.

DH works in what used to be an automotive industry. We are 40 years old, saved for 15 years to put $100,000 down on our suburban house in 2003, now we will probably not be able to sell it. If it does sell, it won't be for anywhere near what we paid for it. Either way, we will lose all that money and will have to start over at this age!

We had excellent credit and for the first time ever, are a partial payment behind on our mortgage because DH's pay was cut nearly in half 6 months after we bought the house. We only started paying late last month but the heartless mortgage company already sent us two pre-foreclosure notices.

Unfortunately, prospective employers look at your credit report and we have to explain why the mortgage is considered slowpay. I think we did pretty darn good considering we've been living on half our previous income this whole time.

Oh, and in the local want ads, there's an attorney's office needing a specialist in debt collection, foreclosure, and bankruptcy cases. No Kidding?

[micrguy]

I was just lurking on this forum and came across this topic. I'm glad my parents had the foresight to leave Detroit in 1973. I had to go to Detroit a couple of years ago for a sales meeting and it felt like flying into a war zone with all of the abandoned houses down below. Good luck to everyone stuck in a bad situation.

[Blue Grass Fever]

Originally Posted by mariatherese

reasons:
3-soulless suburbia

So true......i get that feeling with all suburbs...


BTW:Moved out of Metro area two years ago....currently living in Thumb area....next stop:Appalachian Mountains...lol

[Angel Bear]

So sorry to hear about the issues with jobs, finances, etc. I hope everyone turns it around...Sending ya'll lots of hugs!

It does feel like things are dying here...It's sad. The only reason I'd like to stay is 'cause my family and friends and cute nephew live here. But, I really feel I need to get out very soon.

I'm lucky 'cause I don't have a ton invested in real estate since I have a starter home. I should be okay. I saved a lot too, so I'll have enough for the next house's downpayment.

Oh man, it IS bad here, huh? Hubby and I are very lucky...for now.

I think if I do move, I'll pick someplace warm at least LOL. Not sure as of yet where I'll end up. I dislike the East Coast, the South, and the Midwest...So, that leaves West Coast, the Southwest, or the Pacific Northwest I suppose...LOL.

I've lived in suburbia all my life...time for a change. Don't think I can handle a large city or the country so I think I'll be a townie or suburban girl all of my life sadly.

[The Icy River Vagabond]

We moved to Minneapolis a few months ago from Pontiac. We just wanted out of metro Detroit. Minneapolis is great so far, compared to Detroit, it is a very clean city, lots of jobs, hardly any crime, and lots of lakes, trails, parks etc. Also very commuter friendly, everbody walks/rides bikes.

[JenM]

Well I've lived in Macomb County all of my life and can't seem to leave!! I've been sucked in to its vortex. I am right on the outskirts though, in New Haven. I grew up in Sterling Heights. I am 27, married with 3 kids and want to live anywhere else but here. But the problem is that, well frankly, we are so broke that a move is out of the question. It discourages me, though, that many graduates cannot find jobs here. DH and I work and go to school and will graduate by 2008. I don't know if we can survive the next 2 years with our current income. I'm afraid that one or both of us will have to drop out of school to work a crumby minimum wage job to barely make ends meet. Like right now: I have $5.00 to my name that has to last me the rest of the week and I still have to buy diapers for 2 kids, formula, go grocery shopping and keep gas in the car for my DH who drives to Melvindale and back every day! Yeah right!!!

And if you do find a job here... can you afford to live here? Unless you are a doctor or lawyer or something, you can't affored a home here. I'm leaving ASAP... whenever that is.

[IWantToBelieve]

I'm a college student right now and planning on leaving Metro Detroit and possibly the freakin' state once I get my BS over with. (December 07). I'm not sure where I'm going, yet, but I'm looking at the western Upstate NY area (Rochester, Syracuse or maybe Buffalo), Grand Rapids, Chicago or Minneapolis. (I'll likely apply for some jobs around here too, but I don't have my hopes up. I'll go where I can get a paycheck and a job that are worth my skills!)

I want to live in or near a city with public transportation being a viable option for my daily commute, much more reasonable housing costs (currently in the Ann Arbor area, which is high), lower costs of car ownership (NY has high gas taxes, but lower insurance and most states have lower yearly costs for tabs).

Also, as someone else said, the lack of nature here. What's left is too expensive to enjoy - a gallon of cider at Yate's is $7! A dozen donuts are $5.50! The "atmosphere" isn't worth the price gouging.