How do Oakland County and Ann Arbor fit into the picture? (Detroit: home, employment)

[Tex?Il?]

Having gone to college in Michigan, I love the state and I wish the best for Michigans economy.

There are still a few unanswered questions I'm still confused about however. I hear so much about how bad the economy is in the state because of slow times with the auto industry.

But I do know about all the office parks/edge cities in Southfield, Troy, and to a lesser extent Auburn Hills, and maybe a couple other towns in Oakland County that have presence and headquarters of many companies that don't necessarily have to do with cars at all. I know Oakland County is a very wealthy county. How has it fared compared to the rest of SE Michigan? Is is helping to pull the economic weight of the rest of the region?

Also, I know Ann Arbor has a few headquarters of some important corporations, and has many high tech research employment being to U of M.

Overall, as bad of a time for manufacturing as it is, would you say that Oakland County and Ann Arbor sometimes get overlooked when people assess the economic diversity of the area? Or do these areas not count for much in the regions economy.

One more thing. I always wonder if the scenery that is seen between a major airport and a cities downtown really has a significant impact on the visitor. I know the Wayne-Metro Detroit airport is located in the south/soutwest area around Romulus. And the going to downtown Detroit you go through all heavily blue collared and industrial areas on your way there from the airport. Do you think that that the average visitor might go home thinking, there is no wealth anywhere, because Oakland County, the Gross Pointes, and Ann Arbor might simply be out of the way, and people just think those more well off areas don't exist?

There are people who don't know that Detroit has wealthy suburbs, maybe its because all they see is Ford, SW Detroit if they are there on business.

Just some interesting thoughts. I do really think that airport-to-downtown scenery probably leaves a very lasting impression on visitors minds anywhere you go.

[tjay]

I've heard the same thing from people who have flown into the Detroit airport either just for business or as a layover. They had a horrible impression on what they saw while in that area... and I don't blame them. But I tried to explain that those area are not a true representation of Michigan. It would be nice if something could be done about all those areas...

I know the economy isn't so great in Michigan at the time, but nothing lasts forever and when things change I think you've got to change with them. I'm going to go back to school and do something different, something where I CAN get a decent job. Or I could sit around and be mad that the economy isn't catering to my education level. Things are what you make of them...I don't understand why alot of people blame one person or one event, I think there are numerous factors as to why things are the way they are. The bottom line, in my opinion, is that everything is changing....and new technology is taking over. People need degrees to get work, as opposed to the generation before us who could get good jobs right out of high school (mainly for the auto industry). The auto industry isn't #1 anymore, people need to stop blaming and accept that. Move with the times or get left in the dust complaining. I think areas in Oakland County and Ann Arbor ARE more progressive, and do carry some of the weight. I also don't think its as horrible as people/the media make it out to be. A good example is watching the news the night before a snowstorm. Its that 'we're all going to die' mentality that is constantly pushed. I've lived in Michigan my whole life....I can handle some snow. I think that mentality is used when discussing the 'Michigan economy'.....

I got laid off last December and I'm not complaining. So I have to find another job, maybe go back to school....I'm not going to die. I'm living in Chicago now and I've had no better luck getting a job here than I did in Michigan...if anything I had more interviews in Michigan. If you think the cost of living is bad in Michigan its worse here. And there are so many minorities taking jobs for less (I'm not blaming the minorities....I'd actually blame greed for that, greed on people who only care about $), that you HAVE to have a degree here. I think its creating a huge gap, there doesn't seem to be middle ground anymore. Until the lust for money stops escalating, people are going to have to change if they want to keep up. Sorry for the ramble:}

[Cato the Elder]

People who judge metro Detroit by the drive from the airport haven't traveled much. Have you flown into Newark and gone into Manhattan? Or how about PHL and crossing the Platt Bridge to see the beautiful birds-eye view of the charming Sunoco refinery? The fact is that areas around airports typically aren't nice, desirable areas due to the airports themselves and the noise they generate.

[M TYPE X]

Cleveland to downtown is pretty much the same, although shorter. O'Hare into the Loop is somewhat attractive if you watch the skyline and not the traffic. Pulling out of Dulles, I was like oh wow, grass. I presume that Reagan National is a better way to land in DC.
DTW is a much nicer airport than Newark, FWIW.

The Ann Arbor to Rochester Hills corridor is suffering, just like anyplace else in the metro area.

[randomguymike]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Also, I know Ann Arbor has a few headquarters of some important corporations, and has many high tech research employment being to U of M.

Pfizer was a huge kick to the nuts here. When Borders goes under/is bought out, it will be another large blow.

The city is much better off than Metro Detroit, as a whole, but with the void Quicken will leave in Livonia, there's not much connecting the two regions. Its like calling Baltimore a suburb of DC, except the Huron river is no inner harbor.

[M TYPE X]

Pfizer's pull-out from Ann Arbor shocked even me. I would have thought that it was one of their key research facilities. It's just another poorly-run company. There are too many of those in Michigan.

[Dexterguy]

Pfizer has really put a mark in the communities around Ann Arbor also, like Dexter, Chelsea, and some of the other smaller weathier communities. Many people in these communities are now trying to find work. Or they have moved already out east.