More Detroit questions not answered in old thread (mortgage, relocation)

[Daniel_T]

I found this great video of CNBC about the automakers and some other companies pulling out of Detroit. I thought it was great. Can anyone watch it and give me their feedback. Thanks.

http://video.msn.com/v/us/Money.htm?...op%20ten &fg=

Daniel True

[MamaGecko]

Sorry, Daniel, the computer I usually use just had it's sound card go out, and the good computer won't load the video (better firewall).

Here's a link to one of the main Detroit paper's online edition (not the front page, I went to the Metro page)

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs...Category=METRO

One of the noteworthy headlines is a story about the city's most dangerous bus routes.

Another link, to a specific story...

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...=2007703290469

This was published late last week, and is a forecast by SEMCOG (South East Michigan Council of Governments) that the region will be "mired in economic crisis" for another decade, minimum. Which would be surprising if I hadn't read the same thing OVER A YEAR AGO in a report commissioned by Gov. Granholm and readily available on the State of MI website. There is mention of Granholm's emphasis on economic growth through education... according to the SEMCOG report, MI is currently ranked 34th in education. I'm all in favor of education, but it isn't a catalyst for economic growth.

Here's the other Detroit paper:

www.freep.com

This paper is fun because they allow reader comments after most articles. Definately a good way to get a feel for the local situation.

Here's a nice article from the Free Press (freep)...

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...03/1007/NEWS05

This one is about the budget problems facing suburban governments.

Another thing you should do is go to realtor.com or one of the other real estate sites and look at homes for sale. Make note of how many listings say "foreclosure" or "bank owned." There's a lot. There's also quite a few listings that will say "corporate owned." Those owners were the lucky ones. They found jobs out of state and their new employers bought their house as part of their relocation package.

Remember, Daniel, there's people behind all those news stories. People who've lost their jobs and cannot find another. People whose houses have been foreclosed on. People who have to choose to feed their children or pay their mortgage. What is going on in MI is heartbreaking.