From Michigan to KY??? How does the job market compare?

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by honesty1022

Skkydreemer:

I don't care what anyone says about the economy here in Kentucky. It is NOTHING like Michigan. I just moved here from Lincoln Park, Michigan last Thursday. I was able to find a job in the legal field and I start working on June 11. I found a very nice house to rent for only $750 a month. I did have to let my house go in Michigan, however, because it has lost HALF ITS VALUE in only 3 1/2 years. So, I will take a hit on my credit. However, I moved down here to be closer to my sons and grandchildren, who relocated here a number of years ago.

I know I have been blessed to find a job in my field. I hear people around here saying how bad the economy is, but they don't see EVERY OTHER HOUSE VACANT and NO WANT ADS in the Free Press or Detroit News, other than minimum wage jobs. Michigan is in its SIXTH YEAR OF RECESSION, unlike other states. It makes me mad when the news only talks about California, Florida, and Nevada. Michigan is unfortunately dead when it comes to any kind of jobs. The empty houses by my house in Lincoln Park are going for the $50K range. My boyfriend lives at the north end of Lincoln Park, closer to the Detroit border, and the houses by him are going for the TEENS OR $20K RANGE. What are you supposed to do with that??? In fact, my boyfriend's house is like an oasis in the desert. The houses on both sides of him are vacant, as well as the house behind him and across the street from him! They went at auction for $17,000 to $25,000!!!!

Anyway, sorry about that rant---it just makes me nuts!

The big difference about Louisville vs. the Detroit area is that housing is cheaper here. I know there are high priced homes here like there are in every area, but I found a very nice 3-bedroom ranch home in a very nice quiet neighborhood for only $750 a month. That's $300 less than my mortgage payment was. The gas prices and food prices are the same. I don't know about the utility bills yet, because I just moved in. One thing that is different, though, is that you have to hire a company to pick up your garbage. There are a couple of companies that do this. It is NOT included in your water bill like it is in Michigan. For example, I hired Hometown to pick up my garbage. They will be delivering a plastic "dumpster" to me and then they will pick up my garbage once a week and you get a bill every other month. Also, they don't have laundry tubs here. The water goes out the sewer. Also, there are ditches in all of the residential streets for the sewer system, which is a real pain in the butt when pulling in the driveway or cutting the grass, because you have to take care of the ditch as well.

Just a few observances from a less-than-a-week Michigan Migrant moving to Louisville, KY. Hope it helps!

All the Best to YOU!

Honesty

Welcome to KY. We appreciate your candid advice, but I need to correct a few things. One, the gas in KY is MUCH cheaper than MI. All cities have more expensive gas than outlying areas due to higher taxes and emissions standards. Therefore, although gas has recently been higher in Detroit, for all practical purposes gas prices in Detroit and Louisville are the same when averaged over a year.

Historical Price Charts - Detroit Gas Prices

MI, along with other liberal/quasi socialist bastions of "heaven" they call CA, WA, NY, and IL, have the highest gas prices. The further south and more rural you go, the cheaper:

Louisville Gas Prices - Find Cheap Gas Prices in Kentucky


About trash pickup. If you live within the old city limits its free. Well, it isn't free, as you pay higher taxes for it, but you get a nifty and nice garbage can and an orange recycling bin. Outside I-264, trash pickup varies. Most suburban cities have their own contracter and it is very rare for one to have to call their own garbage company like you.

About ditches. Those are also the exception, not the rule. I can't think of anywhere inside I-264 with extensive irrigation ditches in front of homes. Otside I-264, it can be common in areas near to the airport. This is for good reason and this is in a major flood plain.

Anyways, sorry for my cynicism But, I am a little jaded to find out today that I am a "reluctant shareholder" of GM. I am glad my tax dollars are at work for me! No offense to GM, but a failing company is failing, and we need to return to free market capitalism and not Marxist Socialism! I will repeat what a friend from Detroit told me..."the last one in Michigan turn the lights out!"

[missymomof3]

I also live outside the "Old city limits" and in the county and have to pay for garbage pickup and everyone out this way have ditches. Heck I have a ditch AND a huge ditch line running through my neighborhood lol I grew up in Shively a few miles away and they have their own services but the taxes are a bit higher and they also have ditches. We have only had sewers the past several years, we used to all be on septic tanks.

[honesty1022]

Originally Posted by tomocox

Whatever you do... Do NOT move anywhere until you have a job, maybe not the perfect job, but a job secured. There are many jobs available in the Louisville MSA, but until you know the source of income to sustain your livelihood, imo, it's just too big of a gamble.

Tom, you are right on with this advice. You would be simply amazed as to how many people here and in Michigan have asked me in the past week, "So, are you going to look for a job soon?"

OMG---there is NO WAY I would have moved my entire household here if I didn't have a job FIRST. That would be insanity! How would I have known how much of a house I could afford, etc. I have spent a truckload of money just moving and getting the house unpacked and buying things like cleaning supplies, groceries, curtain rods to fit the new house, bug spray. lawn chemicals, etc. Heck, the move itself cost $900 (truck rental and diesel) alone.

Getting the job comes first, then finding a place to live, THEN moving here.

[honesty1022]

Originally Posted by stx12499

Welcome to KY. We appreciate your candid advice, but I need to correct a few things. One, the gas in KY is MUCH cheaper than MI. All cities have more expensive gas than outlying areas due to higher taxes and emissions standards. Therefore, although gas has recently been higher in Detroit, for all practical purposes gas prices in Detroit and Louisville are the same when averaged over a year.

Historical Price Charts - Detroit Gas Prices

MI, along with other liberal/quasi socialist bastions of "heaven" they call CA, WA, NY, and IL, have the highest gas prices. The further south and more rural you go, the cheaper:

Louisville Gas Prices - Find Cheap Gas Prices in Kentucky


About trash pickup. If you live within the old city limits its free. Well, it isn't free, as you pay higher taxes for it, but you get a nifty and nice garbage can and an orange recycling bin. Outside I-264, trash pickup varies. Most suburban cities have their own contracter and it is very rare for one to have to call their own garbage company like you.

About ditches. Those are also the exception, not the rule. I can't think of anywhere inside I-264 with extensive irrigation ditches in front of homes. Otside I-264, it can be common in areas near to the airport. This is for good reason and this is in a major flood plain.

Anyways, sorry for my cynicism But, I am a little jaded to find out today that I am a "reluctant shareholder" of GM. I am glad my tax dollars are at work for me! No offense to GM, but a failing company is failing, and we need to return to free market capitalism and not Marxist Socialism! I will repeat what a friend from Detroit told me..."the last one in Michigan turn the lights out!"

Stx, no need to apologize---I appreciate the information. Actually, a couple of weeks ago, when Louisville gas pump prices spiked to $2.49 a gallon, it was ten cents cheaper in Detroit, so I am looking forward to seeing those cheaper prices you are talking about.

Also, I didn't know about the garbage pickup in the old city limits or the ditches. All I know is that the ditches are a pain to cut the grass or maneuver the driveways (in icy times).

As for General Motors and the rest of the automobile industry, my boyfriend is a GM retiree and one of his brothers is a Chrysler retiree. My boyfriend has become physically ill watching the news from worry about his pension and benefits. It's like watching a train wreck---you can't look away. Of course, the newscasters are telling us everything EXCEPT what we really want to know: what is going to happen to the pension and benefits, EXACTLY.

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by honesty1022

My boyfriend has become physically ill watching the news from worry about his pension and benefits. It's like watching a train wreck---you can't look away. Of course, the newscasters are telling us everything EXCEPT what we really want to know: what is going to happen to the pension and benefits, EXACTLY.

Oh Honey, prayers for you and your family!

[enli]

We are in the midst of a move from MI to the Louisville area. My adult son and his wife found a decent job for him and she is looking. My husband found an excellent job and I am not looking - retired schoolteacher who will sub on occasion - and both of our families found great homes right near work for an extremely reasonable price. The people are friendly and we've been treated very well.

I'm happy and excited and I just can't wait to complete the move.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by missymomof3

Oh Honey, prayers for you and your family!

yeah she seems to be going through alot. I think KY has enough friendly people to help guide her through it.

[honesty1022]

Originally Posted by stx12499

yeah she seems to be going through alot. I think KY has enough friendly people to help guide her through it.

You are absolutely right----I will get through this just fine! I'm more worried about my son than I am about me.

I have already met a couple of my neighbors and they seem very nice. It's weird (and WONDERFUL) getting to see my grandchildren all the time when I previously could only afford to visit them twice a year for a couple of days. It's great!

[skkydreemer]

I am happy to report that we did make the move. My husband came to the Louisille area first and had job the next day. We found a home to rent that night in Corydon, IN. We joined him 2 weeks later when our boys got out of school and it has been great! I wouldn't choose to live directly in Louisville b/c of crime statistics and the schools have a bad review. But I love it here in Corydon and the commute to Louisville is only a few minutes. Small town charm here with the ammenities of the big city just moments away! We are all very happy! We rented out our home in Michigan to save our credit and hopefully what equity we do have. Thank you to all for your replies and suggestions.

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by skkydreemer

I am happy to report that we did make the move. My husband came to the Louisille area first and had job the next day. We found a home to rent that night in Corydon, IN. We joined him 2 weeks later when our boys got out of school and it has been great! I wouldn't choose to live directly in Louisville b/c of crime statistics and the schools have a bad review. But I love it here in Corydon and the commute to Louisville is only a few minutes. Small town charm here with the ammenities of the big city just moments away! We are all very happy! We rented out our home in Michigan to save our credit and hopefully what equity we do have. Thank you to all for your replies and suggestions.

Welcome!