[Jack Straw]

Hi
My wife and I are contemplating escaping the insanity and chaos that is Chicago and fleeing for the beauty and quiet of the U.P. Other than driving through on our way to Mackinaw Island several years ago, we dont know too much about life up there. We have heard that Munising and the Hancock area are nice. However, the big issue is jobs! I am a landscaper and Karen is a secretary at a local college. How is the economy up there?
If anyone has any insight or advice I would be most greatful.
Thanks Much
Jack

[and the]

Not sure where you want to go or what you want to do for a living. Escanaba? Copper Harbor? I love going up there during September and October. The rest of the year is either too cold or too buggy for me in the woods. I like the mining history of the Keewenaw Peninsula. Houghton/Hancock and Calumet. Never been to Isle Royal, but would like to get up there too in the next couple years.....in September or October....

[Jack Straw]

Thank you for replying. I am thinking of the Munising area. I have heard of its natural beauty and slower pace.Are you familiar with that area?

[SALteacher]

We visited Munising a c ouple of years and loved it. It was during the summer and had a tour of the Pictured Rocks which was fantastic. The weather was great. I am not big on the heat, so iut was just right for me; not muggy since you are on the water. I can only terll you by the one visit we had there. It strikes me as a very laid back town with plenty of walking areas. Very much plays to the tourists since there are a lot of gift shops downtown. Sorry I can't help you with the schools or housing. I don't know about that. The winters I imagine can be brutal. Good luck.

[and the]

Thank you for replying. I am thinking of the Munising area. I have heard of its natural beauty and slower pace.Are you familiar with that area?

Been through there but never stayed there. I'd definately spend a winter up there if you plan on staying there year round. Big adjustment.

[enli]

There are no jobs. Wages are very low where jobs are to be found. Housing is not exactly abundant. My son lives in the Soo and I have lots of family up there. Winters are indeed brutal.

[jeeg]

Everyone has different perspectives, eh?

We moved up here to Marquette 14 months ago and love it. There are jobs, just not many. Pay is lower up here but so is housing prices (outside of Marquette anyhow). Winters are ................ Winters!! We don't think they are bad, just what winters are supposed to be! LOL That's actually one of the reasons we moved up here, because we love the snow!
I am actually quite surprised by the large number of Chicago transplants in the Marquette area!
Bugs............ they're typical. I've only had to get the DEET spray out twice so far. Most of the time we just use an herbal repellent wipe. No this isn't in the city, we live on 14 acres of woods.
If you've only driven through to Mackinac Island then you are in for a treat. The true beauty of the U.P. starts about Munising/Marquette and continues west and north ('til you hit Lake Superior again)
I wouldn't plan on living in Munising and commuting to Marquette for work. The drive along M-28 in the winter can be brutal with the wind coming off the lake right there.
I think you need to hop in your car and come on up for a visit!!
I would drive up to Escanaba, Munising, Marquette, Houghton/Hancock, The Porkies and then on down home (if you have the time swing up to Copper Harbor after touring Houghton).
Those are my scattered thoughts on the subject

[Torrid]

Jack, if there's a will, there's a way There is a thread I started a while back on here. It may be on the 2nd or 3rd page. We are moving to the Marquette-ish area ASAP. Most likely, within the next couple months. I've heard there's not much in the way of jobs around Munising and the travel between Munising and Marquette is pretty rough in the winter. If your wife is a secretary at a college now, she may be able to get a position at NMU, in Marquette?! There's not much manufacturing industry around there. That's one of the many things that makes it so nice. Being a landscaper, you may be able to find seasonal work and maybe snow plow in the winter? Are you dead-set on keeping your current careers? We are a welder and in the nursing field now but, are willing to do whatever it takes to pay the bills once we get UP there. I sure wish you luck! The U.P. is such a treat to this Earth!

[Torrid]

LOL Jeeg.....we sound alike lololol.

[rotwein]

We drove through the UP in May. We liked Escanaba and the Marquette-Ispeming areas. We are coming back in October and staying a week in each area. Being retired we are not looking for employment. The university, hospital and being served by three airlines seems to favor the Marquette area. Also the Marquette area bus system is a big plus.

We also looked at Iron Mountain, Gwinn, The Keweenaw area, Ontonagon and Ironwood. All of these areas seemed to lack either cultural activities or shopping.

When we get back to Florida in early November we will decide if a house purchase or long term rental is what we want.