Leaving Michigan (Grand Rapids, Saginaw: house, rent, vacation)

[ByeByeMI]

Overtaxed - property, income, business, no jobs - highest unemployment rate in the Nation, high insurance costs, utility costs, highest gasoline prices in the nation. Gee we can think of a million reason to stay........yeah......don't think so.

[justine]

We would like to stay in midwest. My husband and I are both applying for jobs in these places. We were both laid off from good jobs in '03, bounced back with jobs with much less pay and benefits. Although we like the way downtown Detroit, Belle Isle and the riverfront has improved, we are feeling that our future will be better in other states. We are considering Chicago because of the thriving economy. Ohio does not seem to have quite as many job opportunities as Chicago but the cost of housing is more reasonable.

As a previous poster mentioned, she and her family decided on Cleveland area due to lower housing costs. I go to Ohio quite a bit on business and I have noticed a real difference between Ohio and Michigan in terms of services such as roads, libraries, parks. Also, Cleveland has invested in an excellent public transit system as has Chicago. Both cities seem better poised for the future.

Although many people seem interested in the Carolinas we have not considered these areas since we really like the great lakes and don't like heat and humidity.

[lizziebeth]

Originally Posted by southernlady5464

How American is that car?

Ford Motor Ford Explorer 2007 80% Ky.

That Ford Explorer is only 80% American made, unfortunately. Liz

Frankly, it doesn't matter to me that the Explorer is only 80% American made. I wanted a mid-sized SUV, I liked the look of the truck, had a discount through my employer who was the telecom supplier for Ford and wasn't in a position to pay for a nicer SUV at the time. US automakers have given us semi-shoddy work because labor costs are so high that quality is not job 1 no matter what Ford said in those old ads. What I do know is that at least my car won't be vandalized in MI because it's a "rice burner". I'm assuming that's what those union fools call Toyotas, Hondas, etc. Newsflash: Those companies make a better product and their labor costs are lower. My Explorer has been fine minus a couple of problems with the windows (three of four windows malfunctioned over the past several years...how do you mess up windows?) although I am nervous now that the extended warranty is up.

BTW, check out items in your house and see how many were made in China. Betcha most of them were not made in the US.

When my mom had some business at the Arlington GM plant several years ago, she had to rent a GM (or American) car because supposedly, she wouldn't be allowed in the parking lot with her Lexus which ran like a dream and still does. Talk about extortion.

As I stated before, unions have sucked the life out of the state paying high school grads way too much money to screw bolts or sit and play cards while there wasn't enough work. You all made your bed...now you have to lie in it.

[bubbagirl]

Originally Posted by lizziebeth

What I do know is that at least my car won't be vandalized in MI because it's a "rice burner".

My fleet of "rice burners" (2 Toyotas, 1 Honda) have not be victumized for being foreign made while living in Michigan. My chevy truck actually was, though...

My Honda gets kudos today! She just clocked 230,000 on the odometer and is still purring strong! We've put over 3,000 on her over the past 3 weeks going between Michigan and Ohio wrapping up some of the unfinished business with our move.

[apotheosis]

yeah, i'm leaving Michigan.
Born, raised, have family here...

plenty of work experience + a degree, am 27 yrs. old.

It's very depressing, I'm tired of it. I wanted to stay in Michigan and make something of it, but I really need to build a life, and I cannot do that here.

Between last November and this summer, over 20 friends and acquaintances have left the state.

I'll be out before Jan '08

[mrsness299]

We are leaving Michigan because of more affordable housing elsewhere. I was born in raised in Detroit, MI and it is very sad to see a once great city dying. I want the opportunity to live in a nice, clean neighborhood without having to worry about going into foreclosure to keep up with the pymt or with "the Joneses."

I am not saying that that cannot be found in my homestate, I am just saying that I think better opportunities await. For anyone opting to stay or move into Michigan I wish you the best.

[twill]

I was just talking to my sister who moved from MI to Atlanta last year. She said it's unbeleivable how many MI license plates she sees. She said next to Georgia, it's the second highest state plate. I know of about 20 people who have moved there in the last few years and ALL have jobs! BTW my cousing just left Sunday to go there because of lack of job after being laid off for the last few months. She ended up losing her house and then losing her apartment. I have friends who relocated to many areas across the country since 2000 and it seems that other state/city economies are doing quite well. I can never say that about Michigan! This state if depressing!

[lady blue]

Well I'm back again, reading all of your comments, I just spent a week back in Michigan on my vacation looking around and checking things out. Some things have changed some have remained the same. The roads are definitely the same, potholes and all. The purpose of my entry here is just to tell anyone up there who is laid off or needing work in the auto industry (get over the prejudice and bad feelings) and come on down to Indiana and work for the Japanese. They are booming and they are great to work for!!! They are family oriented, great benefits, and care about people. (you have to understand their culture) Jobs are plentiful. Go to Honda at Greensburg, they are building the new plant now and postings for jobs have just begun. Toyota Princeton is hiring and about 15 OEM suppliers in the southern counties are dying for good workers. They can't find enough people here so they are going to Kentucky and Illinois agencies for help. These jobs are not UAW wages but range from $16-25/hr and it buys alot down here. I am at the university and we have over 200 job openings. The reason? No one want's to work here. They live with extended families and grandparents and eat for free (and are lazy, as my previous post said they sit on porches all day and watch traffic). Indianapolis is a thriving city, forget what you see on the news. If you have a college degree you can get a job. If you have no college you can make a good wage too.
I enjoyed my vacation back in Michigan, miss it dearly, but for now I have to stay down here and pay off my bills. Things will get better, when they're down at the bottom there is no where else to go but up up up.

[mrsness299]

Depressing is the most adequate word that I can use to describe my feeling about MI. We are even leaving behind all of our family and friends but I can't take it anymore.

Me and my husband are in the Mortgage industry and the foreclosure rate is astronomical. My property value is declining so fast, we may just give our home away because we own it outright but I can't leave fast enough.

All I can say is TX here we come!

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by mrsness299

Depressing is the most adequate word that I can use to describe my feeling about MI. We are even leaving behind all of our family and friends but I can't take it anymore.

Me and my husband are in the Mortgage industry and the foreclosure rate is astronomical. My property value is declining so fast, we may just give our home away because we own it outright but I can't leave fast enough.

All I can say is TX here we come!

Of course everyone has their reasons, but it seems SO MANY people are going to TX. Having lived there, I don't see the draw, other than a job.