Leaving Michigan (Nashville: houses, rent, jobs)

[magellan]

Originally Posted by southernlady5464

Housing Crisis Knocks Loudly in Michigan

This article is from March 2007. Doesn't give us much hope for the MI economy unless something changes in Lansing fairly soon. Liz

The "housing crisis" has already been in Michigan for, I'd say, about two years now. In fact, it's a good thing (not to everyone I'm sure) that housing values are starting to go down from their heights. That is the only way the housing market will come back in Michigan.

Housing Funk Hits Homebuilders Hard - Forbes.com

The writers online who seem to be pretty accurate so far, are talking late 2009 at the earliest before the U.S. housing market recovers. Ouch!

[Sijuki]

Well for the original posters. I am leaving Michigan, and yes I am driving my rice burner, my Kia Rio. Sure, am I responsible for 350k+ layoffs at the Big 3? Sure, why not. I wanted a new car, I had bills, couldn't afford a big payment. Ford's offer was a fully loaded Focus for $16k. Strip down model? Can't get it. Kia Rio $10k. I went to 8 different Ford dealerships trying to find a strip down model to no avail. I don't want fancy features in my car. I want it to go from point A to point B and get good mileage. If the Big 3 cannot provide the vehicle I want, why should I subject myself to buying it.

As far as "American Made" Toyota has been building trucks in Kentucky since the early 1980's. Hyundai/Kia have plants in Cali, Alabama, and are opening more. Honda has plants all over the U.S. Ford Fusion is 100% built in Mexico. What is American Made anymore? Where they buy their parts from? Who got paid to assemble the vehicle? Where their World HQ is? If I go out and buy a Toyota Camry today it is over 80% built in this country by well paid hard working Americans. Is that not supporting our country? Our economy? Those folks making a decent wage to support their family... are they not American?

This is what kills me about michigan, and quite frankly why I am glad to leave. So many people seem to be edged in on Big 3 manufacturing and so many petty things. Would you not take a manufacturing job with Toyota or Honda because they aren't the Big 3? Mazda? Hyundai? Hitachi? Sony? This is a worldwide economy, and we have to learn what are strengths are. We can't just sit here and let the unions bleed us dry. I love Michigan. I love the weather, the scenery, the cities, the drive. But if all we have are 8 million people bickering about how this and that aren't right, what are we going to accomplish? The Detroit area has had this issue for centuries. Everything was a debate and drawn out with no real decision being made till it was too late.

Do I blame Jennifer Granholm? Yes. I do. Why? Cause like so many others she places blame and redirects everything to a scapegoat. When, we all knew the state wasn't perfect when she was elected. Did we need someone to tell us that? No. We wanted someone that was going to fix it, irregardless of who's fault it was. That doesn't matter. We have a problem, we need a solution. If your husband plugs up the toilet and you call a plumber, does he come in and say, "Well your toilet wouldn't be so clogged if your husband didn't plug it." you know that, you want it fixed. So he says, "well it's your husbands fault he should have fixed it, what can I do?" No... he wouldn't be plumber for very long.

I am not totally negative on Michigan. I see many improvements. Many new buildings in Detroit, Improvements to major highways, improvements to our higher education. But it's not enough to change our downward slope. We need real change, real dedication, and teamwork to recreate the great state of Michigan.

Sorry for my long speech, just a lot of reading done in 13 pages.

[Rdogsdad]

Sijuki, you can't leave yet!! We need you in Lansing! Great post, you hit the nail on the head.

[tinexile]

I left because I couldn't find a job. I'd come back in a heartbeat if I could. Right now I'm in Orange County CA, and despite the weather being a lot nicer I'd rather live in metro-Detroit again by a longshot. The people are more genuine, traffic is nowhere near as bad, and the culture is far more palatable. I hate it here - someone please fix Michigan so I can come back!!!

[Frankawitz]

It seems people can't come up with ideas for the auto industry, I don't understand why Michigan hasn't lead the field in E85 Fuels, with agirculture being the States 2nd largest industry why can't that be a new industry then make a carberator fuel system that could be mounted on every Ford, Chevy,Dodge riding on Michigan road ways, I mean the people of Brazil used their Sagur Cane to make E85 Fuel the thing is they did it back in the 1980's.
With the Great Universities we have why can't this happen? Wouldn't this be something the Governor would want to do? Show that she can be a leader not just a Yes Girl. some say's just another pretty face We need to lower property Taxes even if you buy a house your yearly tax bill is half of your house payment each month. If taxes were lower more Business would come to Michigan but with these high taxes, No business can survive

[lookinglass]

Originally Posted by CrazyMomDaze

We are leaving because my DP got a better paying job in Indiana (doing the samething he already does).
We live in MI, but do everything in OH. He works in OH at the present, and there is a rumor his company is in the start of a buyout anyway (large medical company in MI).
As for people leaving who drive "Rice Burners"... give me abreak! My father worked for FORDS for 40 years (in Dearborn) and all they have given him after retirement is a bunch of Sh**! "Oops we over paid you on your pension, so we are going to take it back from you over the next year & a half!" Even though it was paid to you over a 5 year period! "Yes, it was a mistake on our part, noone put in you SSI paperwork in to our system. Sorry that is just how it goes!" You try and live on $950 amonth! Its hard to find a job when you retire on a medical, because of the company you worked for was, detrimental to your health.
I have always driven a ford as have the rest of my family, now never again! KIA here I come.
Michigan made its mess, let everyone who stays get out of it! Most of my family came here for the auto industry back in the day, from Indiana, now I'm just heading back.

Movin on? I have to agree with Cato - Based on your last comment!
Please don't show up on our doorstep when things don't work out and MI is rockin once again.

[jrmontag]

I may move to Anchorage for no other reason than to experience something different for a while. I'm almost positive I'll end up back here at some point even if I do move out of state.

[bubbagirl]

Originally Posted by jrmontag

I may move to Anchorage for no other reason than to experience something different for a while. I'm almost positive I'll end up back here at some point even if I do move out of state.

Sounds exciting!! Enjoy the experience

[Andre5140]

I love my Kia and Toyota but damn it sure will be nice when the even-cheaper Chinese cars come to market!

[dfrannie]

Originally Posted by jeffncandace

Thinking about moving away? Already made the big move? Discuss why, where, and how you left or plan to leave Michigan.

My husband and I were born and raised here. He is leaving this month for TN to build houses. I used to work as a contractor to Ford, we lost our business to the carpenters union and the economy. I can't find a job back in the auto industry with almost 10 years under my belt (in engineering area not on the line). Everyone wants a degree, which unfortunately I don't have. If we don't leave we will lose our house and everything else. He will be commuting back here on the weekends, if the State doesn't turn around then I will leave too.

Do we want this??? NO...but the politics and how the legislators and the Gov. want to tax the crap out of us all makes me sick. I will never own a business in this State again unless they revamp the tax structures and get rid of unions. TN is very business friendly, and they let you keep the money you earn. Lansing has ruined this State. I am bitter, we love it here, it is home, but we have to do what we have to do to survive. We can only live off of unemployment for 26 weeks. I have been job hunting for the past 8 months, and there is no use for my husband to even try to find work building homes here, that is over. It was a good ride while it was going well for all, but it is over and it is time to leave.