[tamtec99]

Hello. I am considering moving to Michigan from California and was wondering if anyone had any info about anything I should know. I have relatives in Farwell but I am more interested in living farther north (Upper Peninsula?) because I don't like humidity and I am scared of bugs so I need to live somewhere colder than here. I am sick of California. It's overcrowded, too expensive, and if you don't speak spanish, you can't get a job anymore.

[M TYPE X]

If you speak Spanish in most of the UP, Yoopers will probably slap you.
There are many bugs in the summer, however.

Have you researched Marquette? It's much nicer than Escanaba.

[and the]

because I don't like humidity and I am scared of bugs so I need to live somewhere colder than here.

Do you ever watch the History Channel when they show the Japanese torpdedo bombers that hit Pearl Harbor? That's what the mosquitos in the UP look like. The horse flies look like Huey gunships. They grow stronger while they hibernate over the Winter to get bigger and bolder for the next season. Where in CA did you live that makes you think the UP is acceptably humid and less bugified?

[tuebor]

I recently moved to the Muskegon area and so far it has been a great summer--mostly highs in the 70s-80s, lows in the 50s-60s, and mosquitos have not been a problem. But we had a late frost this year, so there may be fewer bugs than usual.

Mosquitos and blackflies can be a problem in n. lower Michigan and the UP once you get outside of the cities, but if you live in town they're not so bad. I lived in Houghton/Hancock for several years, and didn't find the bugs all that bad. But I've heard tales of prison escapees running back to the prison they escaped from because the bugs in the surrounding woods and swamps were so bad.

[athletesfoot]

Originally Posted by and the

Do you ever watch the History Channel when they show the Japanese torpdedo bombers that hit Pearl Harbor? That's what the mosquitos in the UP look like. The horse flies look like Huey gunships. They grow stronger while they hibernate over the Winter to get bigger and bolder for the next season. Where in CA did you live that makes you think the UP is acceptably humid and less bugified?

I'm assuming since she said she is scared of bugs, that she hates the roaches and beetles and locusts and things that are the size of a small puppy crawling or flying around where she lives. A couple of mosquitos and flies never bothered me, other than an itch or two now and then, and I'm terrified of those other bugs I mentioned (which are crazy out west!) Everytime I go back to MI, it seems the mosquitos have declined in population b/c I don't get the bites I used to remember (unless they've just lost their taste for me?)

[and the]

But I've heard tales of prison escapees running back to the prison they escaped from because the bugs in the surrounding woods and swamps were so bad.

That's funny. I heard the same thing up around Copper Harbor somewhere? There's an old Air Force radar station in the woods that I was looking around that's now some kind of juvenile detention facility. Some guy around there told me the same story about some city kids who "escaped" into a cedar swamp up there. I think they had to go out and rescue them from their Stalag 17 adventure.

[bluebird39]

Hi there,

Michigan does have bugs. I moved here almost a year ago from Southern Oregon. I loved that other than yellow jackets, black widows, and an occasional ant, there were no bugs in S. Oregon.

Here, I've seen lots of bugs of many different types... caterpillars, flies, mosquitos, ants, spiders, etc.... BUT, the winters here are so cold that from October to April, I never see any bugs at all.

The cost of living here is incredible cheap compared to the West Coast. We can live on one income (I have 2 kids), and have a much nicer house on a bit over an acre in the woods. There are lakes here instead of mountains, and you have to love snow. I like it a lot (we live in the Norhtern lower pen). Plus, the schools here are incredible, even in tiny rural areas like we're in. Health care is great and much cheaper here too.

One thing that has really surprised me this summer is, that while this area has very low population during much of the year, the lakes and plentiful vacation houses (yes, people here can afford not one, but 2 houses) bring tons of people up from Detroit, Chicago, and other huge metro areas. When you look at a population density map of the US, there are massive amounts of people here, compared to the West. Yes, the UP, and Norhtern MI are sparsely populated, but within a few hours, there are millions of people, and summers up here, while beautiful and mild are much crazier and lively than I expected.

[Topher]

Originally Posted by tamtec99

Hello. I am considering moving to Michigan from California and was wondering if anyone had any info about anything I should know. I have relatives in Farwell but I am more interested in living farther north (Upper Peninsula?) because I don't like humidity and I am scared of bugs so I need to live somewhere colder than here. I am sick of California. It's overcrowded, too expensive, and if you don't speak spanish, you can't get a job anymore.

Tamtec99...As someone who has lived in Michigan for 48 of my 49 years I wondered if you have looked into the Traverse City area which is in the upper part of the state on the west/Lake Michigan side...Very progressive, larger city, somewhat upscale, with fantastic scenery. Does get quite a bit of Lake effect snow which may or may not suite you. Do yourself the favor and Google it just to see what it's all about. You wont be disappointed. "Topher". (p.s...I would consider living there but am more of a "really" big water person ( Ocean ) so I am checking out Oregon in the fall!

[bluebird39]

Oregon has the most beautiful coast line that I've ever seen. We just did the opposite move you're considering. I really miss Oregon, but it's way too far away from our families, and the cost of living has become WAY too high there. The whole coast line is public, which is so incredible. The all-private lakefronts here in Michigan really bum me out! We finally did get a VERY old used boat so that we could enjoy them from the water, since that seems to be about the only way you can in many places. I never knew boating could be so addictive! After a winter here, I don't want to ever live without snow, and now I'm putting lakes high on a list of future places to live.

[calidude]

hey man i live in los angeles near lax i lived in michigan in highland park(detroit city) to be exact. MIchigan is cold and there is so much union there. I love CALi ya there is alot of spanish speaking and crap but we are near mexico. If u move from cali to mi u will be in CUltue shock for a while trust me