[JessicaGM08]

Um, mainly "across the train tracks..." There are more safe areas in Marshall as Albion is kind of getting back on it's feet... Most of our professors and students live ont he side of the train tracks closest to campus-Albion College. I have labs too If you want a big yard, look out by 25 and a half mile road I believe. I will ask around and get back to you- when is your move?

[us2indaup]

You're right, the areas of Albion near Campus are lovely, with historic old houses and tree lined streets. Just stay away from Austin Ave., unless it's changed a lot since I was around there.
I'm glad to hear Albion is getting back on it's feet. My Mother and Uncle both passed away while in the nursing home there, and I was astonished when the entire Albion Trillium hospital closed. When my folks became ill, they had to be sent to Battle Creek by ambulance, which really added up.
Oh, and another nice little town within commuting distance of Albion is Olivet. A small college town with a very pleasant atmosphere.

Originally Posted by JessicaGM08

Um, mainly "across the train tracks..." There are more safe areas in Marshall as Albion is kind of getting back on it's feet... Most of our professors and students live ont he side of the train tracks closest to campus-Albion College. I have labs too If you want a big yard, look out by 25 and a half mile road I believe. I will ask around and get back to you- when is your move?

[JessicaGM08]

I agree, thank you us2indaup. Olivet is a nice community not too far. Somewhat similar to Marshall with a bit more diversity.

[rd2007]

Isn't the college in Albion private? I was born in Adrian and if I remember right Albion and Adrian were the two most expensive private colleges in Michigan.

Reading through this brought back fond memories as I seriously miss Michigan, but from what I've been hearing it's not doing so good with the economy.

I grew up in Ann Arbor and that sounds like a much better place for the OP to look. It's definitely diverse and not a sleepy town. It's California expensive though and that's why I don't go back. My parents still live in Saline though and hopefully I can inherit their house. That'll be the only way I can afford one up there..


BTW, I know Ann Arbor and Saline aren't even close to Albion. I'm just reminiscing..

[jpoole52]

wow, you are definitely getting some mixed messages here, that's for sure.

Let me give you some of my background so you can see where I am coming from. I'm 224, I went to Albion for English, Spanish and secondary ed. and student taught at Albion H.S. I taught near Jackson for several years (which, by the way, has several nice outlying areas, so I'm not sure why people are so down on Jackson on here).

Presonally, if I were you, I would not live in Albion. The schools are very bad, the admininstration in the school district is beyond bizarre... several years ago they hired a superintendent that used to work for Detroit public schools (HORRIBLE) because they thought he could revamp Albion (There is a striking resemblance between Detroit and Albion in some ways....

Here is my advice. I would look to live in Chelsea or Ann Arbor (from a 30-50 minute commute) and have your husband commute to Albion Schools. Many people in the Albion areas commute since it is right off 94. I don't think the Albion elementaries are that bad... if you have kids you could send them there, but if they are older, I wouldn't but that is just me. Also, you could check out Parma Western schools, they are excellent and just a town over from Albion, which has many beautiful rural areas if you look south of town.

I hope this helps... I am always really pulling for Albion to improve and there are many great aspects of small town life and the culture that exists both because of the people that live there and the college, but it's not anything I would wish to someone moving from somewhere that appears to be a #3 ranked place to live

[jpoole52]

ha, no, Albion is most definitely not a starbucks type of place, they really don't have chains there. I really think I would look at Chelsea, Parma, and Marshall. And while I wouldn't want my kid in Jackson public, I would definitely look at the surrounding areas of Jackson, which is really no worse than Albion... I lived in albion for 4 years, and Jackson for 2, and except for size and amenities, there is not a HUGE difference in the schooling or the safety concerns in my opinion

[us2indaup]

Originally Posted by jpoole52

(There is a striking resemblance between Detroit and Albion in some ways...........................Also, you could check out Parma Western schools, they are excellent and just a town over from Albion, which has many beautiful rural areas if you look south of town.

Albion does share a lot of Detroits bad characteristics, unfortunately. When I was in school we referred to it as 'little Chicago'.
Western schools near Parma is actually part of the Jackson school system, but they have a very good reputation. I don't think you need go so far as to commute from Chelsea or Ann Arbor. As I've said, I'm from Springport and love the farming atmosphere, but my all time favorite town in that area would be either Eaton Rapids or Leslie (my husband's home town), both of which are very friendly, respectable towns. E.R. is about a half hour commute, but it's all two lane state roads. Do a search on the local MLS real estate, see what you find.

[JessicaGM08]

Originally Posted by rd2007

Isn't the college in Albion private? I was born in Adrian and if I remember right Albion and Adrian were the two most expensive private colleges in Michigan.

Reading through this brought back fond memories as I seriously miss Michigan, but from what I've been hearing it's not doing so good with the economy.

I grew up in Ann Arbor and that sounds like a much better place for the OP to look. It's definitely diverse and not a sleepy town. It's California expensive though and that's why I don't go back. My parents still live in Saline though and hopefully I can inherit their house. That'll be the only way I can afford one up there..


BTW, I know Ann Arbor and Saline aren't even close to Albion. I'm just reminiscing..

Yes, Albion is private and is expensive... I'm moving out of state to get better teacher pay to pay off my debt I think, however, that 99% of Albion students do NOT pay full tuition... lots of help.

[JessicaGM08]

And I must agree... Ann Arbor is wonderful It truly would be an easier transition from a #3 ranked town...

[M TYPE X]

Ann Arbor (best ) or Kalamazoo good , Marshall might work ( ) ... meanwhile, Battle Creek, Jackson, Albion = bad

I could live in Marquette or Petoskey, hell even Cheboygan (otherwise not my kind of place at all, nice to visit sometimes), but not a lot of smaller towns in lower Michigan that have no character and no future.

It's true that Michigan does not have the kind of super large and super prosperous suburb such as a Sugar Land (isn't it two separate words?) or Naperville. Novi and northwest, and Clinton/Macomb townships seem somewhat comparable, although growth has really halted.

Anyway, if he's going to take the job in Albion, you should look into homes in the Marshall area, or perhaps Eaton Rapids (?).

Bottom line...
There's a reason why they call it "I-94" ... I go 94 mph and don't stop between Stevensville and Scio Township.
(Except for construction ... Michigan drivers ALWAYS slow down for construction zones ............................................ who am I fooling?! )