[persephone]

I live in Northern Michigan, work in Petoskey. I am looking to relocate somewhere in lower Michigan, Northern Indiana, or Northern Ohio. I am trying to stay somewhere within a 3-4 hour radius of Detroit because my youngest child lives there.

I am currently a server in a fine dining restaurant located within a casino. I have also had management experience in retail.

I am really very open to any and all suggestions at this point, I am just trying to gather some first hand information. I have one teenage son, a large dog and an aging cat.

I appreciate any and all replies and look forward to hearing from you!

[Cato the Elder]

If you can get a job, why not metro Detroit? If you want to work in a casino, I find it hard to believe that anywhere in northern Indiana or Ohio have Detroit beat in this industry, but I'm sure we'll hear from someone how terrible it is to get a job in Detroit (thousands are applying to Home Depot! ) and how great these other areas are. Take heart b/c 99% of these stories are presented by people comparing retail jobs with their parent's cush union job with the Big 3. Windsor also might be an option but I'm not sure how easy it is for a US citizen to work across the border. Good luck!

[Wabbit]

Great Job Cato!
I came back to do a little catch up reading on the old board and I am
sooooo pleased to report that, since I agree with everything you
say, I can disappear again! Yip-Yip-YAHOOOO!
Same goes of course for my homey Magellan who is always spot on and
the newbies in Royal Oak who bring that cali-style sunshine that's always welcome here in the NEW Midwest. That's right haters the WABBITS
BACK! - And lovin' Michigan more the EVAAAAAAAAA!

Check ya in December guys and keep up the good work,
MISS YA MUCH!

[allbusiness]

A new casino opened down in the southwest corner of the state recently, and another new one will be opening just south of Grand Rapids in the very near future. There are hundreds of nice dining establishments and many fine dining places throughout the Grand Rapdis/Holland area. I don't know about server jobs, but someone with experience and good references shouldn't have much or a hard time finding a great place to work.

Plenty of good public schools for your teenage son too. If you're used to the rural lifestyle and want to keep it, try the areas between Holland and Grand Rapids --Jenison, Hudsonville, etc. Great schools, close to the "big" city and close to the beaches.

[Zmehappy]

persephone, Saugatuck/Douglas is another great area to check. Right on Lake Michigan and great dining choices to work at as well. Plus within about 50 minutes of the new casino in New Buffalo as well as the upcoming casino near Grand Rapids.

Allbusiness suggestion of Jenison or Hudsonville is great as well.

[persephone]

Thank you for all of the suggestions.......working on research now!