[Rohan]

This summer we visited Petoskey and it was GORGEOUS. We currently live in Royal Oak Michigan, while overall pretty happy here, we are losing schools and the school system is suffering.

Also we are unhappy with the urban busing from detroit bringing people into our area, and the economy down here is DEAD.

I am curious to hear more about Petoskey, the good and the bad.

[Angel Bear]

I have a cabin near Boyne City, so naturally, I have visited Petoskey many times to have fun and shop, eat, etc. on vacations. Probably been going the past 10 years

It is very gorgeous up there. I've never been up in the winter though...That may be something to consider I know there are places in Northern Michigan where it will shut down basically due to too much snow. But, I'm sure things have changed in 10 years.

In the 10 years I've been going up there, I've noticed that it has built up slowly, so it has all the suburban conveniences similar to Metro Detroit. The nice thing about Northern Michigan is that there's skiing in the winter to continue bringing tourists up. Some of the resort towns that don't have skiing tend to be slower economically in the winter...Just from my unscientific observations LOL.

I say if you are drawn there, it must be for a reason. I like the slower pace, friendliness, small-town atmosphere of northern towns like Petoskey. I think if you have an interest, you should check it out and consider it--Life is too short not to go for it!

[KentuckyPeach]

The economy up here isn't any better. We've lived here 7 years and we're on our way to Wyoming. This is a beautiful area! But you might want to have money in the bank or a secure job to come up here to. I'm on the north end of emmet county and folks around here are starting to suffer due to job loss. We've been decreasing about 20% per year for the last 3 years economically and that's only the beginning. The hunting, skiing and snowmobiling are bringing tourist, but not like it use to.

[mariatherese]

Yes, I'll echo all of what's been said. Petoskey doesn't shut down the way a lot of the UP towns do in the winter, however economy has been getting worse in all of Michigan. As those downstate are having a hard time, they will be less likely to come up north for vacation. So, it affects us as well. Still, it's a great place to live IMO. It's where all my family is from. I think winters are beautiful.

I'd give the same advice I give to everyone questioning about MI: make sure you have a job there first, and if you are prepared to make less money for a higher quality of life, you'll be happy. But, if it's just money you're looking for, I'd look elsewhere.

Good luck!

[dianeeileen]

It dosen't have the hip feel that Royal Oak has, however very beautiful, and progressive by rural MI standards. Great schools, good hospital, lots of rip shops and resturants. But if you don't like snow, cold, and out doors better look else where.

[bones20]

My parents live in Boyne City, I lived there my self as a child. The major 'shopping' town near by is Petoskey. I live in Traverse City and have been in boyne/traverse/elk rapids my whole life. I had 2 brothers live in Petoskey for a few years. They lived right in town. They had a great lifestyle minus the fact they worked at a hardware store and a coffee shop for minimum wage. If your a professional and are willing to live on half of what you made before you could probably survive in Petoskey. It's rough up here.

Oh, and Petoskey does get substantial snowfall in the winter.



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[Southernkomfort27]

The other post are pretty accurate. If you have a job lined up before you make your move, then you will be okay. Petoskey is very pretty. I currently live in Boyne City and work in Petoskey. Although I am college educated, I'm working in the hospitalility industry for eight bucks an hour. Most jobs here are in the service sector and don't pay much. That is why I am planning to move out of state as soon as I save enough money.

[Rapunzll]

I don't live in Petoskey, I live in Traverse City, but what I can tell you is, don't expect to make the sort of money up north that you make down there. The cost of living up here is high relative to wages.

[M TYPE X]

Petoskey and TC are for retirees, not young people with decades of earnings potential in front of them. It hurts that there are no public universities between Mt Pleasant and the Soo ... I'd be all over faculty job openings in NW lower Michigan like some kind of disease, and so would a lot of other people with Masters and Doctorate degrees.

There are MANY nice places in this country to live that are restricted in terms of growth because they are tourist economies, not industrial centers. Then again, if you could move 80,000 people into TC ... the locals would gripe so loudly, you wouldn't be able to hear yourself think.

[scottmi]

I lived up in Boyne City for a few months in early '05, which is about 10-15 minutes away from Petoskey.

You're right in saying that it's a beautiful town....but the town closes down at 5pm or so. The area is mostly for married couples, retirees and families. If you don't fit into any one of those categories or hope to become one during your time in Petoskey, think again about moving there.

Beautiful place to visit, but BIG mistake to move to.

Keep it down near GR if you need to be in Michigan. You're only 3-4 hours away.