moving back to MI? (Detroit, Kalamazoo: house, jobs, schools)

[Chrissy945]

Hey. Well my husband and were born and raised in Michigan and we lived there up until 1996. We then lived overseas for two years and then ended up in South Carolina where we now have lived for 9 years. My husband is a teacher and back in 1996 would not pay him for a Master's degree in Education. We are looking to move back someday, but hear the economy is AWFUL. All of our family is there and we feel homesick sometimes. We have grown VERYtired of South Carolina and are looking to come back to Michigan or somewhere closer. Is Michigan still in need of teachers? Maybe we should just try and get closer to home somewhere. We also have a adopted Chinese daughter and would like her to be in an environment with more diversity.
Any advice would be great. Thanks,

Chrissy

[suydam]

Teaching jobs are hard to come by in Michigan right now....at least for young teachers.
More experienced teachers might float to the top of the pile more quickly, but the job market is fierce.

With a bad economy in Michigan, and stagnant population (or declining in some places) schools aren't expanding. The universities continue to turn out many more teachers than have a prayer of actual employment.

I know it's just anecdotal, but I've heard several stories from local districts about posted jobs getting 200-300 resumes.

Do you have any school districts where you actually know someone important? That might help you get past that pile of 300 resumes and at least get an interview. Just a thought.

Good luck in your job search!

[jpoole52]

How ironic, I taught for two years in Michigan and just relocated to Greenville, SC in June. I left because I hated the school I was at and had spent the last two years interviewing A LOT (some schools do three round interviews and don't even bother to call you back ex. I drove from Detroit to Kalamazoo area for 3 consecutive days for their rounds, made it to the round with the superintendant, and they never even bothered to call me back afterwards).

Finding a job can be done; Some of my friends did find jobs this year actually and I wonder if I would have stuck around if I too could have found one. However, I'll warn that your husband might not find a school district that is willing to or can afford to pay him for his experience and his masters. I really think that he would have to move back to Michigan for the entire summer to dedicate himself to finding a job, that's what most people have to do. Best of luck to you!

For now, I really love Greenville and the school I teach at (where did you guys live out of curiosity). The technology and professional development are outstanding to a level I have never seen in Michigan.

Buena suerte!

[Chrissy945]

JPoole,

We live in Aiken, SC. It's on the border of Augusta, GA.

[joedekock]

It is very tough to find a job as a teacher... even with experience. The schools are facing the 6th straight year of budget cuts from the state, so when openings do open up for teachers, the districts like to fill them with 0-3 years experienced teachers to save some money.

Good luck... you will need it.

[babe911]

we lived in michigan all our lives until 8 mo ago when we moved to florida because of job opportunities but we are not happy all our family lives in michigan we are not degree professionals. we lost our home there to backrupcy but looking to come back is it that bad as far as the economy

[trinkit]

Chrissy,
I just moved to Aiken from Michigan -- or in the process of doing so. I'd love to hear from former Michiganders. So far, I like it, but miss hubby terribly. He's still in Michigan selling our mobile home. I work at the SRS site, so I'm not "in tune" with the teacher employment forecast in Michigan, but the engineering and manufacturing industries have all but dried up. And when people move out of Michigan, taking their families with them, there is less need for teachers.

Good luck in your goal to move back. We are of the age where we are looking down the road at retirement and there was not future for that in Michigan.

[MaddieClaire]

Originally Posted by trinkit

Chrissy,
I just moved to Aiken from Michigan -- or in the process of doing so. I'd love to hear from former Michiganders. So far, I like it, but miss hubby terribly. He's still in Michigan selling our mobile home. I work at the SRS site, so I'm not "in tune" with the teacher employment forecast in Michigan, but the engineering and manufacturing industries have all but dried up. And when people move out of Michigan, taking their families with them, there is less need for teachers.

Good luck in your goal to move back. We are of the age where we are looking down the road at retirement and there was not future for that in Michigan.

How do you like living in Aiken????

[redwingsfan19]

Originally Posted by babe911

we lived in michigan all our lives until 8 mo ago when we moved to florida because of job opportunities but we are not happy all our family lives in michigan we are not degree professionals. we lost our home there to backrupcy but looking to come back is it that bad as far as the economy

We left 3 months ago and things are better here in Wichita, ks, but still miss home, left family and friends behind. We had no choice, this is what we have to do to survive in this world. Michigan has a lot to offer if your house is payed for and you can find a job, but with a young family and loosing your job it just sucks!!!!!!!!!!!! one nice thing is that it has been sunny everyday down here