[jeeg]

Originally Posted by music83lover2001

I would never, ever recommend living in the UP. It is nice to visit if the weather is nice or you don't mind a nine month long winter, but the simple fact of the matter is that unless you have a high in demand skill, in the medical field for example, you will not be able to support yourself. I am 25 and I have been trying to find a job that will pay a living wage and I can't find one. It is rediculous. I would move, but I have no idea where to go. The UP can be very pretty and compared to a lot of places is relatively safe, but not a place to live if you don't want to be living hand to mouth all of your life.

We're not much older then you. Chose to move here due to all the opportunities. Making more then enough money to make us happy with great job security (sure some people will say we don't have much but we could care less about new flashy gizmos). Have yet to see a 9 month long winter (altho we wouldn't care because we love winter - it was almost too warm today!). It's all in your priorities and what's important to you.

Altho I agree in part with Darstar. I'm only 31 but I've already travelled all over the U.S. (living hand to mouth most the time but life is about experiences). If the U.P. is all you've known............. get the hell out there and live it up some!!! As to where to go?? Pack only what you can fit in your car. Research a couple different areas of the country with a robust economy. Pick one and GO!! When you get tired of that place, pick another one and GO!! So on and so forth. I would do the northernmost places in the summer and the southernmost places in the winter. That way if you ever have to sleep in your car or a tent (which we've done for long stretches) then it's no big deal.
Now get out there and live life!!

[darstar]

Originally Posted by jeeg

We're not much older then you. Chose to move here due to all the opportunities. Making more then enough money to make us happy with great job security (sure some people will say we don't have much but we could care less about new flashy gizmos). Have yet to see a 9 month long winter (altho we wouldn't care because we love winter - it was almost too warm today!). It's all in your priorities and what's important to you.

Altho I agree in part with Darstar. I'm only 31 but I've already travelled all over the U.S. (living hand to mouth most the time but life is about experiences). If the U.P. is all you've known............. get the hell out there and live it up some!!! As to where to go?? Pack only what you can fit in your car. Research a couple different areas of the country with a robust economy. Pick one and GO!! When you get tired of that place, pick another one and GO!! So on and so forth. I would do the northernmost places in the summer and the southernmost places in the winter. That way if you ever have to sleep in your car or a tent (which we've done for long stretches) then it's no big deal.
Now get out there and live life!!

AW,..to be 31 again !........the open road, adventure ,.some might say , " Going nowhere , is a waste of time "....... I say , nowhere , may be the place to be........welcome to the UP !

[music83lover2001]

I did move away when I was 18. I moved to Florida...I found that it was no better there and I came home.

<b>jeeg</b>, you said "we're" and "us." I would assume that you are married or have a roommate or something. Having a second income would definitely help in this area, although finding jobs are still tough.

I have extenuating circumstances that make it difficult to just pick up and go. Not to mention, I did that once and it blew up in my face. I am not looking to be rich, don't get me wrong. But having a nice, safe apartment of my own, enough money for the necessities of life and some left over to go out and enjoy myself occassionally.(keep in mind this is the UP and where I live there isn't a lot to do that I could spend a lot of money on unless I went out of town). I don't think that is too much to ask. My biggest gripe in the UP is that the wages are so low. It is very hard to find a job, let alone a job that is more that $8-9 an hour. That is NOT a living wage that you could support yourself on, let alone a family, without assistance. I understand that some have found great jobs in the UP and have a financially comfortable life, but I sure haven't found it and I have been looking.

[jeeg]

Originally Posted by music83lover2001

I did move away when I was 18. I moved to Florida...I found that it was no better there and I came home.

<b>jeeg</b>, you said "we're" and "us." I would assume that you are married or have a roommate or something. Having a second income would definitely help in this area, although finding jobs are still tough.

I have extenuating circumstances that make it difficult to just pick up and go. Not to mention, I did that once and it blew up in my face. I am not looking to be rich, don't get me wrong. But having a nice, safe apartment of my own, enough money for the necessities of life and some left over to go out and enjoy myself occassionally.(keep in mind this is the UP and where I live there isn't a lot to do that I could spend a lot of money on unless I went out of town). I don't think that is too much to ask. My biggest gripe in the UP is that the wages are so low. It is very hard to find a job, let alone a job that is more that $8-9 an hour. That is NOT a living wage that you could support yourself on, let alone a family, without assistance. I understand that some have found great jobs in the UP and have a financially comfortable life, but I sure haven't found it and I have been looking.

Yes the "we" equals my spouse and I. But only one of us works (the other stays home with the kids) and we don't make much more then the figure you quoted above. That single figure supports the five of us just fine (2 kids and large dog). We take nor need no assistance.
We have no credit cards or anything, we live within our means. Last October we took an extended vacation out to Colorade with money we had saved.
Wages may be lower up here but so is the housing (outside the city/township of Marquette itself).
It isn't as difficult to make a life up here as you make it sound like. Now if you expect to have an expensive house, new(er) cars, buy new clothes frequently, going out to eat on a regular basis............. then yes you're going to have a tough time making ends meet.
We cook from scratch, only go out to dinner on birthdays, drive older vehicles, shop yard sales & thrift stores, and haven't seen a movie at a theatre in years. But we're very happy and satisfied with our lives.
Like I said, it's all about what you make of it!

Go get training in some aspect of the medical field or something. Start the apprenticeship they now offer for linemens. Get a degree in corrections and work at the prison. Go apply at the cable company.
Whatever it is, make your life happen!

[music83lover2001]

Originally Posted by jeeg

Yes the "we" equals my spouse and I. But only one of us works (the other stays home with the kids) and we don't make much more then the figure you quoted above. That single figure supports the five of us just fine (2 kids and large dog). We take nor need no assistance.
We have no credit cards or anything, we live within our means. Last October we took an extended vacation out to Colorade with money we had saved.
Wages may be lower up here but so is the housing (outside the city/township of Marquette itself).
It isn't as difficult to make a life up here as you make it sound like. Now if you expect to have an expensive house, new(er) cars, buy new clothes frequently, going out to eat on a regular basis............. then yes you're going to have a tough time making ends meet.
We cook from scratch, only go out to dinner on birthdays, drive older vehicles, shop yard sales & thrift stores, and haven't seen a movie at a theatre in years. But we're very happy and satisfied with our lives.
Like I said, it's all about what you make of it!

Go get training in some aspect of the medical field or something. Start the apprenticeship they now offer for linemens. Get a degree in corrections and work at the prison. Go apply at the cable company.
Whatever it is, make your life happen!

I meant no offense. But I think you misunderstand me. I don't expect to live in an expensive house and be rich. I drive a 13 year old car and live with my parents (because I have to, not necessarily out of choice). I give you props because I don't know how you do it. I am very frugal myself. I live within my means and do not rely on credit cards or other means of debt as well and I find it hard. Life is expensive, as I am sure you will agree. I am not by any means living high on the hog, nor do I strive for that. I just think that it is rediculous that the wages are so low here. And as for the cost of living, it is not that low, at least not where I live. I have checked for apartments in bigger areas and they are the same price as here. As far as it not being as hard as I make it sound, I am not the only one with my view. My coworkers and friends all say the same thing. The simple fact of the matter is, that it is getting harder to make ends meet everywhere, but particularily rural areas. I am not trying to make an argument out of this, but I personally do find it hard here and so do a lot of people I know. I think that if someone is considering moving to the UP they should hear many thoughts on the matter. I agree that some can do well here, but some people can't. It is competitive for good jobs in a small area, skilled or not. I just know that if I was looking to move somewhere, which I have been, I would want a lot of different viewpoints and I just thought I would throw my experience out there.

[darstar]

For most young people , the Big City is where its at. I found out long ago , myself. I came from a small Midwest place, and , it was hard at first , but , the opportunities are there. Rural America, and , small cities , can not compete , never will. Chicago , did it for me, listen to an old guy , who's been there, done that,..., , make your splash, your stash of cash, and then , get out , before you are too old to enjoy it.
Having kids , make things more difficult , I know , but , then , so does an assortment of wives over the years , we all have our setbacks. Being happy is the main thing , and , sometimes , we all have to grin and bare it , to get there....

[jeeg]

Originally Posted by music83lover2001

I meant no offense. But I think you misunderstand me. I don't expect to live in an expensive house and be rich. I drive a 13 year old car and live with my parents (because I have to, not necessarily out of choice). I give you props because I don't know how you do it. I am very frugal myself. I live within my means and do not rely on credit cards or other means of debt as well and I find it hard. Life is expensive, as I am sure you will agree. I am not by any means living high on the hog, nor do I strive for that. I just think that it is rediculous that the wages are so low here. And as for the cost of living, it is not that low, at least not where I live. I have checked for apartments in bigger areas and they are the same price as here. As far as it not being as hard as I make it sound, I am not the only one with my view. My coworkers and friends all say the same thing. The simple fact of the matter is, that it is getting harder to make ends meet everywhere, but particularily rural areas. I am not trying to make an argument out of this, but I personally do find it hard here and so do a lot of people I know. I think that if someone is considering moving to the UP they should hear many thoughts on the matter. I agree that some can do well here, but some people can't. It is competitive for good jobs in a small area, skilled or not. I just know that if I was looking to move somewhere, which I have been, I would want a lot of different viewpoints and I just thought I would throw my experience out there.

No offense meant and no offense taken!
Was just merely trying to point out that it can be done! Yes things are getting harder, costs of goods are going up, so on and so forth. But that is happening all across the nation. Not just the U.P. I have friends and family griping about how tough it is in several states, big cities and rural areas.

Definitely share your viewpoints! I never said you were wrong nor that I am in the right. Was just having a friendly exchange of differing views and trying to help you out because you seemed down about your lot in life.
Carry on, carry on.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by music83lover2001

I did move away when I was 18. I moved to Florida...I found that it was no better there and I came home.

<b>jeeg</b>, you said "we're" and "us." I would assume that you are married or have a roommate or something. Having a second income would definitely help in this area, although finding jobs are still tough.

I have extenuating circumstances that make it difficult to just pick up and go. Not to mention, I did that once and it blew up in my face. I am not looking to be rich, don't get me wrong. But having a nice, safe apartment of my own, enough money for the necessities of life and some left over to go out and enjoy myself occassionally.(keep in mind this is the UP and where I live there isn't a lot to do that I could spend a lot of money on unless I went out of town). I don't think that is too much to ask. My biggest gripe in the UP is that the wages are so low. It is very hard to find a job, let alone a job that is more that $8-9 an hour. That is NOT a living wage that you could support yourself on, let alone a family, without assistance. I understand that some have found great jobs in the UP and have a financially comfortable life, but I sure haven't found it and I have been looking.

If you basically like the UP but feel it might be time to leave, then maybe it's better to head out West. There's all kinds of small towns, or scenic places to explore. Florida wouldn't be for me -- but Florida isn't the only place to try.

I've known people who packed up their car and took off -- I know a girl who was 19 and lived in a campground in Colorado -- mostly to see if she could make it somewhere else and on her own. Sometimes though wages aren't really all that great in other places -- you still have to work your way up the ladder -- but maybe the ladder moves up faster some place else.

If you feel you should go -- think of it like your pioneer ancestors must have seen it. Imagine how for so many of our ancestors they left a comfortable environment and all their family and friends never knowing if they would see them again, boarded a ship and made their way to someplace they'd never seen.

[us2indaup]

Just chipping in my two cents worth about the availability of jobs in the U.P. I've turned down at least three jobs offers that I can think of since moving to the U.P. one just this afternoon. It just wasn't interesting to me. It's not all about the money. Here, I can live the lifestyle I want and work the job I choose. Granted, some people have more expenses than I do, but fundamentally I believe that it can be done, and the lifestyle here is more than worth it.

[doomsday]

i too am dreaming of moving to the u.p. (houghton-hancock area). i have been reading through all your postings and feel much better about my dream. i grew up in northern michigan and know that you have to invest time to find decent employment. i'm a blue collar worker and have worked any job i could until i found what i needed but what i havent heard is anything about jobs with health insurance up there. the u.p. has everything i have wanted since i left northern mi hunting, fishing, hiking and all things outdoors. i'm a single father with a son who is finishing up an associates. I was lucky enough to put him through school for two years but now its up to him to take out loans however he cannot afford housing and school so I thought if we moved to houghton i could supply his housing and he can go on at MTU. My job is looking less secure than ever (auto industry) and am being offered an out that would leave me debt free with some change in the bank to start over but health insurance is an issue. i have worked numerous service jobs, fiberglass boat manufacturing and currently automotive industry. so is there any jobs with insurance, is it true that the nearest airport is 400 miles away (have daughter in florida) and are there any single woman in th 30 to 50 year age. and torrid i'm glad things have worked for you best of luck!