Looking for info on U.P. living....JOBS LOL.... (Grand Rapids: real estate, property taxes)

[jessrnelson]

You said you have seen a lot of "entry level jobs" in the marquette/houghton area that require a college degree. im desperatly trying to move to marquette and i cant find anything. and, i have a college degree. im willing to do about anything at this point....in or out of my field. if you have any suggestions let me know. thanks so much

[Torrid]

Originally Posted by jessrnelson

You said you have seen a lot of "entry level jobs" in the marquette/houghton area that require a college degree. im desperatly trying to move to marquette and i cant find anything. and, i have a college degree. im willing to do about anything at this point....in or out of my field. if you have any suggestions let me know. thanks so much

Hey there Ya don't need a college degree to pump gas....or run a cash register I just check out the Mining Journal and see what's listed. If you're willing to do "anything", I'm sure you can find something. At least, that's what I hope for anyone wanting to move to the U.P. Good luck!!

[flownmuse]

I chose to move to the UP (Ishpeming, to be exact) with my boyfriend when he had to relocate for his job a couple of months ago. Follow the good advice of previous posters when they tell you to find employment before you move here, and you will save yourself a struggle. Or make sure that you have a nest egg. There are jobs, but many of them are part-time with zero benefits. Competition is fierce.

[SusanC]

I am from northern LP, and loved every minute of it. I went to college in the UP (Soo), and found people there to be very "to-themselves". It was a beautiful town, but I was pretty lonely.
You might consider the northern LP - East Jordan (main business is East Jordan Iron Works), Boyne City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Boyne Falls, etc. areas have countryside and small towns. Traverse City is an hour to 1-1/2 hours away (we considered that the BIG city when we were growing up). Businesses are growing too.
I moved a few years ago to Ypsilanti, and with the exception of the fact I met my incredible husband here, I miss the upper LP. You said that you were looking for "that perfect spot where people are social but, not up your whoopsie daisy and in your business all of the time." The towns I mentioned are perfect for that.

Good luck in your search for happiness. I wish you the best.

[M TYPE X]

My family's summer vacation home is in the St Ignace area. I personally enjoy Marquette and Houghton whenever I have the chance. Michigan Tech offered me a full scholarship, but I'm more a city person and really enjoyed my time at UM in Ann Arbor instead (plus, I decided that engineering was not for me).

Downstate ski areas get too crowded and expensive. The UP is still a secret to many people. You can go on vacation and eat well. My parents have probably considered moving to Munising or some town that gets "cut off from the outside world" in winter, but I don't think I could handle it.

In retrospect, letting those Buckeyes have Toledo and acquiring the UP was a win-win for Michigan!

[ChairborneRanger]

In my view, the U. P. is a wonderful place for 6-9 months out of the year, but just WAY too desolate and isolated for year-round living. As SusanC said, many of the folks there are really "into" themselves and less than socially inclined-----from that standpoint, alond-----I would think the Northern LP might be a much better choice!

[us2indaup]

I lived in MUnising for 11 years, and while its a beautiful area, I absolutly hated it there. The people were clannish, rude, and overly defensive about being "yoopers". Then 6 years ago we moved to the western UP, near Ironwood. What a difference!! It's just as beautiful here, jobs are a little more plentiful, and real estate is dirt cheap. You won't believe how cheap until you check into it.
But about the job situation, I've been working for a staffing agency (temp agency) in a factory for over two years, and before that I worked in convenience stores and motels or nursing homes. All of these are great places to look for work and while you'll never get rich, the quality of life and low cost of living here are more than worth it. Just don't judge the whole U P by certain areas. This community welcomed me and I've made some great friends here.

[Torrid]

TY for the advice flown......We are currently in the Michigan Works database

Originally Posted by flownmuse

I chose to move to the UP (Ishpeming, to be exact) with my boyfriend when he had to relocate for his job a couple of months ago. Follow the good advice of previous posters when they tell you to find employment before you move here, and you will save yourself a struggle. Or make sure that you have a nest egg. There are jobs, but many of them are part-time with zero benefits. Competition is fierce.

[Torrid]

TY Susan. We will keep your advice in mind....Take care.

Originally Posted by SusanC

I am from northern LP, and loved every minute of it. I went to college in the UP (Soo), and found people there to be very "to-themselves". It was a beautiful town, but I was pretty lonely.
You might consider the northern LP - East Jordan (main business is East Jordan Iron Works), Boyne City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Boyne Falls, etc. areas have countryside and small towns. Traverse City is an hour to 1-1/2 hours away (we considered that the BIG city when we were growing up). Businesses are growing too.
I moved a few years ago to Ypsilanti, and with the exception of the fact I met my incredible husband here, I miss the upper LP. You said that you were looking for "that perfect spot where people are social but, not up your whoopsie daisy and in your business all of the time." The towns I mentioned are perfect for that.

Good luck in your search for happiness. I wish you the best.

[Torrid]

In retrospect, letting those Buckeyes have Toledo and acquiring the UP was a win-win for Michigan! [/quote]........Oh yeah! I agree......Toledo is getting to be just as nasty as Detroit. Drove up that way last weekend and all I can say is YUK!!!!! lol.....Take care.