How many of you are looking to move out of Michigan? (Springfield: relocating, real estate)

[Novanow]

Lots of jobs in and around Ann Arbor. Just start looking.

[Timeless_36]

Originally Posted by redwingsfan19

Just wondering how bad the problem is.
What is your story and why you want to make the move and where?

We plan on leaving soon. I was born, and have lived in SW Michigan almost 37 years now. Moving out of state will be a huge adjustment. But the reasons we have decided to leave are .....

-We are so tired of the cold weather almost year around.
-Jobs are so scarce.
-I worry about my kids' futures living here in Michigan.
-My kids' schools aren't the greatest .. actually considered home schooling.
-The state is getting worse by the hour and I fear worse will become of it if something isn't done!

There's just too much negative and not enough positive in Michigan, and the 2-3 months (if we're lucky) of nice weather we do get, isn't worth staying here anymore.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Where do you plan to move to? I live in Missouri and love it, but I can't compare it to Michigan since I've never lived there. The closest city I've been to very often is St. Louis, which I love. St. Louis is on the rise again after a number of years in population decline. And property is fairly cheap. Might be cheaper on the Illinois side of St. Louis, but I think they have higher taxes. Although Missouri's pretty vast, so life differs a lot across it. St. Louis does get snow, but not like Michigan does. St. Louis is one of the 4 seasons cities. You get every season.

Sounds like Michigan needs to do something to bring people back.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

Where do you plan to move to? I live in Missouri and love it, but I can't compare it to Michigan since I've never lived there. The closest city I've been to very often is St. Louis, which I love. St. Louis is on the rise again after a number of years in population decline. And property is fairly cheap. Might be cheaper on the Illinois side of St. Louis, but I think they have higher taxes. Although Missouri's pretty vast, so life differs a lot across it. St. Louis does get snow, but not like Michigan does. St. Louis is one of the 4 seasons cities. You get every season.

Sounds like Michigan needs to do something to bring people back.

Missouri is a very beautiful state. I would be among my top choices -- somewhere after New Mexico or Colorado.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Colorado's very beautiful as well I've heard. I think any of those would be great choices. Usually Forbes has lists of the best and worst cities for categories like jobs and singles (St. Louis was like 27th I think). St. Louis is also the best city for smokers. And in the category of Bohemian Bargains, which are the most cost-efficient cities with good downtowns St. Louis was #9. I'm not sure about New Mexico and Colorado. It probably depends on your tastes and needs.

Missouri in general is cheap, rural areas usually more than cities. I really don't know much about New Mexico and Colorado. The same place isn't right for everybody, so it just depends on what you want and what you can afford. Good luck to you wherever you plan to move to.

Where you decide to move to may depend on if you're single, if you're very social, cost of living, occupation, weather, and a variety of other things.

And on Forbes list of the 20 best cities for education St. Louis is number 9, which kind of surprised me, honestly.

[malamute]

People have to decide what is important to them.

For me -- weather is among the most important -- I can't have it dreary, or too hot, or too cold and I've become accustomed to forests and mountains. But I also like to have a little bit of snow at least within a short driving distance in case I get in the mood to see and feel it.

A big city social scene wouldn't be what draws me -- it is more the quality of the outdoor life. Michigan has great outdoors -- in the northern portions -- but for me the winters are too long -- beautiful -- but too long, it just isn't my preference to have very long winters but for those who prefer them then northern Michigan is ideal.

I actually love the feel and smell of a wood-burning stove and a crisp winter day -- but unfortunately -- I don't like many of them and I'd rather drive up into the mountains and enjoy a day or two of that.

The Ozarks are stunningly beautiful and the people are very down-to-earth and friendly. I don't know how jobs are there but there are 4 seasons for those who value that.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I've been to Lake of the Ozarks multiple times, usually at least once a year. It's very beautiful. I don't know much about the job market, either, though. A job in tourism is probably available. Their ten cent ski ball is a lot of fun as well. There's a strip along there with shops, arcades, and little attractions, most pretty old. During the summer you see people skiing on the lake. There's also resorts and golfing.

[Plains10]

Originally Posted by malamute

People have to decide what is important to them.

For me -- weather is among the most important -- I can't have it dreary, or too hot, or too cold and I've become accustomed to forests and mountains. But I also like to have a little bit of snow at least within a short driving distance in case I get in the mood to see and feel it.

A big city social scene wouldn't be what draws me -- it is more the quality of the outdoor life. Michigan has great outdoors -- in the northern portions -- but for me the winters are too long -- beautiful -- but too long, it just isn't my preference to have very long winters but for those who prefer them then northern Michigan is ideal.

I actually love the feel and smell of a wood-burning stove and a crisp winter day -- but unfortunately -- I don't like many of them and I'd rather drive up into the mountains and enjoy a day or two of that.

The Ozarks are stunningly beautiful and the people are very down-to-earth and friendly. I don't know how jobs are there but there are 4 seasons for those who value that.

There is decent job growth in the Springfield/Branson metro area in Missouri. The rural areas of Missouri tend to have much slower job growth overall.

[amatrine]

I have lived in Albuquerque . The weather is wonderful. 4 mild seasons.
We moved out though because crime is very bad. It is much worse than what the statistics say for Kalamazoo. I was shot at on the freeway comming home from work, My house was burglarized, my car stolen, car was even shaving creamed when left windows open, tires slashed. Arson all over the city. Does not matter what neighborhood you live in , they are all targeted.
Wages are VERY low. There are jobs , if you do not mind working in construction for 8 bucks an hour. Husband made 8 an hour there wharehouse, came to Arizona and now makes 16 same job. Hosuing used to be good. DO not know what the impact there is though since rising prices, and the bubble burst. Albuquerque is ok if you make your house a fortress.

[Timeless_36]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

Where do you plan to move to?

We haven't quite decided between Georgia (have family there), Northern Florida (went there on vacation), and a few other states we're looking into
Who knows, we may just say forget the move, stick it out, and build another house here again lol! We'll have to see I suppose.

I have never been to missouri before....I hear you get alot of twisters there though !