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Old 02-28-2014, 02:11 PM
 
Location: Rust Belt
211 posts, read 298,037 times
Reputation: 121

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Why don't you just stay on the east coast and just move to Baltimore's suburbs? I don't know what you do for a living but the economy in Michigan isn't that great.

Not saying everyone is like this, but most people in Michigan tend to be very cliquish. There aren't a lot of people who move to Michigan or the metro Detroit area who do not already have some STRONG connection to the city. This applies to getting new friends as well as jobs.
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Old 02-28-2014, 06:33 PM
 
Location: Baltimore City
9 posts, read 25,803 times
Reputation: 27
Thanks again for the replies everyone! You're all really helping me figure this whole thing out!

Beachmoue: Rockford seems really nice and we love kayaking so that's just awesome.I'll also be sure to check out Lowell and East Grand Rapids. I don't mind paying more if the area "fits." Thank you for the suggestions.

Grazyme4878: Thanks for the heads up on hospitals. Currently I live within walking distance to one of the best hospitals in the country, so it's nice to know that the area hospitals are not only good, but relatively close. I'll check out all of your suggestions, especially Decorah and Marquette as they seem really nice. I live right on the Bay and only a few hours from the ocean so the idea of being near water in whatever form is really appealing. Yeah, -40 degrees is a bit...chilly to say the least. I'll definitely get back to you when we figure out our route. Thank you for all of the great advice.

Omatic: I definitely wouldn't be opposed to the Detroit Metro. We really just want somewhere new, so everywhere and anywhere is a possibility. Allen Park seems nice, but Port Huron sounds alluring because I have a thing for lighthouses!

Teachbeach: Taxes aren't a huge issue, but lower property taxes are really appealing. I wouldn't mind paying higher property taxes though, as long as the area warranted it. It's funny because we looked into PA and just didn't like it. I can't even give you a solid answer as to why; we just didn't. Remodeling/refurbishing wouldn't be an issue. We could definitely do it and definitely go higher in our budget. I'll make sure to ask about the pole barn option and research it as I've honestly never heard the term before. Finally, thanks for the websites. I'll check them out this weekend.

Magellan: We could definitely bump the budget up. We love winter and are tired of being disappointed in our lack of a good, long, solid winter. Plus, I have an inflammatory autoimmune condition similar to MS and it is always much more manageable when it's cold out. We would never want a new or even newer home, but thanks for the numbers as it really helps put everything into perspective.

Lana92: I will definitely check out those areas. Thanks for the info on hospitals!

DetwahDJ: Thank you for the info and map. It's nice to have a perspective of someone coming from a big city. The trail sounds really cool. I'll be sure to check the area out.

xfactor85: Moving to the Baltimore suburbs is something we considered for a while actually. We are both just ready for a major chance and more snow! I do appreciate your perspective and honesty though; it hasn't fallen upon deaf ears.
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Old 02-28-2014, 08:42 PM
 
2,542 posts, read 6,898,052 times
Reputation: 2635
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tagger1011 View Post
. Currently I live within walking distance to one of the best hospitals in the country, so it's nice to know that the area hospitals are not only good, but relatively close..
Rochester, MN (about 45 min from Decorah) has one of the best hospitals in the world, if it matters...
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Old 03-01-2014, 09:10 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,099 times
Reputation: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tagger1011 View Post


We could definitely bump the budget up. We love winter and are tired of being disappointed in our lack of a good, long, solid winter. Plus, I have an inflammatory autoimmune condition similar to MS and it is always much more manageable when it's cold out. We would never want a new or even newer home, but thanks for the numbers as it really helps put everything into perspective.
When I read your initial response, I was going to suggest that Marquette has much of what you're looking for. However, after reading about your autoimmune condition, you should know that you might have to drive a great deal for quality medical care. While they have started hiring more specialists up here, there is a lot still lacking, especially if you have something that's not typical.

I moved up here from a major city, where I had easy access to high quality care. I have an autoimmune disease as well, and now end up driving to either the University of Michigan or Mayo Clinic for my care, both of which are over 7 hours away. Depending on what kind of specialists you need, you may or may not be able to get care up here.
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Old 03-02-2014, 03:04 PM
 
15 posts, read 25,158 times
Reputation: 28
Quote:
Originally Posted by xfactor85 View Post
Why don't you just stay on the east coast and just move to Baltimore's suburbs? I don't know what you do for a living but the economy in Michigan isn't that great.

Not saying everyone is like this, but most people in Michigan tend to be very cliquish. There aren't a lot of people who move to Michigan or the metro Detroit area who do not already have some STRONG connection to the city. This applies to getting new friends as well as jobs.
That's sugar coating it. Fact is, there are zero jobs here as most of the state is still unemployed and it's just as bad as it was in 2008. The only jobs you will get here are part time or sub-contractor jobs. This is simply the truth.

I highly suggest you consider somewhere that has a stable economy and proper infrastructure, as Michigan is literally ranked the worst in the US in that regard. You'd be better off in Mississippi than here.

Good luck.
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Old 03-02-2014, 08:29 PM
 
Location: Rust Belt
211 posts, read 298,037 times
Reputation: 121
Possibly consider moving to Denver too? Denver has snow and mountains which makes the snow somewhat useful and pretty. Also, I know you said that you like cold temperature, but I can't imagine that you would rather step outside when its 0 vs when it is 25 degrees.
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Old 03-03-2014, 09:58 AM
 
Location: West Michigan
3,119 posts, read 6,576,863 times
Reputation: 4543
The negativity that you are seeing from people like PlymouthMI and xfactor85 seems to be more prominent in southeast Michigan. Those views don't represent everyone in that area, obviously. A lot of people like it there and there are nice places to live. But when negative troll-types show up on this thread, they usually seem to be from that part of the state. Take it for what it's worth.

I would agree with the earlier posters who mentioned Grand Rapids and Lansing as good options. Especially in the Grand Rapids area, there is a very positive vibe and people take a lot of pride in being from there. People tend to have the opposite mentality from xfactor and PlymouthMI.

The only drawback to Grand Rapids and Lansing is your requirement for change in elevation. Around Grand Rapids you will find some gently rolling hills, but you won't find any dramatic changes in elevation or magnificent views like you can in Maryland, which is a beautiful state. UNLESS you count the Lake Michigan shore, in which case there are huge sand dunes that can rise hundreds of feet above the water. That is where I will usually go if I need to get my "dramatic scenery" in southern Michigan. Lake Michigan has some of the best views I've seen anywhere. If changes in elevation are truly a requirement when it comes to the landscape (other than the lakeshore), you will have to look at Traverse City or Marquette, where there are larger hills. The Lansing area is very flat, so keep that in mind also. Between Lansing and Grand Rapids, GR area has more interesting topography.

Here are a couple of pictures I took near Muskegon, which is about 30 minutes west of Grand Rapids on Lake Michigan:



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Old 03-31-2014, 09:52 AM
 
145 posts, read 848,298 times
Reputation: 80
I highly recommend Portage Mi. The school system is top notch.
I moved from the east coast I love Portage. Kalamazoo has festivals and there is plent to do if you want to. You are about 50 minutes from Lake Michigan and all the towns like South Haven, Holland and Saugatuck. Michigan has great camping as well. Portage is very family oriented and fits your budget .you can also look into the Kalamazoo promise.
There are lakes gallon here ramonastatepark.com. There are museums and great restaurants in the area. Crossroads mall and all your major retailers are here. You also have excellent medical facilities in this area. Good luck with your search. Grand Rapids is Bout 40 minutes from Portage fyi
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