Another reason michigan sucks and why I am moving! (Detroit: real estate, tornado)

[Bydand]

SW Michigan winters are very easy compared to most of Colorado. Most of the SW area is kind of like Denver, not a ton of snow that sticks around for a long time like further North. But it may be a bit colder. If you are in the Mountains and not East on the plains it will be milder, if you are used to the winters east of the mountains, there will be a bit more snow and colder. It really depends on how far you are from the Lake as well. The further inland, the cooler it gets, but less snow.

Not that I really muddied up the waters Welcome to Michigan! End of August? If you like to fish, that will be prime King Salmon run time. Get a pole and some blue/silver little clio's in 2/3 ounce size and have a ball catching the buggers.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by Tickety

Just curious; how bad are the winters in SW Michigan? I was born in Colorado and lived there most of my life so far until recently. We are moving the end of August to Michigan. Does anyone know what winter is like there compared to Colorado?

How high in the mountains were you in CO? The altitude has alot to do with it. Michigan is more Rolling Hills. There are some high hills.
Back in the 60's my Grandparents owned "Caberfea" ski lodge in NW Mi.http://www.caberfaepeaks.com/
That's when it was just a small log lounge with afew rope lifts.

Every spring we went out there and found money(pocket change) on the slopes.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

How high in the mountains were you in CO? The altitude has alot to do with it. Michigan is more Rolling Hills. There are some high hills.
Back in the 60's my Grandparents owned "Caberfea" ski lodge in NW Mi.

Small world, I used to ski Caberfae. 60's were a bit earlier than I was there, but it was early 70's when I started going.

[Mr. Answers]

Originally Posted by Tickety

Just curious; how bad are the winters in SW Michigan? I was born in Colorado and lived there most of my life so far until recently. We are moving the end of August to Michigan. Does anyone know what winter is like there compared to Colorado?

I was born and raised in Colorado!! Where are you from? And where are you moving?

Winter in SW Michigan will be colder, darker, grayer, and even a little snowier than winters along the Front Range. But...they aren't quite as long.

[Tickety]

We lived in Arvada a suburb of Denver. In March we moved to Nebraska for a job for my husband, we really don't care of Nebraska all that much and fortunately the company he works for has a plant in Battle Creek; we are actually renting a house in Galesburg.

[GraniteStater]

Michigan has many rural counties that have experienced significant job losses since the year 2000. However, many of these same counties continue to grow in population. Based on the data I am seeing those rural counties in northern Michigan will likely continue to see a net out-migration of younger people and a continuing in-migration of retirees. Many counties in northern Michigan have greater than 20% of the total population that is over age 65. I expect that trend to intensify over the coming years if economic conditions do not improve greatly in order to see a net influx of new talent to stop the brain drain.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Tickety

We lived in Arvada a suburb of Denver. In March we moved to Nebraska for a job for my husband, we really don't care of Nebraska all that much and fortunately the company he works for has a plant in Battle Creek; we are actually renting a house in Galesburg.

Arvada. Haven't thought of that place in many years. Is that little amusement park still open? It looked pretty empty many years ago when we were making the trip out there.

Enjoy Galesburg, I used to live in Marshal and dated a girl from Galesburg. Have a couple relitives who lived there as well, it always seemed like a nice place.

[Tickety]

The amusement park is still gong for now. I would of thought when the new 6 flags elitche gardens was opended it would go out of business but it hasn't. I think we are going to like Michigan and Galesburg; my husband is in Battle Creek right now and he is sure enjoying himself.

[billyellieot]

Yep, The weather sucks in MI. The summers can be ok, but I have seen them very cold. I have seen snow in July. August is end of nice weather, trees change color. Not unusual for snow to fly in September.
I used to hunt a lot and have seen November -2F and seen it 40f. You never know. I have seen lakes freeze in October and not go ice off till end of April, usually the oxygen in the small lakes depletes and does a fish kill, I have went into some lakes and seen thousands of fish floating when the ice retreats.
Michigan will always hold a place in my life as I was raised there.
But it has always had economic cycles. I used to call it a Bipolar state. High highs and low lows. I have many family members who work for or in business related to the auto industry. When things go bad like now for the auto industry then many businesses hurt along with them. Even the housing industry up north, many of the people who buy second homes for vacations in north Michigan quit buying.
I see the poster is moving to Atlanta, I think they will love the weather.
Some people like cold and snow, when I moved I have many relatives say " You will miss it", that only works if you liked it in the first place.
I never liked the snow. I did not like skiing,or snowmobiling, Ice skating, of the like. I am a take a walk with a spring coat in February guy.

As for those who are saying that homes are moving well in MI are very misleading, first of they are only moving if they are a big bargain. No one and I mean NO ONE is getting multi bids on homes in Michigan, unless they price is much below normal value.
If you buy and have a source of income not dependent on a job in MI or have a good stable job, then you will do fine. But if not I would look at moving to a state that is doing better and or recover much faster than MI.
Most people who advise others as to where to live and work say "Move to Texas" The Texas economy is booming, one of the only places in the US that is.
Atlanta's economy is good and most likely will always be good. Traffic is bit of a headache. But I would rather fight traffic and have work then sit and watch my home value drop in MI.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by billyellieot

Yep, The weather sucks in MI. The summers can be ok, but I have seen them very cold. I have seen snow in July. August is end of nice weather, trees change color. Not unusual for snow to fly in September.
I used to hunt a lot and have seen November -2F and seen it 40f. You never know. I have seen lakes freeze in October and not go ice off till end of April, usually the oxygen in the small lakes depletes and does a fish kill, I have went into some lakes and seen thousands of fish floating when the ice retreats.
Michigan will always hold a place in my life as I was raised there.
But it has always had economic cycles. I used to call it a Bipolar state. High highs and low lows. I have many family members who work for or in business related to the auto industry. When things go bad like now for the auto industry then many businesses hurt along with them. Even the housing industry up north, many of the people who buy second homes for vacations in north Michigan quit buying.
I see the poster is moving to Atlanta, I think they will love the weather.
Some people like cold and snow, when I moved I have many relatives say " You will miss it", that only works if you liked it in the first place.
I never liked the snow. I did not like skiing,or snowmobiling, Ice skating, of the like. I am a take a walk with a spring coat in February guy.

As for those who are saying that homes are moving well in MI are very misleading, first of they are only moving if they are a big bargain. No one and I mean NO ONE is getting multi bids on homes in Michigan, unless they price is much below normal value.
If you buy and have a source of income not dependent on a job in MI or have a good stable job, then you will do fine. But if not I would look at moving to a state that is doing better and or recover much faster than MI.
Most people who advise others as to where to live and work say "Move to Texas" The Texas economy is booming, one of the only places in the US that is.
Atlanta's economy is good and most likely will always be good. Traffic is bit of a headache. But I would rather fight traffic and have work then sit and watch my home value drop in MI.

Couple of things I would like to know about this post. What lakes have you seen freeze over in October? And what years did this happen? I have NEVER seen a lake freeze all the way over in Oct and stay that way until the end of April that is including the time I spent in the UP.

I agree that houses are not moving very well all over, but that holds true in ANY state right now, not just Michigan. And yes some homes that are priced right (not inflated, but not rock bottom either) have been getting multiple offers. The house I bought had 2 other offers the same day I made mine. They just accepted mine first before the others came in. One that just sold down the street from me was on the market 2 weeks and was a bit high priced if you asked me, but they got offers on that place every day after the sign went up. Finally sold for full asking price. 2 weeks! not bad for anywhere right now. I do know those are exceptions in this market anyplace, but it does happen.

For those who wish to or have to move. I hope you find the greener pastures you are looking for. Only one way to find out if there are out there for you and that is to go find them. Don't be surprised though if a few years down the road, Michigan doesn't look so bad after all. Good Luck to all of you!