[MittenDweller82]

But then, we have to wonder...will they (seniors) be the last generation to enjoy such a lifestyle of several homes, retirement pension, and security? Home ownership in rural areas is becoming a luxury, as the elderly who enjoy their large properties far from cities have owned them outright for years and worry little about the mortgage crisis. The younger families struggle in this situation, unable to afford high tax rates, utilities and the costs of commuting into work. If your lucky enough to inherit a property from family in a desirable rural area such as Traverse City, or a lake shore community, then there is little to worry about. I think the sheer unattainable aspect of home ownership for many younger adults drives them to cities that are more youth friendly. If we examine the housing distribution in Michigan, most affordable properties (rentals) for young adults are situated near colleges, with few options outside of specific metro areas leaving little choice, this I know has had a huge impact one the decision of many of the younger families I knew to leave. Becoming financially established is almost impossible for today's H.S. grads, with the cost of living.

[tjay]

we moved to missouri at the beginning of this year. i managed to find a job, but my husband has been struggling from the beginning (we live in columbia, mo).
i read all these threads about how much better it here in whatever state, but for me, michigan is home and always will be. and although some areas might be less expensive to live, the weather may not be as cold, there's supposedly more jobs......i realize that home is where i'm happiest. to be away from friends and family is not worth saving a few $. plus i just long for michigan, the lakes, the trees, the smell of the air......even the snow. when everything is covered in white and you can take off for some cross country skiing in the woods, its awesome. the winters are more mild down here in missouri, but its still cold, you're still stuck inside.....but with less snow, no skiing, nothing pretty to look at because the snow only stays for a few hours it seems. the summer has been mild but the days where its 100 or 90 something means you're stuck inside again.....they don't have the beaches michigan has. so i'm moving back home, aiming for some time next year. it took moving away to realize that i love michigan, and i'll never leave again!

[sunshineann]

Hey tjay, i too live in Missouri, (clinton) We are now moving to Michigan very shortly. Within the next month or so. Living in Missouri, my husband had to go back on the road driving truck and i like your husband struggle to find a job. Was told i was either over qualified, and also told they would hire people from here before "implants" So i stayed home with the kids and doing online college.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by malamute

Florida and Arizona did very well by luring the retired aged people. They benefit the economy because they don't take many jobs but if they do, they bring experience. They tend to eat out often, have extra money to spend. They don't have kids to bring up taxes paying for schools. They create a lot of jobs which then lure working age people.

What you are saying is true, but in some areas of rural New England the net-migration of younger residents is becoming quite extreme. Some towns can not even find enough volunteers for the local fire departments that are working age. The resort/mountain/lakes retirement destinations have quite high real estate prices and average income individuals and lower have a hard time affording it along with higher taxes and heating costs. This is why portions of the Northwoods, Upper Midwest, and New England have unbalanced demographics.

[tjay]

Originally Posted by sunshineann

Hey tjay, i too live in Missouri, (clinton) We are now moving to Michigan very shortly. Within the next month or so. Living in Missouri, my husband had to go back on the road driving truck and i like your husband struggle to find a job. Was told i was either over qualified, and also told they would hire people from here before "implants" So i stayed home with the kids and doing online college.

my husband was starting to think it was just him!

good luck with going to michigan.....say hello for me:}
i was thinking of taking more classes to make myself more employable for when we do go back. good idea

[USSR]

Good luck in Michigan sunshine, Nothing going on there. I agree that many places in the south have a we hire from here before outside. Also things are slowing down every where. My wife was in Escrow and can not find a job as easy as in the housing boom. Even though things are booming in many places of the south compared to Michigan, A lemon aid stand that sold four glasses is booming compared to MI, Things have slowed down by 30% or more. So the economy of many southern states are moving along but not as much as two years ago. I still stand by the statement that Michigan has not got any draw to bring in any tourism at enough levels to help the economy, coupled with the possible bankruptcy of the big three.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by USSR

Good luck in Michigan sunshine, Nothing going on there. I agree that many places in the south have a we hire from here before outside. Also things are slowing down every where. My wife was in Escrow and can not find a job as easy as in the housing boom. Even though things are booming in many places of the south compared to Michigan, A lemon aid stand that sold four glasses is booming compared to MI, Things have slowed down by 30% or more. So the economy of many southern states are moving along but not as much as two years ago. I still stand by the statement that Michigan has not got any draw to bring in any tourism at enough levels to help the economy, coupled with the possible bankruptcy of the big three.

Oh look, back under yet another name.

Anybody that even cares enough to check out your statement that there is nothing going on in Michigan could disprove that in about three mouse clicks. And no I don't care enough to do that and post the results here because you are just going to change names again and come back posting the exact same garbage again and again thinking people are going to believe there are really dozens of people who make 3 or 4 posts that say the same thing over and over again. Give people credit, nobody is that dumb... well other than the one who thinks it makes a difference by doing so.

[mkfarnam]

At one time Michigan was a "survival state". People lived off the land. If the need ever arises, we could do it again.

How many Michiganders, DON'T have their own garden? When I lived there, everyone did.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Plains10

What you are saying is true, but in some areas of rural New England the net-migration of younger residents is becoming quite extreme. Some towns can not even find enough volunteers for the local fire departments that are working age. The resort/mountain/lakes retirement destinations have quite high real estate prices and average income individuals and lower have a hard time affording it along with higher taxes and heating costs. This is why portions of the Northwoods, Upper Midwest, and New England have unbalanced demographics.

Still -- Arizona and areas of Florida did very well with those unbalanced demographics. The retired don't take too many jobs, don't use schools which consume huge amounts of tax dollars, yet they provide jobs and pay taxes.

The retired age group is the most affluent of all age groups. They have the most disposable money of anyone.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by malamute

Still -- Arizona and areas of Florida did very well with those unbalanced demographics. The retired don't take too many jobs, don't use schools which consume huge amounts of tax dollars, yet they provide jobs and pay taxes.

The retired age group is the most affluent of all age groups. They have the most disposable money of anyone.

Yes, but I hear the downside to that is that every time a ballot initiative (more taxes) comes up to expand or update schools, they are overwhelmingly defeated. That's why generally speaking the schools systems in the South are the worst in the country.