[MItoBH]

I am contemplating/planning a move to California in the coming year or two, if not sooner. After graduating from U of M in '96, I moved to Maryland, was there for several years, then relocated to NJ, and then into Manhattan. I lost my job due to 9/11 and then moved back to Michigan - Ann Arbor specifically. While I am currently employed, I have suffered from several lay offs and I've just become so disinterested in my home state.

I completed my Masters at EMU last December in Communication, and I want to move away just as soon as I get my finances in order. Is anyone else feeling disconnected from Michigan, or SE Michigan and yearn to move away, somewhere, anywhere else?

I'll always cherish Michigan as my home state and proudly admit it, and I'll visit family often. But once you have lived in another part of the country, and since I travel a lot to Canada and England on holidays, I love being outside of Michigan and I know when the time comes, my professional and personal life will flourish.

Thanks,

[HappyFarm34]

I live in MI. No plans ever to move out of state. Safe travels.

[mjlo]

You know it's not for everyone I understand. But if you're reasons for leaving are economic how can you gaurantee that your situation will be any better anywhere else? Ann Arbor has one of the best economies not just in the state, but in the country especially for those with graduate degrees. With a jobless rate under 3% for people with a bachelors degree or higher, what will be different for you elsewhere?

[animatedmartian]

I think it'd be nice to live some place else for a while, but no I'm not necessarily anxious to move. I think going through several layoffs would make anyone want to move somewhere else no matter where they live.

[michmoldman]

I'll never move...grass is not always greener.
Good luck!

[philkirkham]

Like a few other posters on here I actually moved to Michigan from England and love it here.
( welllll, maybe nor so much the winters...)
Happy to be here and not looking to move again.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by MItoBH

I am contemplating/planning a move to California in the coming year or two, if not sooner. After graduating from U of M in '96, I moved to Maryland, was there for several years, then relocated to NJ, and then into Manhattan. I lost my job due to 9/11 and then moved back to Michigan - Ann Arbor specifically. While I am currently employed, I have suffered from several lay offs and I've just become so disinterested in my home state.

I completed my Masters at EMU last December in Communication, and I want to move away just as soon as I get my finances in order. Is anyone else feeling disconnected from Michigan, or SE Michigan and yearn to move away, somewhere, anywhere else?

I'll always cherish Michigan as my home state and proudly admit it, and I'll visit family often. But once you have lived in another part of the country, and since I travel a lot to Canada and England on holidays, I love being outside of Michigan and I know when the time comes, my professional and personal life will flourish.

Thanks,

Definitely several layoffs in a short period of time can make someone bitter. A new outlook and location might be good for a change. But I will say that you've apparently moved 4 times since graduating college, and now looking at a fifth move. Maybe a deeper personal dive into what your real goals and aspirations are is in order. Just a thought.

[MS313]

No. I travel at least once a year out of state for a week vacation and as much as I love experiencing different places, I love going back home. Also, if you plan on moving for employment purposes, Cali's unemployment rate is only .4% better than Michigan's. You need to find a place with a better unemployment rate that is desirable to you. If you just want something different, then Cali is a good choice (but I would still find a job out there first).

Your situation is very common, especially among people in their 20's. Every place that I go to, I can find someone in my generation who has lived there all of their life and wants to move somewhere else. It's not just you, it's not just a MI thing, it's a generational "grass is greener" or "I want something different" thing. Especially with the media's influence.

What I always say... do what makes you happy. I understand people's desire to move elsewhere. I just hope you make a good decision when you do move. Best of luck to you

[MItoBH]

Thanks for everyone's comments thus far. My primary reason for leaving MI is because I'm fed up with winter. The Polar Vortex crap from last year really, really pissed me off and I need to get out of here. I have vacationed in California six times since 2005, so that tells you right there that I have an affinity for the state. I'm not in my 20s, I'm in my 40s, and I want the next 20+ years of my working career to be in a state and a climate that is conducive to my active lifestyle and professional growth.

Ann Arbor is the best city in Michigan, and because of that, every Tom, Dick, and Molly has a degree here and vying for the best jobs. There are so many license plates in A2 alone of people coming here from everywhere to work. So I know I'm in the hottest spot in Michigan, but yet, I still feel frustrated in not being able to live up to my own expectations of professional development. So my decision is to move West. I'm excited about it, it's going to take time, I want to move to be smooth and smart. and yes, I will line a job up there first before I start the move.

Michigan is a beautiful state and it'll always be my home, and I do understand why some people will never move. I love adventure, and I know I'm not alone in my sentiments.

[belleislerunner]

What are the professional development opportunities that are available there that aren't available in your current city? It sounds like you're running from your problems/frustrations and using the weather as a scapegoat, rather that focusing on what you need to change.