[COWBOYJOE]

My family and I (wife and two small children) are considering moving to the Hurley, WI/Ironwood, MI area, but I need some information. I hear horror stories about people leaving Michigan because of job losses, etc. Can anyone tell me firsthand how the economy is doing in that area? Is there any culture or is everyone "country"? Is the area clean? Are the people friendly? Thanks for any help on this.

[politikally]

Hello,

I mostly hunt in the Ironwood/Hurley area, and I've known a few people from the area.

For the most part Ironwood is a small town and it's almost totally driven by tourism. Snowmobiling in the winter, Hunting in the Fall, Hiking/Boating/Fishing/ATV'ing in the Summer and Spring.

As for the economy, Ironwood is a bit better than the rest of Michigan on average since it's so close to Wisconsin. However the economy in Michigan is still VERY depressed. Ironwood doesn't really have many white collar jobs. Lots of general labor though.

Gorgeous area!!

Anyway, my advice - before you move ANYWHERE in Michigan - have a job lined up in advance.

[mariatherese]

Originally Posted by politikally

Hello,

I mostly hunt in the Ironwood/Hurley area, and I've known a few people from the area.

For the most part Ironwood is a small town and it's almost totally driven by tourism. Snowmobiling in the winter, Hunting in the Fall, Hiking/Boating/Fishing/ATV'ing in the Summer and Spring.

As for the economy, Ironwood is a bit better than the rest of Michigan on average since it's so close to Wisconsin. However the economy in Michigan is still VERY depressed. Ironwood doesn't really have many white collar jobs. Lots of general labor though.

Gorgeous area!!

Anyway, my advice - before you move ANYWHERE in Michigan - have a job lined up in advance.

I agree with everything in this post. I also wouldn't move to MI without a job lined up first. Good luck! MI is a beautiful, wonderful state!

[COWBOYJOE]

Thank you very much for the information, especially about having a job first. That's the one thing I keep seeing on other posts regarding Michigan. I plan to visit first and try to get a feel for the area and get a job lined up.

[digicam]

Hi CBjoe, I'm originally from the Ironwood area, now living away, but return there often. Here is what I know. The economy is stabilized somewhat after loosing jobs steadily since the last mine close about 10 years ago. The main industries are Jacquarts, Ironwood Plastics, Ottawa Natl Forest, Grand View Hospital, Gogebic Comm College. To get way ahead, you either work for the government or are self employed. Yes you can find work but it may not pay much. Then again houses are VERY cheap. Seasonal jobs are available in the ski industry, but the ski areas have slowed down considerably since their '70's-80's heyday. Seasonal work picks up again during the growing summer tourist season.

It would be important to like snow. Not just skiing or snowmobiling but shoveling or snow blowing. It snows a lot, but again it doesn't seem to snow as much as it used to.

The schools are losing kids, so they are hurting right now. Read about it here: http://www.ironwoodglobe.com/ The people are fantastic….. genuine down to earth types. They are more "characters" in the UP, per capita than anywhere I've ever lived, and that includes 2 states and 5 different countries! People tend to work hard and play hard. Drinking is embedded into the culture.

But living anywhere is always what you make of it. There seems to good and bad just about everywhere. One bit of advice, check into central to northern Wisconsin. It is very similar, but seems to be doing better as far as jobs, road conditions, etc. Rhinelander and Wausau are nice areas that are doing well. The Ironwood area is about a 12 hour drive from our capital Lansing. Madison however is only about 5 hours on mostly interstate roads.

Hope this helps.

[dianeeileen]

Very pretty area, the people are friendly good honest folks. No it is not too country but it is country. The kind where if you have a flat tire, someone is gonna pull over and change it for you and not ask for ten bucks. The kind where your next door neighbor will plow you out and help you thaw your pipes at two oclock in the am . Economy is depressed but lots of poeple are still working and the houses are cheap. I think you will like Michigan alot .

[deeme]

Well, I've made serveral posts on what I think about Michigan ... and I was born & raised there!

My husband & I just moved from MI & we are thrilled we did. Life is good now! Lots of jobs & the people are fantastic! I doubt we'd ever go back ... maybe for a visit, but then I'd have to really think about that! Other states have tons of work. MI has just gone to the dogs. Sad.