[RedWingsFan]

Originally Posted by mike jones

I am sorry you are moving back to this miserable state.
Until we get rid of the union/factory rat mentality Michigan will never be able to be competitive with the rest of the country.

That being said I highly suggest Grand Rapids as your place to live.
The Devos (Amway) family has poured a ton of money into the city and high tech industries, which has been an economic boom for that region.

Grand Rapids is very family friendly and a awesome place to raise kids.

Stay away from Detroit and the surrouding inner rings cities. (Southfield Hazel Park, Romulus, Taylor etc) They are dying communities.

Mike makes a very good point, I would seriously listen to him. This state is in serious economic trouble. Grand Rapids is doing well, not the whole Detroit area, that's for sure.

[GAisGreat]

Originally Posted by RedWingsFan

Mike makes a very good point, I would seriously listen to him. This state is in serious economic trouble. Grand Rapids is doing well, not the whole Detroit area, that's for sure.

Sorry guys, can't wait to move back to MI. It will turn around eventually. You want to see what a crappy quality of life is, move to Georgia!!!

[politikally]

Originally Posted by InGA

Sorry guys, can't wait to move back to MI. It will turn around eventually. You want to see what a crappy quality of life is, move to Georgia!!!

I just wanted to say, I'm on board with Redwingfan. Michigan is in a serious state of decline. I just evacuated myself after months of job searching, as have a ton of my friends.

I would heed the warning.

[GAisGreat]

Originally Posted by politikally

I just wanted to say, I'm on board with Redwingfan. Michigan is in a serious state of decline. I just evacuated myself after months of job searching, as have a ton of my friends.

I would heed the warning.

I really think MI will turn around. It doesn't help that everybody just wants to abandon it and run away to wherever they believe the easy money is. But eventually people will realize what a treasure they are leaving and start trying to make it work. It will be rough until the economy fully transitions, but it will happen.

You think MI is bad, move to one of the 'super fast growing', 'tons of jobs', cities in the SW or SE, Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, Miami, etc., and you will really see how sorry things can be!

Where did you relocate to?

[mariatherese]

Originally Posted by InGA

You think MI is bad, move to one of the 'super fast growing', 'tons of jobs', cities in the SW or SE, Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, Miami, etc., and you will really see how sorry things can be!

I'm with you, Inga! That's a point I've been trying to get across... that I don't love Michigan because it's a 'super fast growing', 'tons of jobs' state, I love it because of the quality of life. Theres still plenty of reason to want to live here, but of course it's important to be realistic about the economy as well.

When it comes to relocating, I have in the past chosen economy/jobs over everything... and I've learned my lesson the hard way. I don't care how much money I make and what a great job I have, if I'm not happy there, then what's the point!?

I'm glad you are coming back to Michigan, and bringing your positive attitude with you.

[Blue Grass Fever]

Anyone and everyone leaving Michigan is usually a "city" person. If only you could apply yourself to the country of Michigan where there are plenty of growing small communities then you would really appreciate the state.

[The Icy River Vagabond]

Originally Posted by mike jones

Until we get rid of the union/factory rat mentality Michigan will never be able to be competitive with the rest of the country.

I totally agree with that statement.

[Blue Grass Fever]

Originally Posted by mike jones

Until we get rid of the union/factory rat mentality Michigan will never be able to be competitive with the rest of the country.

Mis-informed?

I suppose you are relating Michigan's uncompetitiveness due to the auto factory in general. That being said, "Michigan" is trying to compete with the world, not just this country per se.

[mike jones]

Originally Posted by InGA

I really think MI will turn around. It doesn't help that everybody just wants to abandon it and run away to wherever they believe the easy money is. But eventually people will realize what a treasure they are leaving and start trying to make it work. It will be rough until the economy fully transitions, but it will happen.

You think MI is bad, move to one of the 'super fast growing', 'tons of jobs', cities in the SW or SE, Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, Miami, etc., and you will really see how sorry things can be!

Where did you relocate to?

Thats what alot people said way back in WWII just before they were captured by the Germans and look what happened to them.

I am not going to wait around to see if things are going to improve....because they are not anytime soon.

I am relocating to a job rich state.

[politikally]

Originally Posted by InGA

I really think MI will turn around. It doesn't help that everybody just wants to abandon it and run away to wherever they believe the easy money is. But eventually people will realize what a treasure they are leaving and start trying to make it work. It will be rough until the economy fully transitions, but it will happen.

You think MI is bad, move to one of the 'super fast growing', 'tons of jobs', cities in the SW or SE, Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, Miami, etc., and you will really see how sorry things can be!

Where did you relocate to?

Well the reason everyone abandons Michigan is because they can't make ends meet. That's the reason I left. I hate to say it, practically everyone I knew in Michigan has left or is leaving. Even a few who were "lifers" of the state. I don't think people leave because they want too.. I think they leave because they have to.

As for me I moved out to Minneapolis. I had a job within 4 days! After months of searching in Michigan. Minneapolis is very fast growing, and has a nicely balanced economy. It's not totally reliant on one or two industries like Michigan.

Don't get me wrong, I liked Northern Michigan (Mt. Pleasant and north) and the UP. I thought it was a wonderful state in terms of outdoors stuff and scenery. However, the LP is a different story.

As for the union thing, I'm totally against unions and always have been. I agree they've been a great part of the demise of Michigan. I said that when the economy was good, and I'll say it again when the economy is bad. Michigan just can't compete in any industry where they have to use union workers. You can't pay an autoworker 70k to work in an auto plant and expect them to remain competative versus countries who only have to pay their workers 20k. Unions had a reason in the 1930's - to protect the health, safety and welfare of their workers. We've got OSHA now, and a variety of social safety nets offered by the government. The reason for them has disappeared, and now they function as a cartel used for driving up wages.