[Ldoubled]

Originally Posted by diamondgirl45

In Austin Tx, for instance, houses are a lot cheaper than in this area...for the same square footage.
I will just keep looking until we find what we are wanting, but hopefully it won't take too long.

I didn't read the whole thread yet but one point: In Michigan, basements are typically NOT added to the sf of a real estate listing, or at least they weren't 5 years ago when we bought. The 2400 sf house in Lake Orion with a full finished basement has almost 1000 sf more than the 2400 sf house in Austin. We found that out the hard way when me moved south.

[MICoastieMom]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Lots of reactionary people post here. People who are out enjoying Michigan are not siting at their computers.

Geez! What does that say about the rest of us?!? LOL

I am neither reactionary nor negative, and I spend a lot of time on my computer. Does this mean I don't enjoy Michigan or just that I am unable to?

[MittenDweller82]

Maybe it means that a lot of us are unemployed and well.......posting on the internet is fun! Every night we get on the internet and look for places to go and jobs, but end up at city-data! By the way...I went canoeing today so I enjoyed the outdoors!

[Coldjensens]

The finsihed side of our basement has two very large bedrooms with walk in closets, a full bath with a whirlpool/steam sauna shower/tub unit, and a very large gameroom. It is wired, plumbed, heated, insulated, carpeted, and partially sound dampened. The bedrooms have 4' x 6' winodws with terraced wells that are easy to climb. There is also a direct entrance through a bilco type stairwell. The finished side of the basement is 1300 s.f. It is possible to walk outside thought the stair well, or through the windows/wells. However since our house is not built into a hill, it is not considered a "walkout" basement. The appraisers value for the finished basement? $5,000. The cost was more than ten times that.

The lesson: find a house with a nice finished basmeent that someone else paid for.

[sav0320]

Originally Posted by diamondgirl45

My husband moved down to Michigan last year and has a great job there and just loves being there. The expectation was that the children and I would follow down this year. But after reading about the horrible recession, and the possibility of not getting my driver's license, etc I am having serious doubts.

I think Michigan is absolutely beautiful, and the shopping is incredible. So far everyone I have met has been nice....but that largely depends on how you treat them too. I have really appreciated reading everyone's thoughts on things here on the forum....but now I am really worried about moving down there and investing in property if Michigan is "going down the toilet."

Is there anyone who can give me some hope???

About the only reason I stay around is that global warming () has given us more snowfall in the winters! And, Lake Michigan is the greatest body of water in the world. Just ask the FIPs that come over from Chicago. (Google FIP)

[djmilf]

Originally Posted by sav0320

Just ask the FIPs that come over from Chicago. (Google FIP)

Feline Infectious Peritonitus?
Fielding Independent Pitching?
Forestry Incentive Programs?
Forum on International Physics?

I am so lost....

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by GonnaBeAYooper

Please don't believe everything you read on this forum. There are goods and bads for all of our states, not just Michigan. So, if I have to put up with the negative aspects of a state, it sure as heck is gonna be Michigan.

Ohio is right behind you..trust me..


I've had more job opportunities this week from West Michigan than in Ohio
all year!! so something good must be happening somewhere.

[danpierce]

Originally Posted by jeeg

You are reading a forum that is filled with very negative minded people. The majority of the citizens in this state are getting along fine (if not great) and are too busy living their lives to waste time trying to counter a bunch of negative nellies. Come on home, you'll like it here.
Just remember to take the doom & gloom posts with a huge grain of salt.

Barrel of salt would be more like it. The taste would be more satisfying, knowing what you have to deal with when you get here...I'm a positive person, turned "negative nellie" by "wonderful" Michigan. My mom is the most positive person I know and she got depressed and sick and had to get out, 2 years after she moved here.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by zurannah

Sorry, but it's horrible here!!

Not for everybody. It is heaven on Earth for my family.

[middleton]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Not for everybody. It is heaven on Earth for my family.

Some people just love sadomasochism, I personally like a easy way of life. Michigan ain't it. But if you like pain so be it. Or is it misery loves company?