[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???

[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.

[Coldjensens]

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

Michigan is not going "down the toilet" It is definitely having economic woes and the current state government is terrible. Property values have fallen as much as 40% but it appears that they may have hit bottom. things are not getting better, but for right now, they do not seem to be getting worse.


Michigan has the worst or almost worst unemployment in the country. It is around 7%. That means that 93% of the employable people are employed. Hardly a sky is falling statistic. It might be higher because a lot of people who lose jobs are leaving the state, but it is still no more than 10%.

Some people are leaving. In some places it seems like everyone is leaving. However the net loss from the state was about 30,000 people. That is an insignificant number compared to the size of the state. But if 5000 from your town left, it would seem like a mass exodus.

I will not say that things are good here. Things are economically rough. Not quite as bad as they were in the 1980s, but as bad as they have been since that recession.

there are some opportunities here right now. If you have money from selling a house and you can find and hold a job, you can buy a fabulous house at a fraction of the cost of most other places. Michigan public schools and universities are mostly great. Health care here is better than most places. The people are terrific once you get to know them (you have to make an effort). The environment in most of Michigan is wonderful. Clean, open, wooded, lakes streams and rivers everywhere, abundant wildlife. It is really beautiful.

The winter is cold and a lot of people hate that.

Michigan is in trouble and a lot of people are suffering, but it is not as bad as it has been in the past. the big three automakers are not going to recover. Michigan will be forced to turn to other business and there will be economic pain with that change. However Michigan is not done. Everyone will not leave. It will not cease to exist. It will eventually recover to some extent, although no one knows how much.

[downthathighway]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

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

Michigan is not going "down the toilet" It is definitely having economic woes and the current state government is terrible. Property values have fallen as much as 40% but it appears that they may have hit bottom. things are not getting better, but for right now, they do not seem to be getting worse.


Michigan has the worst or almost worst unemployment in the country. It is around 7%. That means that 93% of the employable people are employed. Hardly a sky is falling statistic. It might be higher because a lot of people who lose jobs are leaving the state, but it is still no more than 10%.

Some people are leaving. In some places it seems like everyone is leaving. However the net loss from the state was about 30,000 people. That is an insignificant number compared to the size of the state. But if 5000 from your town left, it would seem like a mass exodus.

I will not say that things are good here. Things are economically rough. Not quite as bad as they were in the 1980s, but as bad as they have been since that recession.

there are some opportunities here right now. If you have money from selling a house and you can find and hold a job, you can buy a fabulous house at a fraction of the cost of most other places. Michigan public schools and universities are mostly great. Health care here is better than most places. The people are terrific once you get to know them (you have to make an effort). The environment in most of Michigan is wonderful. Clean, open, wooded, lakes streams and rivers everywhere, abundant wildlife. It is really beautiful.

The winter is cold and a lot of people hate that.

Michigan is in trouble and a lot of people are suffering, but it is not as bad as it has been in the past. the big three automakers are not going to recover. Michigan will be forced to turn to other business and there will be economic pain with that change. However Michigan is not done. Everyone will not leave. It will not cease to exist. It will eventually recover to some extent, although no one knows how much.

Well said, Coldjensen and you know how negative some of my experiences were. ( I am not reactionary or bitter, just truthful and open to hear better or worse experiences) As long as someone hears good/bad and reviews it, then they can make their own decision.
Personally, I do not plan to return to Michigan. I stress personally.
I have had the same occupation 30 years and do not wish to go back to school and change careers. I've been on the Michigan economy roller coaster twice, no thanks to a third time. But if I had an occupation with a secure job in Michigan, I could have stayed and/or returned.
Aside from economic issues I still believe Michigan has alot to offer.

[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.

[100%Michigan]

Michigan has just about almost experience its own recession, what more can another one do? ( Well maybe it will make matters worst, but hopefully not another boom.)
Just come to Michigan and enjoy life, deal with the negatives but look over it.

[diamondgirl45]

Thank you for the great responses. Right now I live in western Canada, and we are going through a boom, thanks mostly to the oil in the province. But it won't last forever, and it is predicted we will start a downward trend in a couple of years. That being the case, it would seem wise to sell high now and buy low in Michigan. Then someday, when prices have fallen here maybe look at returning. OR fall in love with Michigan and live happily ever after
Of course we have a bunch of visa and green card issues to deal with....but that is for another thread, lol.

[tuebor]

If your husband has a secure job that he likes, there's no reason not to come. Even many of the naysayers on this forum agree that if one has a job, this a great place to live. If you're from western Canada, you're probably used to cold winters. Winter and unemployment are the biggest complaints people have about this state, and they won't be a problem for you, so come on down!

As for the driver's license, don't believe everything you read on that thread. Get accurate information from the Michigan Secretary of State.

[Cato the Elder]

Yeah, as a Canadian, just think of MI as the Florida of Canada.

[malamute]

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???

If your husband has a great job then you wouldn't need to worry about the recession.

Recessions hurt some people -- not everybody. Some people likely benefit in a recession.