[hometownypsi]

Enjoyed reading the posts and sorry to those who are struggling. I was born and raised in MI for 36 years. I lived on the west coast and now live on the east coast. I have fond thoughts of MI, minus winter. I am thinking of moving back. It is really expensive on both coasts and a struggle to live off 2 incomes, by contrast MI looks cheap, especially housing. IDK what the answer is, but MI is beautiful with the lakes and the midwestern people who are more relaxed. Maybe it is just a fantasy that someone else is better. It seems to be difficult anywhere in the states for one or another reason.

[animatedmartian]

Wow, in 6 years Michigan is actually starting to turn around. The height of unemployment was around 2008-2009.

Panel: Michigan's economy now finding its footing | Lansing State Journal | lansingstatejournal.com

Basically, Michigan is currently heading in the right direction. The darkest days are behind us. However, the state still needs to diversify the economy (more urgently Detroit needs to) and the taxes are still pretty high for individuals (although pretty low for business).

So we're pretty much in transition right now.

[nooneimportant]

I see this started out as an old post, but I'll contribute from a perspective from today's point of view.

I've lived here 34 years, right in the middle of the state. I find it a love and hate relationship personally, more a like than dislike. While I've been to out of state locations and found Tennessee a personal love of mine, but I think Michigan just makes more sense for me at this moment.

There's all kinds of things to think about when considering Michigan. Like everything else, there's crime and peace, it depends on your location. The news likes to concentrate on Detroit, and well, crime. Outside of Detroit, like outside of 8 mile Detroit, it's alright. It comes down to the right community. Downtown Detroit is a great time however. It's just hit and miss, there's places you don't want to be after dark.

Up in northern MI, it's beautiful and slow paced, trees and campgrounds everywhere, hunting locations and again, peace everywhere. It's fantastic if you get up that way. Down south, it's business and fast paced. You can love it or hate it, but that's where business is being done. Automotive in particular especially took a huge hit years back. Working in the engineering field for the big three, I saw what happened first hand. The companies cut so far back to the bone that today, they are hiring like crazy just to meet demand. If you are a designer, an engineer, or a skilled trades of some sorts, YOU are in amazing demand, and the rates are rising due to the shortage they created from years back. Suppliers are appearing to post quarter over quarter profits as well. What I can not contribute to, are what non-engineering or skilled trades type of fields are earning or how well they are doing related to the economy. The reality is, your skills will dictate your earnings, and if you hold a degree in worthlessness (I didn't say or coin this), your pay will compensate. Jobs are paid by the job title, NOT your skill at the job. You are only paid the wage that the position pays, and if kept, IF you can fill that role. It may have no impact on your skills, or it could have everything to do with them. I know a number of engineers and designers without degrees earning well over $80,000+, and I know a few people with bachelor's and masters degrees in uselessness, that earn $7.00 per hour, unfortunately. I don't mean to disrespect, that just is what it is. You need a skill which is highly in demand, Michigan so happens to be specifically geared towards the medical, skilled trades, and automotive engineering skill set. School of any sort isn't the answer, it has to be something that holds value with proof in the wage. Personally, I couldn't justify paying out $100k to earn a job paying $7/hr. That would frankly **** me off.

What to do:
Well, we have plenty of casinos. If you are mid state, you can go up north for an awesome camping experience, down south maybe into Wisconsin to water parks or even mid-state soon, cedar point for fantastic rides, etc. There's options, maybe not many, but they are so drastically different that it's pretty cool. I'm speaking from my own perspective, I'd love to hear how it is in other states around the country, that's just what it is here. Again Tennessee was a fantastic experience for me, I loved it, actually married there. I also know that the grass is always greener...I just don't know if 'other' type conditions are right.

Weather:
Michigan is hot and cold, that's what we get. Hot summers, not like Vegas hot, but hot enough. 100-103 are once in a while highs in summer. Cold as in freezing your butt off cold in winter, I don't know, -10 degrees with wind? We get snow (and can make snow forts with the kids, sled, etc), and I find that everyone has to re-learn how to drive again when it snows or rain. But, in those 70-80 degree days, it's perfect. As for climate conditions, well maybe the occasional tornado, but nothing like hurricanes, earthquakes, or things that can kill you routinely. It's relatively mild for the most part. In the UP they get massive snow typically, which this year I heard they didn't. I didn't do well for businesses relying on snow at all.

Let me give you my take on Quality of Life vs. Economy. First let me give you some background. I have lived in Michigan all my life. I was married about 13 years ago and we have 3 kids almost 12, 10 and eight. In the past few years it is getting harder and harder too manage on two incomes. My wife doesn't make allot but if helps. With the cost of health insurance, taxes and the kids always saying they are hungry all the time we are barely making ends meet. In the future we will move out of state for a better quality of life. Yes it will be working for less money but if the quality is better it will be worth it. Sorry to vent but I needed to get this off my chest.

Quality of life....
First, let's give a lesson of life. When we were children, it took only dads income to raise a family. Today, it takes dad and mom's income to raise a family, if not a side income. Tomorrow, what will it take, more than a physical body can perform? It's not a Michigan thing, it's an inflation thing. Inflation is not state specific, and it does not ever stop. There's no need to raise taxes when inflation is eating at your wealth month by month. It's a road to serfdom unless you learn to protect yourself.

From 1980 to 2010, inflation of everyday items such as milk, bread, gas, etc, increased about 400%. The average income increased only 200%. When your bills and necessities increase at twice the rate of your income, it's only inevitable that you will do without, or do with much less. The end result is to do without until there's nothing left to do without, or you find a way to force yourself to earn more to keep up with inflation. Unfortunately that means you either become part of the large pool relying upon government assistance, or you strive to keep ahead by all means possible. Wealth is filtering to the top year over year, and why you feel more poor year over year.

This isn't state specific when it comes to inflation. The propaganda machine tells us that inflation is only 2% per year. If you have utilities, shop for food, or buy gas for your car, you damn well know that it's more like 10%+. Do your homework.