[exit18b]

was born and raised in Northern NJ. I went to the University of Maryland. After college I lived in D.C. and Balto. We moved to Southfield in 1999. We just moved to Shaker Heights (Cleveland). I can't believe that my wife and I miss metro Detroit. My wife went to Metro Detroit kicking and screaming but the place became home. We enjoyed all the of the trills of big cities (NY and D.C.) w/o the hustle. Some of the best kept secrets are listed below:

Arts -
DIA - World Class $8 bucks
Charles H. Wright - Largest African American musuem in the country
Zoo - Top Notch

Sports -
Major College Football - UM, MSU
Pro Sports - Lions, Tigers, Red Wings & Pistons

Education -
UM, MSU,
Great public schools - Birmingham, Troy,

Recreation -
THE LAKES, Up North, GOLFERS PARADISE

Metro Detroit/Michigan needs a good Public Relations director to promote the area. THE REGION (DETROIT/WAYNE/OAKLAND/ANNARBOR MUST PARTNER TO PUSH THE REGION. Trust me nobody has heard of Oakland County but they have heard of Metro Detroit. Once people visit places such as

1. Downtown Birmingham
2. Casinos
3. Windsor

they will love the region.........

[tym2retyr]

exit18b I agree with you. There are a lot of positive things to say about this state. I realize that industry is in a slump and I sure wish I had the answer to correct the problem but I don't. I am positive this state will see a good turn around in the not so distant future. Will industry come back like it was in the past? Probably not. But what does come here will be for the best. This state has a lot to offer for both industry and recreation. And I would think that it will be the recreation that will bring us around. I may be wrong. But when you look at the amount of places a person can go to experience nature, play in some of the most awesome waters, and see the history that this state has, it will bring in the money we need for a new start. Right now the entire nation is in an economic slump. We were hit hard. But the one thing we have going for us is we are AMERICANS, and that in itself says we will come out on top.

[Northman]

Great post, exit18b! You guys fell in love with so many things that make Michigan such a great place to live.

It's nice to see all the people from other parts of the country extolling Michigan's finer offerings. I lived in the southern U.S. for close to 30 years, and decided I could not resist coming home, even with the terrible economy.

There is no better place to enjoy sports on earth. Michigan is the sports capital of the world!

Detroit, despite it's notorious rep, is an incredibly fun town, packed with things to do. The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame should have been put there, not Cleveland! Are you kidding me?

Grand Rapids is really growing. Nice, classic midwestern town in a beautiful region.

The natural beauty of this state is the best kept secret in the nation. No place anywhere like the great "Up North"! NO PLACE!

You sound like you love Michigan the way so many of us do...........FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND COME BACK TO US!

[burgler09]

Michigan is a very nice state, I cannot say I like detroit at all.. but after being through so many states it really makes you realize how nice Michigan really is. Grand Rapids is going to be a big city soon, the medical field is growing like crazy and is going to probably be the best city in the United States for any type of research. I still think that West Michigan is more for a family atmosphere and not so much a professional single or college student. I think after I move to Miami and finish dental school I'm going to probably want to come back to Grand Rapids and open up a practice around here.

[cardwellave]

Everyone says how great GR is; it's really got me wanting to take a trip there.

[Northman]

Originally Posted by cardwellave

Everyone says how great GR is; it's really got me wanting to take a trip there.

I took my first trip down to GR last weekend. I like what I see happening down there.

Hope to be able to stay up north forever, but if I ever have to move again GR will probably be choice #1, as I will want to stay in Michigan.

West Michigan is awesome.

[NY652]

This is a great thread! You truly don't know what you have left behind until you experience other disastrous situations. Try NY (Long Island in particular) and you'll know how great Michigan really is! Born and raised in MI - spent 2 years in NH - HAD to move to Long Island for work, but can't wait to leave! I do love New England, but Michigan is the best! There truly is so much to offer there.

[cardwellave]

There is so much of Michigan I haven't seen. I've spent a good amount of time exploring Metro Detroit. I don't think there's an area I haven't seen. But I realy haven't seen more of Ann Arbor than U of M Hospital. I haven't been further west in Michigan than I-75. Have also spent a lot of time in Port Huron (up to Huron County along with the whole Bluewater Area), Frankenmuth, St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, and Mackinac Island. I really want to explore some of the smaller midsize cities in Mid-Michigan (Flushing, Owosso, etc) along with Bay City, GR, and Ann Arbor.

[NY652]

The beaches on the Great Lakes are FAR better than the ocean ~ there are no toll roads ~ I don't remember seeing a lot of trash on the sides of every road like I do here. Michigan has so many great golf courses! The "college towns" are great places to visit and send your kids for an education! There are 4-Seasons of FUN!

[Andre5140]

Originally Posted by exit18b

was born and raised in Northern NJ. I went to the University of Maryland. After college I lived in D.C. and Balto. We moved to Southfield in 1999. We just moved to Shaker Heights (Cleveland). I can't believe that my wife and I miss metro Detroit. My wife went to Metro Detroit kicking and screaming but the place became home. We enjoyed all the of the trills of big cities (NY and D.C.) w/o the hustle. Some of the best kept secrets are listed below:

Arts -
DIA - World Class $8 bucks
Charles H. Wright - Largest African American musuem in the country
Zoo - Top Notch

Sports -
Major College Football - UM, MSU
Pro Sports - Lions, Tigers, Red Wings & Pistons

Education -
UM, MSU,
Great public schools - Birmingham, Troy,

Recreation -
THE LAKES, Up North, GOLFERS PARADISE

Metro Detroit/Michigan needs a good Public Relations director to promote the area. THE REGION (DETROIT/WAYNE/OAKLAND/ANNARBOR MUST PARTNER TO PUSH THE REGION. Trust me nobody has heard of Oakland County but they have heard of Metro Detroit. Once people visit places such as

1. Downtown Birmingham
2. Casinos
3. Windsor

they will love the region.........

I agree. I left Michigan for a job in Phoenix a year ago and am moving back next month. I found a good job no problem and can't wait to get back to some nice scenery! It's gorgeous. Phoenix Is NOT UTOPIA for all those who cannot wait to leave Michigan.

Stop bashing and leave already. We don't need you.