Relocating to Monroe, Michigan in May (Detroit, Lansing: real estate, housing, rental)

[Ahmsmom3]

My husband has taken a job and will need to be in a centered location any where from Battle Creek to Monroe. He will have 7 stores in southern MI and some in northwestern IN, and some in northwestern OH. I need to know some decent towns to live in. We are looking at Monroe as a central location since Battle Creek is his furthest store.

We have 3 kids and need rental housing since credit is poor and can't buy a house. Are their pet friendly rentals and smoker friendly rentals? Does every place do a credit check?

Also, I am a para at a school district here, is there a need there or am I SOL?

How do the schools rate?

What about severe weather? I know we get hit with alot here in Kansas, I want to know about tornadoes in this area as well. Thanks in advance if you read and respond to this.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by Ahmsmom3

My husband has taken a job and will need to be in a centered location any where from Battle Creek to Monroe. He will have 7 stores in southern MI and some in northwestern IN, and some in northwestern OH. I need to know some decent towns to live in. We are looking at Monroe as a central location since Battle Creek is his furthest store.

MONROE IS ON THE OHIO BORDER AT THE EXTREME EASTERN SIDE OF MICHIGAN. THIS IS PROBABLY NOT IN THE MIDDLE. MAYBE YOU SHOULD LOOK AT CITIES AROUND ANN ARBOR?

We have 3 kids and need rental housing since credit is poor and can't buy a house. Are their pet friendly rentals and smoker friendly rentals? Does every place do a credit check?

YES AND YES. MOST PLACES DO CREDIT CHECKS. LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE RENTING OUT THEIR HOUSES BECAUSE THEY WANT TO MOVE AWAY AND CANNOT SELL SO YOU MAY HAVE A CHANCE.

Also, I am a para at a school district here, is there a need there or am I SOL?

THEY USE PARAS IN SOME DISTRICTS. LOTS OF LAID OFF TEACHERS LOOKING FOR JOBS. MY WIFE IS A SUBSTITUTE AND GETS PRETTY REGULAR WORK AT PATHETIC PAY ($65/DAY).

How do the schools rate?

MONROE SCHOOLS? NOT REAL GREAT. THEY AR ENOT TERRIBLE, BUT PROBABLY BELOW THE MIDDLE. LOOK IT UP THERE ARE A LOT OF SCHOOL RATING SERVICES ONT EHINTERNET.

What about severe weather? I know we get hit with alot here in Kansas, I want to know about tornadoes in this area as well. Thanks in advance if you read and respond to this.

TORNADOS HAPPEN BUT PRETTY RARELY. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDE SEVERE? LOTS OF WEATHER THAT KEEPS YOU INSIDE OR OFF THE WATER, NOT MUCH WHERE YOU CANNOT DRIVE.

[Piggy]

I've lived in all three states, actually in all three of the areas you mention. My personal opinion only....I would suggest in this order, Ohio, Indiana and then Michigan. Give me an idea what size of city you are looking for, and what you have in mind (city living vs country living) and I'll give you a few ideas.

[bubbagirl]

There are not a lot of huge towns near Monroe. However, it is within an easy commute of Toledo, and considering the highway path, you might want to consider being closer to US 23 (Dundee, MI) than 75?

There are a lot of listings on Craigslist if you look under Ann Arbor, MI or Toledo, OH (the area is called "Down River" FYI, if that makes some listings easier). Worst case, you might find something outside of Toledo that would be an easy commute and inexpensive. I don't know a lot about Monroe (I'm originally from the Lansing area), but I can vouch for a lot of the town outside of Toledo - excellent schools and communities and rent is usually a little cheaper. The smaller towns of Temperance, Blissfield, etc are nice from what I have heard. Milan has a bit of a funky smell in the air as you pass thru, not sure what is manufactured there, and also has state prisons.

The very SE area of MI and NW OH are very flat and mostly farm land, but tornadoes are rare. Severe weather about so-so... The occasionally big T-storm with hail (which is hit and miss on which towns get it), and a bit of snow and blowing wind in the winter.

[Ahmsmom3]

Ok, well my husband's company really wants him around the Monroe area. We are wanting to find a 3-4 bedroom house to rent that will allow a dog and a cat. We don't want to spend anymore than $700 a month. The size of town, less than 30,000. Any help would be appreciated. We are flying out the 26th to come househunting just need ideas where to look at.

[reham35]

You will find many homes for sale in Monroe, MI. I am working with Leo Boylan of Monroe Real Estate. They are a local company and also rent homes. They are on task and informed. Yes, there are parts of Monroe, you don't want to be with a family, but you can find nice, decent rentals in great areas of Monroe too. The cost of living here is lower than some nearby cities so that is a bonus. Monroe is between Detroit and Toledo Ohio, so you have many opportunities for family things to do, shopping and interesting sites to visit. For para jobs, you might be frustrated - we have layoffs, and long-term people in those positions. Weather is fine - seasonally, you see an extreme for about two - three weeks - so winter - about 2-3 weeks of awful snow, ice, etc., then back to boring winter. Summer, yes storms, yes tornados, but not any worse or better than any midwest state. Excellent forcasting and warnings for areas on tv and the radio.
Just get on line and type in Homes for rent Monroe Michigan - and I bet you will find something. Monroe is just ok, not awful not great. The economy is fair and poor for some. Overall I would say it is safe, and well-cared for. There is a YMCA and many parks. People are generally decent people and for home searches - ask the real estate person - tell them to be honest about the area. You will know when you drive through if that area is for you or not. There are a lot of homes for sale, or for rent so I think if you started your internet search, you would feel better about your move. Good luck!

[Ahmsmom3]

I have looked on the internet and I can find homes and apartments for rent for more than our price range. We only want to pay as much as $700. Atleast until I find a job. I have other skills I can use for jobs but love working with the school kids. I have experience in hotels and can perform clerical duties. The severe weather I am referring to is tornado season. We live 18 miles from where an EF-5 touched down last summer and wiped out the whole town with 5% left standing. Still freaked out over Greensburg!!!!! I am nervous about moving due to the fact that everything I read on here says that jobs are hard to find. I like to work and am good at what I do. I want a dull time job that pays at least $10 an hour. We are flying out on the 26th of April to house hunt and hopefully we will find a place. Any help on the job front would be helpful. I was told by the school district in Monroe that I could sub as well. Is that steady work there? Any more info would be helpful on all of thsi as well as the tornado aspect.

[cardwellave]

Tornados don't happen that often. I can only remember a few that even touched down in the greater Detroit area in my lifetime...

It's been years since we've had any even tornado warnings as I recall. We are not in tornado alley, you have a much LESS chance of encountering a tornado here.

Here's some rental properties more in your range as well: Google Search

[chance2jump]

Just to reiterate what I mentioned before and what others have said...

Mi/Oh is not a "tornado" alley, nothing like you've experienced. Tornadoes are so rare that when one DOES touch down, it is a big deal. I can think of ..maybe 5-6.. that have touched down in my lifetime, and that was Lansing area of MI. I have only recent experienced with one t3 touch down 40 miles south of Cleveland (easily 130+ miles away) that only destroyed a barn, nothing else, and remember a couple years ago some questionable tornado type activity that did some wind damage. Again, it is RARE!

The economy is bad and jobs are hard to come by. You have to be competitive and stand out. You may have to look as far south as Toledo metro for a decent chance at a job opening. However, with the right resume and determination, a job can be found. Good luck to you! There are so many out of work college grads and/or laid off teachers that subing may even be hard to come by.

[BookLover08]

Isn't this the city where Custer's wife is from?

I was curious if there's anything historical in the city. It would be interesting to check out some old 19th-century buildings.