[Caretaker2008]

WOW! I didnt realize I was signed in under my husbands handle....what a way to confuse everyone! I am michiganmom2008 and my husband caretaker2008. Please forgive me, I have a 1 year old that distracts me now and again! I will just blame it on the little guy! *LOL* I am new to forum talk too! Well Im not emotional now, I just feel plain stupid.

[michiganmom2008]

OK....I will be me again! Have I made anyone smile today? So caretaker2008 is the same as michiganmom2008. Atleast the last two posts are.

[Giesela]

Bluebird - I'm curious about what kind of govt jobs? The only ones I can think of up there would be state related to things like DNR.

[Northman]

Originally Posted by mostie

MichiganMom, we live in Gaylord, although we're heading back to Cali in 3 weeks (economy is just too much for us)--

I'm sorry.....you're leaving because of the economy and moving to CALIFORNIA??? California is just as bad off economically as Michigan is, if not worse right now. Their state government is bankrupt, so much so that they're having to distribute IOU's for this years state tax refunds. Their foreclosure and unemployment rates are right up there behind ours. At least you can afford to live in Michigan........in California you can be unemployed AND on the hook for a gargantuan rent or mortgage in a place the size of a shoebox, all while you watch your state's resources being drained by the legion of illegal immigrants camping out there.

Uhhh...good luck with that.

[bluebird39]

The jobs I know about are in fire fighting, and are temporary, but they're something. Yes, DNR also hires seasonal. I pieced together temp summer natural resources jobs with winter jobs for several years before I finally went back to school to get into the medical field. Fire fighting is one of those jobs though that does have some permanent positions, especially out West. We'll eventually end up back out West, since that's what my DH does and that's where most of the jobs are.

It's funny because family illness is part of what brought us to Michigan (family in Chicago). Being close to family is very important. Good luck.

[mostie]

Originally Posted by Northman

I'm sorry.....you're leaving because of the economy and moving to CALIFORNIA??? California is just as bad off economically as Michigan is, if not worse right now. Their state government is bankrupt, so much so that they're having to distribute IOU's for this years state tax refunds. Their foreclosure and unemployment rates are right up there behind ours. At least you can afford to live in Michigan........in California you can be unemployed AND on the hook for a gargantuan rent or mortgage in a place the size of a shoebox, all while you watch your state's resources being drained by the legion of illegal immigrants camping out there.

Uhhh...good luck with that.

Northman, trust me- this isn't something we want to do- I know that as of Feb., the unem. rate in MI was, I think a point and a half higher than Cali-and N.MI is even worse, just for the fact that the towns are small, and roughly 30 miles apart- the downside of the whole thing, is, wouldn't you know it...the only family I have is all out in Cali...if we were retired, on unemployment, or disability? We would stay put- we do have family we are going to be staying with (sigh.) until we're able to (sigh again...) find jobs (BIG sigh).

I love it where we are- it's so beautiful, and so peaceful, and the thought of going back to congested, smog-filled, gang-filled Fresno just makes me ill inside, believe me.

MichMom, I just read yesterday on Gaylord Herald Times that BJ's is hiring for waitstaff, line cooks, etc.-

[michiganmom2008]

Thanks Mostie...we are not gonna attempt the move until the kids are out of school in June. Good luck with your relocating and Im sorry you have to leave a place you love.

[scolls]

I just recently left Roscommon, which is about 30 miles south of Gaylord on 75. I really hope you have given this some thought because northern Michigan is absolutely horrible. I moved from the city of Detroit in 1999 to Roscommon and this was the most miserable 10 years of my life till I finally moved back to Harper Woods. There are no jobs up there unless you like working part time for $7.40 an hour. The hospitals are horrible except for Munson in Traverse City. My dad had a heart attack and almost died because Grayling Mercy was so bad. I see you have children and this is no place for kids. I went to Roscommon High which is considered a good school in northern Michigan. I was exposed to more drugs and alcohol than I ever was in Detroit. There is nothing to do here for young people. That is why so many high schoolers drink and do drugs. I know you think a cute little town there wouldn't be crime and drugs but there is. My parents who are retired, are trying desperately to get out but cannot sell their house. They are over 60 and in failing health. The doctors around there are terrible and they want to come back down here for better health care. It's a great place to visit on weekends, not to live year round. I'm not trying to scare you away, I'm just giving you perspective from someone who has lived in the area and in a big city. It may afterall be your cup of tea.

[Bydand]

You are trying to make every small town in Northern Michigan the same as Roscommon? That doesn't make sense. Gaylord is NOT Roscommon, it is totally different in so many ways. There are more jobs that minimum wage jobs, but just like it has always been, you have to either have the skills or are willing to learn the skills to do them. Nobody is going to hire a kid with a high school diploma and hand them $15+ an hour for being a drool monkey. You have been to the Hospital in Gaylord and the rest of them in Northern Michigan I take it in order to offer up such facts as there are no good ones? I doubt it. The OP is asking about Gaylord, even been to the Hospital in Gaylord? If not, then you are transferring the problems at one location to all others with a passing resemblance. That isn't the truth, that is a childish generalization.

[michiganmom2008]

Originally Posted by scolls

I just recently left Roscommon, which is about 30 miles south of Gaylord on 75. I really hope you have given this some thought because northern Michigan is absolutely horrible. I moved from the city of Detroit in 1999 to Roscommon and this was the most miserable 10 years of my life till I finally moved back to Harper Woods. There are no jobs up there unless you like working part time for $7.40 an hour. The hospitals are horrible except for Munson in Traverse City. My dad had a heart attack and almost died because Grayling Mercy was so bad. I see you have children and this is no place for kids. I went to Roscommon High which is considered a good school in northern Michigan. I was exposed to more drugs and alcohol than I ever was in Detroit. There is nothing to do here for young people. That is why so many high schoolers drink and do drugs. I know you think a cute little town there wouldn't be crime and drugs but there is. My parents who are retired, are trying desperately to get out but cannot sell their house. They are over 60 and in failing health. The doctors around there are terrible and they want to come back down here for better health care. It's a great place to visit on weekends, not to live year round. I'm not trying to scare you away, I'm just giving you perspective from someone who has lived in the area and in a big city. It may afterall be your cup of tea.

I think about it every day! I cant wait till the day my husband, my 3 boys and I can call Northern Michigan our home again. My family is in Gaylord, and my husbands family all lives in the Kalkaska, Torch Lake, and Traverse City areas. I know employment is hard to find....I am laid off right now and there are no jobs in or around where I currently live not even minimum wage jobs. Everyone keeps shutting their doors. The only reason we have hung on here is because my husband does have a pretty decent job but they are talking that their contract is up this year so we will see...he may soon be laid off right along with me. Then what? If it comes to that and we have to start over I would rather make our home close to the rest of our family even if we do have to make minimum wage. Im not afraid to work hard, scrub toilets whatever it takes.....Ive done it for the last 15 years of my life. My kids all love northern michigan.....they love fishing, going to the lakes, the snow, mushroom hunting, deer hunting, riding motorcycles, football, baseball and anything outdoors! Im sure they would survive the North! I grew up in sand creek about 15 miles south of where I currently live and it was a small farm town...there was drugs and there was drinking. The school my boys are in is HUGE....they have 4 elementarys, a seperate middle school and a very Large high school. I was afraid to put my oldest in the high school because I knew the reputation of the school wasnt good. He has been there so far for 2 years and just got his report card last week......All A's and 1 B+ he is 16 at that age I was getting all C's and 1 E *L* and I was a drinker/partier. No drugs. I think there is Drinking and Drugs in all the schools, just have to pray our kids make the right decisions and we are there for them. The hospitals, ahh I could tell you a story about the one right here in town....my 1st was born here and has mild cerabal palsy because the doctor didnt want to do another c-section that evening. My second was born at munson up in Traverse and my third was born in Sylvania hospital because there was no way I was gonna have him here at my local hospital. I guess you have your risks with any hospital, stuff happens no matter where you are. You just have to follow your heart, and our home is where the rest of our family is in Northern Michigan.