[michiganmom2008]

Oh and by the way...I am terrified of Detroit from all the stuff I have heard over the years. Scared to death to even visit there.

[bluebird39]

We've had a few experiences with Otsego Memorial Hospital, and frankly, I've been impressed so far, and I've been working in hospitals for many years, including one that was similar to Munson in TC... similar size, awards, recognition, etc...

I will admit though that for medical specialties, we pretty much have to drive to Traverse City or Petoskey, which during the winter is especially no fun, and when gas prices were 4 bucks a gallon, it hurt us financially.

I LOVE my kids' school, and the kids in our community are very wholesome kids. In a small town, you know who their parents, grandparents aunts and uncles are, and if you see them or hear them doing something wrong, you can be on the phone telling their parents and the situation is resolved quickly. You don't have that in a bigger city. When we lived in Oregon, the Meth problem was horrible. I don't see any of that here. I know there are drugs up here... I even know of "down-staters" who come up here every week-end to buy their drugs. I'm not naive, but once again, in a small town, you know who does drugs and who doesn't, and keep your kids away from it. My biggest concern is teen pregnancy. There seems to be a big problem with that. Also, I hate it when people say there's nothing to do up here. Yes, there aren't shopping malls, rock climbing gyms, gymnastic classes, etc, but the schools do a great job at keeping kids busy who want to be, and there are tons of inside sports centers that have ice rinks, swimming pools, etc.. Also, fishing, swimming, hunting, boating, skiing, hiking are things most kids do that are better than hanging out at the mall. Plus, kids can "roam" up here like they can't in a more populated place.

The benefits of living close to family are also huge. Good luck.

[michiganmom2008]

Originally Posted by bluebird39

We've had a few experiences with Otsego Memorial Hospital, and frankly, I've been impressed so far, and I've been working in hospitals for many years, including one that was similar to Munson in TC... similar size, awards, recognition, etc...

I will admit though that for medical specialties, we pretty much have to drive to Traverse City or Petoskey, which during the winter is especially no fun, and when gas prices were 4 bucks a gallon, it hurt us financially.

I LOVE my kids' school, and the kids in our community are very wholesome kids. In a small town, you know who their parents, grandparents aunts and uncles are, and if you see them or hear them doing something wrong, you can be on the phone telling their parents and the situation is resolved quickly. You don't have that in a bigger city. When we lived in Oregon, the Meth problem was horrible. I don't see any of that here. I know there are drugs up here... I even know of "down-staters" who come up here every week-end to buy their drugs. I'm not naive, but once again, in a small town, you know who does drugs and who doesn't, and keep your kids away from it. My biggest concern is teen pregnancy. There seems to be a big problem with that. Also, I hate it when people say there's nothing to do up here. Yes, there aren't shopping malls, rock climbing gyms, gymnastic classes, etc, but the schools do a great job at keeping kids busy who want to be, and there are tons of inside sports centers that have ice rinks, swimming pools, etc.. Also, fishing, swimming, hunting, boating, skiing, hiking are things most kids do that are better than hanging out at the mall. Plus, kids can "roam" up here like they can't in a more populated place.

The benefits of living close to family are also huge. Good luck.

Thank You Bluebird39

[scolls]

Originally Posted by 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.

Just look at the facts. Gerrish-Higgins district is one of the better ones in northern Michigan due to the fact that they over tax Higgins Lake residents. Most all the districts are under funded. Houghton Lake is in terrible shape. They've cut teachers and have classrooms in trailers. Where are these jobs at? Have you even read the want ads in Gaylord? What business is located in Gaylord? It's all service industry. Meijers is opening up there and hiring part time cashiers. I have a bachelors degree in business administration and marketing and couldn't get anything better than a management job at McDonalds. I have been all over northern Michigan. I used to have to drive 50 miles round trip for a minimum wage job. All the kids I graduated with have left the area. There is nothing to do but do drugs and drink. My mom has been to the Otsego hospital and they screwed up her hysterrectomy surgery and sent her to Traverse City. I have been to Grayling and West Branch hospitals for galbladder attacks and they and my doctor said I had indigestion till finally I was near death and they sent me to Bay City. The only are that seems different is Traverse City. At least they have a shopping mall. In Gaylord all you have is Walmart, Kmart and in the future, Meijer.

Gaylord is a little better than Roscommon. How about you tell me the so many ways Gaylord is different than Roscommon. I'll give you that Dr. Forsyth is a good dentist there in Gaylord. It's sad I had to drive 35 miles for a competant dentist.

I also love the poster who thinks he knows who is taking drugs. You think the kids will tell you? My parents never knew the half of what I did in school and after school. They call it Roscompton and Saint Felon for a reason. I know people in Grayling and Houghton Lake who have experienced similar, and it's naive to think it isn't in Gaylord.

[michiganmom2008]

Originally Posted by scolls

Just look at the facts. Gerrish-Higgins district is one of the better ones in northern Michigan due to the fact that they over tax Higgins Lake residents. Most all the districts are under funded. Houghton Lake is in terrible shape. They've cut teachers and have classrooms in trailers. Where are these jobs at? Have you even read the want ads in Gaylord? What business is located in Gaylord? It's all service industry. Meijers is opening up there and hiring part time cashiers. I have a bachelors degree in business administration and marketing and couldn't get anything better than a management job at McDonalds. I have been all over northern Michigan. I used to have to drive 50 miles round trip for a minimum wage job. All the kids I graduated with have left the area. There is nothing to do but do drugs and drink. My mom has been to the Otsego hospital and they screwed up her hysterrectomy surgery and sent her to Traverse City. I have been to Grayling and West Branch hospitals for galbladder attacks and they and my doctor said I had indigestion till finally I was near death and they sent me to Bay City. The only are that seems different is Traverse City. At least they have a shopping mall. In Gaylord all you have is Walmart, Kmart and in the future, Meijer.

Gaylord is a little better than Roscommon. How about you tell me the so many ways Gaylord is different than Roscommon. I'll give you that Dr. Forsyth is a good dentist there in Gaylord. It's sad I had to drive 35 miles for a competant dentist.

I also love the poster who thinks he knows who is taking drugs. You think the kids will tell you? My parents never knew the half of what I did in school and after school. They call it Roscompton and Saint Felon for a reason. I know people in Grayling and Houghton Lake who have experienced similar, and it's naive to think it isn't in Gaylord.

Your not a very happy person are you? Sorry you have had such bad experiences.

[scolls]

Originally Posted by michiganmom2008

Your not a very happy person are you? Sorry you have had such bad experiences.

Actually, I'm very happy now that I have moved to Harper Woods. I figured I would offer up some advice from someone who has lived up north and experienced the schools and the community. Since I have shed light on a lot of negative aspects of living up north, you just want to dismiss what i say because it's a cute little town. You sound as naive as my parents. I'm not trying to change your mind, as you seem already content on moving there, I'm just preparing you for what is in store.

[michiganmom2008]

Originally Posted by scolls

Actually, I'm very happy now that I have moved to Harper Woods. I figured I would offer up some advice from someone who has lived up north and experienced the schools and the community. Since I have shed light on a lot of negative aspects of living up north, you just want to dismiss what i say because it's a cute little town. You sound as naive as my parents. I'm not trying to change your mind, as you seem already content on moving there, I'm just preparing you for what is in store.

Well I thank you for your advice...there is both good and bad everywhere. I am glad you are happy now. Being where you want to be is what makes you happy and I want to be where my family is....I think everything else will then fall into place. I hope. It is ok that you dont like northern michigan....Some people love it, some hate it, and some just dont give a darn about it. But I Love it!

[scolls]

Originally Posted by michiganmom2008

Well I thank you for your advice...there is both good and bad everywhere. I am glad you are happy now. Being where you want to be is what makes you happy and I want to be where my family is....I think everything else will then fall into place. I hope. It is ok that you dont like northern michigan....Some people love it, some hate it, and some just dont give a darn about it. But I Love it!

One of the positives was Kirtland Community College. Very nice school. It is in what they call the COOR area (Crawford, Ogemaw, Otsego, Roscommon) so that includes Gaylord. Nice campus, small class sizes, and very helpful faculty. I have found everyone there to be very helpful. I went there for 3 years and was able to transfer my credits to University of Michigan-Flint to finish my bachelors. It's about 40 miles from Gaylord however. We tended not to have a lot of Gaylord students there. Mostly West Branch-Roscommon-Houghton Lake students.

Another thing is, I hope you aren't afraid of snow. Gaylord is a snow belt and they get hammered with snow. Much worse snow in Gaylord than Roscommon. Snow doesn't bother me much so that is non issue for me. In fact, I was in Roscommon a week ago and they still had snow on the ground.

[michiganmom2008]

I am no stranger to the North. I may have grown up and lived most of my years in southern michigan but growing up my parents always took us on vacations up to the bridge and all over Northern Michigan. From 2002-2005 we lived at Sugar Loaf out on the Leelanau Peninsula so no stranger to the large amounts of snow either. In 2005 my parents still lived down here and most of my family. My mom got real sick and I was worried so we relocated back down here.......2007 They bought a little mom and pop motel that needed fixed up in a real bad way and moved up there. Then my sister and her family followed. We were left behind I guess you would say. They are all waiting for us to make our move when the time comes. Its not for everyone I know. There are lots of ups and downs everywhere, but for us...like I said, I believe it is where my family belongs.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by scolls

Just look at the facts. Gerrish-Higgins district is one of the better ones in northern Michigan due to the fact that they over tax Higgins Lake residents. Most all the districts are under funded. Houghton Lake is in terrible shape. They've cut teachers and have classrooms in trailers. Where are these jobs at? Have you even read the want ads in Gaylord? What business is located in Gaylord? It's all service industry. Meijers is opening up there and hiring part time cashiers. I have a bachelors degree in business administration and marketing and couldn't get anything better than a management job at McDonalds. I have been all over northern Michigan. I used to have to drive 50 miles round trip for a minimum wage job. All the kids I graduated with have left the area. There is nothing to do but do drugs and drink. My mom has been to the Otsego hospital and they screwed up her hysterrectomy surgery and sent her to Traverse City. I have been to Grayling and West Branch hospitals for galbladder attacks and they and my doctor said I had indigestion till finally I was near death and they sent me to Bay City. The only are that seems different is Traverse City. At least they have a shopping mall. In Gaylord all you have is Walmart, Kmart and in the future, Meijer.

Gaylord is a little better than Roscommon. How about you tell me the so many ways Gaylord is different than Roscommon. I'll give you that Dr. Forsyth is a good dentist there in Gaylord. It's sad I had to drive 35 miles for a competant dentist.

I also love the poster who thinks he knows who is taking drugs. You think the kids will tell you? My parents never knew the half of what I did in school and after school. They call it Roscompton and Saint Felon for a reason. I know people in Grayling and Houghton Lake who have experienced similar, and it's naive to think it isn't in Gaylord.

It seems you are under the impression that higher taxes mean better schools. Are you really that naive? A Bachelors in Business admin? Hate to break the bad news to you, but as you are finding out, a BS doesn't go far anymore in that field. Hasn't really meant much in the last 15 or 20 years to tell the truth, it is a field that is glutted with people.

Again with the rest of the area and not Gaylord. Your Mothers went to Otsego once and had a bad experience. Sorry to say, that happens ANYPLACE even your vaulted Munson. Overall Otsego is a good hospital, a small hospital sure, but a good one. Like any small place though the more unusual or complicated the case the more prudent it is to ship to a larger facility. That isn't Northern Michigan, but ANY rural hospital across the country.

Did I say there was no problems in Gaylord? No, I didn't say nor imply that at all. There are problems with drugs and alcohol EVERYWHERE. Where are the higher paying jobs? They are everywhere, but like I said before, you have to either already have the skills, or be willing to obtain the skills needed to do them. A chushy job and high pay doesn't fall into your lap, or is given to the slipshod, you have to go after them and get the training to do them. A bit more research is needed now before choosing a university major because the old days are gone where you could get a paper in anything and go find a great paying job.