Traverse City (Ann Arbor: real estate, housing, employment)

[Rathagos]

Thank you Joe and Mi-Mom... I am now trying to talk the wife into taking some time (hopefully this summer) to travel up there to look at all the areas. If I'm successful, be looking for a post on the best restaurants (not necessarily the most expensive!), and neat things to make sure I visit when I'm there.

I appreciate the inputs!!

~Rath

[bluestar2]

I've lived in Traverse City for 2 years (active duty military spouse) and can answer any questions you may have. Traverse City is approx. 60,000 population. It includes downtown Traverse City (older homes on tiny lots) as well as the surrounding townships which are also part of Traverse City (Garfield, East Bay, Long Lake, Blair). I personally think Leelaunau County, while beautiful, is too rural. Lake Ann is a very small town.

[Rathagos]

Originally Posted by Mi_Mom

I lived in Kalkaska in the mid-late 90's and loved it up there.

A co-worker I used to work with (I recently switched jobs) is from Michigan and is looking at an 18-acre parcel up there. He's planning on going up this summer and possibly buying it, then building on it as he works towards his retirement. That might be something I do, if land prices are too ridiculous. I have thought about buying a less expensive house and having it fixed up while I finish up working the last bit towards my retirement as well.

[Northman]

Just be sure about the snow thing, bud. Pittsburgh might get 40 inches a year on average, but TC and vicinity get well over 100, often mixed with high winds because of the proximity to Lake Michigan. Winters are a grueling 6 month haul, and the novelty will wear off quickly for someone from Texas. Not discouraging you, but just want you to be prepared.

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by Northman

Just be sure about the snow thing, bud. Pittsburgh might get 40 inches a year on average, but TC and vicinity get well over 100, often mixed with high winds because of the proximity to Lake Michigan. Winters are a grueling 6 month haul, and the novelty will wear off quickly for someone from Texas. Not discouraging you, but just want you to be prepared.

I agree. They do get a lot of snow and you'll hear lots of talk about 'snow belt' where snows fall heavier a certain distance from the Lake.

But the great thing is that they take care of the snow up there. They know there is going to be storms and plan for them. Unlike being somewhere in the south where they get a few inches and the place shuts down.

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by Rathagos

A co-worker I used to work with (I recently switched jobs) is from Michigan and is looking at an 18-acre parcel up there. He's planning on going up this summer and possibly buying it, then building on it as he works towards his retirement. That might be something I do, if land prices are too ridiculous. I have thought about buying a less expensive house and having it fixed up while I finish up working the last bit towards my retirement as well.

We had a little 2 bedroom Chalet on 10 acres up there. It was so peaceful and our own little 'place'. We miss it a lot and often wish we had never sold the place. I would love to have more property and a modest house that we can improve over time (which is what we did to our house up there.) vs. a large expensive house on a small lot. Just my preference.

Good luck on your search!

[bluestar2]

Originally Posted by Mi_Mom

I lived in Kalkaska in the mid-late 90's and loved it up there. A slower pace life but really enjoyed it. Elk Rapids, Kingsley, Lake Ann area are all places you might want to check out. I'm not sure what it's grown to be like but Acme was right between Traverse City and Elk Rapids. Interlochen might be of your interest as well? You almost can't go wrong up in that area.

Kalkaska is very rural and far from major shopping. You can get more land for your money out there, but you can also get a home with acreage in the townships surrounding Traverse City (zip codes 49686 and 49684) - still would have a Traverse City address and would be close to shopping and other amenities. Elk Rapids is nice, but a bit expensive - also has a lot of people that don't live there year-round.

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by bluestar2

Kalkaska is very rural and far from major shopping. You can get more land for your money out there, but you can also get a home with acreage in the townships surrounding Traverse City (zip codes 49686 and 49684) - still would have a Traverse City address and would be close to shopping and other amenities. Elk Rapids is nice, but a bit expensive - also has a lot of people that don't live there year-round.

I agree. I tend to like the 'small towns' that are closer to bigger cities. We lived in Kalkaska and liked the small town feel. Perhaps your definition of rural and mine are different. They had (have?) some restaurants, hardware, fast food, hotel(s) and a grocery store. I grew up in Pinckney that was a little more rural than that. And have family in Gregory and Stockbridge as well. Heck...I lived in Hell for a while and you couldn't walk to anything and there was nothing there. At least in Kalkaska we could still drive to major box stores/movies etc if we wanted, but had necessities taken care of in town. But didn't have to deal with traffic, tourists etc. I loved the downtown area of Elk Rapids and their little eateries and shops. I don't know how it's changed since then. I worked out there so that's why I mentioned it.

Sort of like how we loved living in Chelsea as well. Had it's own things going on and stuff but close enough to Ann Arbor (and even Jackson) to find anything we wanted.

[bluestar2]

Originally Posted by Mi_Mom

I agree. I tend to like the 'small towns' that are closer to bigger cities. We lived in Kalkaska and liked the small town feel. Perhaps your definition of rural and mine are different. They had (have?) some restaurants, hardware, fast food, hotel(s) and a grocery store. I grew up in Pinckney that was a little more rural than that. And have family in Gregory and Stockbridge as well. Heck...I lived in Hell for a while and you couldn't walk to anything and there was nothing there. At least in Kalkaska we could still drive to major box stores/movies etc if we wanted, but had necessities taken care of in town. But didn't have to deal with traffic, tourists etc. I loved the downtown area of Elk Rapids and their little eateries and shops. I don't know how it's changed since then. I worked out there so that's why I mentioned it.

Sort of like how we loved living in Chelsea as well. Had it's own things going on and stuff but close enough to Ann Arbor (and even Jackson) to find anything we wanted.

The population in TC and some of the surrounding areas has greatly increased in the past 5 years. Traffic can be an issue at times, especially since most of the roads are 1-lane. No one seems to like the tourists up here, but I think the tourism industry is big $$$ so the locals should be more accepting! Many of the tourists also fall in love with the area and relocate up here full-time so it keeps the housing market from falling apart! Many people come up here and don't want to leave.

[mkfarnam]

Traverse City is well known for it's cherries.
I was born and raised in Cadillac and most everyone there went up to TC every year to pick cherries.