Am I Crazy??!! (Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing: travel, jobs, sick)

[Manox]

Hey SPARROW_temp,
Move out of Michigan for about six months and you'll know exactly what I mean. To me and many others there is something compelling about Michigan. The geography is so sweet. Don't get me wrong, Colorado is pretty too. But I live in Denver and the mountains are far away. The state doesn't have a lot of trees, green or water. I prefer these things. Colorado is too brown and dry.

[dagnabit9]

Originally Posted by cardwellave

Seems like people are saying this more and more. Michigan has a character all its own.

May I ask what industry you are in? May affect how readily you'll find a job, and where do you want to live in Michigan?

I am retired military (AF) and was a calibration technician (PMEL). That would cross to some kind of electro-mechanical technician of some kind or even calibration technician if some companies do that out there.

I would like to live in the northern surburbs of Detroit (Northern Oakland, Lapeer, or St. Clair counties) but would live really anywhere in the state depending upon the job.

[trudawg]

I'd be more concerned about actually finding a job in MI than I would be about the weather!
I'm in AZ right now, and if I had the job I have here in AZ I'd move back to MI in a heartbeat!

[dagnabit9]

Originally Posted by trudawg

I'd be more concerned about actually finding a job in MI than I would be about the weather!
I'm in AZ right now, and if I had the job I have here in AZ I'd move back to MI in a heartbeat!

Well, that is my first priority at this point - finding a job! So far, nothing coming back on feelers I've put out, but it's only been about a week. I remember people there take their time going through resumes (and I thought people in NM were laid back!!).

The one thing that grates on me here about the weather is that the wind is hardly ever still - especially if there's a storm coming through (and those are few and far between; remember, this is a desert). It blows in the spring anywhere from 20-50 miles a hour and anytime a front comes through (usually dry), all it does is kick up the winds which elevates the dust and dirt and blows around anything that's not tied down in your yard.

Now I know the winds don't blow like that in Michigan - at least, I don't remember them doing it!

[cardwellave]

Not all the time that's for sure. And I find it refreshing often times; usually just before a storm or something, though sometimes just with a front. No real dust to kick up though..

[detshen]

I lived in SoCal for 12 years and LOVE Michigan. The green trees and rivers are beautiful, the season changes make life so much more interesting. The winters aren't that bad, there are relatively few terribly bitter cold and snowy days. I walk outside and there were very few days I couldn't because of the weather. If you like the same sunny day every single day with no change ever, and tiny half brown shrubs as greenery, and no rain, no fresh water SoCal is for you. I prefer Michigan.

My BF and I found professional jobs within 6 weeks, no problem. Getting a job depends on the field you are in. I don't know anyone out of work, but I also don't know anyone involved in anything auto or industrial related so it really depends what you do.

[nycjefftrain]

I have to add to this. I've been toying with the idea of moving back too. My visit this past weekend sure put in right in the forefront of my mind. I've been gone for 8 years. I left for school out of state but then stayed here bc I got a job here. What it comes down to in addition to everything already mentioned about the physical beauty of the state is I hate saying goodbye to family and friends. I hate the last few hours of my visit. I've starting looking into a transfer which is possible with my job and I just have to make sure I'm serious about it.

To the poster that said move away before you question why people love Michigan is dead on!! There is something about MI that is great. For starters, it's the greatest midwestern state. Yes, the auto industry and current national economy has things in the dumps but the greatest thing is that the industry is transforming(I see this wth my own company...not manufacturing based at all with ops in MI) and this is a great thing(not to knock those that are in manufacturing)

[detshen]

Originally Posted by nycjefftrain

I have to add to this. I've been toying with the idea of moving back too. My visit this past weekend sure put in right in the forefront of my mind. I've been gone for 8 years. I left for school out of state but then stayed here bc I got a job here. What it comes down to in addition to everything already mentioned about the physical beauty of the state is I hate saying goodbye to family and friends. I hate the last few hours of my visit. I've starting looking into a transfer which is possible with my job and I just have to make sure I'm serious about it.

To the poster that said move away before you question why people love Michigan is dead on!! There is something about MI that is great. For starters, it's the greatest midwestern state. Yes, the auto industry and current national economy has things in the dumps but the greatest thing is that the industry is transforming(I see this wth my own company...not manufacturing based at all with ops in MI) and this is a great thing(not to knock those that are in manufacturing)

My BFs company which is also not industrial at all is based in California and they decided to start up an office here. People seem to forget about the natural beauty and fresh water shoreline that surrounds much of the state. Many of the people who leave because of the weather find the brown southwestern grass, and humid misery of southern summers has them wishing for MI weather, and wanting to come back.

[cardwellave]

There's something about those outdated road signs and bumpy roads that is just charming! It's always comforting to cross the border from Ohio and see Ohios blacktopped, smooth roads, and clean new highway signs with curved, white painted rounded posts, give way to our rough roads and old faded highway signs. (Has anyone ever noticed this?)

[Huckleberry3911948]

i have found people from michigan get really home sick even here. don't know why.
can't be the weather. of course my uncle in mississippi says huck, livin in california is like livin with a beautiful woman that has a headache all the time.