Am I Crazy??!! (Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing: mortgage, foreclosures, tornado)

[A2Mich]

As for the original question, I have lived in Florida twice and in Michigan twice. When I moved back to Florida from Michigan in 2003, I was given the same previous Florida license number that I had had years before. When I moved back to Michigan in 2007, I was given the same Michigan license number I had had living in MI previously. The job and housing market aren't the best right now in Michigan, but I think things will turn around, though maybe not like they were in the late 90's.

[Chkmama]

I keep bouncing back and forth. I lived in the south for years and missed Ann Arbor. Now after this past record-record-breaking-snow-winter, it just about broke me... Thinking about moving back to North Carolina, There are still 3 seasons there. Is it the seasons you miss? I don't think I could live in the desert either.

[A2Mich]

I didn't like living in Florida, the weather being one of the reasons. I don't think I would care for the desert one bit, as I do not like the ridiculous heat. While I don't particularly care for shoveling snow or driving in the snow/ice, I don't really mind the cold weather too much, while it's here, but welcome the warmer spring and summer weather. This winter was ridiculous for snow, but it's normally not that bad....I couldn't deal with 100+ degree weather for several months at a time. The winter months in NM may not be bad, but have never been there.

[Bluefly]

Whenever people complain about the weather, you have to keep in mind that some of that happiest countries in the world are in winter climates: Finland, Bhutan, Switzerland, Norway...

So, what you're hearing is typical Americans who want everything to be perfectly moderated at all times and protected from any hint of physical discomfort. You can see this mindset most evident in the suburban subdivision / strip mall culture. It is changing - people are crawling out of their cars and finding life on the sidewalks and in the elements can be rather invigorating.

I was away from Northern Michigan and kept reading about how they were getting hit with major snow in April. In my mind, everyone was miserable. When I actually returned, it was the opposite. People were as happy and pleasant as they ever are. There's this myth that people are happy in warm climates and miserable in cold. So untrue.

Not only that, I was driving through Denver one June in a snowstorm. Never hear a bad thing about Denver, though. People embrace the cold out there in a way they just don't here. It's just a whiny perspective.

[Michigansnowflake]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

Whenever people complain about the weather, you have to keep in mind that some of that happiest countries in the world are in winter climates: Finland, Bhutan, Switzerland, Norway...

So, what you're hearing is typical Americans who want everything to be perfectly moderated at all times and protected from any hint of physical discomfort. You can see this mindset most evident in the suburban subdivision / strip mall culture. It is changing - people are crawling out of their cars and finding life on the sidewalks and in the elements can be rather invigorating.

I was away from Northern Michigan and kept reading about how they were getting hit with major snow in April. In my mind, everyone was miserable. When I actually returned, it was the opposite. People were as happy and pleasant as they ever are. There's this myth that people are happy in warm climates and miserable in cold. So untrue.

Not only that, I was driving through Denver one June in a snowstorm. Never hear a bad thing about Denver, though. People embrace the cold out there in a way they just don't here. It's just a whiny perspective.

Boy, did you hit the nail on the head. People today are soft. Living through Michigan winters builds charecter, makes you stronger, makes you appreciate the other 3 seasons. I dont understand people who want hot and sunny all the time.....and I think people of Northern Michigan embrace winter a heck of a lot more and better than the people of SE MI

[kimba01]

I think more people would embrace the north if there were more ways to make a living. I was up in Petosky in Feb. and we had more snow down here in the Detroit area than they did, but the town was dead. We were the only ones at the motel. I loved it!! Beautiful, hadn't been since I was little. I am dying to go back in the summer!

[dagnabit9]

Well, it's been warm here lately (it was 94 yesterday) and the wind is blowing. Again! God, I hate the wind out here! 30-40 mph with guts up to 50 mph in the springtime. Throughout the springtime. Sure, you get a few days when the wind doesn't blow here but those days are outnumbered by the times the wind just blows (pun intended there...)!

[YAZ]

I lived in MI for 40 years; AZ four.

I love 'em both.

I can be happy anywhere.

[Michigansnowflake]

Originally Posted by kimba01

I think more people would embrace the north if there were more ways to make a living. I was up in Petosky in Feb. and we had more snow down here in the Detroit area than they did, but the town was dead. We were the only ones at the motel. I loved it!! Beautiful, hadn't been since I was little. I am dying to go back in the summer!

You might have had more snow at that particular time, but I highly doubt you had more snow for the whole of winter....and why do people who come from downstate expect 24/7 entertainment and excitement of a big city? Thats why we live here, we dont want all the *big city* crap....the town might have been quiet, I bet everyone was snowmobling, ice fishing, sking , or bundled up around a fire, cant do those in town

[Michigansnowflake]

Sorry, I sound a little harsh above.....I just get steamed when downstaters come up here and complain that there is nothing to do. There is plenty to do, just not the stuff that you are used to downstate.........and thats just why we like it up here. Different stuff, different pace of life.