How bad do you think MI really is? (Detroit, Grand Rapids: housing, rent)

[magellan]

Employment data for January is out, and from January 06 to January 07 Michigan lost close to 68,000 Non-Farm Payroll Jobs. It's biggest one year drop since 2001. The media seems to highlight unemployment rates, but job creation and wage growth are much stronger statistics to track. It certainly is not good right now.

The Grand Rapids metro area added about 1500 payroll jobs in the same time period, but that's still not great and not where it should be. In the meantime, the powers that be in Lansing can't seem to settle on any kind of game plan, despite the fact that every business organization and every Chamber of Commerce in Michigan has sent them proposals.

But other than that, the warmer weather this week is a nice change of pace.

[Sociologist]

Series Id: LASST26000003Seasonally AdjustedArea: MichiganArea Type: StatewideState/Region/Division: Michigan

Year Period labor force employment unemployment unemployment rate
1997 Jan 4937190 4706777 230413 4.7
1997 Feb 4940208 4718512 221696 4.5
1997 Mar 4946753 4732777 213976 4.3
1997 Apr 4954455 4732752 221703 4.5
1997 May 4952423 4742345 210078 4.2
1997 Jun 4954130 4741558 212572 4.3
1997 Jul 4967035 4752657 214378 4.3
1997 Aug 4967553 4758273 209280 4.2
1997 Sep 4979973 4765904 214069 4.3
1997 Oct 4980975 4772129 208846 4.2
1997 Nov 4985252 4776058 209194 4.2
1997 Dec 4990975 4784548 206427 4.1
1998 Jan 5002481 4801483 200998 4.0
1998 Feb 5004861 4804518 200343 4.0
1998 Mar 4998679 4805842 192837 3.9
1998 Apr 4995681 4811052 184629 3.7
1998 May 4999103 4811561 187542 3.8
1998 Jun 5004489 4810548 193941 3.9
1998 Jul 4962462 4734921 227541 4.6
1998 Aug 5007617 4810679 196938 3.9
1998 Sep 5014642 4816218 198424 4.0
1998 Oct 5026885 4828082 198803 4.0
1998 Nov 5032695 4836909 195786 3.9
1998 Dec 5045839 4842222 203617 4.0
1999 Jan 5046599 4845218 201381 4.0
1999 Feb 5064237 4857531 206706 4.1
1999 Mar 5066017 4867828 198189 3.9
1999 Apr 5074604 4879525 195079 3.8
1999 May 5079843 4886756 193087 3.8
1999 Jun 5086433 4893658 192775 3.8
1999 Jul 5093123 4909599 183524 3.6
1999 Aug 5094436 4912449 181987 3.6
1999 Sep 5102912 4915896 187016 3.7
1999 Oct 5115559 4922352 193207 3.8
1999 Nov 5122034 4932220 189814 3.7
1999 Dec 5127250 4942693 184557 3.6
2000 Jan 5117764 4950113 167651 3.3
2000 Feb 5118974 4953788 165186 3.2
2000 Mar 5127491 4960878 166613 3.2
2000 Apr 5141253 4966314 174939 3.4
2000 May 5145589 4962692 182897 3.6
2000 Jun 5154480 4965231 189249 3.7
2000 Jul 5158621 4958916 199705 3.9
2000 Aug 5155333 4950645 204688 4.0
2000 Sep 5149950 4945102 204848 4.0
2000 Oct 5150211 4945896 204315 4.0
2000 Nov 5154268 4943054 211214 4.1
2000 Dec 5153060 4938426 214634 4.2
2001 Jan 5174837 4931233 243604 4.7
2001 Feb 5174577 4931003 243574 4.7
2001 Mar 5172213 4927290 244923 4.7
2001 Apr 5169246 4918882 250364 4.8
2001 May 5166460 4906639 259821 5.0
2001 Jun 5161606 4901376 260230 5.0
2001 Jul 5145635 4885032 260603 5.1
2001 Aug 5139754 4866397 273357 5.3
2001 Sep 5117743 4843137 274606 5.4
2001 Oct 5107625 4819518 288107 5.6
2001 Nov 5105317 4800919 304398 6.0
2001 Dec 5091410 4784632 306778 6.0
2002 Jan 5071985(h) 4756637(h) 315348(h) 6.2(h)
2002 Feb 5052422(h) 4748333(h) 304089(h) 6.0(h)
2002 Mar 5060697(h) 4740675(h) 320022(h) 6.3(h)
2002 Apr 5048301(h) 4729399(h) 318902(h) 6.3(h)
2002 May 5043717(h) 4725612(h) 318105(h) 6.3(h)
2002 Jun 5044772(h) 4723546(h) 321226(h) 6.4(h)
2002 Jul 5036656(h) 4723594(h) 313062(h) 6.2(h)
2002 Aug 5026093(h) 4718317(h) 307776(h) 6.1(h)
2002 Sep 5021590(h) 4714432(h) 307158(h) 6.1(h)
2002 Oct 5021813(h) 4711366(h) 310447(h) 6.2(h)
2002 Nov 5023066(h) 4708015(h) 315051(h) 6.3(h)
2002 Dec 5025751(h) 4700052(h) 325699(h) 6.5(h)
2003 Jan 5026044(h) 4690140(h) 335904(h) 6.7(h)
2003 Feb 5033096(h) 4683866(h) 349230(h) 6.9(h)
2003 Mar 5032065(h) 4678489(h) 353576(h) 7.0(h)
2003 Apr 5036539(h) 4670882(h) 365657(h) 7.3(h)
2003 May 5044997(h) 4681129(h) 363868(h) 7.2(h)
2003 Jun 5050694(h) 4683356(h) 367338(h) 7.3(h)
2003 Jul 5041901(h) 4673152(h) 368749(h) 7.3(h)
2003 Aug 5039033(h) 4676905(h) 362128(h) 7.2(h)
2003 Sep 5040774(h) 4678427(h) 362347(h) 7.2(h)
2003 Oct 5050904(h) 4686942(h) 363962(h) 7.2(h)
2003 Nov 5036093(h) 4685916(h) 350177(h) 7.0(h)
2003 Dec 5036471(h) 4684953(h) 351518(h) 7.0(h)
2004 Jan 5036355(h) 4688241(h) 348114(h) 6.9(h)
2004 Feb 5039529(h) 4683658(h) 355871(h) 7.1(h)
2004 Mar 5043411(h) 4684946(h) 358465(h) 7.1(h)
2004 Apr 5030595(h) 4692179(h) 338416(h) 6.7(h)
2004 May 5046285(h) 4693145(h) 353140(h) 7.0(h)
2004 Jun 5046458(h) 4690767(h) 355691(h) 7.0(h)
2004 Jul 5049636(h) 4688217(h) 361419(h) 7.2(h)
2004 Aug 5050929(h) 4696465(h) 354464(h) 7.0(h)
2004 Sep 5059432(h) 4703192(h) 356240(h) 7.0(h)
2004 Oct 5064228(h) 4707412(h) 356816(h) 7.0(h)
2004 Nov 5071813(h) 4706256(h) 365557(h) 7.2(h)
2004 Dec 5072166(h) 4705288(h) 366878(h) 7.2(h)
2005 Jan 5061968(h) 4703315(h) 358653(h) 7.1(h)
2005 Feb 5069450(h) 4711912(h) 357538(h) 7.1(h)
2005 Mar 5073262(h) 4714991(h) 358271(h) 7.1(h)
2005 Apr 5078724(h) 4724784(h) 353940(h) 7.0(h)
2005 May 5077614(h) 4725680(h) 351934(h) 6.9(h)
2005 Jun 5067289(h) 4722048(h) 345241(h) 6.8(h)
2005 Jul 5070446(h) 4726906(h) 343540(h) 6.8(h)
2005 Aug 5072170(h) 4729869(h) 342301(h) 6.7(h)
2005 Sep 5074685(h) 4741793(h) 332892(h) 6.6(h)
2005 Oct 5063852(h) 4736811(h) 327041(h) 6.5(h)
2005 Nov 5075718(h) 4739480(h) 336238(h) 6.6(h)
2005 Dec 5079471(h) 4736864(h) 342607(h) 6.7(h)
2006 Jan 5081343(h) 4737408(h) 343935(h) 6.8(h)
2006 Feb 5082039(h) 4735745(h) 346294(h) 6.8(h)
2006 Mar 5083355(h) 4737363(h) 345992(h) 6.8(h)
2006 Apr 5080995(h) 4737240(h) 343755(h) 6.8(h)
2006 May 5069957(h) 4733833(h) 336124(h) 6.6(h)
2006 Jun 5077300(h) 4735261(h) 342039(h) 6.7(h)
2006 Jul 5078538(h) 4728435(h) 350103(h) 6.9(h)
2006 Aug 5085262(h) 4727623(h) 357639(h) 7.0(h)
2006 Sep 5084910(h) 4725070(h) 359840(h) 7.1(h)
2006 Oct 5086734(h) 4725782(h) 360952(h) 7.1(h)
2006 Nov 5080452(h) 4720906(h) 359546(h) 7.1(h)
2006 Dec 5085147(h) 4718825(h) 366322(h) 7.2(h)
2007 Jan 5083684 4732875 350809 6.9
h : Reflects revised population controls, model reestimation, and seasonal adjustment for 2002-2006.


Biggest jump in unemployment of any state in the last 10 years, from bls.gov

[kaypurdue]

If we didn't keep robbing and killing each other in some places, I think Michigan would be one of the safer places to live...

- No earthquakes
- No wildfires
- No hurricanes
- No really extreme weather to speak of... it is a nusciance sometimes, and depressing because it is the same all the time, but rarely enough to halt what little economy we do have for any length of time.
- Plenty of water
- No collective terrorist target on our heads

I keep telling people... once the folks out west drink the Colorado River dry, the folks in the south and on the East Coast get flooded out by the next "Big One," and California breaks off the continent, maybe Michigan won't look like such a bad place after all.

(I know the California thing won't happen, I watched a special on the Discovery channel on it, but the rest might?)

For the record, I'm a youngin with a halfway decent job commuting daily from Flint to Auburn Hills, and I'm happy living rather simply where I am, so I probably don't know what I'm talking about. Just my opinion.

[Wabbit]

[quote=I keep telling people... once the folks out west drink the Colorado River dry, the folks in the south and on the East Coast get flooded out by the next "Big One," and California breaks off the continent, maybe Michigan won't look like such a bad place after all.[/QUOTE]

You couldn't be more right.
Hydrogen and oxygen are obviously the two most important and VALUABLE
elements in the world and being the only state surrounded by fresh water could, under any number of scenarios, make Michigan the most enviable place to be.
Until then, we have to put up with the clouds.
Though this summer has actually been pretty sunny!

[bobbyo]

I moved out of Michigan in 83. I was working one day and layed off the next and the on again/off again cycle was killing me. I went west, and 23 years later , I have no regerts. I look at my freinds who stayed, and most have jobs but barely squeek by. One freind has had his house for sale for two years with no sale in site. My parents house was worth about $200,000 when I moved. Today, I'd be suprised If my Mom, now a widow, could get $100,000. Her stock in GM, left to her by a 40 year auto worker husband, is worth 1/3 of it's original value. It's so depressing for me to go back there and visit. The neighborhood I grew up in has changed so radicly, I'm afraid for my mothers safety. When she passes away, I'll be in the unfortunate position of having to sell the home I grew up in, and a lifetime of posessions belonging to my parents. I don't have room for all their stuff here in California, But I wouldn't move back to suburban Detroit if you gave me a house with no morgage.I'd love to see things turn around for Mi. but with so many people buying chinese goods & japenese cars and not caring about their neiborhoods & just looking out for themselves,Michigan is in deep trouble.God help you all.

[M TYPE X]

Originally Posted by bobbyo

but with so many people buying chinese goods & japenese cars and not caring about their neiborhoods & just looking out for themselves,Michigan is in deep trouble

For the umpteenth time, the reason why Michigan is in trouble is that the GM/Ford/Chrysler model is fatally flawed, and Michiganians cannot buy all of the production while the rest of the country is uninterested in buying crap.
The solution is to convince companies to move into the state as well as new business startups, by reducing taxes and getting Lansing out of picking winners and losers. If GM ever does get gumption and break the back of the UAW, it will be a start.

Comericas need to be moving into Michigan, not out!

[McMazyad]

I came to Michigan in 2005 as international student, I'm from Saudi Arabia. I chose Michigan because of the lovely and friendly people here, in addition to the excellent high education. I found every thing here as I expected except the weather. I did not recognize that Michigan's weather is unbelievable. the only thing that will make me move from Michigan is the weather.

the community around me is important, I really feel so sorry about the economy here in Michigan which is reflected on people faces around me.

But if you want to move from Michigan, which place do you think that could
be match the quality of life here in Michigan?

[Carrera4S]

Originally Posted by McMazyad

I came to Michigan in 2005 as international student, I'm from Saudi Arabia. I chose Michigan because of the lovely and friendly people here, in addition to the excellent high education. I found every thing here as I expected except the weather. I did not recognize that Michigan's weather is unbelievable. the only thing that will make me move from Michigan is the weather.

the community around me is important, I really feel so sorry about the economy here in Michigan which is reflected on people faces around me.

But if you want to move from Michigan, which place do you think that could
be match the quality of life here in Michigan?

TENNESSEE

You still have four seasons only the winters aren't as harsh and the weather is more predictable.
Tennessee is on its way to becoming the new Michigan in terms of the automobile industry.
The cost of living is a HELLUVA lot cheaper. I will be building a $250,000 house for about $173,000. The taxes on said house will run about $1100 per year and insurance on the same house will run about $410 per year but the thing I like best is that I can insure a Porsche 911, an Audi A4 and a Mazda RX-7 for about $2300 per year.
The fact that it's NOT in Michigan is a bonus.
No more having to deal with Kwaammy
No more having to deal with Jennifer

Also, I was unaware that there was a "quality of life" in Michigan

[Catherine D]

From reading all these posts, I'd say as with everything, it's a matter of prespective. Certainly, there are some facts, such has the big down turn in manufacturing, that MI had a lot of. But, every state has it's problems. Different people want different things. So much of what's said is so negative, it's sad. As far as the weather goes....other than the gray winters, MI has fairly nice weather. I love the spring, summer and fall here. Someone said that the weather is only nice mid may to mid sept. Well, the fall is generally beautiful here. Sometimes, fall lasts through Dec. I can remember many a Christmas without snow and I live in the snowbelt of MI...just west of the big lake! The ski resorts are thrilled if they get to open for Christmas vacation. Last two years they didn't make it. And they usually have to close by the first week in March! Yesterday is was sunny and 75 degrees (March 13) and it was not a record.

All and all, we are strongly looking to retire someplace else for more sun, like CO. But, as I research that State they have their problems too, like WATER, and fires from the dryness! I wonder about the grass is always greener thing??

[cksh]

Nothing is gonna save Michigan in the near future. We are a blue collar state with blue collar jobs. Sure, We have plenty of salary jobs, but with no manufacturing those salary jobs have nothing to support. And as the manufacturing continues to leave we lose are ability to support other industires such as your local restaurant, mall, cvs etc.

It will be difficult to get technology to this state because it is a blue collar workforce. Manufacturing will not come here because of wages and probably taxes (I am not to up on the tax situation and not sure I want to be). Tech jobs will not show up because we don't have as educated a workforce as east coast states. Sure, we have plenty of colleges pumping out grads but they leave the state because of the lack of jobs...Another nasty circle. Also, does an established company want someone with no experience? Not all. And even if they don't care about experience there are plenty of experienced workers out there willing to work for entry level wages. So again we have a lack of jobs for college grads.

And whoever said Michigan has nice people would probably think the rest of the country is paradise. I think this is one thing that is a matter of perspective. Sure there are nice people, but there are nice people in every state. And I happen to find that Metro Detoit has alot worse than other cities I have lived in. But again its a perspective thing. Maybe the west side of Michigan is better.

And weather? The weather here sucks. Four seasons? You mean winter and construction.

Who cares about a nice spring and fall (if it even happenes) when a nice zero degreee winter is in store. Frozen roads, three hour commutes, salt everywhere and 2 hours to clean my driveway because of the snow plow.

Summer? 95 degrees with 99% humidity (no it will never rain). I don't even want to step outside in that weather even to go to the beach.

And roads? The worst I have ever driven on. Potholes, cracks, and someone's brilliant idea to put down a 15 year road instead of a 25. Although either way it will need replaced after a couple of winters. The only reason they fixed the roads was because the super bowl was here.

As someone mentioned, Tennesse is the way to go. Or maybe some other nearby states. Four seasons but mild winters. I am looking to move to NC. No winter (no snow at least....who needs it?) and nice people IMHO.

Oh well, I am just a product of my environment. Sorry for my rant.