[electric_lady]

thanks Wabbit, I appreciate and respect everyone's responses. and you are probably right, I'm restless (maybe it's this winter that won't give up?) and I do need to see things for myself. no worries, I am anti-california. though it's beautiful, for sure, I'm not a fan of many of the people I've met from there, and I have been warned from friends who moved out there that it's not all it's cracked up to be. many of them moved back to the midwest within months. craving a down-to-earth attitude.
I am looking toward Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio in Texas or Nashville or the tri-cities in TN, Athens, GA and Asheville, Raleigh or Charlotte NC.
Chicago isn't a bad option either, but I am getting sick of northern winters.

[Knightburn]

I've lived in many citys in MI, but by far the worst is Wayne, MI a suburb or Detroit, near Metro Airport. To begin about a year after moving in, A chemical plant exploded about A mile away, tho we left as soon as we heard, we were not informed by news, or the city till about 2 hours after it happened. Since then, my, my wifes, and our childrens health has not been good. I then learned, from a reliable source, an ex-Wayne detective, that the entire city has been built on a landfill. Do to this there have been several schools which were shut down and torn down. I am a good citizen, and yet this is the first city in which i have recieved two city citations, one for parking on the street during a snow emergency(though the roads were not plowed for nearly 14 hours afterwards), and no one informed anyone it was a snow emergency(it snows in Mi alot). And now a citation for blocking the sidewalk even thoght i was only parked there briefly, and was on my way to move the car, when i saw the police officer. Neighbors are rude, and unfriendly, streets have giant potholes, sidewalks are unusable for strollers there so bad, oh and by the way thats your responsiblity to fix them, even thogh its considered city property. We will be moving as soon as we can, and it will probley not be anyware in MI, unless its up north.

[GAisGreat]

Originally Posted by electric_lady

thanks Wabbit, I appreciate and respect everyone's responses. and you are probably right, I'm restless (maybe it's this winter that won't give up?) and I do need to see things for myself. no worries, I am anti-california. though it's beautiful, for sure, I'm not a fan of many of the people I've met from there, and I have been warned from friends who moved out there that it's not all it's cracked up to be. many of them moved back to the midwest within months. craving a down-to-earth attitude.
I am looking toward Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio in Texas or Nashville or the tri-cities in TN, Athens, GA and Asheville, Raleigh or Charlotte NC.
Chicago isn't a bad option either, but I am getting sick of northern winters.

Have experience with all the areas mentioned. Would definately recommend Texas and Chicago a very close second. The South is nice, but really the 'down-to-earth attitude' is non-existant there. I would say that was probably the thing that made us want to leave there the most. The people. Texas you will truely get that. People there are VERY down to earth and VERY laid back and accepting. Of course there are exceptions, most glaring, probably Dallas and Houston.
I can't say enough good things about Austin. And all of the small/mid-size Texas towns I've been too were great.
Chicago is a GREAT city. But much more expensive living costs than Texas, and you will find much more of the rat race, stuck up get out of my way attitude than you will in Texas. Once again, I'm sure there are exceptions.

Chicago, the food is out of this world, Texas same thing, but its bbq and mexican. Depends on your tastes, 2 distinct types, as much as I love Texas style food, I think I would give the edge to Chicago and other 'northern' delicacies.
My opinion, I would avoid GA, TN & NC.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by InGA

People there are VERY down to earth and VERY laid back and accepting. Of course there are exceptions, most glaring, probably Dallas and Houston.

Dallas... probably.

Houston... no. I've found Houston to be almost as down-to-earth, accepting, etc. as Austin. I've lived in both cities.
The big difference was Austin is primarily a young, college town, while Houston is huge; the 4th largest city after Chicago, so has all the big city amentities -- great restaurants (and a large variety, not just TX type food), world-class culture and shopping, pro sports, and a more international, diverse population than Austin or San Antonio.

[Wabbit]

I for one am thrilled that this hate Michigan thread has evolved into
Texas talk. Keep it comin' y'all!
Just to show how different personal tastes can be, I always found Dallas to be much cleaner and friendlier than Houston. Its one drawback being the ever present smell of woman bathed in Mary Kay products. -And Galveston, forget about it. At least we can all agree on Austin and (nowdays) San Antonio.

[movingon42]

I moved to the east coast in 2006 after growing up in MI. I had the benefit of living out of state and out of country before, however. I can tell you that we felt it was the time to go a few years ago. SO my husband began researching work, hooked up with a headhunter, and we began looking at towns, schools, hockey programs!, and economy. I only wish we had left sooner. Now, on the downside, I bought a house here in the east, our house still has not sold, and we may have to rent or dramatically reduce the price of the house. Depressing. However, there are lots of options for you. If you can sell your house I would go for it. Life outside of Michigan is fantasic, but it is what you make it. I would go onto Realtor.com and look at houses in your price range and search different towns. That is what i did. It gave a me an idea of what is out there, expensive or overpriced or a growing realestate market, or one on the decline. I opted for a city that is smaller, but realestate is stable, as well as the economy. Good luck to you!

[Catherine D]

I can appreciate your love for Chicago as I lived my first 28 years there. But, feelings about any city or Sate are very personal. As much as I loved Chicago and had no desire to leave. I moved to MI (husband job transfer). It took me a couple of years to deal with the culture shock from going from a big city to a small town. But I LOVE it! I couldn't have found a better town to raise my kids in. I could never go back to Chicago or any city for that matter. I discovered the outdoors in MI. When I lived in Chicago, I new shopping, clubs and restaurants. Now, I know golf, boating, hiking and discovered my love for horses. ALL these activities waaay to expensive in the city and not very available.

Each of us has to discover what it is that makes us happy. Sometimes it's found in places you'd never think? I guess you just have to take the chance. ...where ever that may lead you. )

[heidinbend]

I lived up north in boyne city for a while and found it to be quite nice. worked at a resort thereBay Harbor. beautiful...It was too muggy and redneckish for me..(I am fro mPortland Oregoan) but i thought it was very nice with the rolling hills and all the lakes! But yeah detroit..NO THANKS!

[darstar]

Yes, I also am of German heritage. I have lived near Helen, Ga for 18 years. All I have to say, is, forget it !. Helen is a tourist trap, for less adventure prone Atlanta folks.
Michigan is great, been here 5 years. There are better places thn Frakenmeuth, also a tourist trap. I am planing a move to the UP, Marquette area. Thats the REAL Michigan, or maybe , NOT..the real Michigan, even better. Been going up there for over 35 years , and , now , will make the final move to Gods country, I hope, in the next 6 months ! Down side, is jobs, there are few unless you are a logger !. I am retired, so...........dar

[AK123]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

I for one am thrilled that this hate Michigan thread has evolved into
Texas talk. Keep it comin' y'all!
Just to show how different personal tastes can be, I always found Dallas to be much cleaner and friendlier than Houston. Its one drawback being the ever present smell of woman bathed in Mary Kay products. -And Galveston, forget about it. At least we can all agree on Austin and (nowdays) San Antonio.

What's wrong with Galveston?

I've lived in Austin, and actually think it's kind of overrated.