How bad do you think MI really is? (Detroit, Lansing: relocating, housing)

[LynneG]

Originally Posted by JenM

Yep that sounds about right! But I guess because I've never lived anywhere else, I have nothing to compare it too! I guess I am just worried that I will make a big mistake like so many others say that they have done. But then again, I've been researching moving for the past 2 years now, and have complied quite an army of info. I guess if I started visiting those places, I'd be less nervous to move!

I've lived in Michigan most of my life (2 years in N.C. in the 70's). I too have been researching for 2-3 years, trying to decide on where to move. I am in northern Michigan now, and can't see me here much longer. As soon as I narrowed my search down to Port Charlotte, Punto Gorda area, the hurricane hit in that area. I've been secretly looking for a job change in the area I live for a year (secretarial), have sent many resumes out, and have not received an interview. I'm done with it! Too much competition looking for the same jobs. I'd like to try the south somewhere. I want to be near water wherever I go, but not in the way of a hurricane or flood. I don't mind a little cold weather either, it's all the snow and 6 months of winter I can't stand. Have you seen Sperlings Best Places sites, Best Spot, etc. You can even do a comparison, city to city to check out cost of living, etc. I've read that Ft. Walton Beach, FL is a good place for jobs. Other than that, lots of Colorado places..but that's not for me. I say pick a place and move! It's scary to leave family and friends, but if we can make a better living for ourselves, we'll be happier and can always visit. Good Luck.

[clowngirl4]

[quote=JenM;229716]Ok I have lived in MI all of my life and have recently wanted to move out of state (because of the bad ecomony here) with my husband and kids. Then I discovered this website and started reading all of the posts from people who have moved and say it is the worst mistake in the world.

I moved away 8 years ago first way West. Too much of a change. Sun looks different, trees and birds are different, attitudes are different (but that might be a plus!). Now I've moved to WI. It's AWESOME. Economy is GOOD. If I blindfolded you in MI and dropped you off in Wisconsin, I doubt you would notice a difference. Except people here have hope, and it's much, much cleaner.

I love MI. But when we go back to visit, it's always sad how filthy the sides of the roads are. That speaks volumes about how people feel about their environment. And the drinking water in Michigan tastes terrible!

I hope never to move back to Michigan.

[clowngirl4]

[quote=politikally;232299]IMHO...

)


Downside to Moving away:

-You have to make new "roots"
-Housing will generally be more expensive elsewhere. Since so many people are leaving Michigan (it actually had NEGATIVE population growth!) the prices in Michigan are dropping rapidly, as people try to sell more and more houses to fewer and fewer buyers.
-You'll probably miss Meijer I have yet to figure out where everything is in a Super Target.


Gosh, I miss Meijers too. It's one of the first places I go to on every visit!

[clowngirl4]

[quote=Sociologist;311622]All the talk about moving out: I have lived in 3 states, NC, IN, and MI. Raleigh, NC, Fort Wayne, IN, and several cities in Michigan. I must say that everything is realitive and will stay that way.

People rarely speak of Wisconsin. I was raised in Metro Detroit. Recently moved to Western Wisconsin. It's like living the dream I wanted in Michigan to live "up-north", with a good paying job, with benefits. A dream I could never fufill in MI.

Wisconsin rocks! Lots of jobs. Clean living, and so close to Michigan in all the ways that matter. But the biggest difference is hope. People here just believe that life will be better and better.

You don't get that feeling down-state in Michigan. It's a loss of hope. I never realized it when I lived in MI. But gosh, I feel it now as soon as I get into Metro Detroit. So sad. Such a grand State.

I'm still praying for a miracle for Michigan.

[M TYPE X]

I was first happy to find the Meijer here in Champaign, Illinois. However, it's the most ghetto Meijer in the world, and the checkout waits are awful. I did a lot of shopping at Kmart and Meijer in my Ann Arbor days, but I now try to shop at the Schnucks grocery market (Missouri based regional chain) and sometimes Wal-Mart (the infamous behemoth from Arkansas).

Then again, my hometown is halfway between where the Pontiac G6 and Chrysler Sebring are assembled, yet I drive an Acura.

Bottom line: I'm a Michigan man, but I can't handle my coney islands anymore , I won't drive a Ford unless threatened with a blunt object, and I find Kmarts to be much too ghetto anymore.

This is probably a good time to mention that I once worked at one of the nicer Kmart stores in the metro Detroit area. I would rather shop at a nice Kmart than a Target, with their blazing red logos everywhere that hurt my eyes. Then again, Target turned me down for jobs many times (retail and corporate).

Michigan people have great stories to tell. We get ****ted on by everyone.

I hope never to move back to Michigan.

I still can't let go of my abusive relationship with my home state.
It's not just Ann Arbor I enjoy, or rocking down I-696.
I like the lakes, the woods, the union workers ... j/k on the last one.

[Sociologist]

Just a question: Has anyone that reads these posts lived in or near Fort Collins, CO? I visited last week for a week, investigating. Very nice place, growth and development is non stop around Denver. But I was interested to see if anyone has lived in the area or can speak from experience. Thanks

[endlosung]

try posting this question in the colorado forum

[mandkg]

I am new to this forum and been reading a lot of posts on here. I live in Idaho and hate it and been wanting to move to Michigan with my husband and 2 small children( 2 and 4 yrs old). I moved here from Germany almost 9 yrs ago and I found Frankenmuth while I was reading on Michigan. I was wondering if anyone had any input on living in the Saginaw area where I could be close to my german heritage? I am just looking for a safe place to live happy with a decent job and maybe somewhere where it's green.....
There has been a lot of negative posts and if it is really that terrible, I don't know it this would be a good choice?! Thanks for any answers.

[southernlady5464]

I found Frankenmuth while I was reading on Michigan

Been to Frankenmuth...terribly disappointed.

Been to Helen, GA...MUCH better.

Helen, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, is a re-creation of an alpine village complete with cobblestone alleys and old-world towers. This Northeast Georgia village has a rich history linked to the Cherokee Indians and Indian burial mounds as well as early settlers who arrived to mine for gold and cut virgin timber for a thriving lumber industry in the early 1900's.

I've been to both...give me Helen, GA every time.

With that said, there are a lot of things here in MI to enjoy. I'm just tired and achy from the cold and need southern sun. And we now have a job down south. Liz

[Virginia1]

I have visited Frankenmeuth on many occasions....and I too am from Germany. Very dissappointed in that little town. The houses almost have a Stepford Wives kind of feeling. All the neighborhoods and the homes are very meticulesely clean. Don't get me wrong it is a German thing, but you will not find toys, or bikes or anything cluttered around any ones home. I know a couple who lives there and they were "spoken" to about the number of weeds in there yard. Yep.....it is a odd little town. There is a huge Christmas store there that many people frequent for ornaments and such. There are these two giant restaurants across the street from each other that are a far cry from correct ethnic German food. The only restaurant that was truly ethnic closed down due to personal matters by the owner (real German man and wife team). Word has it they were not really that welcome and they had the best food in town. It's safe, low crime and schools I understand are good. But if you think you want to go there due to German ties and feel a little fatherland hospitality......I would check out some other places.