Michigan negativity? (wages, job, weather)

[KimmyLynn]

o i wanted to add another thing!! everywhere we went in michigan people were very friendly and i liked that!!! Ü i love my lil quaint town here in ohio but people here are not as friendly and welcoming i gotta say as they were there!!!

[Cliffie]

Increasingly, the whole country is having economic problems, true. But we are dead last in the nation economically and it has been going on for YEARS, which gets pretty old.

Still, there are a lot of positives about Michigan. "Help Wanted" signs are starting to show up again and there are actual want ads again in the want ads section of the paper. New businesses are opening.

And of course we have the best Shad fishing in the whole country.

[Andre5140]

I received 2 degrees from the University of Michigan and lived in SE Mich all my life until May 2007. I moved to Phoenix (like everyone else) for job and sunshine.

Great job, yes. People are not as friendly, though, and it's very polluted. It's dirty and not diverse weather-wise. After living here a full year, I have an interesting observation for those of you thinking that Arizona is utopia: the weather isn't that great! Summers are over 100 degrees from end of May until October when the high drop to mid 70s. By the end of November, it doesn't get warmer than 60 and is cold at night...almost as cold as Michigan, with temps dropping to high 20s unless you live close to Phoenix where the cloud of pollution keeps temps in the 30s.

Today is March 31. The temp will be 82. All of March has been gorgeous, yes. Come mid-April, it will be hot again during the day.

As for jobs, I have recently found one in Lansing. I got an offer and am moving back by the end of April. I cannot wait!

Everything is cheaper, friendly, and more beautiful in Michigan. Plus I'll get to be with my family. Yes, I'll be sacrificing a job where I have to do hardly any work (thanks to the worthless Arizona work ethic) and nice weather to be with my family but I think that's a worthy sacrifice.

Good luck to anyone who moves....you'll nneed it! And for those of you who keep ripping Michigan a new one, well, you won't know what you had til it's gone

[zakian]

Experience. Mich. started its decline in the 70's. That's when I left the 1st time. Came back in '87, everyone told me not to,specifically no jobs. That was 20 years ago. I did, a move which I still regret. Left again in '97,came back in '01. Big mistake again but the circumstances required it. Been unemployed for almost 2 years. I have seen the state gov't act as though they have their head in the sand. Now look at the corruption scandals Detroit is going through and the cost to the tax payer. For what?? 3 large conventions were canceled b/c of the mayors' problems. Lost revenue again. Result-hire taxes,for what?
I've watched Michigans decline for 30+ years. That isn't being negative,it's reality. Michigan will be, if it isn't already, the countries first 3rd world state.
So tell us,what is there to be positive about in a state that has been on the decline for 30 years and shows no signs of coming out of it?

[malamute]

Originally Posted by zakian

Experience. Mich. started its decline in the 70's. That's when I left the 1st time. Came back in '87, everyone told me not to,specifically no jobs. That was 20 years ago. I did, a move which I still regret. Left again in '97,came back in '01. Big mistake again but the circumstances required it. Been unemployed for almost 2 years. I have seen the state gov't act as though they have their head in the sand. Now look at the corruption scandals Detroit is going through and the cost to the tax payer. For what?? 3 large conventions were canceled b/c of the mayors' problems. Lost revenue again. Result-hire taxes,for what?
I've watched Michigans decline for 30+ years. That isn't being negative,it's reality. Michigan will be, if it isn't already, the countries first 3rd world state.
So tell us,what is there to be positive about in a state that has been on the decline for 30 years and shows no signs of coming out of it?

The first time I left was because I wanted the adventure of trying other places and because I made the mistake of going to Florida for spring break and had to come back to a terrible blizzard which we ran into exactly at the state line. Realizing that when it's cold and gray but the sun is shining somewhere made it too hard to stay.

I went back for family reasons but found myself housesitting when everyone headed south for spring break and decided that I just prefer lots of sun and cloudless days. If it wasn't for the long winters, I think everything else is great, the people are friendlier than in most places, the lakes and forests are incredible. There is a lot to do in Michigan, there's no reason for bashing Michigan. For those who love the 4 seasons then there's almost no place better.

Spring is right around the corner and I suspect people will soon be more positive. As for jobs -- I think people can't let themselves go long without a job so in that case they may have to consider another state at least for a time and things can change in the future, even job skills that allow one to return.

[odinloki1]

Originally Posted by jetsjoe

What is with all of the Michigan negativity on here? Yeah, the state has it's problems. And it is most definently NOT the only one. But what good does it do you people to spend your time on the internet complaning about it?

How about A) be more positive about something OR B) go live in another state with "problems". Go try the prices, traffic, population problems of SoCal, NYC, South Florida, CT, ect. ???

Don't forget to add AZ on the list of states with problems. Unsustainable population growth, overpriced housing and lousy jobs!

Better to be bankrupt in MI than overworked and underpaid in AZ. At least in MI when you're broke the scenery is prettier.

[theboysmom]

Originally Posted by jetsjoe

What is with all of the Michigan negativity on here

Yes. I found my way here while doing research on house buying. A couple of months later I realized there were message boards too,lol.

I am so struck by how bleak people are acting. It is so freakin' negative. If I only read these forums I would think MI is maybe the saddest place on earth.

I mean, I am no little miss sunshine. Yes, I see the stores that have closed, I read the newspaper and watch the news. Times are tough, tons of jobs are gone. BUT I also read about all the the jobs that ARE available out there. The days of high paying jobs in the auto industry working on the line or something are totally over I think. But we were never a family that depended on that industry.

I think if you fit in the right area, you can thrive here. I really like Michigan. I love how you can go to detriot and see concerts and stuff and be less than an hour away from actual farmland. It's a great place to live and raise kids.

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by odinloki1

Don't forget to add AZ on the list of states with problems. Unsustainable population growth, overpriced housing and lousy jobs!

Better to be bankrupt in MI than overworked and underpaid in AZ. At least in MI when you're broke the scenery is prettier.

Yay! Arizona bashing in the Michigan forum!

And some might find your last two sentences a definite matter of opinion. Life is what you make it.

[odinloki1]

Originally Posted by Mi_Mom

Yay! Arizona bashing in the Michigan forum!

And some might find your last two sentences a definite matter of opinion. Life is what you make it.

Your last sentance is a matter of opinion. Given job markets and cost of living increases, you can't believe everything is under your own control and you can just live in denial and everything will be fine. Very often, good hardworking people get screwed over.

Here's my edit "Life is what you make it.........with Prozac"

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by odinloki1

Your last sentance is a matter of opinion. Given job markets and cost of living increases, you can't believe everything is under your own control and you can just live in denial and everything will be fine. Very often, good hardworking people get screwed over.

Here's my edit "Life is what you make it.........with Prozac"

Perhaps you should edit your own posts instead of pretending to edit mine.

"I'd rather be bankrupt in MI than overworked and underpaid in AZ. At least in MI when you're broke the scenery is prettier."

I don't disagree that good, hardworking people are getting the short end of the stick. But I'm not going to sit around and complain about what I don't have and lament the things I did have. To me, it's moving foward and yes, making the most of what I've got. For myself and my family. And if that meant moving almost 2000 miles away, then so be it. Perhaps we'll call MI home again someday. I don't trash Michigan. I am sad to see what's happened to her. And watch every day for news and glimmers of hope.