How bad is the MI economy really getting? (Grand Rapids, Saginaw: homes, rent)

[nycjefftrain]

2 points.....

Sense of entitlement in Michigan pales in comparison to the east coast where its completely normal to live at home with mom & dad at 30!! I get weird looks when I tell people I have my own place. Usually they ask..why? how can you afford it?? and they get offended when I tell them they should grow up and move out of their parents house. ALL OF THIS while they drive a BRAND NEW BMW!!!! If that isn't entitlement, I don't know what is. NONE of my friends who live in or are from Michigan lived with their parents past college age(22-23).

In response to how do I find a new career at 45?? What about AC, heat repair, plumbing, electrician, auto repair, and a host of other skilled trades that cannot be outsourced because we will always needs these people. And before you get bitter and say that immigrants are taking those jobs...thats BS. I know immigrants take alot of the landscaping and roofing jobs but before immigrants, ex-cons took those jobs(and still do). The other jobs I mentioned are always seeking hard-working folks and they pay a decent wage. All of this can be attained in a 12-18 month training program and apprenticeship. If you have left one of the Big 3 recently, they should provide you with info(and some cash) to enroll in of of these programs. You can also check out the Michigan works website and they can provide you with this info as can the MESC website.

Oh...and another one...cooking!! If you want to be a chef at a restaurant or bake cakes, check out Schoolcraft college in Livonia. I believe its a 2 year program. Not to mention, ALL of these programs are adult friendly and understand you are in the midst of a transition.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by khfar

Blah, blah, blah.

I have never said that our moving here was doing anyone a favor. I simply said that we moved here FOR a job. I don't recall asking for any red carpet to be rolled out.

And this quote is a classic: "I don't really care what the out-of-staters think". As much as people gripe about how horribly the state is doing, don't you think it might be wise to welcome out-of-staters to move here? Buy houses here, rent houses here? But noooo...unless you're moving here to start a business, then forget you! Go back. Lovely mentality.

Like you said, "oh well..."

Welcome to the provincial, short-sighted, entitled viewpoint that rears its ugly head once in a while in MI. Last time I checked, a US citizen was free to move anywhere in the US to get a job. The funniest thing is that the poster attacking you doesn't even live in MI right now, but "stole" a job from someone in OR and CO, LMAO. Doesn't matter how many wikipedia entries one reads about Adam Smith and how many Philosophy 101 courses one sits in on - the ignorance eventually reveals itself. "But what is ignorance? What is the meaning of is?" LMAO

[khfar]

Originally Posted by One Thousand

I'd prefer you not be shocked when someone gives you a little taste of what you dished out.


I don't understand why anyone would expect Michiganders to appreciate outsiders taking jobs like they're doing some sort of favor for someone. On one post, someone had the nerve to say that because she was involved in a community garden and not shopping on the internet, she was doing some sort of tremendous favor for the community while her family bled a paycheck from the state.

I don't really care what the out-of-staters think, but it seems odd to me that coming here taking a job is perceived as a favor... Now, if you came here and started a business, that's a benefit... but I don't see the benefit in taking a job.

Oh well...

And, FYI...not that I owe you ANY sort of explanation (since it seems that you don't even LIVE here), but we didn't "take" a job from any Michigander. My husband's company moves people all over the world. The position he took was a promotion, as the guy that formerly held the position was retiring and moving to - you guessed it - THE SOUTH. He was originally from Arizona, so I suppose he came here and "took" someone's job, too. Not so, with my husband's company. It's huge. And his paychecks come out of another state. Get your facts straight before you go assuming things.

[Sociologist]

Originally Posted by nycjefftrain

2 points.....

Sense of entitlement in Michigan pales in comparison to the east coast where its completely normal to live at home with mom & dad at 30!! I get weird looks when I tell people I have my own place. Usually they ask..why? how can you afford it?? and they get offended when I tell them they should grow up and move out of their parents house. ALL OF THIS while they drive a BRAND NEW BMW!!!! If that isn't entitlement, I don't know what is. NONE of my friends who live in or are from Michigan lived with their parents past college age(22-23).

In response to how do I find a new career at 45?? What about AC, heat repair, plumbing, electrician, auto repair, and a host of other skilled trades that cannot be outsourced because we will always needs these people. And before you get bitter and say that immigrants are taking those jobs...thats BS. I know immigrants take alot of the landscaping and roofing jobs but before immigrants, ex-cons took those jobs(and still do). The other jobs I mentioned are always seeking hard-working folks and they pay a decent wage. All of this can be attained in a 12-18 month training program and apprenticeship. If you have left one of the Big 3 recently, they should provide you with info(and some cash) to enroll in of of these programs. You can also check out the Michigan works website and they can provide you with this info as can the MESC website.

Oh...and another one...cooking!! If you want to be a chef at a restaurant or bake cakes, check out Schoolcraft college in Livonia. I believe its a 2 year program. Not to mention, ALL of these programs are adult friendly and understand you are in the midst of a transition.

Its funny you mention the East coast, you couldn't be more correct with regards to co-habitation. Although this is growing in Michigan, my time while finishing college was spent on my own, but 80% of the people I knew (mid and late 20's) were relying heavily on ma and pa. Many of my friends that came to UM from Boston or Jersey never even had a drivers license, or any conception of the lifestyle here. Different world, rude awakening I guess.
Cheers

[Paddington]

Michigan's economy should be booming right now. The state's businesses have been begging for a cheap dollar for decades to give them some relief from cheap imports and a chance to export their goods overseas. Now we have that. But Michigan can't take advantage of it now because of the widespread labor strife and anti-competitive tax climate created by Granholm.

[detshen]

Originally Posted by jhon king

Ok, I have been reading some of the posts here.

I have been laid off from the auto industry. I have some savings put away. And am a believer in higher education.
But many here are not living in reality.
I am 43 YO and what exactly am I supposed to go to school for? What can I go to collage for that will help me get a job? In what area? I do not enjoy the medical profession, so what kind of work that is not being outsourced can I study for to find a job at 45-47 years of age?
You who say the people need to just get more training, What areas are not being outsourced that I can have employment in the last half of my working life? I am very serious about this question. I do not have much hope in the answer, People are always fast to point a finger at a vague answer but never anything really substantive.

A member of my family went to community college and earned an associate degree in paralegal studies, he started at 40. Salaries tend to average about 40k-55K and go up with experience. He found many openings in the field and a lot of employers who appreciate maturity and life experience. He also has the opportunity to open his own business helping people with basic legal paperwork for people who don't want to pay a lawyer.

That may not be for you, but you could try meeting with a career counselor or even reading some of the many books on the subject.
There are no guarentees of lifetime employment, but if a person doesn't try they won't go anywhere in life.

[kaypurdue]

I must be an odd one out too. My husband and I are doing well. Our jobs are not the most secure ones in the world, but we live comfortably below our means and would manage if one of us lost our jobs. We've managed our money well and thought ahead.

We like it here. Our families are here, the cost of living is low, and we always have things to do. We are thinking of buying a house soon - we're currently renters.

Our friend is a small business owner and his business is doing well.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention - we are in the Flint area!

[Brent85]

I don't think success is based on a persons income, degrees, etc. It's how happy your family is, there are good jobs to be had without a bachelors.....

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by kaypurdue

I must be an odd one out too. My husband and I are doing well. Our jobs are not the most secure ones in the world, but we live comfortably below our means and would manage if one of us lost our jobs. We've managed our money well and thought ahead.

We like it here. Our families are here, the cost of living is low, and we always have things to do. We are thinking of buying a house soon - we're currently renters.

Our friend is a small business owner and his business is doing well.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention - we are in the Flint area!

We are on our way to put a little money in the Davison economy. Have to buy drill bits!!!

[A2Mich]

Originally Posted by nycjefftrain

2 points.....


In response to how do I find a new career at 45?? What about AC, heat repair, plumbing, electrician, auto repair, and a host of other skilled trades that cannot be outsourced because we will always needs these people......The other jobs I mentioned are always seeking hard-working folks and they pay a decent wage. All of this can be attained in a 12-18 month training program and apprenticeship. If you have left one of the Big 3 recently, they should provide you with info(and some cash) to enroll in of of these programs. You can also check out the Michigan works website and they can provide you with this info as can the MESC website.

OK, first post here, but here is my opinion. First of all, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT AC,HEATING, ETC....you will be taking work away from me! These jobs, however are not AT ALL looking for workers right now....we're slow right now. Yes, they do pay a decent wage, and you can learn a lot in 12-18 months, but you probably won't get a job right away...most HVAC contractors want experience, of course, and generally will not take an applicant without experience, even on an apprenticeship basis. As for the Big 3 providing info and cash to get you into another job, I disagree with that statement, though. It's not Ford, GM, or Chrysler's fault that some of their workers may not have any marketable work-related skills that would be useful in other jobs. If I was laid off from my job of many years, I doubt that my current employer would give me information or money on how to become a plumber or electrician. It's a shame that so many Big 3 workers have lost and may lose their jobs, but it is up to the individual to get the necessary training for the next stage of their life. When I left my previous career to enter the Wonderful World of Fixing Broken Furnaces and AC units, nobody gave me a DIME to get further education and training. It was all up to me. As for getting into a skilled trade at 45 years old, it is possible, but may be difficult.