[kah1542]

I have been researching everything I can find and need some personal point of views please!! Our family is relocating to Michigan from Kentucky within a month. My husband is transferring with Dow Corning to the HSC plant in Hemlock for their expansion. We have found homes we like in the western part of Midland (Bullock Creek area, also Midland city) and in Freeland. Our biggest question...what is the real threat for the dioxin contamination in Freeland? The house we like there is about 1 mile west of the Tittabawasee River. ( Has it been under water?) Also what about the Freeland schools? (we have a 16 year old and 19 month old) Are the schools too small to offer much opportunities, or is there everything you need? We have only heard good things about Midland, so I guess my question is, Should we not consider Freeland, or should we go there because of cheaper taxes, cheaper home prices, shorter commute to work. But still be a good place to live. Thanks for your opinions!

[wanderer74]

I live in the area and I would be very wary of Freeland. IMO 1 mile from the Tittabawassee River is too close if you're concerned about dioxin contamination. There was a massive flood all along that area in
'86 so in addition to dioxin there's also the fact that those houses are considered in a flood plain (and may have mold issues depending on how well they were cleaned up after that flood). The reason that the houses are cheaper and so are the taxes is due in large part to the dioxin issue. Other than that, Freeland is a nice area and in some ways I prefer it over Midland - schools are good in either place though I believe Freeland is part of Saginaw ISD and Saginaw has some problems. There are some parts of Freeland a bit further from the Tittabawassee River and those would be nice places to live I think. Some of the outskirts of Midland like Bullock Creek have some similar issues as Freeland, and many have well water, which I would personally avoid as I *am* concerned about the dioxin issue.

Also consider Auburn, which is where I live right now - it's part of that same general vicinity. We have a nice small-town, slightly rural community feel and good schools, with taxes cheaper than Midland. Hemlock is similar - I have cousins who grew up in Hemlock and that also has a nice small community feeling.

Originally Posted by kah1542

I have been researching everything I can find and need some personal point of views please!! Our family is relocating to Michigan from Kentucky within a month. My husband is transferring with Dow Corning to the HSC plant in Hemlock for their expansion. We have found homes we like in the western part of Midland (Bullock Creek area, also Midland city) and in Freeland. Our biggest question...what is the real threat for the dioxin contamination in Freeland? The house we like there is about 1 mile west of the Tittabawasee River. ( Has it been under water?) Also what about the Freeland schools? (we have a 16 year old and 19 month old) Are the schools too small to offer much opportunities, or is there everything you need? We have only heard good things about Midland, so I guess my question is, Should we not consider Freeland, or should we go there because of cheaper taxes, cheaper home prices, shorter commute to work. But still be a good place to live. Thanks for your opinions!

[Bydand]

Don't forget the Corn Festival in Auburn as well. Do you still have that? I agree though, I had some very good friends that lived in Auburn and loved it there. It seemed like a great place whenever I went down, and after being around the area for work, I would pick it over others in the area.

[Chkmama]

Disclaimer: I grew up in Midland

The whole state generally has very good schools, but Midland schools are really top notch. They are always ranked near the top in the state and nation. The teachers are the highest paid in the state. I'm not sure that Bullock Creek would be considered a part of that, however. Being from within the city of Midland, the general impression was that Bullock Creek was not really considered comparable to Midland High and Dow High (the two main high schools in Midland). Maybe just because its smaller and in the country, but something to look into anyway.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by Chkmama

Disclaimer: I grew up in Midland

The whole state generally has very good schools, but Midland schools are really top notch. They are always ranked near the top in the state and nation. The teachers are the highest paid in the state. I'm not sure that Bullock Creek would be considered a part of that, however. Being from within the city of Midland, the general impression was that Bullock Creek was not really considered comparable to Midland High and Dow High (the two main high schools in Midland). Maybe just because its smaller and in the country, but something to look into anyway.

Mildand schools are good. They have made some major cuts, I know the school is not as clean. Our niece goes to private school in Midland.

[mimberly]

I know people who live in Freeland and Hemlock. In Freeland it depends where. Hemlock is a very nice area as well. You could also look at some areas in Bay City.

[Iggs]

I was raised in Midland. It was a very safe community w/ excellent schools. I would have no problem living there again as an adult. The library, Center for the Arts, schools, Dow Gardens are all fantastic. The only downside would be that it can be a tad "keeping up w/ the Joneses" but no where near as bad as it was living in the Chicago suburbs.

[kah1542]

Thanks for all the input. Can anyone tell me how many students are in Freeland and Hemlock schools? We hope to make a trip up there soon, so I will use this info.

[forestst]

As someone who grew up in Midland I can say it's a great place to raise kids. It's safe and the school system can't be beat. That said it has little to offer for anyone once school is done.

I would say your best bet is to find something in the Dow High area. As a graduate of that high school I would say I got a better than average high school education. My family was involved in real estate in Midland for thirty years and I can say your best bet for buying a house is closely tied to the schools - the best areas are those where your kids will go to Cook, Siebert or Woodcrest Elementary.

I'm pretty sure Freeland has a small high school but there might be a chance you might have Saginaw schools. Saginaw in general should be avoided, it is suffering from some very serious violent crime and a pretty depressed economy.

[Brent85]

I would also highly recommend H.H. Dow High School in Midland. It's the only blue ribbon high school in the area.