Do people really think MI is a ugly and dreary place? (Detroit: landscaping, vacation)

[100%Michigan]

I enjoyed those ads

[mazenblue]

Only ad's I have seen for Michigan are featuring Jeff Daniels trying to persuade business ventures to consider Michigan. We moved to the Space Coast of Florida. I have been here 6 months, my husband just over a year. Oh, how I miss my home, friends and family!

[mackinac81]

Yeah, I sent them to a friend in California. She's a Michigan native and I told her to forward them to her friends out there, to show everyone how we really live.

[kelly261]

Originally Posted by JenM

I started to realize about 15 years ago, that people viewed Michigan as a "Backwards, Hillbilly place." This realization hit when I was watching the tonight show; Jay Leno was interviewing Tim Allen (who was born and raised in Michigan). And Jay Leno began the interview something like this: So Tim, you live in Michigan? Do they even have running water yet?!" Tim laughs, the audience laughs and that was that. But it really struck me odd that Jay would ask a question like that.

And it seems some of the posts here on CD confirm these beliefs. But these posts go further to say that MI is a cold, dreary, ugly, flat-land, pile of nothing state! I am in shock to hear the number of people who also say that there is nothing to do here!

I would love to know the percentage of people who actually have been here and can still say that it's "dreary and cold 24/7."

Now I know the economy isn't the best right now and that is not what I am referring to (so
please no posts about: I hate Michigan because there are not jobs.. I think we've all have enough of that!) But have you ever seen the white sandy beaches in MI, or been to Mackinaw Island? Or Traverse City or the U.P. or anywhere in Detroit? There is a lot more to do here than that. If i knew how to post pictures, I would, so feel free to do so if you want!

Also I believe that MI truly gets a taste of all 4 seasons. Our summers are hot(IMHO) topping out at 95 degrees on many days in August. I love fall; the apple-picking, the pumpkin carving, the hiking,etc. And winter may start in November, but we don't ever really have a good snowfall until January.

But my favorite thing about MI is what a good place it is to raise a family, the great school systems, the focus on the family and the smell of a cool fall morning while sitting on the porch sipping a piping hot cup of coffee!

area of Michigan is the west side of the state especially the Northwest. However, it's very hard to make a living in Michigan. Whatever jobs are available, hundreds, sometimes thousands are looking for the same jobs. I recently applied for a job with a large utility company - over 500 people applied for the same job. So many people have been laid off and not just from manufacturing jobs.

[baystater]

Originally Posted by cardwellave

I'm curious as to how much airtime these ads get outside of Michigan. I hope a lot.

View Our Ads - Pure Michigan Travel

Haven't seen them here in the northeast. Shame to. Most of them are really well done. Of course right now with the economy as it is I'm not sure how many people are going to have the money to travel. But those commercials if they actually do take them national would at least get some folk to come and maybe stay in the end.

[jeeg]

Originally Posted by cardwellave

I'm curious as to how much airtime these ads get outside of Michigan. I hope a lot.

View Our Ads - Pure Michigan Travel

A friend of mine who lives in Missouri just asked me about these ads this afternoon. Said she heard it on the radio and was ready to "go home, pack her bags, and come on up!!"

[thePR]

Those ads are really nice. I also think Tim Allen is great for them.

[5kingsinvegas]

Here is Las Vegas we have the "Tee Times" one playing on our local channels. I was surprised the first time I saw it... never saw Michigan advertised here. However, with all the Michigan transplants coming here it is probably good advertising, reminding us of what we left.

[JoeLunchBox11]

Man, thats sad, I wish sometime you could spend a July or August Day on the west coast of Michigan... You'd be blown away at this freshwater ocean.

[Nickc121]

[quote=JenM;3845897]I started to realize about 15 years ago, that people viewed Michigan as a "Backwards, Hillbilly place." This realization hit when I was watching the tonight show; Jay Leno was interviewing Tim Allen (who was born and raised in Michigan). And Jay Leno began the interview something like this: So Tim, you live in Michigan? Do they even have running water yet?!" Tim laughs, the audience laughs and that was that. But it really struck me odd that Jay would ask a question like that.

And it seems some of the posts here on CD confirm these beliefs. But these posts go further to say that MI is a cold, dreary, ugly, flat-land, pile of nothing state! I am in shock to hear the number of people who also say that there is nothing to do here!

I would love to know the percentage of people who actually have been here and can still say that it's "dreary and cold 24/7."



Well your outlook on Michigan is certainly going to be different depending on which part you spent your time in. Growing up in flint I certainly did think that Michigan was a "dreary" and ugly place. However, that wasn;t my mind-set at all in Grand Rapids.