[100%Michigan]

Originally Posted by NV4X4GAL

My family is thinking of relocating to Michigan. I have lived in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, so I am famiar with the midwest weather. My mother just relocate to the Ann Arbor area, but we aren't sure if that's where we will end up. I have visited Kalamazoo and Portage and it seemed like a nice area. Where would you recommend living?

We are employed in the social work field.
Reasonable housing prices are important.
Good schools are important. Living near a college would be nice, but not necessary.
We like to camp and off-road. That is how we will spend much of our leisure time.
Good healthcare if very important to us.
We like the idea of possibly living in or near the woods.
We are willing to drive to go to the big shopping destinations.
We are familiar with the cold winters and hot humid summers.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Look into the Lansing area ( including East Lansing which is near MSU ). Although there is one city that I also see may fit you... Marquette. Why? Wooded around, University near by, camping areas well, and you wouldnt mind driving far to the bigger cities/towns.

[100%Michigan]

Originally Posted by 100%Michigan

Look into the Lansing area ( including East Lansing which is near MSU ). Although there is one city that I also see may fit you... Marquette. Why? Wooded around, University near by, camping areas well, and you wouldnt mind driving far to the bigger cities/towns.

Marquette, Mi

Is about 6-8 hours from Minneapolis,Milwaukee, Chicago, and Detroit ( which are the two biggest cities in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illonios. )

Its also right off of Lake Superior

[Giesela]

Prices are relative. Ann Arbor might seem reasonable coming from San Francisco but for the Midwest getting that nice little place in the woods outside of town is going to be pretty pricey. Kalamazoo would be more reasonably priced than Ann Arbor. Don't know about schools - you can get that on line I think from Dept of Education websites.

[harriettetops]

Don't ignore the larger towns in the Upper Peninsula - Menominee, Escanaba, Marquette area, Iron Mountain, Crystal Falls, Iron River, etc. And they are town - not cities, But they all have great outdoor opportunities for you. Nice people, too.

[mesha73]

Did you say you wanted something close to Ann Arbor? If not then those mentioned will probably fit your needs fine, however you will want to look into your career field. Social Workers are a dime a dozen in Michigan and Jackson to be exact. They do not seem to thrive here as far as pay goes. However, if it is not all about the pay check for you then check out Jackson or even Hillsdale area. Hillsdale is very spread out and has alot of farm/wooded land areas. Good Luck on your move here.

[MICoastieMom]

NV4X4GAL-

Well, since MyCG is down, it is still down, isn't it? I will share what I found out here. I had a chance to speak to my nephew and his wife, both are MSW's. They had spoken to colleagues as well. The concensus of opinion was that the field of social work looks good in Michigan. Because there are so many different settings for social workers (hospitals, prison populations, unwed mothers, adolescents and children, halfway houses, unemployed auto workers) it wa difficult for them to be real specific. They suggested you start networking in the desired field where youare and send out feelers from there. Hope this helps, good luck! Look forward to having you back in Michigan, my Michigan!

[GarySmith]

I'm not able to steer you to any one city. I do suggest using michigan.org the State of Michigan tourism website to assist with finding a city or area to meet your needs.

You can search for homes across most of the State on this website mirealtors.com/consumers.html select Search Listings in the right hand column.

It's nice to hear of someone moving to Michigan, home of 11,000 lakes.

[deslok]

You would really enjoy Ann Arbor the most I believe. You wouldn't have to drive far to shop, or very far at all to find anything on the land or water to do. I would completely stay away from Kalamazoo, or some of the small, amish like towns such as Hillsdale.
Ann Arbor has stylish eateries, good places to live at decent prices in some instances, and close to Detroit. Even though on the surface it might seem like Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are thriving, visiting the east compared to the West is completely different. I myself get a more vibrant feel being in downtown Detriot, Royal Oak, Dearborn, or Ann Arbor then I ever would fiddling around in Kalamazoo.
AA is of course close to U Of M, which can't hurt. Being near that hospital in AA doesn't hurt as well.
I'd stay in the area even if AA isn't too your liking. I grew up in the west area of Michigan so I know it well. I lived in AA, California, and Chicago. Hope this helps.

[kelly261]

Originally Posted by NV4X4GAL

My family is thinking of relocating to Michigan. I have lived in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, so I am famiar with the midwest weather. My mother just relocate to the Ann Arbor area, but we aren't sure if that's where we will end up. I have visited Kalamazoo and Portage and it seemed like a nice area. Where would you recommend living?

We are employed in the social work field.
Reasonable housing prices are important.
Good schools are important. Living near a college would be nice, but not necessary.
We like to camp and off-road. That is how we will spend much of our leisure time.
Good healthcare if very important to us.
We like the idea of possibly living in or near the woods.
We are willing to drive to go to the big shopping destinations.
We are familiar with the cold winters and hot humid summers.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

The Traverse City area...lots to do with beautiful water and scenery.

[Missjoi]

Hi to all !..I am new to the site, I was just wondering and considering moving to AnnHarbor from Conneticut. We are a military family, I have recently graduated from nursing school, and would like to make Michigan my home. I have lived, in Va half of my life, Fl, Jersey, and now CT. I am a winter girl, and love my seasons after the scorching hot summer, fall+winter...I have reade alot of discouraging forums about michigan, the economy their, people losing their homes, and unemployment rate, but dosen't all of that exist all over the U.S.?.. I have never visit, and was going to try it out for a year, before actually purchasing a home. I figured, if my cousin and her husband(also military) moved from Va to Colorado springs, and built a home there, and have lived in Va all her life, so can I....Hopefully...Any suggestions?