[carolin]

Hello,
we have to move from Boston to somewhere near Plymouth Michigan, for work,, can you believe it???!! Everybody complains about unemployment in Michigan and we have to move there due to work.
Anyway - I would like to know if somebody can tell me which of the communities around Plymouth or maybe Plymouth itself is worth living in. What we would like is
- open minded people(if possible international)
- some kind of park/ large green area to jogg or go on longer hikes
- young families living close by

Basically that is it. I would be really greatful for any little comment, because I do not know the area at all,

Thanks
Carolin

[The Icy River Vagabond]

Live in the city of Detroit. That would be the correct thing to do.

[robjr100]

I`ve lived in the western suburbs my whole life and Plymouth rates very high.
They have a small town feel with a nice center of town with a park and nice shops.

I live in Canton which is right next to Plymouth.Canton has a mixture of different nationalities but is mostly white.It`s business district is loaded with anything you might want.There are also many newer houses in the area.

It is a big buyers market in real estate in the Detroit area at the moment.
So your timing is good in that reguard.

Plymouth,Canton,western Livonia,Northville would all be good choices. Just to name a few.

[robjr100]

Hines Park runs in and around Plymouth and goes for miles.Plenty of room to jog,ride bikes or have a picnic.

[Deuce Deuce]

Plymouth, Canton, and Northville are all good choices.

If you are seeking diversity, Ann Arbor would be your best bet.

[usbound]

good luck
I'm considering a post around the plymouth area, but I will have to come over the pond
looking at some of the post in this forum (as an outsider) MI does not seem the place to be going to work or live for a variety of reasons

[magellan]

Originally Posted by usbound

good luck
I'm considering a post around the plymouth area, but I will have to come over the pond
looking at some of the post in this forum (as an outsider) MI does not seem the place to be going to work or live for a variety of reasons

usbound,

If you have a job offer that is not in manufacturing (automotive related), than you'll be fine and you may love Michigan. I have a British ex-pat and his family who live across the street from me in Grand Rapids and they love it here. He is a professor, and has asked for his second extension (?) to stay for another year through 2008. They were able to buy a considerably larger home with a big "garden" (yard for us yanks) that they didn't have in the UK.

The housing market is poor due to all the automotive job cuts, but if you're in a completely unrelated industry, and don't have to move again right away, it's a non-issue.

Good luck in your search!

carolin,

BTW: there are quite a few people being "imported" to Michigan for work, especially for high-tech and bio-tech work. In fact, I just read yesterday that by 2010 there is expected to be a shortage of workers in many technical fields because many Michigan residents do not have the skills to fill these positions (not for a lack of applicants, but lack of skills) It's a sad reality, that as Michigan transitions away from manufacturing, so too will many people (who are not prepared for a new global economy) be "transitioned" out and new people brought in. A lot of these people are just bitter about it, despite the writing on the wall for the past 20 years.

(steps off soap-box)

Ah, here it was:

mlive.com/business/grpress/index.ssf?/base/business-4/1169135516182340.xml&coll=6

upjohninst.org/regional/Dec2006Viewpoint.pdf
(Upjohn Institute)

[maybemoving]

I live in Canton, and I think it fits all your criteria. It, like most of Michigan, is beautiful in the summer and there is plenty of room for running, biking...it's a very active city, safe, and diverse. Any kind of food you think you want, you can get and the school system (from what I hear...don't have kids) is one of the best!

[Angel Bear]

Canton all the way! It's cheaper than Plymouth. There is an international flare to Canton...I've encountered many Indians, Lebanese, Japanese, etc. But, yes, it's mostly white.

Canton is just a hop, skip, jump from Plymouth. Look for houses near Plymouth...I have two friends who live in Canton. I also grew up in Livonia on the Plymouth border, going to parochial school in Plymouth for 9 years.

Ann Arbor is about 20-30 minutes from Plymouth. But, parts of Plymouth are really close to Ann Arbor...so it depends. I went to college in Ann Arbor and it's the best town in Michigan as far as culture and diversity go IMHO.

Best of luck on the move! Hope it is wonderful

[ema113]

Carolin...my family and I just moved here from Massachusetts as well. We lived in the Douglas/Sutton/Northbridge area and I have to say that I miss it terribly. My husband was offered a good job though so here we are. We started looking in Ann Arbor but are now considering Novi/Northville and Plymouth/Canton. As of today...we are leaning towards living in the Plymouth/Canton area but that is always subject to change. Drop me a note if you want to connect once you get settled in.

Best wishes with your relocation!