[shaddawn]

Can anyone give me a general idea of the costs of utlities in Escanaba? I know the water and sewer bills can run high in some UP areas and I'm wondering if Escanaba is one of them...City water and sewer...Also, wondering how Alltel compares to AT&T in cell phone coverage and price?
I'd appreciate any info on Escanaba in general....
Thanks everyone!

[bryan61]

From what I can gather alot of folk up there are going with alltel although att does have a strong presence also. Even the best coverage up there can be sketchy when ya get out of town. My siter lives in Trenary and she seems to get pretty good signal with alltel. as far as utilities im not sure as I lived the last 30 years in Gladstone and I think they get power from different companies (not sure). Water is probably more compareable and I just looked at my last bill and it was almost $50 as they get you for renting their meter $7, and around $20 each for water, and wate water. There is also a charge for your water heater that is around $20 I dont know if we should call that water or power.

Escanaba is a boring little town of 16000 people with lots of peace and quiet and an easy going atmosphere. Your not to far from being in the middle of a remote forest or a huge body of water so opportunities to enjoy nature and wildlife are there. The economy has always been weak and is the tradeoff for living in a pristine environment. Even professionals often have to work at whatever they can find to survive. I know a Lawyer that administers one of the schools districts GED programs because there are so many lawyers in the area that he cant really break into the field there.

[shaddawn]

Thanks for the information, Bryan61.
I have to admit that I like boring! I thrive on peace and quiet and esay going atmosphere. And I love nature! LOL!
I did take note that Gladstone was close to Escanaba and plan to stop there and look around. Is it reallly so different than Escanaba?

[susancruzs]

Gladstone is a third the size of Escanaba and I'd say quieter. My sister lives in the UP and I'm there frequently plus I stayed with her for six weeks after she had surgery. She lives in a very small area of homes with a post office but no stores, as in 7 miles out to the highway.

I think you'll get a feel for the area and do o.k. if you visit both communities. My sister would choose Gladstone and me, Escanaba. I like having stores close by, my sister doesn't care, she wants it very quiet. I've never noticed a different feel to the two towns and my sister/cousins never commented other than the traffic at times in Escanaba (which makes me laugh).

Good luck in your search! I recently moved from Illinois to Wisconsin (I'm not working) and I spent quite a few weekends and week days in Two Rivers before deciding. I was 6 hrs. from my sister, now 3 hrs. We meet in Marinette/Menominee sometimes. I just couldn't move that far north, I need more civilization than she does. I don't mind snow but spring came alot earlier for me than at her house! :-)

[MICoastieMom]

I hear the moonlight is beautiful!

[shaddawn]

Originally Posted by MICoastieMom

I hear the moonlight is beautiful!

Ya, da Escanaba moonlight and a few cans of them beans...

[shaddawn]

Originally Posted by susancruzs

Gladstone is a third the size of Escanaba and I'd say quieter. My sister lives in the UP and I'm there frequently plus I stayed with her for six weeks after she had surgery. She lives in a very small area of homes with a post office but no stores, as in 7 miles out to the highway.

I think you'll get a feel for the area and do o.k. if you visit both communities. My sister would choose Gladstone and me, Escanaba. I like having stores close by, my sister doesn't care, she wants it very quiet. I've never noticed a different feel to the two towns and my sister/cousins never commented other than the traffic at times in Escanaba (which makes me laugh).

Good luck in your search! I recently moved from Illinois to Wisconsin (I'm not working) and I spent quite a few weekends and week days in Two Rivers before deciding. I was 6 hrs. from my sister, now 3 hrs. We meet in Marinette/Menominee sometimes. I just couldn't move that far north, I need more civilization than she does. I don't mind snow but spring came alot earlier for me than at her house! :-)

Thanks for your input. With my husband and me, it's the same way as for you and sister...Like you he would choose Escanaba, since he's very social and likes to be in the mix of things. Also, he isn't real happy with UP late Spring(Spring,what's that!) and cloudy days...but he handles it well as long as he can chew the fat.

I would like Gladstone...the quieter the better! I could easily live secluded in the woods(part of my childhood was that way) I'm from coastal Maine and I'm just happy that the UP is so much warmer.

It's great that you could make the move closer to your sister. The older we get the more we miss family..anyway, that's how I feel!

[dori36]

Originally Posted by shaddawn

Ya, da Escanaba moonlight and a few cans of them beans...

Of course, you meant "dem" beans, ya?