[jeeg]

Originally Posted by RetiredNomads

Your response is very similar to the way I feel. I've lived in large cities such as Detroit, Phoenix, and St. Paul. I moved to the U.P. because I wanted to raise my children away from the negative influences you find in large cities. Sadly, I found the same issues here but lacking the many distractions large cities offer our children; malls, skate parks, theaters, arcades, amusement parks, zoos, etc.

Recently, I visited family in the Detroit area. Everything has changed, traffic is insane, many of the people we encountered were like machines running through life. My daughter was a little upset because she is used to being here in the U.P. where most people wave and smile. Not in the L.P. At least not where we were. All of the chaos was something I was happy to leave behind when I moved here. But.....

Another problem that I've encountered in the U.P. is with the medical care. We have to drive almost 3 hours to see qualified specialists. With chronic medical illnesses, it is not only inconvenient, it gets expensive. If you have a disabled child, you will not find appropriate care unless you go to the L.P. When the public school doesn't suit you, the choices are next to none. If you don't fit into a certain mold that is expected, you are alienated from the majority.

The lack of resources here are enough to tell me that this isn't the best place for us. I want my children to be brought up around family. I want them to have the best they can without having to sacrifice their own dreams. I believe there are places between here and the big city that will meet our expectations. Maybe if I was a native yooper, where the children knew of nothing else, this would work. But they do.

So which one is better? It all depends on your individual lifestyle, family makeup, and dreams. Both have their own beauty.

You should really label this as your experience with Ironwood, MI. None of the negatives you state above has been true for my family in the Marquette area.


Please people, stop judging the whole region based on your experience with a small part or even worse in some cases, your vacation through a small part!!
Label the cities/areas you have extended experience in rather then making sweeping judgements. That would be far more helpful to people trying to make informed decisions about the U.P.

[Bydand]

Very true Jeeg! I know that the Soo is vastly different than Marquette, which is different than Escanaba... etc, etc, etc. The UP has some very distinct areas and you can find a great experience someplace if you spend enough time. I loved the Soo when I lived there, I know others who couldn't wait to see The Bridge in their rearview mirror for the last time as they were leaving the UP.

[darstar]

I would find it very difficult to leave the UP for that lower land down under.........the Bridge. Becoming a troll again is just not an option. I may be a poor example however , as I only lived in lower Michigan for six years , and , did not like it much. The UP compares with other places in the Northern tier , not , troll land.

[iva]

Originally Posted by jeeg

I just had to pick my jaw up off the floor!! After graduating and spending a year or so in Denver I moved to Grand Rapids. Lived there until after I married and we decided to have kids. I have never lacked for something to do, explore, or see.
I'm only 32, we just moved away from there five years ago (both of our families still live in the area).
You need to make some better connections within the greater metro area. There's plenty to discover

You must have a Degree in Know-It-All and My-Comments-And-Views-Are-Most-Important-And-Accurate-And-If-You-Disagree-You-Are-Snarfy-And-Childish School.

[jeeg]

Originally Posted by iva

You must have a Degree in Know-It-All and My-Comments-And-Views-Are-Most-Important-And-Accurate-And-If-You-Disagree-You-Are-Snarfy-And-Childish School.

Because I expressed true and sincere surprise at something?? Have you lived in the Grand Rapids area for over 20 years??
Wow, how about growing up and gaining some maturity!! I think of myself as a nice guy who tries to help people. Look in your own short history here and you'll see that I've come to your own defense before when someone jumped down your throat.
Thanks for the kindness.

[RetiredNomads]

Originally Posted by jeeg

You should really label this as your experience with Ironwood, MI. None of the negatives you state above has been true for my family in the Marquette area.

It sounds like you fit in very well with the Marquette area, not too surprising. I've been all across the U.P., though I've spent most of my time in Ironwood and Marquette, so I think my experience is just as appropriate as anyone else's, thanks.

Please people, stop judging the whole region based on your experience with a small part or even worse in some cases, your vacation through a small part!!
Label the cities/areas you have extended experience in rather then making sweeping judgements. That would be far more helpful to people trying to make informed decisions about the U.P.

I just joined this forum, am I suppose to send you my post for approval before I submit it? I'm not all that experienced with city-data, I just joined.

I realize that it may be different for other families with less or no children at all. My opinion is based on the 5 1/2 years I've lived here, my age, family size, interests and experience.
Like I said, we travel to Marquette quite often for appointments, and the occasional retreat to do some shopping. Plus, my son was in varsity football, so we've been to several towns along the way. Does that make me an expert, no. But it does give me a feel of certain places in the area.

[jeeg]

Come on people. Grow up already!! Yes everyone's experiences count!! Especially those who have actually lived in the area they are commenting on.
I was simply asking to narrow the location down rather then making sweeping judgements on the whole region.
I've been here for awhile and usually only read/respond to the posts regarding the U.P.
Look in the history and this is what any outsider who uses the search for information is going to find..
The U.P. is racist.
The whole U.P. is backwards.
There's nothing to do up there.
There's no jobs in the U.P.
There's no good medical facilities in the U.P.
There's no culture in the U.P.

Not a single one of those statements is true. Yes, one or more may be true in isolated individual parts of the U.P. which is why I simply ask that you state the area you have/are experiencing these problems in rather then making sweeping judgements. This way people new to the region or exploring moving up here can make informed decisions. I'm not asking that people do it for me, I'm asking that people do it for the newbies who wish to learn more. Simple enough??

[RetiredNomads]

Originally Posted by jeeg

Come on people. Grow up already!!

What gives you the authority on maturity? Telling other adults to "grow up", is like your child saying "whatever". How old are you anyways?

Yes everyone's experiences count!!

Being an online forum, people are entitled to their own opinion as long as they follow the SITES guidelines. Facts about individual experiences are what seems to keep people posting in active threads.

Look in the history and this is what any outsider who uses the search for information is going to find..
The U.P. is racist.
The whole U.P. is backwards.
There's nothing to do up there.
There's no jobs in the U.P.
There's no good medical facilities in the U.P.
There's no culture in the U.P.

Good job! Somebody who is just skimming through posts will see all the wonderful features of the great north you've listed here.

Not a single one of those statements is true. Yes, one or more may be true in isolated individual parts of the U.P.

Do you know this from experience, or are you making a sweeping judgment?

I'm not asking that people do it for me, I'm asking that people do it for the newbies who wish to learn more. Simple enough??

Don't undermine me, it's rude.

[Bydand]

Wow, we have another pompous ass on our hands it looks like.

I will say it for myself because it is appropriate. GROW UP!

I'm 45, have lived in the UP (Graduated from the UP in fact) Went to College in the UP and the LP both and like both areas of Michigan so if you don't like me telling you to grow up and have to come up with a childish counter-point I have already given you my "qualifications" for saying it.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by jeeg

Come on people. Grow up already!! Yes everyone's experiences count!! Especially those who have actually lived in the area they are commenting on.
I was simply asking to narrow the location down rather then making sweeping judgements on the whole region.
I've been here for awhile and usually only read/respond to the posts regarding the U.P.
Look in the history and this is what any outsider who uses the search for information is going to find..
The U.P. is racist.
The whole U.P. is backwards.
There's nothing to do up there.
There's no jobs in the U.P.
There's no good medical facilities in the U.P.
There's no culture in the U.P.

Not a single one of those statements is true. Yes, one or more may be true in isolated individual parts of the U.P. which is why I simply ask that you state the area you have/are experiencing these problems in rather then making sweeping judgements. This way people new to the region or exploring moving up here can make informed decisions. I'm not asking that people do it for me, I'm asking that people do it for the newbies who wish to learn more. Simple enough??

WOW , they are really beating up on you today ! Not fair at all , and , for no reason. I too am tired of the "generalities" that surface on these threads. If someone has a specific comment that makes a negative statement , they should back it up with facts , and , as well disclose their local , experience, .etc. ,