[Michigansnowflake]

Originally Posted by hanna_house

Yeah, that's all fine and good until winter hits! The winters here are much more mild than when I lived up north. Almost a night and day difference! I have to say though, the heat and humidity you experienced down here must have been a fluke. Overall it's been a pretty mild summer, which is kind of disappointing after such an unusually harsh winter.

I do admit it is much prettier up north than most of the city life, but in northern suburbs like Bloomfield Hills and Rochester Hills, you'd be surprised by its very north-like qualities without all the desolation, bugs and extreme weather conditions.

I like winter and prefer winter up here to the sad winters downstate. The burbs dont even come close to the beauty that is Northern Michigan, dont kid yourself....I lived downstate 40 years, I know I hate it there

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by hanna_house

Yeah, that's all fine and good until winter hits! The winters here are much more mild than when I lived up north. Almost a night and day difference! I have to say though, the heat and humidity you experienced down here must have been a fluke. Overall it's been a pretty mild summer, which is kind of disappointing after such an unusually harsh winter.

I do admit it is much prettier up north than most of the city life, but in northern suburbs like Bloomfield Hills and Rochester Hills, you'd be surprised by its very north-like qualities without all the desolation, bugs and extreme weather conditions.

I agree with you on everything but the hot and humid part. I was thinking it has been very humid down here this year. But, we have had some awesome weather too! Myself, I could not imagine living up north year round. At least during winter. I would have to think that one must love winter sports to enjoy that kind of cold, gray, desolate, LONG, weather. It is actually too long down here for me. But, if you have your family and all you need with you, it makes it home. Being single is tougher. The cities get small quick.

I don't get downtown much, but if I wanted to it is close enough not to have to make a weekend out of it. I went a lot more when I was younger. Plus, you have so many more cities and areas to enjoy all of their festivals and fairs. We are having one this weekend. You can definitely find many diverse things to do and when you get tired of it--head north!! It will probably even look more beautiful.

I love Milford and White Lake. Far enough to feel far enough away from the big city but close enough to enjoy the cultural history, sporting events, clubs, art fairs, festivals going on all around.

Good luck, OP!!

[hanna_house]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

I like winter and prefer winter up here to the sad winters downstate. The burbs dont even come close to the beauty that is Northern Michigan, dont kid yourself....I lived downstate 40 years, I know I hate it there

Yeah you really have to LOVE winter to live up north. I grew up in Traverse City but have preferred living in Rochester Hills the past 9 years by far. I think the seasons are more balanced and there are many more options of things to do. I love the summers up north but they didn't last long enough to make it worth it. Instead we just drive over to Lakeport, off of Lake Huron, on the weekends and the water is warmer than Lake Michigan. I guess it all depends on what you like.

[hanna_house]

Originally Posted by kimba01

I agree with you on everything but the hot and humid part. I was thinking it has been very humid down here this year. But, we have had some awesome weather too! Myself, I could not imagine living up north year round. At least during winter. I would have to think that one must love winter sports to enjoy that kind of cold, gray, desolate, LONG, weather. It is actually too long down here for me. But, if you have your family and all you need with you, it makes it home. Being single is tougher. The cities get small quick.

I don't get downtown much, but if I wanted to it is close enough not to have to make a weekend out of it. I went a lot more when I was younger. Plus, you have so many more cities and areas to enjoy all of their festivals and fairs. We are having one this weekend. You can definitely find many diverse things to do and when you get tired of it--head north!! It will probably even look more beautiful.

Well, it has been more humid the past week or so, but generally I thought the summer got off to a slow start.

I completely agree with you about there being more to do down here. My husband and I are pretty active and love going to different events and attractions. Especially during Halloween and Christmas! So much fun!

[GlassPipe]

I'll trade you homes and jobs. You can come work in my place and I'll go work in your place. lol - if you don't mind lansing...

Oh, and by the way, we call those toothless baby factories "Pine Savages" Go check out the crossroads strip club in Rapid City, you'll see what I'm talking about.

[bryan61]

Petosky is downstate

eh?

[hanna_house]

Originally Posted by bryan61

Petosky is downstate

eh?

Haha! I guess if you live in the UP it is!

[Michigansnowflake]

Originally Posted by hanna_house

Well, it has been more humid the past week or so, but generally I thought the summer got off to a slow start.

I completely agree with you about there being more to do down here. My husband and I are pretty active and love going to different events and attractions. Especially during Halloween and Christmas! So much fun!

What???? There are festivals and fairs every weekend up here, some lasting all week. You can swim, boat, camp, hike, fish, canoe, go to the beach, pick cherries, apples,go antiquing, hunt, ice fish, ski, sled, snowmobile, snowboard,....holey moley, I could go on and on, we are never at a loss for things to do here. If we feel the need for more cultural things, there is TC and Petoskey and the tons of artist studios that are here...thats ok though, living up north isnt for everyone, if it was, it wouldnt be the beautiful spot it is.

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

What???? There are festivals and fairs every weekend up here, some lasting all week. You can swim, boat, camp, hike, fish, canoe, go to the beach, pick cherries, apples,go antiquing, hunt, ice fish, ski, sled, snowmobile, snowboard,....holey moley, I could go on and on, we are never at a loss for things to do here. If we feel the need for more cultural things, there is TC and Petoskey and the tons of artist studios that are here...thats ok though, living up north isnt for everyone, if it was, it wouldnt be the beautiful spot it is.

That may well be true, but for a single guy as the OP is, it is harder to meet new and different people. Doing all those things you mention is great and fun but it is either with people you see all the time or people just vacationing. You are blessed to have your whole family with you. The OP wasn't saying he didn't like it up north, just that it is hard to get a different scenery of possible dates. Unless a person is in the dating scene there, it may be hard to understand the limited options. It's tough hookin' a fudgie!!

[hanna_house]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

What???? There are festivals and fairs every weekend up here, some lasting all week. You can swim, boat, camp, hike, fish, canoe, go to the beach, pick cherries, apples,go antiquing, hunt, ice fish, ski, sled, snowmobile, snowboard,....holey moley, I could go on and on, we are never at a loss for things to do here. If we feel the need for more cultural things, there is TC and Petoskey and the tons of artist studios that are here...thats ok though, living up north isnt for everyone, if it was, it wouldnt be the beautiful spot it is.

In the summer there is certainly a lot of options up north but it's after the tourists go home that it starts to get real boring, real fast (unless you enjoy winter sports, which I do not). I'm basing this on the fact that I grew up in TC and have quite a bit of family still living up there. Everyone pretty much agrees that there is much more to do down here and the events are generally better, aside from maybe the cherry festival. To the point where my Mom and brother already moved here and 3 other siblings are hoping to do the same in the next year or two.

We also bring in much more entertainment such as concerts, comedians and broadway shows. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy visiting a few times a year for the lakes and beauty, but in fairness you have to acknowledge that there are some benefits to living near the city, even if it's not enough to out weigh what you love about living up north. Michigan is a great state that way.