[swiss_miss]

I read an article about how people are leaving MI because of the cold weather and other reasons. im in arizona and we see ALOT of michigan lisence plates i guess they are all relocating

[RedWingsFan]

You have that right! Michigan is on very hard times economically, which is forcing people to leave the state. When you add in the bad weather it's even more of the reason. But I would say more people are leaving because of the economic condition of the state (no jobs/low paying jobs/ people by the thousands losing their jobs) than for weather.

[ohannahbanana]

I'm definitely leaving because of the weather! Although it didn't really start snowing this winter until mid-January, what we've gotten since is enough to confirm my decision! I don't like to drive in snow and ice- and I've been here my whole life!

I was unemployed for about 6 months, and it was very hard for me to find a job- but I got one and it's been great, it's just too cold for me!

[jeeg]

I guess my wife and I are the paradox then! LOL
We left Grand Rapids (where I did lose my job in the metals industry) and moved up to the U.P. where the unemployement rate is higher and it's colder! We're both working at jobs we enjoy and love it up here (love the cold too). As far as Michiganders leaving the state, we are strongly considering it. Only because we are wilderness freaks and feel we are just being teased with the hint of wilderness up here. So we are looking to Alaska!

Edited to add: We do know of several people who have left for jobs and or even the cold (silly people, it's lovely!)

[ejbx2]

I moved out of Michigan for a few reasons. Six years ago when I left, you could still get jobs, but it was becoming harder and harder. I also left because the weather was having a bad effect on me and my little girl. There was nothing I liked about Michigan except for the fact that the majority of my family is still there. I try not to be a Michigan basher, but there are a lot of people who look at the great lakes and think that Michigan is an outdoorsman's paradise. It can be nice, but if you are not careful and get caught out in bad weather, you could be in a lot of trouble. I know that this statement holds true for most places, but in Michigan the temp can drop 30 degrees or more in the matter of hours.

[cassy1]

You could be seeing a lot of Michigan plates in AZ because of the people who "winter" there. I know of quite a few retired couples who spend the cold winter in AZ and come back to MI for summer. I mean, if someone relocated to AZ then they should register their car to AZ and get AZ plates. Just a thought.....

[Angel Bear]

I hope to be one of the many who are moving out. It's time for a change after living here for 35 years. I just can't take the cold winters any more and well, I need to live some place more open-minded in order to do the work that is the passion of my life and my life purpose. So, it'll be sunny So. Cal. for me.

But, I'll miss the people in Metro Detroit where I hail from...They are 'good people' as my late gran used to say.

I'm brushing up on my Spanish and gettin' ready by selling my big collection of books on Amazon.com to make more room in the movin' van LOL

Wherever you land, is where you're meant to be That's IMHO

[Wabbit]

Originally Posted by ejbx2

I try not to be a Michigan basher, but there are a lot of people who look at the great lakes and think that Michigan is an outdoorsman's paradise.

Let me get this straight, you're sitting down
there in that bulldozed swamp quesitoning
the beauty and recreational viability of the
Great Lakes? - You might want to duck,
I just threw a snowball at you.

[ejbx2]

Dude, even in the summer the water temps in the great lakes will cause some serious shrinkage. I will take my swamp land over the frozen tundra anyday.

[jetsjoe]

Originally Posted by cassy1

You could be seeing a lot of Michigan plates in AZ because of the people who "winter" there. I know of quite a few retired couples who spend the cold winter in AZ and come back to MI for summer. I mean, if someone relocated to AZ then they should register their car to AZ and get AZ plates. Just a thought.....

They also winter in Alabama and Florida. One of their biggest markets is Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama. They stay on the beach in a condo that costs them $1,000 per month. That condo would cost you that a week in July. They keep the area going but are also rude, billigerant and downright mean to some locals. Also, they drive 20 miles an hour. Some people actually work there and have places to go.

NY, PA, CT, IL, IN, OH also have residents coming to AL. They have snowbird "clubs and meetings". That is NOT how I will be spending my senior years. Too boring!!