[shadowspy22]

OK, so I live in Ohio now, and I work in Marketing. Me and my girlfriend hate Ohio, yet we love MI, the plentiful lakes, the beauty... We are looking for more northern Michigan only because it is so "untouched" and natural.

Were not your typical "educated" couple, yadada... She is a teacher, FYI.

I love to hunt, fish, and live off the land. I enjoy farm animals and so on. We like to literally live off the land as much as we can. Yes, we may go to work in an office everyday, but come clocking out we are back to the fields.

I'm looking for a very rural setting where I can hop on the four-wheeler and go fishing/hunting, and also raise farm animals on.

I have been looking into property and my goodness some of the property you have going is dirt cheap! I'm talking about undeveloped land, but like some lots of 17 acres completely wooded are going around 60k!!! That's extremely cheap from were we come from.

I understand I can no longer work in an office unless I move close to TC, but in my field it is extremely manageable to be 100% on the computer and if I have to fly to the office once or twice a month no biggy. I will have to find a new job however...

What is the economy like? Is the north that much better then the south?

Where should we go? Any input would be much appreciated. Is it feasible to raise farm animals in the north with the harsh winters? We do it in Ohio but just wondering...

Also as you may know Ohio's economy is horrible also... Is Michigan worse?


Thanks, and have a great day!

[mackinac81]

Hi Shadow! Welcome to the MI forum!

I read in an article that MI has lost 400,000 manufacturing jobs in the past seven years, and that Ohio is half that. Also our unemployment rate hit 8.5% in June, so we're probably worse off than you guys.

I can't tell you much about Northern Michigan, but if your line of work allows you to work at home, and if you think there's enough of a market in TC and downstate, I say go for it...For me, I want to be a teacher, which means I need to leave the state. You're right, it is gorgeous--the most underrated state in the country. IMO though, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are the places to be in MI economically, but they may be a little south for your taste. It is more of a farming area though.

Hope that helps!

[malamute]

I would think in your situation and what you're looking for, it would be the right move.

Michigan is a beautiful and clean state, the economy in some areas of it isn't so great but one of the reasons is that people there were used to earning more, having more. The economy in some states is also bad but people feel it less because it hasn't changed much.

Someone who can telecommute would not have to depend on whatever local economy and the economy is the biggest reason people gripe. Weather is another but that just depends on individual preferences.

[shadowspy22]

Thank you for the input. We love the weather and overall beauty that the state possesses.

The economy is a negative factor, but I believe more in living to work, then work to live.

I would appreciate as many inputs as I can get.

Once again, thank you all for your time.

[ckwboo]

Thats a good attitude.....If you check out places like traverse city (look at michigan like a glove, traverse city is the tip of the fingers) would be ideal for you or somewhere around that area because you are just an hour (if that) away from hunting and its right on the great Lake. There is also saginaw and midland that would be more like what your looking for as well as the Upper Pennisula, where big time hunting and fishing flourishes.

The southern part of Michigan is wonderful too, there are many many small lakes all over. In area's like South Lyon, you can hop on a 4 wheeler and fish at the lake then go shopping in the township....In fact, there is MUCH country still available in city's in the south as well, like Milan and west of Ann Arbor.

As far as the economy is concerned, we are at rock bottom it seems, so the only direction now, is up I hope. It is a buyers market, now is the best time to purchase any property in Michigan. Its a great state to live in, I have been here 7 years. Im impressed with the diversity as well as the beauty.

[MittenDweller82]

Originally Posted by shadowspy22

OK, so I live in Ohio now, and I work in Marketing. Me and my girlfriend hate Ohio, yet we love MI, the plentiful lakes, the beauty... We are looking for more northern Michigan only because it is so "untouched" and natural.

Were not your typical "educated" couple, yadada... She is a teacher, FYI.

I love to hunt, fish, and live off the land. I enjoy farm animals and so on. We like to literally live off the land as much as we can. Yes, we may go to work in an office everyday, but come clocking out we are back to the fields.

I'm looking for a very rural setting where I can hop on the four-wheeler and go fishing/hunting, and also raise farm animals on.

I have been looking into property and my goodness some of the property you have going is dirt cheap! I'm talking about undeveloped land, but like some lots of 17 acres completely wooded are going around 60k!!! That's extremely cheap from were we come from.

I understand I can no longer work in an office unless I move close to TC, but in my field it is extremely manageable to be 100% on the computer and if I have to fly to the office once or twice a month no biggy. I will have to find a new job however...

What is the economy like? Is the north that much better then the south?

Where should we go? Any input would be much appreciated. Is it feasible to raise farm animals in the north with the harsh winters? We do it in Ohio but just wondering...

Also as you may know Ohio's economy is horrible also... Is Michigan worse?


Thanks, and have a great day!

I'm not sure how far north your will to go, but staying within a hour drive of TC is probably a wise thing to do given your situation. Probably some of the most beautiful farm land I have seen in the US is near East Jordan, north of TC. Rolling hills, historic untouched farms, similar to Vermont. What kind of animals will you be raising? Many of my friends I met in college lived in very isolated places in norther lower and lived on farms. Tons of small lakes often in chains exist near TC and points north, with lots of state land for hunting.

As far as the economy, yes Michigan does have a higher unemployment rate, but like any state, your profession will determine whether you are working or not. Moving anywhere without a job is scary, and again depending on what you do it may take months. Hopefully you can line something up, take a day trip have an interview and then move! Well good luck!

[ilite]

hello I reside in Ironwood Mi,, and Michigan like most parts of the US are struggling due to our economic crunch on gas prices ect. I have also owned 7 hrs here and yes it is feesable to have animals,, don't know what kind of animals you are considering but many here do have farm animals.The winters can be harsh at times,, but we are in the north,, the falls are absolutely spectacular! Fishing and hunting is a big sport here as well as 4 wheeling, cross country skiing and the likes,, it very abundant in activites to do. As weell as resonably priced to do them,, unlike city prices.

[ilite]

7 horses,, sorry for misspell

[dori36]

<<OK, so I live in Ohio now, and I work in Marketing. Me and my girlfriend hate Ohio, yet we love MI, the plentiful lakes, the beauty... We are looking for more northern Michigan only because it is so "untouched" and natural.

Were not your typical "educated" couple, yadada... She is a teacher, FYI.

I love to hunt, fish, and live off the land. I enjoy farm animals and so on. We like to literally live off the land as much as we can. Yes, we may go to work in an office everyday, but come clocking out we are back to the fields. ...>>

I moved back to Michigan after a 12 year "hiatus" out west. I was raised in Michigan and just felt it was time to "come home". I have to say I was appalled at how bad everything had gotten here and it has continued to decline since I've been back. That said, if you're not dependent on the auto industry and attendant suppliers, and you're not trying to sell real estate, I believe there are many opportunities here. Real estate has adjusted very far downward and there are some awesome opportunities to buy. I would say, however, that rents may be a bit high as some have either lost their houses due to foreclosures and are waiting, either by choice or by necessity, to buy and have entered an already tough rental market.

On the west side of the state, I'd consider looking at Benzie County which is within an easy drive of Traverse City but offers lots of what you're talking about. Some of the towns there (to allow you to find the area on the map) include Honor, Frankfort, Buelah, etc.) Stay away from anything on a lake, large or small, as you'll pay big for the frontage. Also consider the surrounding areas around Petoskey. Good deals up there, too, and very beautiful.

Otoh, if you "really" want to find incredible deals, head to the "sunrise side" (read, "east side") of the state. The property on that side of the state has never appreciated like the west side and it's just as pretty. Check out Alpena areas. I bought a home outside of the little town of Lincoln and can't believe what a deal I got!

With your mention of wanting "farm animals": One caution for you - if cattle are one of the animals you're wanting to raise, be aware that Michigan has had a TB problem in the whitetail deer and it has transmitted to cattle. That resulted in Michigan losing its "TB Free" status with the USDA (APHIS) until extensive testing and erradicating was implemented. Fast forward, and now, one area of the state, the northeast part, is still being monitored and cattle up there have to be tested annually. In the rest of the lower penninsula, the status has been raised but random testing is still done. Only the upper penninsula is still considered "TB Free" for cattle.

Because of that, if you sell cattle or meat to other people, you will have to id your cattle and get a premise id. If you only raise a couple for your own use, you don't have to id them, but the MI gestapo (MI Dept of Ag) will still assign you a premise id, whether you apply for one or not. If you sell your cattle to other states, they'll require a TB test along with the usual health certificates.

That may not be an issue for you but I thought I'd mention it. All in all, I'd hope you'd go for it and discover the good bargains, and beautiful state that is Michigan!

[Tricia819]

You're girlfriend isn't going to be able to get a job here.