[suydam]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

Unfortunately, despite that tourism draw, it's pretty well known that Michigan has been in the economic doldrums for decades. As some people have mentioned before, the inordinate strength of the labor unions in Michigan gives off the perception, even if it's not a reality, that the state is hostile to businesses. Everytime that the labor union rail against free trade pacts, businesses by extension are going to avoid places where they have a strong presence.

A point of clarification here.... Michigan has not been an economic doldrum for decades. As recently as 6 or 7 years ago, Michigan was in the top 10 for wages, bottom 10 for cost of living. That is a huge accomplishment that, despite their current unpopularity, we mostly owe to the unions.

That said, the unions have served their purpose and it's time for them to relinquish some power....but I felt the need to at least point out that this picture of Michigan as a chronic underachiever is inaccurate. We had a rough go in the late 70s and early 80s, 20 years of prosperity and now we're having some issues again.

Things will turn around, but only when we finally admit that GM & Ford aren't going to save us this time. Grand Rapids is a great example of an entire metro area that is bucking the trend. The Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland triangle has over 1,000,000 residents, sustained job growth, great public schools and access to Lake Michigan (which you mentioned is one of the jewels of our great country).

[roselover772]

I have read these posts with interest since I was born in Mt. Clemens and lived there for 18 years. I left when the economy dropped and moved to Florida. After almost 30 years, I am considering returning to Michigan. I have been there several times and have to agree that there are very hard times in the neighborhood. If I am not offered a job BEFORE I pack, I am staying put. I can not risk it. And even then there are no guarantees. When so much of the economy is focused on the Auto Industry, any blip on the books, makes waves roll through the surrounding communities. I know guys who have been out of work ( laid off or fired after 25 years) since JUNE 2006. Ok so they work driving a truck for 8 bucks an hour...that is not going to cut it. Most of the people I went to school with are 1. in rehab, 2. should be in rehab, or 3. dead. The rest are struggling and keeping an eye on the horizon. Michigan is beautiful no doubt and I completely enjoy it when I am there. NOW to MOVE back, is something I am really thinking about. I don't want to deal with any more hurricanes and I am sick of sweating for 5 months out of the year. So what to do??

[Jonae]

RoseLover...

You have me thinking now. I really have been down the past few months while looking for a job up here in Michigan. We came from Illinois because of family up here. Now I wonder if it was a mistake. I was able to find temp office jobs in Illinois at least. I am a recent college grad with honors and have much experience in the Corporate arena. However, this has not helped me here. We have been looking at Grand Rapids or just biting the bullet and moving to my Aunt and Uncle in Florida. Then you state the hurricanes and sweating for five months out of the year and I cannot make myself go................

[missamy]

I have lived in michigan for all of my 22 years of life and I am already ready to get out. This state is no state to raise a family or make a decent living. My oldest brother just moved out of here at the age of 29 to Chicago... of course a massive job advancement had all to do with that but he is very happy with his move. Michigan is on its way to be nothing but a dumpster.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by missamy

I have lived in michigan for all of my 22 years of life and I am already ready to get out. This state is no state to raise a family or make a decent living. My oldest brother just moved out of here at the age of 29 to Chicago... of course a massive job advancement had all to do with that but he is very happy with his move. Michigan is on its way to be nothing but a dumpster.

I know! I heard as part of the new UAW agreement, GM will now be allowed to bring in outside contractors to do the job of the janitors who were getting paid $70/hour after benefits. Janitors of the world unite! MI is hitting the toilet!``

[McCreative]

Originally Posted by Jonae

RoseLover...

You have me thinking now. I really have been down the past few months while looking for a job up here in Michigan. We came from Illinois because of family up here. Now I wonder if it was a mistake. I was able to find temp office jobs in Illinois at least. I am a recent college grad with honors and have much experience in the Corporate arena. However, this has not helped me here. We have been looking at Grand Rapids or just biting the bullet and moving to my Aunt and Uncle in Florida. Then you state the hurricanes and sweating for five months out of the year and I cannot make myself go................

Hey Jonae-
I'm in the same boat as you. After my fiance finished law school we moved back to MI from FL to be close to family as well. We love MI so much but when the best education and experience leads nowhere(we've been looking at Grand Rapids mostly) it is a huge disappointment. If my fiance hadn't taken the MI bar I know we would be moving. I think the thing with Michigan now is that you have to have a job lined up first, then move. It's sad but true.
Also, Florida has some good jobs. I hated living there but I also lived there without AC. AC makes it a much better place.

[zakian]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

BacktoMichi, I couldn’t agree more.

There are few certainties in life, but one thing
I know for a fact is that NO ONE who has moved to a
new state and STILL feels the need to log on to this forum
and spew bile about Michigan is anything but miserable
with their own life. Who blames an entire state for their problems?
To prove my theory. The next time you run across a
post by one the four horsemen of the Michigan apocalypse
go read all of their other posts. The same people who claim
to be doing cartwheels since leaving Michigan are
whining just as much in their new state. L-O-S-E-R-S
As I’ve said before, I’ve lived in California, Texas,
South Dakota (Deadwood), Arizona and
Savannah Georgia, (college) and I can honestly say I
had no clue how beautiful Michigan was until I left and
came back.
To my way of thinking, if you and your family have
their health you have nothing to complain about.
Period. It’s like some of you don’t realize
you won the lottery just being born in this country.
The main reason I’m hoping they’ll start an ‘anywhere
But S.E. Michigan” forum on this site is so that those
who are moving here won’t be stressed out thinking
you represent what this state is.
What’s the matter, aren’t you content with dumping
in the Detroit forum? Of course not. You’re preaching
to the Choir there. What fun is that?
One of my favorite things to do in the summer when I
leave the city is to roll down the window, turn onto
a dirt road and listen to the sound the corn makes as
it flys by. Man is that goofy, and yet, just think,
I’m doing something I love in Michigan. Can’t you people
think of just one thing you loved about it, and let it go?

I disagree. I first moved back here in 1987. My old man WARNED me not to come back> this state is going down. That was in 87. I've since lived in 2 other states and did quite well.Now I'm back, have been for 5 years-not by choice- this state IS taking a dump. I would bet $$ that Michigan will be the 1st 3rd world state.

[Bydand]

I'll take that bet! What time frame?

[Torrid]

I hate to brag and am a rather humble person.....However!!!......My fiance and I relocated, from Ohio, to the U.P. on September 3rd of this year.....A month ago.....We now have 3 jobs between the 2 of us. Him, 1 full-time....Me, 1 full-time and 1 part-time. I took both jobs in the same day.....The part-time was more a friendly gesture than for more $$. Now, if we, people who knew virtually nothing (except a few things from a couple friends here) about this area (as, to live here....only vacationed), can get something there's NO reason other people can't! It is just ridiculous the way almost everyone on this board goes on and on about how life is so awful here in MI......Try having the NECCESSARY household bill payments WE had in OH! No, Ohio isn't an outstandingly expensive state to live in BUT, I can tell you, our bills here don't even touch what our bills were in Ohio! I was floored, the other day, when I got our $42 electric bill! Add a benny to that and, that's what our electric bill was about in OH.........Quit freaking complaining already! And, before ya ask, my full-time job IS in my profession and so is my fiance's.....The part-time, no but, like I said....it was more of a friendly gesture. If we can do it, YOU can do it! I mean, where else ya gonna find awesome places, like below, to visit?!?!

[scottmi65]

Sorry don't see all the doom and gloom, took a job here about six month ago paying low 70's(not auto related and I have a high school education). Since moving here I have been offered two more jobs at comparable pay with long standing Michigan companies(DTE,MSU). As I have posted before, if everyone is out of work why is I-94 a parking lot everyday and why with all the foreclosures is housing still pricey(nice place on 5-10 aceres 200K plus!). Granted I do not hang out in the bars next to one of the "big two" auto plants so maybe I am looking at this with rose colored glasses. I grew up in the west side of the state and none of my friends or family are losing thier houses/jobs. Personally I feel the state is a little crowded especially the southeast part maybe losing a million or so people would ease the burden on the highways, infrastructure etc. and as far as taxes being raised isn't that just a fact of life that EVERYTHING goes up in price overtime. I can remember paying .35 for a can of pop.