No need to scare the Michigan newcomers... (Detroit, Grand Rapids: relocate, real estate)

[Tom Stockton]

People moving to Michigan should know that the state is currently very hostile to real estate investors. As our vacanacy rates increase & rents fall, the state is trying to balance its budget by drastically raising property taxes. I've tried negotiating the inscrutable maze they created to appeal assessments, but without success yet. I have strong cases, but I just get nowhere. On my own home, they hit me with a 54.7% increase this year. Their reason was that they just discovered an old pole barn that was there when I bought the property in 1988. Now we're facing a new 2% sales tax on services!
Do you know what our governor did before becoming a bureaucrat? She failed as an actress in Hollywood & abandoned this career at the age of 21. She was a contestant on the Dating Game though. Some authors have suggested that Michigan-haters like me should leave. The problem is selling depressed properties - not an easy or fast process in a state run by a bible-thumping socialist. Wyoming & New Hampshire sure look good.

[Bhaalspawn]

Originally Posted by Tom Stockton

The problem is selling depressed properties - not an easy or fast process in a state run by a bible-thumping socialist. Wyoming & New Hampshire sure look good.

FYI, New Hampshire was chosen by the Libertarians as the state for the "Free State Project". They liked its low taxes, among other factors. They're hoping to bring a bunch of Libertarians into the state and to then try to influence its politics. It does pique my curiousity, but the price of housing (in Boston's backyard) in New Hampshire is high.

[funnyfarm1995]

I, for one, love the lower mid Michigan area I live in. The job market is scary right now though. My job was lost in September due to outsourcing...I lacked 2 weeks of having 11 years in...and so far, the other clerical type jobs I am searching all want either an associates degree or bachelors degree before they will take your resume, which I don't have. Frustrates me,as I read job descriptions and think to myself "I can do that!" then get to the part about a college degree or don't apply, and am out of the running. Unemployment runs out next week and there are no federal extensions. Very scary times.

[cksh]

Funnyfarm,

I would definitely still apply to a job if it had an educational requirement that I lacked. Sure, your chances aren't that great, but sometimes its all about quantity of jobs applied too. My wifes last two jobs have required a bs degree (she does not have any degree) but she usually gets the interview and can impress them with her experience. It sounds like you have at least 11 years. A degree is not always a good substitute for that much experience IMHO

However, if you are working through a headhunter or temp agency that might be a problem. They tend to have their little list of requirements that they need to match to someone. Sometimes (If you are lucky) you can find the same job in the paper or online that the head hunter is trying to fill. An employer will definitely contact you before the headhunter if they are interested. They usually pay a fee to the head hunter/agency so it might cost them more ot hire you through someone. I have had this happen to me by accident because the head hunter did not let me know the company name and sent my resume without asking. I had already applied myself.

What do you have to lose?

Now if they are looking for an MS or phd thats another story

Just my .02

[Paula Wunder]

New Hampshire is beautiful. No state taxes and nothing else either. Liquor is cheap. Use to run over the line to get that and cigarettes. It is so liberal that the judges turn the other way when you commit a crime such as raping little children.
Wyoming is beautiful also. Again, nothing there. When I die, my ashes are to be flown over the Big W and scattered over Medicine Bow National Park. I love it there Centinneial was my favorite place.
But now in September, I am moving to Royal Oak. I plan on spending my summers there and winters in Camp Verde, AZ or in Mass. home town.
Taxes are an issue throughout the US. They will continue to b e until we close the boarders and get back on line. We can't support everyone in the world.
I hope senior citizens get a brake on taxes.

[osjo73]

Originally Posted by mike jones

Michigan is not a dump
Excluding Detroit which looks like a war zone, this has been a great state to live.

We have great places and towns to live in and raise a family.

??

dichotomy? ROFLMAO @ this thread.

be 4 real tho...unless u r independently wealthy...dont move to detroit or any part of that area if u or ur family is counting on the economy/job market 2 make a living. It's future does not look good!sad,but true. The people who want to be positive have an emotional attachment to detroit/michigan. A natural bias....now disregard this message if you have no needs in life and just want to relocate wherever and spend you gazillion dollars!

[osjo73]

Originally Posted by funnyfarm1995

I, for one, love the lower mid Michigan area I live in. The job market is scary right now though. My job was lost in September due to outsourcing...I lacked 2 weeks of having 11 years in...and so far, the other clerical type jobs I am searching all want either an associates degree or bachelors degree before they will take your resume, which I don't have. Frustrates me,as I read job descriptions and think to myself "I can do that!" then get to the part about a college degree or don't apply, and am out of the running. Unemployment runs out next week and there are no federal extensions. Very scary times.

Please hang in there. Times are rough, you will find a way. Is there anyway you will relocate to another area of the country?

[wintergrl]

To all those wishing to move to Michigan let me give it to you striaght.
I was born and raise in a little bitty town called Marshall, Michigan. I live in Michigan my entire life until just recently and I miss it terribly! Michigan is a beautiful and clean state to live in with much to offer including but not limited to it's four wonerful seasons and many lakes, especially Lake Michigan and it's breath-taking upper peninsula. In the summer the town of Battle Creek also known by some as Cearel City because it is home to Kelloggs, Post and Roulstons, has a balloon festival. Every year around the fourth of July people come from hither and yon with thier balloons to compete in a contest that has become some what of a tradition to the locals. It has to be said that the historic town of Marshall and it's nieghboring cities Battle Creek and Kalamazoo really have the Christmas spirit in that they decorate to the hilt every year lining thier streets with Christmas lights every where you look. Downtown Battle Creek has decorated pathways that they light up at the beginning of the Christmas parade every year. The light are turned on every night at dark from just before Thanksgiving through New Years Eve. People walk with family and friends, coffee and hot cocoa in hand through the light displays nightly. They have Christmas parades every year and they have even had a horse drawn carriage ride in the past few years you can enjoy with a loved one. There is a zoo, lots of golf courses and Kalamazoo has a museum of aviation and in the downtown area of Kalamazoo you will find ( in my opinion ) one of the finest hospitals in the area.
If you are able to find work that supports you I am sure you will be happy with your chioce. It is just like anywhere else, in that it has it's good and bad areas to live in but even in that I don't recall crime being much of an issue though just like any where else , No one can gaurentee safty. Some rude and some friendly people. Seasons are relativly mild and last I was there most things such as cable, utilities, and food where fairly affordable, with the exception of gas, which is ridiculously priced no matter where you go.
Yes it is true that parts of Michigan are having some troubles with thier econmy at the moment but I have faith that it will soon turn around. It's taxes in my opinion where not so bad as other places may have it and was relatively inexpensive to live there. We only left because a large pharmceutical company came in and took over a smaller one and began cutting jobs left and right leaving hundreds of people without a means in which to support themselves thus having no choice but to move to other states in search of work.
As previously stated I have every bit of faith that the home I love so well and miss with a greater intensity than I could have ever emagined, will once again thrive at some point until then if one wishes to live there my best suggestion is to reaserch it as much as possible for employment prospects, living arrangments, and what ever else may intrest you. Good luck and should you make it to the Great Lakes State, Enjoy!!

[jadrianse]

Here! Here!

[Andre5140]

wintergrl: Battle Creek is a s***hole, when is the last time you've been there?

A few holiday events and some balloon festival doesn't make up the fact it is a dumpy, burned-out industrial city like half of Michigan.

I, too, was born and raised in Michigan and it has some beautiful places and is a pretty state. Also quite affordable. Not sure where you're getting this Battle Creek stuff, though