[gypsie1]

I was born and raised in Jackson but now reside elsewhere. From the time I was 12 I couldn't wait to get out of there. I am going to give the real story behind it both the good and the bad. Jackson is a small but not too small town which would be ideal for someone who likes that kind of life. It does have nice parks such as Cascades and lots of beautiful countryside. Plus there is more of a feeling of safeness (except for some areas such as the downtown, Francis St. ect.). The downsides are there is nothing to do. The once thriving downtown is a ghost town. Compared to other regions of the country Jackson is quite full of cold snobs. The winters skies are also completely gray except for the occasionally sunny day about once or twice a month, which causes a lot of depression, giving Michigan one of the highest suicide rates. As a kid growing up there really was nothing to do, which is why most of the kids I went to school with turned to meth and other drugs. By the way Jackson County has one of the highest Meth user rates in the country. It seems to be one of those towns that sucks you in. That's why I am glad I got out. I hope I covered some topics people might be wondering about Jackson. This is the truth. I hate biased forums so I made sure to just state the facts.

[1eyedjack]

I've been downtown quite a bit lately and there are people there. I'd rather go to Jackson than Ann Arbor because AA is too busy for me and I hate their long stop lights. The two malls are usually fairly busy in J town also even though J-crossing has a few less stores now. I'll agree with you on empty factories or plants but they are all over not just in Jackson. I don't know where you get your stats on the meth but I've never heard that before. I think that crap is all over. Not trying to argue with you but I don't think Jackson is all that bad. It's not like it once was but still there.

[MittenDweller82]

Originally Posted by 1eyedjack

I've been downtown quite a bit lately and there are people there. I'd rather go to Jackson than Ann Arbor because AA is too busy for me and I hate their long stop lights. The two malls are usually fairly busy in J town also even though J-crossing has a few less stores now. I'll agree with you on empty factories or plants but they are all over not just in Jackson. I don't know where you get your stats on the meth but I've never heard that before. I think that crap is all over. Not trying to argue with you but I don't think Jackson is all that bad. It's not like it once was but still there.

While any town in the US has drugs, I must also say that Jackson has a big drug problem. A meth farm was recently destroyed not less than a mile from my fathers home north east of town, a net worth of over 1 million. Another relative of mine works for what was Foote Hospitial in their substance abuse branch (Bridgeway), and if you want to see how bad the problem really is go there on any given day.

[Ishten]

I grew up in Jackson and my father still lives there. Unfortnately, it just feels depressed now. Most people I know commute to AA and Lansing to work. As for the downtown, well...I remember it much differently than it is. It truly saddens me.

[PineHallGirl]

Originally Posted by gypsie1

I was born and raised in Jackson but now reside elsewhere. From the time I was 12 I couldn't wait to get out of there. I am going to give the real story behind it both the good and the bad. Jackson is a small but not too small town which would be ideal for someone who likes that kind of life. It does have nice parks such as Cascades and lots of beautiful countryside. Plus there is more of a feeling of safeness (except for some areas such as the downtown, Francis St. ect.). The downsides are there is nothing to do. The once thriving downtown is a ghost town. Compared to other regions of the country Jackson is quite full of cold snobs. The winters skies are also completely gray except for the occasionally sunny day about once or twice a month, which causes a lot of depression, giving Michigan one of the highest suicide rates. As a kid growing up there really was nothing to do, which is why most of the kids I went to school with turned to meth and other drugs. By the way Jackson County has one of the highest Meth user rates in the country. It seems to be one of those towns that sucks you in. That's why I am glad I got out. I hope I covered some topics people might be wondering about Jackson. This is the truth. I hate biased forums so I made sure to just state the facts.

My dear, you aren't stating ANY FACTS.

Jackson, Michigan is a city filled with beauty if you just open your eyes. The downtown is coming back..slowly, but yes coming back. Jackson has the most beautiful topography in south central Michigan. Chocked full of lakes, hills, woods. It also has maintained old "ma and pa" type businesses that are still thriving...I'm talking individuality...not Walmart, not AppleBees. I understand if you are young, you will want to flee....I know, believe me. I left too. I came back...again and again. Just look around...with new eyes. Jackson has so much to offer.

[MittenDweller82]

Originally Posted by PineHallGirl

My dear, you aren't stating ANY FACTS.

Jackson, Michigan is a city filled with beauty if you just open your eyes. The downtown is coming back..slowly, but yes coming back. Jackson has the most beautiful topography in south central Michigan. Chocked full of lakes, hills, woods. It also has maintained old "ma and pa" type businesses that are still thriving...I'm talking individuality...not Walmart, not AppleBees. I understand if you are young, you will want to flee....I know, believe me. I left too. I came back...again and again. Just look around...with new eyes. Jackson has so much to offer.

Can you give some specific examples of thriving? (11% unemployment rate type thriving?) I will agree, it is easier on the eyes than other Michigan cities but this does not erase the hardships that exist there. Young and old, population decline continues in Jackson...(actually around 6% since 2000) according to census.gov. Its quite unfortunate the leadership in Jackson doesn't utilize its amazing position close to bigger cities...and the staggering amount of interstate traffic that flows along I-94..instead of trying to develop a downtown that hasn't been there since the 50's? I'm not trying to pick on you...I have family in the Jackson area and it is sad to see little being done.

[Michelle73]

I agree with Mitten. I have lived here my ENTIRE 35 years. I remember having fun when I was a child. I loved the winters here when I was young. Now the winters are worse than I can remember. There is NO culture in this town. Unemployment and welfare lines growing by the day or hour. No offense to the elders but that is all that is going to be left here in Jackson. The young people and young folks with families are uprooting. I know that is what I am going to do when I finish school and have at least two years of experience under my belt. I won't say that we are the biggest meth users in the country but I do know that there are a lot of meth and other drugs in this town. I have actually moved out of the city of Jackson but I still have to drive through it and every time I do I am glad I got out. The downtown area is filled with highclass restaurants that median families cant even afford to dine in. Then there are the lousy bars off of Francis Street that make you afraid to get out of your car to go in. It is a mess and it would be nice if they could clean it up, unfortuantely I do not see that happening any time soon.

[jpoole52]

The worst two years of my life were spent in Jackson. People are horribly rude and keep to themselves, seemingly, they hate outsiders. Wouldn't wish living there on anyone!