[nessatar]

I live in Lansing, in a neighborhood one might call "up and coming." But I don't feel unsafe here. Annoyed sometimes, but not unsafe. There are parts of Lansing where I wouldn't walk around at night, but I wouldn't walk to the MSU library at night, either.

As far as EL goes, there are lots of little neighborhoods that are mostly permanent residents. Glencairn on the west side is one, but it's pricey. Most of the houses tucked behind Hagadorn are nice, too.

[nessatar]

BTW, it would really help to know your budget... There isn't much point in suggesting areas or cities that are out of your comfort zone.

[MittenDweller82]

Originally Posted by MichiganMovesSouth

Thanks for the info. Question - I don't know much about the unemployment statistics and honestly Ann Arbor being so high surprised me - does this have anything to do with a number of students being unemployed?

High unemployment?

The Michigan Bureau of Labor and Statistics just released the updated figures for 2008. Ann Arbor still has a rate below 6% compared to the rest of the state hovering around 9% There are 2 numbers that the state uses "seasonal" and "adjusted". However, students who move to the area who are not employed are not counted as "unemployed" because in order for the state of Michigan to record that, they must be receiving unemployment benefits as well as be a resident of Michigan. The link below has stats for the entire state. What source were you looking at? This is the first time in nearly 10 years that A2 has had a unemployment rate anywhere near 6%. Well hopefully you find the right place for you but I'm still pushing A2

http://www.milmi.org/admin/uploadedP...63_econsit.htm

[CraveCase]

I student taught In Chelsea Schools for about a year and I have to say if you are looking for good schools it is an excellent place to be. I went to EMU and I personally never had the desire to live in Ann Arbor - but Chelsea is far enough away that it doesn't have the full "AA feel". My finace grew up in Holt and would love to move back. Holt schools are good, his cousins attend Mason and from what I hear Holt schools are better - strictly hearsay though. I always liked the Holt area because I felt as thought I was so much closer to stuff that I needed (stores, restaurants, etc.) where in Chelsea you can sometimes be a bit of a distance. Either way I don't think you could lose. We moved to North Carolina a few months ago for jobs, you are lucky that you can stay where you would like to be and both be working in jobs that you like! Good Luck!

[magellan]

Originally Posted by sarafinrci

Magellen: I suppose in the 80s, I was at the mall. I think it also depends on your experience. I always picture gangs as Los Angeles type even though I have never lived there. There is definitely crime, but I don't ever feel unsafe in Lansing or Delta Township. As a high school teacher, I know teenagers are pretty self absorbed with intense arrogance-even though they make me laugh and are also incredibly insecure. At the mall, you would see that all the time. I feel like it is a big deal in other places like Detroit, GR, Flint, Orlando, D.C. Maybe I am a pollyanna about Lansing.

I'm not saying Lansing is bad per se. I'm saying there were gangs at the Lansing Mall on weekends. Lots of them. Black and Latino gangs, breaking out in fights, a couple of shootings, stabbings, etc.. I was a teenager and didn't know any better, but my parents were freaked that I would work weekends there. I saw a melee break out in front of Houlihans that resulted in a shooting. And from what I was told, a lot of them were from Waverly Schools, (many more from Lansing Everett I imagine, but still).

Why would Lansing be any different than GR, Orlando or Flint? Every city has its "gang-land". Even Sault Ste Marie has meth gangs, if you can believe it.

I'm not trying to be negative. Just sayin.

[MichiganMovesSouth]

Originally Posted by nessatar

BTW, it would really help to know your budget... There isn't much point in suggesting areas or cities that are out of your comfort zone.

Well, like I said we have been looking at houses for years and our budget has always been right around $200k. I have been searching for homes online and I search for anything $225K and under - with the thinking that someone might just take an offer of 200k on a house listed at 225k.

We prefer 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath with a nice backyard that does not back up to other homes. There seems to be some nice houses in EL, Holt, Mason and Chelsea although I do think Chelsea overall is higher priced based on the search results I get back.

[MichiganMovesSouth]

Originally Posted by Sociologist

High unemployment?

The Michigan Bureau of Labor and Statistics just released the updated figures for 2008. Ann Arbor still has a rate below 6% compared to the rest of the state hovering around 9% There are 2 numbers that the state uses "seasonal" and "adjusted". However, students who move to the area who are not employed are not counted as "unemployed" because in order for the state of Michigan to record that, they must be receiving unemployment benefits as well as be a resident of Michigan. The link below has stats for the entire state. What source were you looking at? This is the first time in nearly 10 years that A2 has had a unemployment rate anywhere near 6%. Well hopefully you find the right place for you but I'm still pushing A2

http://www.milmi.org/admin/uploadedP...63_econsit.htm

I guess A2 is not high - told you I don't much about the unemployment rates! I just noticed somewhere else it climbed a lot to 6% in the last 10 years - which I guess is the case everywhere. Thanks for the link - this is good info!

I do like Ann Arbor a lot and am wondering if A2 is the more stable place to live - vs EL.

[nessatar]

You could get something nice in a family-oriented neighborhood in El in that budget. Glencairn is my favorite, you might not find a ton of homes there in your price range, but they do come up from time to time.

HomeInEastLansing - Glencairn

I also love the West Side neighborhood in Lansing, too. It's similar to Glencairn architecturally but less expensive. Lansing does have a free, public Montessori school on the south side. A lot of professionals and college profs live there.

The real estate website for the entire Lansing area includes El, Holt, and Mason.

Lansing Michigan Real Estate

[nessatar]

Originally Posted by MichiganMovesSouth

with a nice backyard that does not back up to other homes.

I am little confused by this detail. You almost bought a condo and you were looking in Canton so I assumed you were looking for something neighborhoody. A yard that doesn't back up to other homes is only found in the "country." I think it would be hard to find that in EL or AA for 225K. You could get something like that in Holt or Mason, perhaps, but I am as familiar with those cities.

I have a friend who lives at Touchstone Co-Housing in Ann Arbor and raves about it. He has 3 small children. I believe you can rent or buy and there is lots of greenspace. There is one unit listed in your price range, but is a 3 bed.

Intergenerational living with concern for environment

[MichiganMovesSouth]

Originally Posted by nessatar

You could get something nice in a family-oriented neighborhood in El in that budget. Glencairn is my favorite, you might not find a ton of homes there in your price range, but they do come up from time to time.

HomeInEastLansing - Glencairn

I also love the West Side neighborhood in Lansing, too. It's similar to Glencairn architecturally but less expensive. Lansing does have a free, public Montessori school on the south side. A lot of professionals and college profs live there.

The real estate website for the entire Lansing area includes El, Holt, and Mason.

Lansing Michigan Real Estate

Thanks nessatar!! I will check these out! My gut feeling is prices will fall a little further and home owners may be willing to look at or take a lower offer with winter approaching. I'm guessing the traffic of potential home buyers will slow down in the next few months.

After reading all this info about EL and A2 I almost hope my fiance does have to work in Jackson - otherwise we are stuck in Canton! I do like Canton a lot but based on what a previous poster said about those suburbs like Canton dying out in the coming years - it makes me re-think Canton.