[kyle19125]

I live in Philadelphia, formerly Washington DC and before that a resident of North Carolina and Florida....and always at the very least in a crowded, traffic filled suburb. I'm officially through with all of that and ready to live someplace quieter, more affordable and simpler.

A few caveats are that I am looking for a somewhat liberal town and a place where there seems to be interest in the downtown area from a development/redevelopment perspective. I would be conceivably opening a small organic food business and would be obviously wanting to be in a place where people care about organic/local food and the benefits of buying it.

I know all is "doom and gloom" in much of Michigan right now, but are there towns where they're fighting the fight economically and focused less on manufacturing, etc?


Additionally a low housing cost from a buyer's perspective is a must. My leftover equity from my home sale (after paying cash for my new home in MI) would fund that. I have some ideas but don't want to sway the responses. Thanks.

[MittenDweller82]

You described Ann Arbor almost completely except for the low housing costs, although I'm not aware of what you are "used" to seeing as far as home prices, but in Michigan, Ann Arbor is the most expensive market. There are already several small food shops in the area that each offer a different element in there own respect, some have local food, some have food from organic farmers in other states. The consensus in most of Michigan is mass marketed nationally produced products. Of course, there are several Whole Foods in metro Detroit and Ann Arbor, and a few other chains such as Busch's (Ann Arbor based) that cater to organic buyers. Small and progressive are difficult to find in lower Michigan....most smaller cities are hurting more than larger metro areas, such as GR and Ann Arbor, and it has been my experience that wally world is king in those areas. One of the other prospects would be Traverse City, with many establishments that make only local organic food, and many active and outdoor minded people. Finding a niche market in Michigan would be tough, although my best advice is just to travel and see the demographics for yourself. Good Luck

[kyle19125]

Ann Arbor is definitely out. I'm looking for something far smaller, and far less "done". Also housing prices would be a concern, as in unaffordable given my goal. Saugatuck and Traverse City are closer to what I had in mind, any others?

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

saugatuck and TC are good choices...if you are going for even smaller, but interesting and progressive-type atmospheres.....look into cedarville (in da UP), Petoskey-although P-town already has an organic food store that has been there as long as i've been alive, Charlevoix, Glen Arbor, Gaylord, Three Rivers, Manistique, Ludington....etc. etc.

OH yeah btw, I have gone from michigan to washington DC and i am now in philadelphia!

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

boyne city.....
alma
chelsea
tawas
plainwell

ok, those are some additions-small places where I think (personal opinion) an organic food store would do well.....

[magellan]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Ann Arbor is definitely out. I'm looking for something far smaller, and far less "done". Also housing prices would be a concern, as in unaffordable given my goal. Saugatuck and Traverse City are closer to what I had in mind, any others?

I've heard Fennville is just starting to become that way. What about small developing neighborhood districts in a bigger city? Like GR?

[jrmontag]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Ann Arbor is definitely out. I'm looking for something far smaller, and far less "done". Also housing prices would be a concern, as in unaffordable given my goal. Saugatuck and Traverse City are closer to what I had in mind, any others?

I've said it before and I'll damn sure say it again...TC is by far the most desirable place to live in Michigan.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by mofromcheboygankalamazoo

saugatuck and TC are good choices...if you are going for even smaller, but interesting and progressive-type atmospheres.....look into cedarville (in da UP), Petoskey-although P-town already has an organic food store that has been there as long as i've been alive, Charlevoix, Glen Arbor, Gaylord, Three Rivers, Manistique, Ludington....etc. etc.

OH yeah btw, I have gone from michigan to washington DC and i am now in philadelphia!

What the heck brought you here? and why are you still here?
Would you consider all of these towns liberal/progressive? Thanks!

[Coldjensens]

Plymouth, Chelsea, Saline, Dexter, Ferndale, Bimingham and Maybe rochester.

The most Liberal is Ferndale.

[925mine]

Maybe Rockford? Not far at all from GR