[malamute]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I do not think everyone in that 90% threshold are doing great. Many people are underemployed due to the weaker economy right now.

You're right. A family living off one wage of $10 an hour when they were accustomed to two wages of $40 an hour each certainly wouldn't be too happy about their situation. But a family where one wage is still $40 an hour and one is unemployed is still not doing too bad even if they were used to having much more.

Unemployment statistics don't tell the whole picture because compared with the past there are more two-wage families today than back then. Underemployment can just mean you're making $10 an hour for flipping burgers when you used to make $15.

[darstar]

When the SHTF , I'd rather be living in a rural- safe area like the UP. The long lines for the Soup kitchen, just won't be the case up north. We all have friendly neighbors... no rock throwing or riots ether.
2009 is going to be an interesting year for the big cities , a scary scenario.......

[johnnygtar]

Well, I've lived in California since moving here 1982. (I grew up in Milwaukee) As far as I'm concerned, it's time to bail out. And I say this as someone who LOVES California.

I look forward to moving to the U.P. ASAP.

Our budget deficit is huge, drug wars on the California/Mexico border (which will only get FAR worse, I assure you) I live in a quaint (with VERY reasonable COL) mountaintop community, but there's no avoiding the current and impending problems here. Not to mention that the San Andreas fault runs along the base of the mountain range where I live! LOL

[JGatti]

I agree with many of the other peoples responses. If I could find a decent job I'd be in northern Michigan in a heart beat. It does seem strange it's either California or Michigan for a choice.

There is a part of city data where you can look up all the information you want on any given area. But don't read too much into the crime rating. It only takes into account overall crime compared to population and can be a little misleading.
Violent crimes are very few and far between in most of the northern cities I have looked at. Tornadoes seem to be very rare as they seem to make the news when they happen. Downstate they are just blips on th news report unless they were severe. If you want a decent job unless you have your own as another mentioned, your going to need to stick around the few bigger cities up there. TC, Petoskey etc. But I can say this, compared to the parts of Indiana I've been.....northern Michigan beats it hands down. Scenic drives to work just can't be beat.

[Wulf67]

Originally Posted by JGatti

Scenic drives to work just can't be beat.

I lived in SoCal for about 1 1/2 years and it took me almost an hour to drive the 15 miles (I-405) to work every morning. I much prefer my current commute with no traffic at all.

However, I recently moved and now live 2 miles from work. I sometimes miss my early morning drive from Eastport to Boyne City. Especially in summer, the lifting fog in the hills and valleys with an early rising sun shining over the cherry orchards is just spectacular. Or the fog forming over the warm lakes with the cooler temperatures in fall.

[madpie]

The job market between the two areas is as different as distance between Indiana and either place. Northern Michigan is great if you have transferable skills such as legal, education, health care, or a computer based business for example. Other skills useful in the area is hospitality, golf related, ski related, boat mechanic, chain saw operation, licensed great lakes captain, etc.

In California jobs varies as much as the landscape. If you typically have a hourly job, car repair, secretary, retail, etc. you are better off in Michigan.

[Giesela]

If everybody who wanted to, could afford to, could find a job to,
moved to Northern Michigan
it would turn into someplace no one wanted to live

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by Giesela

If everybody who wanted to, could afford to, could find a job to,
moved to Northern Michigan
it would turn into someplace no one wanted to live

I know this post is mighty old, but you are exactly right. The best thing about northern lower, and the U.P is that it is a mostly quiet getaway. If there were a million jobs to be had and a million people to take them, it would not be the special place it is. Hopefully it stays that way.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by michmoldman

I know this post is mighty old, but you are exactly right. The best thing about northern lower, and the U.P is that it is a mostly quiet getaway. If there were a million jobs to be had and a million people to take them, it would not be the special place it is. Hopefully it stays that way.

Was not always that way. During the copper boom the UP had a large population. Calumet was being considered for the State capital , as it was much larger than Lansing........who knows , could come around again , now with the renewed interest in minerals and natural resources. Canada is taking a big interest in the UP , as it is the shortest route to western Canada from the east. Also , Rio Tinto is developing Nickel Mining. Quite a " boom" in geology jobs , and alternative energy , around Marquette. Several wind power farms in in the planing stage. At least one is under construction now. rental housing is at a premium. Its hard to find , outside the sub standard NMU places. CCI has increased mining production for the first time in over a year. We may be in for a mini boom , right here in Michigan !.... Don't discount the UP as a place that never changes , good , or bad.

[adirondackguy123]

Originally Posted by michmoldman

I know this post is mighty old, but you are exactly right. The best thing about northern lower, and the U.P is that it is a mostly quiet getaway. If there were a million jobs to be had and a million people to take them, it would not be the special place it is. Hopefully it stays that way.

I'm pretty sure that places like the michigan u.p. are not going to change much if at all, many factors keep only a low pop there and they are
1. jobs
2.climate
3.desolate

And I know people get mad when others talk about weather comparing hot to cold but for me neither are comfortable but I'd rather sweat than freeze.