[jetengineman's wife]

Hello, my trusted City-Data friends! I need some help! Our life has taken a sudden turn... after hubby was laid off in early January, his old supervisor recommended him to someone at a great company in Saginaw and it looks like if all goes well (pending 90 days probation and the new job liking him/him liking the new job) we will be moving to the Saginaw area this summer from East Tawas. We weren't expecting to be able to stay in Michigan (we were looking at North Carolina and a few other areas) so now I need to refocus my school and housing search and need some opinions from you fine folks.

Here's what we need/want... please let me know what would be realistic:

1. We have a child entering 3rd grade and a new kindergartener for the fall of 2009... I'd love a school district that has strong academics, good extra curricular activities, all-day kindergarten and supportive parent groups. Schools are probably our number 1 concern.

2. We will be selling our house in East Tawas for around $120,000 (if we get lucky) and will want to rent in the school district of our choice for a while until we are certain that the job will stick (once bitten/twice shy, as they say). Eventually, we'd like to buy a decent 3 bdrm house on 2-5 acres (or more if we can afford it) with reasonable taxes. We'll probably look at houses priced up to $150,000 (we're talking 1500 sq ft on a basement... we have little need for an outrageously huge house). Might consider a small farm... I'd love to have a few chickens and a big garden! Maybe even a cow... although I know nothing about cows so that might be a stretch! Ha!

3. We'd like to be within a 1/2 hr commute of Saginaw... hubby's job will be on the South-west side of town.

Places I've been looking at include Midland (although I am concerned about the cost of housing and possible dioxin issues... but the pluses of Midland are huge!), Clio, Flushing, Frankenmuth.... I like all of these areas for their availability of "things to do" and school districts. Coming from Tawas, we wouldn't be opposed to smaller areas, also.

Please give me your suggestions, opinions and any other info that might be helpful! I grew up in Fenton but was never really familiar with the area north of Flint... so I need input! Thank you sooooo much!

By the way.... if anyone has a room to rent for hubby in the Saginaw area until early June... he is not thrilled with the idea of driving 1.5 hours each way 6 days a week... he'd probably be there 4-5 nights per week and just needs a crash pad... he'll be working 10+ hour days for a while so he'd be there for dinner and sleep... you can private message me with details if you have something to offer... he's a good, honest, clean guy... nonsmoker... handy if something needs fixing. Thanks again! (single, beautiful women need not reply... ha! )

[Driller1]

Don't worry about the dioxins unless you are buying on the river. That is in southern Midland and northern Saginaw counties. Add Hemlock to your list.

[jetengineman's wife]

I've heard that about the dioxins, too... it's a big worry for me as I lost my mom to breast cancer. How are property taxes in Midland?

What's good about Hemlock? (I don't mean that snotty!) I really don't know much about that area?

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by jetengineman's wife

I've heard that about the dioxins, too... it's a big worry for me as I lost my mom to breast cancer. How are property taxes in Midland?

What's good about Hemlock? (I don't mean that snotty!) I really don't know much about that area?

My main thought was it is west of Saginaw. Nice area, good schools. Worth looking at. Hemlock is in Saginaw county. Both Midland and Saginaw have good web sites. Tax information will be on them.

[wanderer74]

Also consider Auburn. I live here and I love the area. Nice place for raising kids (I have kids similar ages to yours) and a nice community feel - the cashiers at the little former IGA remember you and your kids and there are lots of free family activities especially in the summer. Taxes are kinda high (we pay about $2000 a year for an 1800 sq ft house with about 1/2 acre yard). Midland taxes are similar if not higher, according to my sister who lives there. Taxes are reportedly lower if you go on one of the more rural outskirts of the Auburn area and it's easier to get acreage like you're wanting, but you may have well and propane. I personally share your concerns about dioxin and would avoid anything on the side of Midland close to the Dow facility and the area around Midland High, plus the parts of Freeland closest to the Tittabawassee River.

My husband and I both work in Saginaw and the commute from Auburn is not bad at all - usually about 20 minutes because most of it is highway driving.

[Driller1]

Auburn is a nice area too. As far of taxes so much will depend on township and school mills it is hard to say. As far as a water wells, if done right you will have great water pressure and better water. When you get some land in mind, contact me and we will look at well logs.

[jetengineman's wife]

Thanks, Wanderer and Driller1... I was just telling hubby about you, Driller... said we'd have to find you when the time came to get serious!

I've heard good things about Auburn, too. Hubby was just saying he might want to stay towards the west side of Saginaw, though, because he could end up working in Merrill or Alma if he gets shuffled within his company. I guess anywhere with easy access to the 46 corridor would be good. Midland is certainly in the lead for schools right now but I'm still concerned about affordability.... we really want some land...

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by jetengineman's wife

Thanks, Wanderer and Driller1... I was just telling hubby about you, Driller... said we'd have to find you when the time came to get serious!

I've heard good things about Auburn, too. Hubby was just saying he might want to stay towards the west side of Saginaw, though, because he could end up working in Merrill or Alma if he gets shuffled within his company. I guess anywhere with easy access to the 46 corridor would be good. Midland is certainly in the lead for schools right now but I'm still concerned about affordability.... we really want some land...

Looking forward to it!!

[Sunballer]

We look forward to having you to the area! Auburn is a nice area with a lot of good things going for it. Taxes there are a little higher than other areas - 41 Mills. The outskirts of Midland venture around 25 mills. (130k house - ($1625/ave. taxes). The dioxin issue is very skewed by media. Unless you are on the river, then don't even worry about it. If I were you, I'd check out Ingersoll, Hemlock, Freeland, and Midland and get to know what each has to offer. I live in Midland now and am a product of Midland area schools. They are some of the best in the state and there is always something for kids to do. I am a realtor here and we have sold 20% fewer homes in 2008 compared to 2007. It truly is a great time to buy but we are not sure what will happen in the upcoming months. You should be able to find something 2-5 acres for under $150k in the area though. Good luck with your home in Tawas. If you need more info on Midland/Auburn feel free to message me.