[WheredoIlive?]

There are many richer areas I do not want to be in.

One thing Ive learned is that people do comingle based on socioeconomic class.

While I was happy in Hillsdale, before it died there were more broke people like me. We could commiserate better. One thing I did was even befriend a bunch of people from the disability building. We could relate to each others lives. I lived with husband in another place. I am going to be divorced soon.

Here I have noticed that I havent found any friends in 2 years. {I have a ton of college friends, long distance, people from Hillsdale} Some of this is my health, but I havent ever faced anything like that.

Upper middle class suburbanites who live a totally different lifestyle then I do, are not going to befriend a very poor disabled women. Yes I have some richer friends then me, I do not diss someone for money from the opposite side but people do hang out with those who are more like them. I realized that when I was among the working class folks of Hillsdale, things were far more warmer.

I just even miss the day to day friendlieness I had in Hillsdale, miss even my acquaintances, I just sent letters to two elderly friends I had there. In Hillsdale I learned one can find a place to live where you can be poorer and feel safe from day to day. I never felt as safe as I did there. Yes I would go back if the place wasnt crumbling, I have been crying about that for a year. Ive lived in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Chicago, St. Joe and I miss that feeling of safeness. When one is poor you cannot protect yourself as easily even in terms of where you live. The apt I have here is nice but we can barely afford it, every month is a scramble for rent...I never could afford it alone...sigh...

Some may say why is she leaving St. Joe. Well St. Joe seriously is really for the rich or upper class suburbanites, even the Box Factory, I love art and even used to hold DIY art shows in Hillsdale, has that stench of "we are too rich for you peasants air" to it. Being disabled I know I was not welcome there.

The poor are all in Benton Harbor and we know what that place is like. I know I do not fit in around here. While a few people at church have been friendly to me, the lines are too huge between people.

I know my standards for a town are DIFFERENT. I am older, and disabled, and want a peaceful quiet place, where I feel safe from crime. I want an old fashioned country church. Old fashioned is where it is for me. A poor person can survive better [no offense to the better off here] away from yuppies, ghettos, and suburbanite fastness. I have to live on only around 1000 bucks a month.

So if anyone reads my posts and wonders about what I am looking for there you have it.

I know it is weird, it is like I am trying to find a town most like Hillsdale that isnt dead or dying...

I pray to God I can find a friendly place to live in. I am sick, so maybe only have a few years left, but I hope they can be happier ones.

[Cliffie]

I recommend someplace in Livingston County -- Howell, Brighton, Fowlerville, Hamburg, etc. They are small towns surrounded by farmland, very friendly and open -- to the point where it makes a Detroiter like me a little jumpy -- lousy with churches and senior centers, a growing number of low-income housing resources and such for people on disability or low incomes. Low, low crime. And like everywhere in the state, there are plenty of abandoned or foreclosed homes and trailers and stuff you can pick up for a song.

[MittenDweller82]

Originally Posted by WheredoIlive?

There are many richer areas I do not want to be in.

One thing Ive learned is that people do comingle based on socioeconomic class.

While I was happy in Hillsdale, before it died there were more broke people like me. We could commiserate better. One thing I did was even befriend a bunch of people from the disability building. We could relate to each others lives. I lived with husband in another place. I am going to be divorced soon.

Here I have noticed that I havent found any friends in 2 years. {I have a ton of college friends, long distance, people from Hillsdale} Some of this is my health, but I havent ever faced anything like that.

Upper middle class suburbanites who live a totally different lifestyle then I do, are not going to befriend a very poor disabled women. Yes I have some richer friends then me, I do not diss someone for money from the opposite side but people do hang out with those who are more like them. I realized that when I was among the working class folks of Hillsdale, things were far more warmer.

I just even miss the day to day friendlieness I had in Hillsdale, miss even my acquaintances, I just sent letters to two elderly friends I had there. In Hillsdale I learned one can find a place to live where you can be poorer and feel safe from day to day. I never felt as safe as I did there. Yes I would go back if the place wasnt crumbling, I have been crying about that for a year. Ive lived in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Chicago, St. Joe and I miss that feeling of safeness. When one is poor you cannot protect yourself as easily even in terms of where you live. The apt I have here is nice but we can barely afford it, every month is a scramble for rent...I never could afford it alone...sigh...

Some may say why is she leaving St. Joe. Well St. Joe seriously is really for the rich or upper class suburbanites, even the Box Factory, I love art and even used to hold DIY art shows in Hillsdale, has that stench of "we are too rich for you peasants air" to it. Being disabled I know I was not welcome there.

The poor are all in Benton Harbor and we know what that place is like. I know I do not fit in around here. While a few people at church have been friendly to me, the lines are too huge between people.

I know my standards for a town are DIFFERENT. I am older, and disabled, and want a peaceful quiet place, where I feel safe from crime. I want an old fashioned country church. Old fashioned is where it is for me. A poor person can survive better [no offense to the better off here] away from yuppies, ghettos, and suburbanite fastness. I have to live on only around 1000 bucks a month.

So if anyone reads my posts and wonders about what I am looking for there you have it.

I know it is weird, it is like I am trying to find a town most like Hillsdale that isnt dead or dying...

I pray to God I can find a friendly place to live in. I am sick, so maybe only have a few years left, but I hope they can be happier ones.

I recommend anywhere in rural Jackson county....nothing going on there and people who will strike down any sort of development or progression with vengeance, cheap taxes are the product of decades of voting no on school millages, hence no new housing development. Lots of churches dot the countryside, cheap taxes, cheap homes, it is ideal for a senior citizen. Good luck to you!

[WheredoIlive?]

Originally Posted by Cliffie

I recommend someplace in Livingston County -- Howell, Brighton, Fowlerville, Hamburg, etc. They are small towns surrounded by farmland, very friendly and open -- to the point where it makes a Detroiter like me a little jumpy -- lousy with churches and senior centers, a growing number of low-income housing resources and such for people on disability or low incomes. Low, low crime. And like everywhere in the state, there are plenty of abandoned or foreclosed homes and trailers and stuff you can pick up for a song.

LOL that sounds like kind of areas, I am looking for and want.


I want a good church, some medical care, nice one story senior and disabled housing.

I dont think I will be buying any property too poor.

I do need internet hookup whereever I go....

[WheredoIlive?]

Originally Posted by MittenDweller82

I recommend anywhere in rural Jackson county....nothing going on there and people who will strike down any sort of development or progression with vengeance, cheap taxes are the product of decades of voting no on school millages, hence no new housing development. Lots of churches dot the countryside, cheap taxes, cheap homes, it is ideal for a senior citizen. Good luck to you!

Brooklyn always seemed kind of nice to me.

That's in Jackson county isnt it?

[heidi777]

Originally Posted by WheredoIlive?

There are many richer areas I do not want to be in.

One thing Ive learned is that people do comingle based on socioeconomic class.

While I was happy in Hillsdale, before it died there were more broke people like me. We could commiserate better. One thing I did was even befriend a bunch of people from the disability building. We could relate to each others lives. I lived with husband in another place. I am going to be divorced soon.

Here I have noticed that I havent found any friends in 2 years. {I have a ton of college friends, long distance, people from Hillsdale} Some of this is my health, but I havent ever faced anything like that.

Upper middle class suburbanites who live a totally different lifestyle then I do, are not going to befriend a very poor disabled women. Yes I have some richer friends then me, I do not diss someone for money from the opposite side but people do hang out with those who are more like them. I realized that when I was among the working class folks of Hillsdale, things were far more warmer.

I just even miss the day to day friendlieness I had in Hillsdale, miss even my acquaintances, I just sent letters to two elderly friends I had there. In Hillsdale I learned one can find a place to live where you can be poorer and feel safe from day to day. I never felt as safe as I did there. Yes I would go back if the place wasnt crumbling, I have been crying about that for a year. Ive lived in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Chicago, St. Joe and I miss that feeling of safeness. When one is poor you cannot protect yourself as easily even in terms of where you live. The apt I have here is nice but we can barely afford it, every month is a scramble for rent...I never could afford it alone...sigh...

Some may say why is she leaving St. Joe. Well St. Joe seriously is really for the rich or upper class suburbanites, even the Box Factory, I love art and even used to hold DIY art shows in Hillsdale, has that stench of "we are too rich for you peasants air" to it. Being disabled I know I was not welcome there.

The poor are all in Benton Harbor and we know what that place is like. I know I do not fit in around here. While a few people at church have been friendly to me, the lines are too huge between people.

I know my standards for a town are DIFFERENT. I am older, and disabled, and want a peaceful quiet place, where I feel safe from crime. I want an old fashioned country church. Old fashioned is where it is for me. A poor person can survive better [no offense to the better off here] away from yuppies, ghettos, and suburbanite fastness. I have to live on only around 1000 bucks a month.

So if anyone reads my posts and wonders about what I am looking for there you have it.

I know it is weird, it is like I am trying to find a town most like Hillsdale that isnt dead or dying...

I pray to God I can find a friendly place to live in. I am sick, so maybe only have a few years left, but I hope they can be happier ones.

Hi ~
I am not sure where Hillsdale is but if you keep researching and sending out feelers, I'm sure you can find some place to live that will fit your bill. Then, my advice would be to get involved. Join a book club - or if you're not into that - join a quilting bee. When I relocate (albeit 20 years from now) I will be looking for similar things. Have you ever been to Bennington, Vermont?? They have adorable churches and it is a very nice atmosphere. Small town and nice people - but I would suggest you get involved and that way you meet people and eventually you become friends. You can even volunteer. I'm not saying Bennington is for you - maybe you don't want to move so far (if it is far from you - I still don't know where your starting point is) but you can find a nice place, I'm sure of it.
My friend Barbara lived in Bennington and she was older. She did not have much money at all but she volunteered and got involved and made some extra money by Inn-sitting (and various other odd jobs that came up). She was an inspiration to me and I could see that she was a joy to those around her.
P.S. - I can totally understand what you are saying - I am sure you will find a good place - keep the faith
Best of luck to you - write back if you want to.
Heidi777

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by heidi777

Hi ~
I am not sure where Hillsdale is...

Right by Jonesville, and of course glamorous Moscow, MI.

[allistercrowly]

Just wait a few months, and you will be in the same financial bracket as many other formar middle class people. They are moving down across the nation.

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by allistercrowly

Just wait a few months, and you will be in the same financial bracket as many other formar middle class people. They are moving down across the nation.

Soon Michiganders will rule the nation as our exodus take us to the far corners of this nation, where our off spring will be born, mature into outstanding young men and women. After which they will remember their roots, their ancestors trail-of-tears. These future Michiganders by blood will remember the conditions that forced their forefathers and mothers from one of the greatest states out into the country to seek economic shelter from the collapsing financial woes.

This they will remember as the story will be told and handed down from generation to generation. That they too are Michiganders.

And when the future generations of the Michigan exodus take their rightful place, when they look back at the tragedy of the 2K years, they will with one voice proclaim--NEVER AGAIN WILL SO MANY LEAVE JUST TO SEEK SURVIVAL--and our story will be told as one of desperation and DIGNITY..

This is the new GRAPES of WRATH...

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28

Soon Michiganders will rule the nation as our exodus take us to the far corners of this nation, where our off spring will be born, mature into outstanding young men and women. After which they will remember their roots, their ancestors trail-of-tears. These future Michiganders by blood will remember the conditions that forced their forefathers and mothers from one of the greatest states out into the country to seek economic shelter from the collapsing financial woes.

This they will remember as the story will be told and handed down from generation to generation. That they too are Michiganders.

And when the future generations of the Michigan exodus take their rightful place, when they look back at the tragedy of the 2K years, they will with one voice proclaim--NEVER AGAIN WILL SO MANY LEAVE JUST TO SEEK SURVIVAL--and our story will be told as one of desperation and DIGNITY..

This is the new GRAPES of WRATH...

Really, you need to watch the world news. People leave their counties for their life every day.