[xlabel]

If I was retiring GR and Lansing would be too big and too busy for me. I like it out here in Paw Paw and the communities just west of Kalamazoo; more laid back and rural. K-zoo has Bronson and Borgess hospitals and they are good hospitals and the health care is good here. Plenty of nice lakes, golf ,trails and just about everything else a retiree would desire too.

[PineHallGirl]

Originally Posted by Joanie B

Well, I'm biased but Michigan is a wonderful place to retire - it's our choice.
We love Holland and everything it has to offer.
We think the cost of living is more than manageable.

If close access to a lot of different medical facilities is important, Grand Rapids would be a great choice too.
Still close enough to the Lake Michigan if you want to take advantage of that.

Housing is very inexpensive right now and it's a great time to buy.

There's a lot of great information such as cost of living, crime, etc. on this website for just about any city you're interested in.

Just click on the cities you're interested in.
Statistics for Cities in Michigan

If you'd like to see available housing, you can browse the MLS here: Realtor.com

Hope this helps. Come to Michigan....you'll love it!

Well said Joanie!

Richard, after living around the lansing area for the past 12 years, I would highly recommend that you NOT move here for retirement! (B-O-R-I-N-G)
I would go to the western shores of Lake Michigan..Holland would be wonderful, but so are many of the coastline towns. I would dearly love to retire and be able see the lake and see it in all it's glory...every single season, not just summer.

You definitely won't be disappointed in Michigan.

[beachmouse]

Since you don't have to worry about schools, there are some nice suburban-style (ie. many one story homes on bigger lots) parts of Grand Rapids just west of the city of East Grand Rapids border that would put you very close to the excellent Spectrum Hospital main campus, and not too far from other major health players. Considering the health issues, I'd stay out of the more rural parts of the state. No matter how good individual doctors are, you just aren't going to get the same cardiac care level you get in a bigger city hospital with multiple specialists and latest technology.

GR is also relatively good about plowing after a storm compared to outlying areas.

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by SemiDriver

Hello,

I am wondering if MI, Lansing area or Grand Rapids, would be a good place to live.

I am currently a commercial truck driver, and make good money.

I am 66, my wife is 60. I have an income of about $46000 per year w/o working?

I have a 42 yo step son who is mildly retarted who lives with us.

My wife is a heart patient, has diabetes, and a condition called blephrospasm. Medical facilities are very important.

We rent now but would like to buy if possible and not expensive.

We live on the Texas Gulf Coast now. Hurrican alley sometimes.

Richard

Are you planning on staying year round or becomming a snow bird and moving south for the winter? I'm kind of partial, but I don't think northern Michigan can be beat in the summer. However, I don't plan on staying here year round when I retire. I'll either move to a more moderate climate or spend my summers here and winters someplace warmer.

[GraniteStater]

The Tawas City area up to Oscoda and over to Alpena is quite retiree friendly. The COL on the sunrise shore is much lower compared to the Lake Michigan side.

[FisherOne]

My wife and I retired here after living in Tucson for 23 years. We were originally Michiganders, so just came home.

One very important aspect of Michigan is that pensions under $65K or something like that are MI income tax free. Nice benefit.

I personally am having difficulty re-adjusting to the winter, but if you plan for it and are prepared and don't really have to drive anywhere when it snows, the snow is not a big deal. Snow on the west and north side of the state is a lot more than central and east side of the state. Comments about no sun in winter are bogus. There are many sunny days where I live in Oscoda, near East Tawas. In fact I have heard that is why the Wurtsmith AF base was located here.

In the end, most of the decision on where you end up should be guilded by what you like to do. There certainly are lots of good outside activities of varying types year round.

[debbiehks]

My husband and I are starting our move to Michigan (Oscoda County) as he will retire in June of 2010. We will be going up every 3 or 4 months from now till then just moving a little at a time. We have been up there for much of this winter and they say it isn't normal for them to have this bad a winter. I really enjoyed it since living in the south I had never seen snow like that. We have decided that if it gets too bad we will head south with our rv and and visit the rest of my family. So far the only thing I have found not like about northern Michigan is the black flies!! Other than that I can't wait to get moved!!!

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by debbiehks

My husband and I are starting our move to Michigan (Oscoda County) as he will retire in June of 2010. We will be going up every 3 or 4 months from now till then just moving a little at a time. We have been up there for much of this winter and they say it isn't normal for them to have this bad a winter. I really enjoyed it since living in the south I had never seen snow like that. We have decided that if it gets too bad we will head south with our rv and and visit the rest of my family. So far the only thing I have found not like about northern Michigan is the black flies!! Other than that I can't wait to get moved!!!

Welcome! What a beautiful area you are moving to. That area is actually some of my favorite area in Michigan! I love the forest and the Au-Sable river area. Gorgeous! Good luck!

[JMC in Michigan]

Originally Posted by SemiDriver

Hello,

I am wondering if MI, Lansing area or Grand Rapids, would be a good place to live.

I am currently a commercial truck driver, and make good money.

I am 66, my wife is 60. I have an income of about $46000 per year w/o working?

I have a 42 yo step son who is mildly retarted who lives with us.

My wife is a heart patient, has diabetes, and a condition called blephrospasm. Medical facilities are very important.

We rent now but would like to buy if possible and not expensive.

We live on the Texas Gulf Coast now. Hurrican alley sometimes.

Richard

I live south of Holland in St. Joseph, Mi.

I noticed someone had posted a link from Money magazine about Holland in 06. St Joseph was recently in Money mag as well for 2008. Here is the link to that.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...oneymag/5.html

The first thing they list as pros for this area is the medical care we have: "Pros: Great medical care; lots to do."

We have a great hospital here and there are tons of specialists in the area.

http://www.lakelandhealth.org/

As far as Lansing, I went to Michigan State University which is in East Lansing. My opinion of Lansing is not a positive one. In East Lansing you have tens of thousands of college kids, and Lansing seemed to me as run down. Not an ideal place I would like to live again.

Grand Rapids is nice but is a larger city. I would imagine it is more expensive than Holland or St. Joseph.

The spring, summer and fall are amazing on Lake Michigan. Even the winters are beautiful. Only down side is the lake effect snow. It can snow quite a bit and get cold.

My parents just retired at a place just outside of St. Joseph called The Villas at the River. They are brand new condos and are very reasonable for their size and its a great location on the St. Joseph River. There are woods, walking trails, the river, a big clubhouse with and exercise room, big flat screen TV, fireplace, and some other stuff. They absolutely love it there. Here's a link to that.

Moderator cut: link removed, advertising is not allowed


Well other than that, there is Lake Michigan, great shopping downtown, and great shopping over in Benton Harbor. Kohls, Target, Best Buy, etc. Great dining. Tons of things that it seems like you are looking for.

If you want to know anything else, let me know. Hope this helps.