[Rapunzll]

And you know that how? Things I have read have said that the puritans were very welcome in Holland.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

And you know that how? Things I have read have said that the puritans were very welcome in Holland.

I don't . I was just giving an example in general , of the groups that fled their Motherland looking for place to practice their religion , as they see fit. The Mormons , would qualify as well , as they moved to Utah,...again in general.

[Rapunzll]

You stated that the average Dutchman was glad to see them go, that is a whole nuther thing.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

You stated that the average Dutchman was glad to see them go, that is a whole nuther thing.

I should have said , " the average Dutchman of today "... I find the Netherlands of today much more progressive than Holland , Michigan. Have you not noticed that ?

[Rapunzll]

Even that I think depends on what part of the Netherlands you go to. I think a lot of 'progressives' (liberals) for some reason overlook things in Europe that they would find unacceptable here. Such as smoking like smokestacks, letting their dogs crap all over the place, and acceptance of public urination. It's a strange, strange, thing.

[deslok]

However you position it, I think the area of Holland and Grand Haven would thrive much more if they did not have the dutch mystique surrounding them. It isn't progressive, or very accepting of people at all.

[Rapunzll]

Pretty much everywhere I have ever lived I have heard people there say that the locals aren't friendly or accepting. I think a lot depends on the person and accepting and progressive often don't go together.

[Coldjensens]

The puritans left because they were being absorbed into the local culture. They wanted to stay apart from others.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by darstar

The problem with the island , is the narrow bridge !.... I have friends on the island , and , they love it. The negative is , being on the south side, its a long drive to the north subrs., where most everything is going on. Fighting the traffic to get anywhere off the Island , would be a deal breaker for me.

There are two bridges. There is no traffic to speak of. It is somewhat secluded, but that is mostly psychological. It takes about thirty seconds to cross the bridge. It does take 15 minutes to get to the freeway. That is one of the reasons that it is quiet freeways are distant. It takes about 1/2 hour to get Downtown Detroit (a bit longer with the 75 closed) and about the same to DTW. TOledo with all of its charm is 40 minutes away and Amherstberg is maybe 15 minutes (Depends on how fast your boat is).

[michnewbie]

I just retired and moved into St. Joe county from west coast. Realestate is almost free here. Very nice lakes and people friendly. Taxes are good for Mich standards. Kalamazoo hospitals and shopping are great. Close enough to Chicago to still have stabile realestate values. And more temperate weather than northern areas. I looked for two years and Southern Mich got my vote.