[magellan]

Originally Posted by darstar

You may find a more resort area is a better choice , than Grand Rapids. Look further north , and , contrary to most thought , its not colder near the lake. GR is just another dirty , crime ridden big city. Has lots of racial problems these days.

Got a source for that claim darstar? For a metro area of its size, Grand Rapids is one of the safest in the country:

http://www.crimetrends.com/id4.html
(#150)

[jmlowman]

Originally Posted by darstar

You may find a more resort area is a better choice , than Grand Rapids. Look further north , and , contrary to most thought , its not colder near the lake. GR is just another dirty , crime ridden big city. Has lots of racial problems these days.

Thanks! I'm also considering places like Traverse City. Problem is, I don't want to be somewhere that is overrun with tourists during the summer.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by jmlowman

Thanks! I'm also considering places like Traverse City. Problem is, I don't want to be somewhere that is overrun with tourists during the summer.

Look at the Sunrise Shore from Alpena down to Tawas City. That area gets far less tourists compared to the Traverse City area up through Petoskey.

[jmlowman]

I'll take a look at those areas.

[Wulf67]

Originally Posted by jmlowman

Thanks! I'm also considering places like Traverse City. Problem is, I don't want to be somewhere that is overrun with tourists during the summer.

There are many quiet places in Northern Michigan that are still close to TC. The entire area gets busier in summer time but it never feels like being overrun with tourists. Just make sure not to go into TC during the Cherry Festival or accept the crowds and take your time.

[Wulf67]

Originally Posted by darstar

The Reform Dutch settled the area long ago , they brought with them their ideals, lifestyles , and religion. That in itself , has been overwhelming over the years , for some outsiders that moved to the area. I understand traditions , I guess that too can be sad , to see ..... I saw the same change when I lived in South Holland , Il. , over the years. The locals tried to fight it , but , the encroachment of Chicago was more than they could handle. Same goes for Lansing , Il. also.

The average Dutch person (I prefer "Netherlander") is not like the reformed Dutch at all. Even in The Netherlands they are considered strict and out of the ordinary. But don't quote me on that, I am not religious.

Originally Posted by 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.

That would be Dutch Reformed mystique. Too bad The Netherlands is easily associated with this small religious group.

[Barbara J Pearson]

Very soon I will be relocating to Chelsea, MI. I was born in Ohio and lived many years in Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, MI. Have lived in the mtns. of Brevard, NC and the past four in SC. I'm "going home", that's where most of my family live. Haven't played in the snow in 20 yrs., but building a snowman with the grandbabies sounds better than living here alone, inside looking out. The heat and humidity can be oppressive in SC. Also once owned a winter home in Central Florida. Not a snowbird here, each time we packed I felt I was being exiled to a foreign land and the bugs are big enough to eat hay. Just thought someone might be interested in my opinions.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by Barbara J Pearson

Very soon I will be relocating to Chelsea, MI. I was born in Ohio and lived many years in Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, MI. Have lived in the mtns. of Brevard, NC and the past four in SC. I'm "going home", that's where most of my family live. Haven't played in the snow in 20 yrs., but building a snowman with the grandbabies sounds better than living here alone, inside looking out. The heat and humidity can be oppressive in SC. Also once owned a winter home in Central Florida. Not a snowbird here, each time we packed I felt I was being exiled to a foreign land and the bugs are big enough to eat hay. Just thought someone might be interested in my opinions.

Greenville , SC is not a bad place , however , Brevard was much better , by a long shot. Seems you kept going down hill. Central Florida , the pits. Those who move back up from Florida are called " half backs "......now you are going home , at last.

I tried Coastal Fl. , then Highlands, NC for many years,....The move back north took some adjusting.South Haven , Mi. first stop , for six years,... I finally got smart , and retired to the UP...where I wanted to be more than 35 years ago.........took a long time , to finally get it right.

[Listener13]

Hillman Michigan is one of the best places to retire in Michigan. It is 22 Miles from Alpena and 47 Miles from Gaylord. The people here are great and they are mostly family oriented. There is a lot of State Land in Montmorency County. There are some real nice and clean lakes in Hillman and Property is priced well.

[darstar]

Again , I encourage folks to check out the Northern Tier.....In tough times this area of the Country always do ok , or handle it better anyway than the rest of the Country. Check out the UP of Michigan. Marquette is still building homes and businesses. We seem a bit insulated from the rest of Michigan.