[darstar]

I would like to here from those who have experiences living year round in the UP , , most interested in Marquette , as a retirement place.
We have lived in lower Mi now for 5 years ( SW Mi ), and are planing to make the move to the place we always wanted to live , the UP. Have lived in Ia,IL,FL,NC,Mn,Mi,GA,and have traveled to every state and more, so , am a pro when it comes to adapting .
House up for sale, ready to buy property near Marquette, ( have found 8 acres) and build on a Mountain top , with endless views of Superior,....and thoughts ?

[UpperPeninsulaRon]

Originally Posted by darstar

I would like to here from those who have experiences living year round in the UP , , most interested in Marquette , as a retirement place.
We have lived in lower Mi now for 5 years ( SW Mi ), and are planing to make the move to the place we always wanted to live , the UP. Have lived in Ia,IL,FL,NC,Mn,Mi,GA,and have traveled to every state and more, so , am a pro when it comes to adapting .
House up for sale, ready to buy property near Marquette, ( have found 8 acres) and build on a Mountain top , with endless views of Superior,....and thoughts ?

Sounds like you have a plan. Here are some thoughts:
I took an early retirement from a position in the Detroit area specifically so we could move to the UP. We had been coming here on vacations (mostly of the winter variety) for many many years so we knew what we were getting involved in. We live on over forty acres midway between Marquette and Escanaba. I am now involved in another business that allows me to travel the UP and any one of my drives is by far superior to the hour and a half commute I had on I-75 through Detroit every single day. Marquettte is a great city to be near. Marquette General is a great hospital (in the top 100 in the US), university towns always have an interesting mix of things to do, and from the Marquette area you have great places to go in any direction. The cost of living is low, but depending on the location, property taxes can be steep. If you have any specific questions from someone who did, in fact, choose to live here after my early retirement, just send me back a message.

[jeeg]

Originally Posted by darstar

and build on a Mountain top , with endless views of Superior,....and thoughts ?

That right there will ostracize you from most locals. Let's leave the beautiful scenery undisturbed! Build your house down where everyone else does so that everyone can enjoy looking up at the unmarred hills, cliffs, mountains.
The reason nothing is built up there in not because us yoopers can't afford too........ it's because we love the natural beauty.

It's amusing how the outsiders come in, build a place (usually a McMansion) right smack in the middle of a beautiful area (rather then being discreet/hiding the house amongst trees) then they put their house up for sale and leave within a few years because the locals "are so unfriendly" or "stand-off-ish". Hmmmm........ doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

Yes I live in Marquette county.

[darstar]

Well, I thank you for your thoughts. This is what I wanted . Now, let me explain a little about me and my plan......... I am retiring to Marquette because I do not like the taxes .48 mills.......am told Sands township is 24 mills ? OK , I like nature as much as anyone, and would not want an eyesore, marring the landscape .( I think trailers are an eyesore also), so , I plan to build on property that has already been zoned,has a driveway,power, not a place that would create anything new. I want to downsize, from my 4000sq to a 2000 sq. one level w/ basement under house, 2 miles from the MT Marquette Ski Hill. Is that an eyesore ?. I like to get all the feedback I can , it helps me understand. I am not a highroller from the big city, just a retired guy that loves the UP for what it is.

[jeeg]

Originally Posted by darstar

Well, I thank you for your thoughts. This is what I wanted . Now, let me explain a little about me and my plan......... I am retiring to Marquette because I do not like the taxes .48 mills.......am told Sands township is 24 mills ? OK , I like nature as much as anyone, and would not want an eyesore, marring the landscape .( I think trailers are an eyesore also), so , I plan to build on property that has already been zoned,has a driveway,power, not a place that would create anything new. I want to downsize, from my 4000sq to a 2000 sq. one level w/ basement under house, 2 miles from the MT Marquette Ski Hill. Is that an eyesore ?. I like to get all the feedback I can , it helps me understand. I am not a highroller from the big city, just a retired guy that loves the UP for what it is.

I meant what I wrote in my previous post as sort of tounge in cheek. It wasn't totally serious but is something I hear many locals griping about.

Sands Township......... doesn't that incorporate the northern part of the old Sawyer AF base?? If so I personally would build elsewhere IF you wish for a higher resale value. If this is to be your last home to live in 'til you die, therefore are not particular about resale value and love the land............ then go for it!
(the base has become the "armpit" of Marquette county)

[darstar]

Originally Posted by UpperPeninsulaRon

Sounds like you have a plan. Here are some thoughts:
I took an early retirement from a position in the Detroit area specifically so we could move to the UP. We had been coming here on vacations (mostly of the winter variety) for many many years so we knew what we were getting involved in. We live on over forty acres midway between Marquette and Escanaba. I am now involved in another business that allows me to travel the UP and any one of my drives is by far superior to the hour and a half commute I had on I-75 through Detroit every single day. Marquettte is a great city to be near. Marquette General is a great hospital (in the top 100 in the US), university towns always have an interesting mix of things to do, and from the Marquette area you have great places to go in any direction. The cost of living is low, but depending on the location, property taxes can be steep. If you have any specific questions from someone who did, in fact, choose to live here after my early retirement, just send me back a message.

What do you think about "southerners" invading the UP ?

[darstar]

Originally Posted by jeeg

I meant what I wrote in my previous post as sort of tounge in cheek. It wasn't totally serious but is something I hear many locals griping about.

Sands Township......... doesn't that incorporate the northern part of the old Sawyer AF base?? If so I personally would build elsewhere IF you wish for a higher resale value. If this is to be your last home to live in 'til you die, therefore are not particular about resale value and love the land............ then go for it!
(the base has become the "armpit" of Marquette county)

Yes it does.........However , from what I have searched so far, Sands Township also backs up to the city of Marquette ( the city has annexed the area for the Ski-Slope), so............?

[lisathill]

HI! I just hoped on. My husband and I are life long residents of Marquette and we are actually looking for property. Somehow I came across this website and I noticed that you are looking to retire in the U.P. You are going to LOVE IT! Make sure you employ a good person to plow / shovel for you - or invest in an ENCLOSED snow thrower. It is currently APRIL 8th and over the Easter Weekend, we were hit with 40+++ inches of snow! It hasn't stopped snowing since Wednesday! My advice is to grab a cup of hot chocolate, a good book and hunker down in front of a fireplace until the snow stops... The unpredictability is part of the Charm of the U.P.

It really is a fabulous area. If you enjoy outdoor sports, it is great both summer and winter. I especially enjoy Lake Superior. My parents own a 100 year old commercial fishing operation called Thill's Fish House which is situated most appropriately at the lower harbor. I was raised on the lake enjoying the beauty and the people. Dealing with customers, we have many folks who have fallen in love with our area and chosen to move up here. My personal opinion is that everyone is welcome!

I travel across the UP for my current job. (Pharmaceutical Sales)... Let me tell you, there is NO lack of land - both inland and lakeside. I can drive for 2+ hours and not see a single town or home!

As for your home... Your idea sounds GREAT! The location you mentioned is FANTASTIC! My husband and I are actually looking for land or a home in the same general area. A couple things to be aware of... If it is in the city limits, the taxes are 48 mils as you mentioned.

When I was 23 I bought my first home. (I am currently 28) - I am now getting ready to sell that home. (I did a TOTAL gut & remodel) - - when I bought the home, it was valued at 55,000... My taxes were $1,200 per year. The house is currently appraised at 170,000... You can imagine how much the taxes will go up with the next owner.

Before you start building on you 8 Acre parcel, a couple things to consider... DEPENDING on where your lot is located, will you see the lights from the Ski Hill? Also, across from the Ski Hill there is a Snowmobiele Trail... This is one of the MAIN veins across the UP. Keep enough trees for a buffer from the noise... It could be annoying (AGAIN, depending on where your property is located)

For re-sale, that should be a GREAT location. A lot of building is edging both over that direction as well as further along down County Road 492. Both locations are more Rural - but very close to town.

Well, Good Luck! Feel free to ask if you have any questions!

[darstar]

Thanks for the feedback on Marquette. Yes , We have a plan , I have yet to see my "bald", ( top of the Mt.?) , where the building site is, due to your 40" of white stuff !. Kinda late in the season , but , I guess it will melt .
We came to Mi. 5 years ago, from the Blue Ridge mts. in NC , So, we know a little about building , in remote , rocky , areas. I built a 5 story cedar "tower" in NC 18 years ago, on the side of a mountain at 4,000 feet. I am hoping for a great view of the big water. We wiil see. I do not expect the view I had in NC , but , I hope we will be able to get a good 360 of the area . From what I can tell, its 3 miles by crow , from the Lake. Thanks for the thought about the Ski place. Those lights are very bright, I have seen them from coming into Marquette from the North, and they must have been 4 miles away , but were still very bright ! The snowmobile trail must be about 1-2 miles away, not sure , will check it out when we go up next week, or latter , depending on the snow depth..........

[buzzkirk]

is snowmobile noise ubiquitous in Marquette during winter?