[mackinac81]

Originally posted by sunshine girl2
I agree with the people who posted that many Michigan residents are very negative about their own state. Since moving here from Florida for a great job a few months ago, every time anyone sees my driver's license and finds out I just moved from Florida, they say "Why on earth did you come back HERE?" After SO many people saying that to me, it's hard not to wonder the same thing. I've had to defend my decision to move here so much, and that's just to Michigan residents.

My informal survey of non-Michigan residents indicates that the weather, the horribly bad roads, longstanding unemployment issues, the Detroit mess (and the leadership behaving so strangely), and the impression that Michigan is lacking metropolitan sophistication are the biggest negatives. Remember, I'm just relaying a summary of what I heard from my non-Michigan friends... so don't shoot the messenger, please!

Sorry to hear that, and you won't hear it from me. I really consider it a blessing to have grown up here. I hope one day I can come back and raise my kids here.

But then, my Michigan doesn't include Detroit. That place is it's own little universe. Mine includes the Lake, Grand Rapids, Up North, the Fruit Country and the U.P. We actually get the same cloudcover as Seattle. I don't mind winter too much. Yes, the roads do suck, but that's more an upper midwest thing with the climate. It's not just us.

If you don't mind my asking, How DO you like living in Michigan?

[Luv_my_em]

We moved from MI just over 3 years ago having lived there for 36 years. My husband had an excellent job opportunity in Fl (before the economy went to sh*t everywhere and not just MI). I can say now after living in Fl and now NC(have heard we are called halfbacks ) that there is truly only one place I can call home and that is MI. Such a beautiful state. It saddens me to hear more and more of the closings and job losses.

A couple of quick opinions because I need to run to the store. ( I could write a book about my feelings on this subject...well if I knew how to write).

First of all...I have never never ever seen more hatred towards outsiders than I have in NC. Don't get me wrong, I love NC and its beauty(we live in the mountains) and not all are hateful towards outsiders, and many are extremely friendly if you don't come here with a bad attitude. But the words "damn yankee" and "floridiots" are spoken and written much more than I care to hear. When living in MI I just cannot recall other Michiganders having this attitude towards southerners. It makes me very uncomfortable being a yankee and former Fl resident. Although I have taken to calling pop soda, something I said would never happen. Maybe that has helped me blend in somewhat. The y'all, down yonder and have a goodun haven't quite sunk in yet. Unless your my husband who (born and raised in MI) considers himself a true southerner because his parents are from NC and AL. He fits right in here. Even he gives me a hard time for being a yankee....I don't mind, I'm proud and I love him even though he is a southerner lol!!!

Back to MI.....I have noticed numerous Pure Michigan commercials on the national channels (cable,satellite). Can't remember which ones right off hand. Maybe an attempt to change Michigans image? I'm glad the ads are out there. It is a beautiful state that has suffered some tough times.

Have to run.....

p.s. Try being a wolverine fan and live near Boone ASU college town....The App state stores and restaurants in town are filled with prints of the day they beat UofM.....(Go Blue!)

[cbmsu01]

Originally Posted by sunshine girl2

I agree with the people who posted that many Michigan residents are very negative about their own state. Since moving here from Florida for a great job a few months ago, every time anyone sees my driver's license and finds out I just moved from Florida, they say "Why on earth did you come back HERE?" After SO many people saying that to me, it's hard not to wonder the same thing. I've had to defend my decision to move here so much, and that's just to Michigan residents.

My informal survey of non-Michigan residents indicates that the weather, the horribly bad roads, longstanding unemployment issues, the Detroit mess (and the leadership behaving so strangely), and the impression that Michigan is lacking metropolitan sophistication are the biggest negatives. Remember, I'm just relaying a summary of what I heard from my non-Michigan friends... so don't shoot the messenger, please!

I totally agree. It irks me when somebody will ask whether they should relocate to Michigan for a job, school, or something definite, and a lot of people respond that they should avoid Michigan at all costs. I'm realistic about the economic situation and the many problems with Detroit, but seriously - people need some perspective and balanced opinions about the pros and cons of living in Michigan, not constant negativity.

[michmoldman]

Agree. There are many people who love MI. on here, but I cant stand all the negativity. I cant even come to the MI forums much anymore because I am so sick of all the bad stuff being said. I'm not really sure what the point of constantly ripping on the state is, but Its really too bad.

[sunshine girl2]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

Sorry to hear that, and you won't hear it from me. I really consider it a blessing to have grown up here. I hope one day I can come back and raise my kids here.

But then, my Michigan doesn't include Detroit. That place is it's own little universe. Mine includes the Lake, Grand Rapids, Up North, the Fruit Country and the U.P. We actually get the same cloudcover as Seattle. I don't mind winter too much. Yes, the roads do suck, but that's more an upper midwest thing with the climate. It's not just us.

If you don't mind my asking, How DO you like living in Michigan?

Of course I don't mind you asking! Sorry it took me a few days to respond.

Erm, well....sigh. I am not really sure about life in Michigan so far, to honestly answer your question. I'm trying to give it a fair shot! I grew up here, went to college here, & my whole family is here. But after 11 years away... I don't know. I'm lucky to have a good job here, which is important. But I've come to discover that I don't like the winter AT ALL anymore, and I really miss many amenities of my FL life which are unavailable where I currently live in Michigan. So, we'll see if any of the feeling of "home" ever materializes for me in Michigan... thus far it hasn't at all (in fact, I feel rather unsettled ), but I'm giving it time.

[MarissaInMichigan]

I don't understand why living in a state somehow means you have to be loyal to it. I've lived in MI my whole life and am leaving this summer. If you think it's bad now... just wait! I'll have a martini and laugh my a*s off watching the news 1,000 miles away.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by MarissaInMichigan

I don't understand why living in a state somehow means you have to be loyal to it. I've lived in MI my whole life and am leaving this summer. If you think it's bad now... just wait! I'll have a martini and laugh my a*s off watching the news 1,000 miles away.

How old are you? 15? Regardless of how you feel about your Michigan neighbors, I don't see how it could be funny to watch people struggle economically.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by MarissaInMichigan

I don't understand why living in a state somehow means you have to be loyal to it. I've lived in MI my whole life and am leaving this summer. If you think it's bad now... just wait! I'll have a martini and laugh my a*s off watching the news 1,000 miles away.

Good Luck with that dream, life isn't all roses and clover in every other state either.

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by MarissaInMichigan

I don't understand why living in a state somehow means you have to be loyal to it. I've lived in MI my whole life and am leaving this summer. If you think it's bad now... just wait! I'll have a martini and laugh my a*s off watching the news 1,000 miles away.

I hate stooping to your level, but Michigan is a better place when people like you leave.
Good luck anyways.

[sunshineann]

We moved here during this economic hard time and we love Michigan. Regardless of the struggles we are going through, its much easier to go through them when you love the place you are in (MI) and the people...
We get the same question.."why did you move here"....we answer "theres no place else we'd rather be"