What's REALLY wrong with Michigan (Detroit, Grand Rapids: luxury, budget, for sale)

[magellan]

Originally Posted by southernlady5464

Yes, the mountains can hold poverty but also some of the wealthiest live there.

Some examples that I know of personally: Highlands/Cashiers, NC, Saluda, NC, Tyron, NC, parts of Asheville, NC near Biltmore Forest, Sewickley, PA and those are the ones I know of myself.

And even tho there is poverty in the mountains, it is a proud poverty...most would die than accept help from the government.

Part of the history of Detroit is based in that 1920's-30's poverty of the mountains of NC...many heads of households would leave the mountains and their families and go to work in the auto industry and send money home to those same mountains. My husband's grandfather worked at the River Rouge plant back in the 30's but refused to move his family...the mountains have a pull on the heartstrings that can not be denied.

Even now, I still need at least a yearly dose of those same mountains (the Appalachian Mountains)...it feels my cup. The hills of MI can not make the same claim. Liz

Proud poverty? Shouldn't the order be: first rather get a job, then die, then get help from the government? Yeah, we have those. They're called the Michigan Militia. What was that guy's name, Terry something????

No, I'm kidding. My Dad has family like that in U.P. that are anti-government. Strange bunch to say the least.

[cksh]

"kin" "plucks your banjo" ?! again I thought you were talking about Michigan I didn't know what a hillbilly was until I moved here From reading some other comments I am starting to figure out why that is.

SE Michigan is flat farmland and up north isn't much better. Michigan's rolling hills are nothing I would even consider a hill. Go to Kentucky if you want nice rolling hills.

Sure, Michigan is beautiful. But at least focus on its lakes which is one thing I do find attractive about it. Everthing else is a dime a dozen and can be found in many places.

[bubbagirl]

I find the Appalachian Mountains breathtaking and majestic. I love to visit, explore, and see all that I can see. My favorite areas are the passes through eastern TN / SE KY (Cumberland), and the Great Smokies National Park. I love the richness and kinship of the Appalachian history, the untouched natural beauty, the fresh rivers and streams, and the overwhelming sense of peacefulness.

But, I also have to give praise to the home state. I get through the winters in anticipation for my yearly dose of the great beaches, unmatched sunsets, fantastic sanddunes, and just, simply put, beauty like no other. Michigan is so unique. We have hills - not mountains - and they are so easily taken for granted until you venture into Ohio, Indiana, or Illinois. Our changing landscape, rolling hills, seemingly endless forests, and unique beauty justifies the seperation we have from the rest of the country by the Great Lakes.

[Wabbit]

Originally Posted by cksh

SE Michigan is flat farmland and up north isn't much better.

http://www.photography-plus.com/imag...Charlevoix.htm

http://www.photography-plus.com/imag...averseCity.htm

I’m sure you'll be posting some pictures of the Allegheny
that'll take my breath away. Can't wait.

By the way,
Moderator cut: insulting

[Mi_Mom]

From the article:

For example, Dillon says he would shift the burden of business taxes to companies that operate in Michigan, but don't have a facility here. The certain outcome of that plan is to drive even more businesses out of Michigan.

How on EARTH does that make sense financially? Do they actually believe that will help bring business to Michigan which is what Granholm seems earnestly trying to do? Give me a break.

[cksh]

Thanks for the pictures but i thought we were discussing hills? Not coastal areas. If coastal areas get you going then there are much better areas to visit. I am not saying that Michigan does not have great coatlines but at least go somewhere that you can boat year round if water is your thing. And of all places to post pictures of. traverse city? I just love to vist that tourist trap. I didn't think Michiganders went there anymore.

White trash? Since you want to go there I guess you are not originally from Michigan. because if you are thats not the way you want to defend your home state. Because what defines white trash anyways? Trailer living? Please. I never even saw a trailer park till I moved up here. And they are everywhere, even in the nice 500k home areas. I have plenty of friends that live in them or have grown up living in them. What else might define it? Cars up on cinderblocks and a washer on the front porch? I can drive in between the nicer subs in SE Michigan and show you that. How would you like to live in a nice 400k home and have your new neighbor on his interest only loan come in and put his rowboat in your backyard pond I am not making this up.

You can't defend Michigan by throwing up pictures of nice looking areas because I can throw up just as many that show what you have to drive through to get to it. And I imagine that you can do the same for just about any state in the country. There were even places in Kauii that I found pretty ugly.

I guess what I am trying to say is you have to do better. I am not originally from Michigan and have lived in enough states (including Michgan twice) to know that scenery alone is not going to cut it. I can find beauty in most states and plenty of ugliness. What if you dont like the outdoors? Boating, fishing, hiking whatever? What else can you offer? And this has been discussed to death in other threads but there isn't much that can't be found elsewhere.

[Wabbit]

cksh,
You might be surprised to hear I actually agree with most of your last post.
Still, for you to claim Northern Michigan is comparable in appearance to any
other place in the country is bizarre. And your definition of hill is perplexing.
I guess us Grand Rapidians are going to have to rename it Heritage (ant) Hill.

I've spent enough time driving up and down highway 1 in California
to know Michigan is not the most beautiful state in the union. I never
claimed it was. But for Detroit people, especially from other states, to
trash Michigan’s beauty without venturing out of its armpit is a bit much.
Am I opinionated? -Duh.
But it’s only when people bash Michigan out of spite, as you and Ms. Carolina
seem to do, that you’ll get it back from me. Other than that, I'm sunny.
That's it for me. ….Have a good day!

[magellan]

Originally Posted by cksh

Thanks for the pictures but i thought we were discussing hills? Not coastal areas. If coastal areas get you going then there are much better areas to visit. I am not saying that Michigan does not have great coatlines but at least go somewhere that you can boat year round if water is your thing. And of all places to post pictures of. traverse city? I just love to vist that tourist trap. I didn't think Michiganders went there anymore.

White trash? Since you want to go there I guess you are not originally from Michigan. because if you are thats not the way you want to defend your home state. Because what defines white trash anyways? Trailer living? Please. I never even saw a trailer park till I moved up here. And they are everywhere, even in the nice 500k home areas. I have plenty of friends that live in them or have grown up living in them. What else might define it? Cars up on cinderblocks and a washer on the front porch? I can drive in between the nicer subs in SE Michigan and show you that. How would you like to live in a nice 400k home and have your new neighbor on his interest only loan come in and put his rowboat in your backyard pond I am not making this up.

You can't defend Michigan by throwing up pictures of nice looking areas because I can throw up just as many that show what you have to drive through to get to it. And I imagine that you can do the same for just about any state in the country. There were even places in Kauii that I found pretty ugly.

I guess what I am trying to say is you have to do better. I am not originally from Michigan and have lived in enough states (including Michgan twice) to know that scenery alone is not going to cut it. I can find beauty in most states and plenty of ugliness. What if you dont like the outdoors? Boating, fishing, hiking whatever? What else can you offer? And this has been discussed to death in other threads but there isn't much that can't be found elsewhere.

Yeesh, then move cksh. No matter where you are, I'm sure somehow, somewhere there is someplace better, and someone is doing better than you. Can you live with that? I certainly can.

By the way, "up north" for a lot of people is only an hour or two away. Try venturing out of SE Michigan for a change. It's not just "more of the same", it's fundamentally different on the other side of the state.

[wallstreet1986]

Northern Michigan area is cool and very pleasant in the summer. I love going to the U.P. and lake superior coastline. The only areas I would say similar to that is pretty much Lake Superior area and Northern Ontario/the Georgian bay. Its something like the Canadian buckle shield or boreal forest belt. Yeah its unique alright.

Problem with that kind of stuff is that one yeah its really cold in the winter and also Detroit and the areas with lot of population are far removed from there by a long weekend drive. Would be cool to have more businesses and stuff up there in the UP, in those nice prettier living areas, attract people to the outdoors in that way. Yes its brutally cold but some people like some of that outdoor stuff too I think the Northland really needs more jobs. Its kind of a catch 22. You want those professionals and people looking for a quality of life. And if the jobs were up there in the North you would attract people with the quality of life preferences. Not everyone wants a city and bars. I think Herman Miller does that if i'm not mistaken and they are near Traverse City.

Southern Michigan/SE Michigan is a tough place. You have the resistant unions, poor spending and fiscal policy, and then a rough long winter. There may be trees which are great looking in the summer but the length of the winter and lack of pines in the south part of the state make it depressing especially in late march before the leaves come out. The North area is pretty all year long cuz of the topography and the pines.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by wallstreet1986

Northern Michigan area is cool and very pleasant in the summer. I love going to the U.P. and lake superior coastline. The only areas I would say similar to that is pretty much Lake Superior area and Northern Ontario/the Georgian bay. Its something like the Canadian buckle shield or boreal forest belt. Yeah its unique alright.

Problem with that kind of stuff is that one yeah its really cold in the winter and also Detroit and the areas with lot of population are far removed from there by a long weekend drive. Would be cool to have more businesses and stuff up there in the UP, in those nice prettier living areas, attract people to the outdoors in that way. Yes its brutally cold but some people like some of that outdoor stuff too I think the Northland really needs more jobs. Its kind of a catch 22. You want those professionals and people looking for a quality of life. And if the jobs were up there in the North you would attract people with the quality of life preferences. Not everyone wants a city and bars. I think Herman Miller does that if i'm not mistaken and they are near Traverse City.

Southern Michigan/SE Michigan is a tough place. You have the resistant unions, poor spending and fiscal policy, and then a rough long winter. There may be trees which are great looking in the summer but the length of the winter and lack of pines in the south part of the state make it depressing especially in late march before the leaves come out. The North area is pretty all year long cuz of the topography and the pines.

FYI: Herman Miller is in Zeeland, close to Holland and Grand Rapids (about 2 hours from Traverse).

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&...,0.752563&om=1

For trees and hills (and no not Kentucky hills), the Grand Rapids area is not all that flat, and loaded with forests, especially Northern Kent County















We even have a school district named "Forest Hills Schools"


Or if you like beaches and resort towns, try Grand Haven just a 1/2 hour West:









Or head two hours North to the Traverse City area. If you don't like the crowds in TC, try the Torch Lake area (Top 10 most beautiful lakes in the world):






Or Lake Bellaire:




Or the quaint shops and incredible cottage architecture in Charlevoix:









Just some ideas...