[laruefamily_cjjh]

wow, and i bet he did stand out. At least i am hearing that people there are nice and not rude.

[daddythreepointoh]

Originally Posted by laruefamily_cjjh

wow, and i bet he did stand out. At least i am hearing that people there are nice and not rude.

Not rude, but won't have the "southern charm" you're used to either. But you should like it.

[xlabel]

I live about 15 miles west of Portage for the last 2 years and lived here from 99-02 and have never seen it snow in October, it usually starts around Nov. 15 th, maybe. When I left here on New Years Day 03, it didn't even snow until Dec 23 that year.

Sometimes further south don't mean anything either. I've left for work here with 10 inches overnite and went 70 mile north to Grand Rapids and not even a flurry, green grass.

I'm a transplanted southerner from FL and while 95% of the populace up here is cool with that, you will encounter the ocassional xenophobe who may be less than welcoming,but it's rare. My advice, especially if you get a job up here is to try and keep it on the low down, don't discuss your heritage too much because if the axe is gonna fall you may be the first one given the pink slip.

All in all it's a good place to live. Rural MI is some of the best scenery the U.S. has to offer in any of the 4 seasons and there's plenty of fun to be had.

[laruefamily_cjjh]

really, "southern charm" is onlay a show for most others... it is very rare to find true southern charm here at least, people are stuck up a lot more than not here, and i am not a stuck up person nor do i think i am better than anyone, from the President to someone whom may be homeless or have no money at all.... that is what makes me the most upset about where i live now, it is all about who you are or who you know.... i am sure that is anywhere but being born in a place where you arent rich and rich matters a lot is not somewhere i want to stay.... i want my kids to have the same opportunities as others especially if i am willing to pay for it...

[laruefamily_cjjh]

i also do get all the stereotypes of southerners from a northerners point of view.... the accent makes us look very uneducated and dumb if you dont take the time to know the person with the accent... i am much smarter than i let on and sometimes to me that is a good idea not to let others know just how smart you are or how much you know.... ignorance is bliss.... and i am a little smartass, ok a lot... i am very sarcastic if someone tries to be funny or offensive to me... i will be staying at home with my kids for as long as possible, but if i have to get a job, i will, i went to school for medical technology and only didnt finish the clinicals cause of pregnancy....

i am a very quiet person until i know you and i know i will be way more quiet about speaking at first there because of how i speak and affraid of how obvious it will be... self confidence is not a big plus for me, so i am careful, but i do not get taken advantage of to say....

my hubby says some will make fun but not most

[daddythreepointoh]

Originally Posted by laruefamily_cjjh

i also do get all the stereotypes of southerners from a northerners point of view.... the accent makes us look very uneducated and dumb if you dont take the time to know the person with the accent... i am much smarter than i let on and sometimes to me that is a good idea not to let others know just how smart you are or how much you know.... ignorance is bliss.... and i am a little smartass, ok a lot... i am very sarcastic if someone tries to be funny or offensive to me... i will be staying at home with my kids for as long as possible, but if i have to get a job, i will, i went to school for medical technology and only didnt finish the clinicals cause of pregnancy....

i am a very quiet person until i know you and i know i will be way more quiet about speaking at first there because of how i speak and affraid of how obvious it will be... self confidence is not a big plus for me, so i am careful, but i do not get taken advantage of to say....

my hubby says some will make fun but not most

You should be fine, MI is very blue-collar---i.e. down to earth. At least in my experience.

I hope my comment didn't offend you. I myself used to live in Texas and Oklahoma, and my mom is from SE OK and I have some very close friends in Shreveport. So I totally know what you are saying about the stereotypes not being true.

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by laruefamily_cjjh

i also do get all the stereotypes of southerners from a northerners point of view.... the accent makes us look very uneducated and dumb if you dont take the time to know the person with the accent... i am much smarter than i let on and sometimes to me that is a good idea not to let others know just how smart you are or how much you know.... ignorance is bliss.... and i am a little smartass, ok a lot... i am very sarcastic if someone tries to be funny or offensive to me... i will be staying at home with my kids for as long as possible, but if i have to get a job, i will, i went to school for medical technology and only didnt finish the clinicals cause of pregnancy....

i am a very quiet person until i know you and i know i will be way more quiet about speaking at first there because of how i speak and affraid of how obvious it will be... self confidence is not a big plus for me, so i am careful, but i do not get taken advantage of to say....

my hubby says some will make fun but not most

I really don't think you will have problems with people thinking you are dumb because of your accent. Remember, this is the land of The Yoopers, and while that is grossly over-exagerated...sometimes it isn't by much! Northerners tend to be quiet and reserved as well, and my husband--a fourth generation (or so) Michigander--is the most sacrastic person I have ever met! Really, don't really worry about your accent, or even difference in terms--it will make most people more interested in you, not put off.

P.S. I say soda because I like the sound of it better than pop (I decided to change it high school and I have never looked back) and no one blinks an eye. Now say "Coke" and that is what you are going to get: Coca Cola!

[laruefamily_cjjh]

I am not offended by much, it takes a lot... i guess i just want to move somewhere to be a part of something, to actually be thought of as part of a community.... i am to say the least "weird" a word used often to describe me, but most people that i actually let get to know me seem to like me a lot, it is the ones that judge me first that end up not liking me.... i am great with kids or so i have been told so, i love kids and am a big kid myself.... i love to go on all the school trips with the kids and help out at any school function.... i was a basketball coach for my son's school's clinic for 8 and under, and we won our tournament..... i love to help out kids...
adults have always seemed so judgemental my entire life....

[Jwo85]

You will grow to love Meijer.
Meijer: Home Page

[laruefamily_cjjh]

oh cool my husband said something about meijer (how do you say it lol) thanks so much for the website,