[weedlady]

Hello, I am a brand new member here. Need some help from those of you who know more about the UP than I do. My husband and I have begun the search for our retirement home, and we are seriously considering buying land in the UP, probably on the western side.
The other option is Kentucky.
So, help me out. Give me the pro's and con's of life in the UP. I live in Northeastern Ohio right now, are the winters THAT much worse up north?
What other info can you share?
thanks

[michmoldman]

Dont live there, but I would say the winters are MUCH worse! Of course you will hear from the experts I'm sure. Good luck!! I would give anything to live in the U.P!!

[Michigansnowflake]

oh yeah, Winters ARE that much worse!

[YAZ]

Some folks like the cold and snow.

Nuthin' like sittin' 'round the fireplace on Christmas.

After that, I'm pretty much done. I do enjoy ice fishing, cross country skiing, etc., but I'm used to palm trees now.

A two hour drive "up north" now gives me my winter fix.

The U.P. ain't for everyone, neither is Phoenix.

Kentucky is really nice.

But that KY jelly isn't very good with peanut butter.

[bc008]

Originally Posted by YAZ

But that KY jelly isn't very good with peanut butter.

I dont know why, but I laughed for a good 45 seconds.. (probably because I had to look at it for a little to realize you used Kentuckys abbreviation..)

And yes, UP Winters are awful.. one weekend my moms friends and I went up to Kewadin (I swam they gambled) and We got snowed in (Bridge was actually closed) and I had to miss 2 days of school!

[FESTER]

Here in da U.P. we have two seasons. Winter and getting ready for winter. If you are not familiar with the term "summer wood" you will be if you come here. Where I live 300 inches of snow in a season is not unheard of. So to answer your question, yes the winters ARE a lot worse in the U.P.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by weedlady

Hello, I am a brand new member here. Need some help from those of you who know more about the UP than I do. My husband and I have begun the search for our retirement home, and we are seriously considering buying land in the UP, probably on the western side.
The other option is Kentucky.
So, help me out. Give me the pro's and con's of life in the UP. I live in Northeastern Ohio right now, are the winters THAT much worse up north?
What other info can you share?
thanks

If I were to retire, I think I'd get a nice RV-trailer to live out of and go anywhere I felt like at the time.

You can spend a few months enjoying the waterfalls and beauty of the Great Lakes and when you want a change, move down to Florida and enjoy the salty breezes and palm trees. If Florida gets old, then you can pack it up and head over to some place like Montana and enjoy that for a while.

[Tehspilly]

No, you really don't want to live in the U.P.

[Giesela]

Originally Posted by malamute

If I were to retire, I think I'd get a nice RV-trailer to live out of and go anywhere I felt like at the time.

You can spend a few months enjoying the waterfalls and beauty of the Great Lakes and when you want a change, move down to Florida and enjoy the salty breezes and palm trees. If Florida gets old, then you can pack it up and head over to some place like Montana and enjoy that for a while.

I've gone from the little hobby farm/wildlife preserve up north to very similar thoughts for my retirement.

[jeeg]

Originally Posted by weedlady

So, help me out. Give me the pro's and con's of life in the UP. I live in Northeastern Ohio right now, are the winters THAT much worse up north?
What other info can you share?
thanks

You live in Copley, OH?? I have a dear friend that lives about 30 miles northeast of you (Valley City) with whom I chat almost daily.
She is often apalled and in disbelief when she hears my tales of winter storms and how looooong winter lasts up here.
In my area, we recieved over 200 inches of snow last winter. The snow that fell on the ground in mid-November was still on the ground 'til the second week of April. We had snowfall in October and we just had snow in the air two weeks ago in May....... so yes, winter really is THAT different

She and I are also both avid gardeners. She's already starting to eat some fresh produce, I've just finally been putting my seeds in the ground this past week. Didn't dare do it before then and we have a frost/freeze advisory in effect tonight.

If you are serious about considering living up here, I highly recommend you rent a place for a full calender year first Some people love it, many people leave asap after their first winter or two.