[Bydand]

Originally Posted by VM1138

Well, then are you one of those drivers that goes 80 down roads completely covered with snow and ice, and are just lucky not to have been in an ccident?

I've had nothign but trouble, but that could be depending on my region here in Mid-Michigan. Usually the plow jobs are horrible and in some places it takes a day or two to get plows out onto the roads. Also, I drive long distances, so yes, it extends my drive time considerably to have to go 35-40 instead of 60 for 50 miles. I can see how short drives it wouldn't be effected very much, though.

I just hate winter.

No, it doesn't mean they are one who goes 80 on snow covered roads. It means they (and me) are ones who go an appropriate speed, which doesn't include 80 even on a dry summer day.

Short drives are not affected as much is true, but my "short" drive is 24 miles one way, the longer one is 65 miles one way, and the vehicle makes one of those trips 6 days a week every week no matter the weather. I can count on one hand the times it has slowed down "considerably". Maybe adding 20 minutes onto a normally hour long drive at the most. Usually the weather adds at most 10 minutes and I live and drive in one of the snow belts.

[J'aimeDesVilles]

Originally Posted by VM1138

Only two real "big cities."

Two??? What is the other one? Did we annex Chicago or Toronto?

[J'aimeDesVilles]

What about Ann Arbor? Huge medical field, about 20 miles from Jackson, decent parks and recreational opportunities. I think the schools are good, not sure though, I don't have children. Even though it is in S.E. Michigan and only about 50 miles from Detroit it has not been as affected by the auto industry woes as much as the rest of the area. I think the health care industry and U. of M. have kept it afloat.

Many on this thread have mentioned the Grand Rapids area. I don't know what your political/religious/social leanings are, or if it is even important to you but that part of the state is pretty conservative and Christian relative to the rest of the state. On the flip side the Ann Arbor area is relatively liberal, diverse and secular for Michigan. Just something to think about if it matters to you.

Best of luck on whatever you end up doing!

[timeofseasons]

Originally Posted by ilove2dream226

I currently live between Virginia Beach and Williamsburg so I am use to the city life. I am tired of the hot humidity, the rude people, and the fast pase of life altogether. If I can find a job in southern Michigan (I work in the medical field) do you think it is the right time for me to move? I am expecting my first child this winter and would plan on moving next spring/summer if I am. I love the cold winters because I go out and enjoy them, I am looking for decent schools to raise my children, and commuting isn't a problem. Since my family lives there I have visited the Jackson area since I was a baby and have always desired to move there when I got older. I guess my only question is for everyone out there why does everyone hate Michigan so much? I know that the factories are cutting jobs but it makes it a little scary to relocate some place that everyone tells you beware.

May want to look at Grand Rapids

[aquadejoe]

I have lived in Michigan most of my life and I have to say I love it here. My husband and I have lived in other parts of the country but when I got pregnant with our son we decided to come back to Michigan. I have not regretted it. In regards to a job in the medical field you have a lot of options. I have lived in Jackson and would strongly not recommend it especially for a place to raise children. The schools are nothing to brag about and the teen pregnancy rate is astounding. There are many other nearby communities that might suit you better. Ann Arbor is a great market for medical jobs but it might be a bit fast paced for you as you stated you are looking to slow down. Chelsea is a fantastic little town about 10 minutes from Ann Arbor with great schools, a nice downtown, a few good restaurants, local theatre a great art program for kids to name a few. On the other side of Jackson is Marshall which does not have all the amenities of near by Ann Arbor but Battle Creek and Jackson are both within 20 minutes or so. Okemos is also a nice pick as far as community and schools and being close to jobs in Lansing and near to Jackson.

[TNKY]

I lived in VA Beach for 4 years and MI for 34 years. I'd take Virginia. Weather, economy, fun things to do and the ocean beat the Lions and Gov Granholm any day.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by TNKY

the ocean beat the Lions and Gov Granholm any day.

Well hello, anybody could tell you that. Roadkill on a 100 degree day beats the Lions and Granholm, good thing we have MUCH more than those two embarrassments going for the State.

The VA beach area you can keep. There are some very nice areas in VA as a whole though.

[Bluefly]

Kind of funny that you define the area between Williamsburg and Va Beach as "city life", but perhaps from certain perspectives.

I'd suggest the west side of the state - Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo... It will probably most closely resemble your current life. You'll have the Lake Michigan beaches nearby and you'll also be in relatively small cities and a lot of pretty countryside.

[skyl4rk]

St Joseph, South Haven, Holland and Grand Haven all have hospitals. Living on the Lake Michigan coast is pretty close to paradise. (err, if you love snow anyway!)

[danielj72]

Virginia and Michigan are very different. If you move to michigan it will feel much more relaxed and slow paced than Virginia, unless you choose the metro Detroit area. I would suggest finding a small town, Michigans cities are not that nice. If you must live in a city Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Traverse City are probably the nicest. Dont underestimate how bad our economy is here, it is VERY bad. However the scenery is beautiful, escpecially the lakes and our change of seasons is something most of us up here actually look forward too. Northern Michigan is the nicest by far, Western Michigan is also nice. Central Michigan and the Thumb are very quiet, flat and dominated by farming. Southeast michigan is the most built up, and the most expensive to live in. Housing in Michigan is very cheap, a nice house can be had in most of the state for between 50k and 100k. Fixer uppers can be had for 20k. Metro Detroit is a little more. Good luck, think it through before you do it because our economy is very tough right now.