What's Your Favorite Thing About Michigan? (Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor: real estate, smog, vacation)

[75daisies]

I grew up in Northern Michigan...it's a beautiful place. And my favorite things about Michigan are:
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Lake Michigan
Canoeing/tubing on the Muskegon River
4 seasons
Driving North in the fall

[jcres]

I have been looking over Michigan cities on this website and there are so many negative comments about the state that I almost cry. Thanks to everyone who is posting here for pointing out the wonderful things about Michigan. My wife and I grew up in Jackson and it breaks my heart to read what amount to 100% negative comments about that city - unfortunately it appears to me that most of them have at least some merit. We left in 1969 and have only visited for short periods since then and haven't had time to do much other than visit family in and around Jackson. However, I do take advantage of the lakes and running trials while I'm there and we've been able to get to Petosky and the Burt Lake area up to the Straits three times over the last 30 years. Michigan has been confronting such challenges since the mid-70s, but you all keep going. Be proud of what you are - I am. I'll be retiring in 10 months and look forward to spending weeks in northern Michigan wearing myself out kayaking, fishing, running and biking (and eating - [SIZE=2]Vivio's Northwoods Inn[/SIZE] in Indian River probably has the best pizza in the world).

[Joanie B]

We're planning on moving to Michigan in Spring 2009 and I can't wait.
What a beautiful state!

We just came back from a short trip to Holland (where we're looking to move) and spent the 4th of July week in TC. Last year we drove up to TC and drove down the west coast and fell in love.

I'm a Chicago native - the city, not the burbs - and I can't wait to live at the lake again. If I could move tomorrow, I would.

[teachbeach]

Moved to MI in 1959, started elementary school in Grand Rapids. Moved in 1962 to New Jersey. Did undergrad at Central Michigan from 72-76, and then back to NJ. Basically I was raised in NJ, but Mom and Dad and all other relatives were land grant, die hard Michiganders. Two sets of grandparents had rivalry of Michigan vs. State. No one had left the state other than my Dad for a job transfer. Mom and Dad retired to MI in 1985, after traveling up/down the east coast looking for retirement town. Decided to go back home. Best decision they made, it was like the 33 years they were gone had never happened. Husband and I were transferred to PA in 1989, and my brother relocated to PA in 1984. All of us cannot wait to retire and move to Michigan. Great people, lots to do, reasonable cost of living, wonderful medical facilities, terrific sporting and cultural opportunities at nearby colleges/universities, lots of major airports, the beaches and lake communities, elder services and facilities that are top notch, the list is endless. The drawbacks--road conditions and the weather...but when you're retired these aren't as important as the quality of life, clean air, slower pace of living and true midwestern values.

[Butternut]

The smell of pine.
Beaver Island and it's ferry.
Blue water.
The sand.
The fruit.
Michigan really does call me....

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by 5kingsinvegas

I know my husband misses hunting season and "real" deer.

What kind do you have there? Artificial deer? I'm in Livington right now, I could mail you one! Does your husband wear a large or an extra-large?

I love Lake Superior, and Mackinaw fudge, and downtown Detroit (yes!), and Iggy Pop and The Knack and Adrenalin and the Romantics, and Ford Lake on a foggy morning, and the way the streets twist around in Ann Arbor and Ypsi, and the juries who convicted Coral Watts and Leslie Allen Williams and Roland Bailey, and every fish in every lake!

[bill h]

my favorite thing about michigan, hhhmmm, seeing it in my rearview mirror, as i`am heading south.

[Bydand]

Seeing it in the front windshield of the moving van as am returning home to the best State n the Country. Seeing the other nay-sayers in the Southbound lanes, knowing there are going to be plenty of houses to chose from for my family.

[David Warner]

Many thanks for all your contributions to this thread its really given me a boost in confidence.I am a brit who is relocating to Detroit through an inter company transfer this October and all the bad news was begining to trouble me.I have always enjoyed working with my fellow American colleagues and having once lived in Texas I am looking forward to life in the USA again.The UK experienced economic depression in the 1970s with the steel & mining towns taking the biggest hit but it really does take local & national government departments to "bite the bullet"and see that new regeneration investment growth is nurtured.I was in Detroit for the dream cruise and must say that I was very impressed with the whole event,even the $3 a gallon of gas didnt seem to slow down the amount of families getting out there and cruising up & down Woodward Ave.
just to put things into perspective in the UK we currently pay $10 a gallon for gas / 17.5% sales tax / between 25 & 40% income tax / we pay $40 to drive into central London / and now the government is looking at taxing employees that have car parking provided.
YOU BET I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO LIVING IN MICHIGAN !

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by David Warner

Many thanks for all your contributions to this thread its really given me a boost in confidence.I am a brit who is relocating to Detroit through an inter company transfer this October and all the bad news was begining to trouble me.I have always enjoyed working with my fellow American colleagues and having once lived in Texas I am looking forward to life in the USA again.The UK experienced economic depression in the 1970s with the steel & mining towns taking the biggest hit but it really does take local & national government departments to "bite the bullet"and see that new regeneration investment growth is nurtured.I was in Detroit for the dream cruise and must say that I was very impressed with the whole event,even the $3 a gallon of gas didnt seem to slow down the amount of families getting out there and cruising up & down Woodward Ave.
just to put things into perspective in the UK we currently pay $10 a gallon for gas / 17.5% sales tax / between 25 & 40% income tax / we pay $40 to drive into central London / and now the government is looking at taxing employees that have car parking provided.
YOU BET I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO LIVING IN MICHIGAN !

Thanks for providing a bit of perspective, David. Good luck on your move and welcome to MI.