[TigerDan]

Response to martinblake,

The beaches are better in the carolinas,
If you like the immediate need to take a shower due to the saltwater, Not to mention jelly fish, sharks and other negatives

the bike paths are better in Missouri.
If you're not worried about reliving a scene from "Deliverance"

The boating is better in Florida.
Only if you think letting the salt water eat your boat and running over Manitees is better. All that and the need to take a shower if you decide to jump in - just watch out for the sharks.

Down hill skiing is better Aspen.
Only if you have the time and money for a vacation and $100+ for a lift ticket

Tulip time is much better in amsterdam.
Only if you have the time and money to travel to Europe

The water is good or better in any of the mountain states with many sping wells.
The Spring water you reference has been found to be dirtier than the tap water in New York city. Michigan has the best tap water in the U.S.

The economy is better almost anywhere.
Touche

None of the places you mention can compare to Michigan in all of these categories. And, BTW, many people consider the boating in Michigan to be the best in the world -- I know I do, and yes I have been boating in Florida.
Negative rep points for you for posting negatives in the positive forum

[mostie]

I like the lakes- where I'm from, there aren't many out that way- of course, there's the ocean, Pismo, Monterey, Frisco area- but it amazes me how a person can move just about anywhere around here, and there is an awesome lake within close proximity- last year we used to go to Lake St. Clair, a beach out that way (can't recall the name of it at the moment, old age creeping up on me I'm sure, lol)- it was huge, had a swimming pool, barbecue areas, it was just really nice- and cost a whopping 4 bucks to get in, big whoop! Where I'm from, you could drive 50 miles up to Avocado Lake (where actually, I've had numerous friends over the years who have drowned, thanks to the horrible undertow)- although it's pretty up there, there really isn't anything there- and the water itself is pretty dangerous- otherwise, if you wanted somewhere 'nice' to go for a day on the water, or around the water, you had to drive 90 miles or so to Monterey or Pismo, and once you got there of course the price of everything was astronomical- not so here in Michigan- you can take the entire family out to a nice beach area, let the kids swim in the pool for a dollar or two, have a nice barbecue, take your boat out on the lake, and spend a grand total of maybe 10 bucks- I think that's pretty awesome!

[azkidmom]

i left Livonia in June and though i don't miss the cold and snow i do miss:

biking the bike trail along I10 and through Hines Drive
College football season in the cool fall
Car Show (but not the cold weather in Jan)
Bead shows in Southfield
that cool car drive in august from pontiac to the end (on that road, you know)
ice cream at the handy dip in livonia on a hot summer day
lounging in my backyard pool on that hot summer day (i have a cool tub in phoenix)
good neighbors (not the bad ones)

[gichicago]

Specator Sports - Pound for pound Michigan has a good sports following, from Colleges to Pro (Cmon Lions!!).
Beaches - I've been to many beaches across the US and abroad, and still miss the fresh water and tranquility of Michigan Beaches
Snow (Western Michigan) - Snow actually sticks in the winter, and provices a beautiful setting.
Long Lazy Summers.....

[Coldjensens]

now given the posts on many of these threads, why hasn't someone fessed up and said that their favorite thing about Michigan is whining and complaining about it or putting it down? It seems to be a favorite past time for some.

[Maxine3]

OK, I'll start.
The only thing I don't like about Michigan is the government of the city of Detroit. Oh, and Jenny, of course. Oh, and the DPS board.
Why won't Detroit voters throw the bums out?

[remy186]

My favorite things are.....

Livonia Spree
Fireworks over the detriot river
Great Lakes Crossing
Summer rain
Freshly cut grass smell during a saturday on a summer day
Picnics at Kensington park
Sleding in Farmington hills
The playgrounds for children
Eatting ice cream in Plymouth while walking around town
Summer concerts in Plymouth park
Garage sales
Talking to friendly total strangers in line at the grocery store(no one does that but it MI)
Helpful and friendly people
The first spring day after a cold winter....Everyone calls in sick or plays hooky from school
Good drivers
Hot dogs at the ballgames
Sand Dunes
Best places to go camping
You can go fishing everywhere
Great Universities
Neighborhoods still have trees
Snow days from school (I still remember the excitement of watching the news reports for school closing.)

I love Michigan and always will.

Remy

[beachbabe17014]

Coney Islands
Oscoda and Tawas, MI- great beaches (Lake Huron), swimming, kayaking, fishing
Lots of summer festivals
You're never more than 2 minutes away from a Walgreens lol
Red Wings- Detroit has the greatest fans!

[michsnowlvr]

Theres so many things I like about MI.

But I think the best would be the 4 seasons: Yes, other places have 4 distinct seasons, but Im talking about what we DO with 4 seasons. It makes MI a step above (most of) the rest. I have visited many places in various seasons- California (SoCal), Missouri (St Louis), Illinois (Chicago), Indiana (northern), Ohio (all over), Florida (Orlando), Kentucky (northern), Wash DC, Maryland (northern), New York (Buffalo)....and nothing beats the variety of Michigan!

FALL- Im talking the crisp, cool fall days, where you have about 2 dozen choices to choose when you want a fall day at the cider mill/pumpkin patch/apple orchard, and plenty of nice fall color to choose from. (And also plenty of college football). No better Sunday lunch than a homemade cider mill donut, a crisp MI apple, and some homemade cider, while looking at the blazing foliage.

WINTER- People can gripe all they want, but winter is a picturesque wonderland. Winter snowfall ranges from 45" in metro-Detroit to 300" in the snowbelt of the western Upper Peninsula, and winter sports are plentiful throughout the state. And yes, I KNOW Colorado has beautiful blue skies where you can ski on 5 feet of snow with a temp of 50 degrees. But, really, Ill take the COLD along with the snow, thank you.

SPRING- Everything wakes up from its winter nap, people start to get out and enjoy things, and boy oh boy is that Tulip festival something to see!

SUMMER- As someone else said, there is a lake in close proximity to everything basically. I have seen the ocean before, yes its nice, but it is NOT the Great Lakes. There is so much to do in the water, that even in a sticky summer you can easily cool off. And win or lose, theres nothing like a Tigers game in downtown Detroit on a sultry summer evening.

[MittenDweller82]

Swimming in lake Superior to clear your thoughts
Being chased by horse flies on your mountain bike
Those crisp fall evenings where the sun is blinding bright
Seeing moose on Isle Royal
Being on a canoe on a remote river listening to wildlife