[jeffncandace]

I lived in Bay City TX for a couple of years. I was 8-9 years old and I remember it being so hot outside that AS A KID I didn't want to go outside and play!
TX can keep their summers. The cold is only bad for a coupla months here.
Just my opinion!

[magellan]

Having kids in school, it really wouldn't matter to us if Summer started in May instead of June, and lasted through September. They're in school so you can't do much at the lake or cottage. We got a late start on Spring this year because of that unusual cold spell and snow in April (which pretty much 8/10's of the country was also in a cold snap, not just us). I've never seen snow on the ground for Easter until this year (we have pictures of the kids at an Easter egg hunt digging for eggs in the snow). It was pretty horrible.

I would consider weather to be "beautiful" even in the winter. Snow covering the trees, brisk air, big snowflakes coming down, out for a walk, it can be quite breathtakingingly beautiful. As iamweasel said, it's that March/early April winter-like weather that gets depressing.

What does it matter whether the best weather comes from May - September (here), or if it comes in April/May and September/October? It's still 4 to 5 months. At least here the best weather comes during Summer break when you can actually take advantage of it. I've been in Georgia, the Carolinas and Florida in June, July and August and it seriously is unbearable to be outside. And you sweat ALL THE TIME, especially if you have a job that requires you wear a shirt and tie or suit. It's friggin disgusting if you ask me. The downside to winter and wearing a suit is you get salt on your shoes (big deal).

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by magellan

Having kids in school, it really wouldn't matter to us if Summer started in May instead of June, and lasted through September. They're in school so you can't do much at the lake or cottage. We got a late start on Spring this year because of that unusual cold spell and snow in April (which pretty much 8/10's of the country was also in a cold snap, not just us). I've never seen snow on the ground for Easter until this year (we have pictures of the kids at an Easter egg hunt digging for eggs in the snow). It was pretty horrible.

I would consider weather to be "beautiful" even in the winter. Snow covering the trees, brisk air, big snowflakes coming down, out for a walk, it can be quite breathtakingingly beautiful. As iamweasel said, it's that March/early April winter-like weather that gets depressing.

What does it matter whether the best weather comes from May - September (here), or if it comes in April/May and September/October? It's still 4 to 5 months. At least here the best weather comes during Summer break when you can actually take advantage of it. I've been in Georgia, the Carolinas and Florida in June, July and August and it seriously is unbearable to be outside. And you sweat ALL THE TIME, especially if you have a job that requires you wear a shirt and tie or suit. It's friggin disgusting if you ask me. The downside to winter and wearing a suit is you get salt on your shoes (big deal).

Amen! You can always bundle up to get warm but you can strip naked in a southern summer and you will still sweat buckets.

[khfar]

Originally Posted by jeffncandace

Amen! You can always bundle up to get warm but you can strip naked in a southern summer and you will still sweat buckets.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I have two young kids, and I HATE bundling them up every time we have to go somewhere in the winter. ICK.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by khfar

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I have two young kids, and I HATE bundling them up every time we have to go somewhere in the winter. ICK.

I have 3 small kids so I can agree that gets old. You are right, different strokes, to each his own, ect ect...

Just realized...what does any of this have to do with Michigan's economy!? LOL!

[khfar]

Originally Posted by jeffncandace

I have 3 small kids so I can agree that gets old. You are right, different strokes, to each his own, ect ect...

Just realized...what does any of this have to do with Michigan's economy!? LOL!

Surely there's some way we can tie it in, right? LOL! Like...the colder it is, the more coats we need to buy for us and our small children, thus helping the economy. There!

[magellan]

Originally Posted by khfar

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I have two young kids, and I HATE bundling them up every time we have to go somewhere in the winter. ICK.

Job #1: teach kids how to put coats and gloves on themselves.

It is a pain in the a**, but once you teach them to do it themselves (at about age 3 for us), it's a breeze. Have them do that trick where they lay their coat on the floor upside down (hood at their feet), put their hands in the sleeves, and flip the coat up over their heads. Works like a charm!

This has everything to do with Michigan. Coats are standard gear 6 months out of the year (I probably own 6 or 7 of them lol!).

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by magellan

Job #1: teach kids how to put coats and gloves on themselves.

It is a pain in the a**, but once you teach them to do it themselves (at about age 3 for us), it's a breeze. Have them do that trick where they lay their coat on the floor upside down (hood at their feet), put their hands in the sleeves, and flip the coat up over their heads. Works like a charm!

This has everything to do with Michigan. Coats are standard gear 6 months out of the year (I probably own 6 or 7 of them lol!).

Thanks! I would never have known this being from Cali.

[us2indaup]

Originally Posted by jjsnyder

. Ya know most people saying they can't find a job are the one who don't have the right degree or picked the wrong field to major in......... Detroit actually is in top 20 for job markets for one of the hottest. Check monster.com for that.

Woah! I COMPLETELY disagree! First, people have to realize that only a certain percentage of the workforce, in Michigan or anywhere else, has any degree at all! As for my husband & I, (and everyone else we know as a matter of fact), we're in non-professional, non-skilled occupations. These were the backbone of Michigan's economy, and Michigan has lost over 300,000 of these jobs since the year 2000. 300,000!!!!!
My husband worked for the State of MI for 16 years, but with the astronomical budget deficit, state employees are being cut left and right. I've been employed in manufacturing, and I am currently on indefinate layoff. We are very seriously considering relocating to one of the plains states. The Dakotas have very low unemployment rates and would still have a climate we could adjust to - although with considerably less snow (Gogebic County MI, where I live, averages 300 inches of snowfall annually).
Anything that can be done for Michigan's economy will be a long range plan that only our grandchildren will benefit from, and maybe they will return.

[trudawg]

Well after stumbling across this forum, looking for Michigan home forclosure alternative solutions I felt the need to chime in and give my perspective.
Yes of course many people are thriving and doing quite well in the Great Lake State, but many more aren't doing so well. Me being one of them. I work in the IT/Telecom field, have a degree yet couldn't find a permanent position for the life of me. Yes their are many people hiring for IT related fields but 90% of them are contract positions w/o benefits. I have been jumping from one contract to another for the past 4 years w/ the hopes of finding a permanent job w/ good benefits and the prospect of longevity. Didn't happen, and I ended up taking a position in Phoenix, AZ with a major utitlity company with the option of staying for as long as I want. Someone mentioned that Employers in MI have it good, because it's an employers market! That's the 100% truth, and as long as it's like that companies will continue to stick to contracting work instead of hiring permanent employees
I still currently own my home in Ypsilanti, MI and I'm renting it out. My mortgage is on a ARM's loan, which is in negative ammurization (sp?), and currently owe more than what I could sell it for, if it even sold.
Refinancing will be a challenge since my credit has taken a hit, from being out of work, and having a few 30 day lates. My options are limited, and I'm seriously considering a voluntary forclosure. The snow vs. long term sunshine is a mute point as far as I'm concerned. I'd stay in MI near my family and friends if I could only find a PERMANENT JOB
You can argue till the cows come home on how many people you know who are doing well, and are happy here, but the fact remains that Michigan is #2 in the NATION for unemployment (2nd to Mississippi), #50 in the NATION for home sales, and Detroit is #1 in the NATION for forclosures. If you're not one of the unlucky individuals affected by these staggering figures, then kudos to you, but don't think for one second because you aren't and don't know anyone that is that it doesn't exsist!
I live in sunny Phoenix AZ, I hate the traffic, the taxes, and (well that's abou it...lol) but I love waking up in the morning knowing wheather I'm going to have a job or not!!!!!