[I_Want_Snow]

I am looking for which cities are considered to be part of the "snow-belt" in the lower peninsula of MI. Could someone provide me with a list of cities or show me where on a map, or maybe what the counties are and I can research the cities in those counties? Or a website that has the average snow fall for these cities/counties?

I was born and raised in MI just south of Ann Arbor and spent the first 30 yrs of my life there. I have been living in the south for the past 5 years: FL for 3 1/2 yrs and now GA for the past 1 1/2 years. Needless to say I HATE IT!! I am sick and tired of all the humidity and constant heat. So I am moving back to MI next summer with $28,000 in cash and zero bills.

I am starting to get A.D.D about where I want to live. I want to either go live closer to Detroit in a rural area, or I want to go somewhere that gets LOTS of SNOW!! I already started a thread asking about jobs in the U.P. and now I am starting this one for the lower peninsula.

Like I said, I will have $$ saved up, I have zero bills, I am in my mid 30's and single. I work in IT/Telecommunications and have over 11 years experience. Don't really care about how much $$ I make, just as long as I can get a decent place and put food on the table.

Can anyone help me out with towns/cities that get LOTS of snow and that I will have a possibility to get a job with the local phone/cable company, or any IT job for that matter.

Thanks

[ronaldjake]

I live in Gaylord and we usually get plenty of snow. The economy is bad and Im leaving after living here for over 40 years. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Michigansnowflake]

Try Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Elk Rapids, Boyne City, East Jordan......plenty, plenty of snow ....though the job situation might not be what you wish for!

[michmoldman]

You will get more rain and mud in Detroit than most places north of there. If you want tons of snow, either the U.P or almost anywhere along lake Mi.

[jeanniepep]

I was going to say Lake Michigan too. I'm not sure what the job situation is over there but they always get hammered with TONS of snow every winter. There are some really fun towns over there like South Haven, Saugatuck, Holland.

[TheCatWishedThatItWasABee]

Anywhere near Lake Michigan up north will give you lots of snow. I grew up in Harbor Springs and we got bombed every year. Gaylord is really bad for snow (in terms of, they get a LOT) but in my own opinion, I hate Gaylord (sorry). Harbor is great because of the ski resorts...great school district...great people.

[Coldjensens]

Look at the West Side of the state. The economy is a little bit better there and they seem to get more snow. Plus it is really pretty.

[XelaGuy]

While living in Lansing I always longed for more snow to do go x-c skiing. Some years it was great, others not so. So, in a word, "unpredictable" in Lansing. It's just outside the snowbelt.

[Wulf67]

This seems to be an accurate map.

[needing more]

What a great map- Wulf! Where did you get it?

Live in SW MI now.. we get between 50-70 inches a yr.. any place west of the lakes will get lake effect snow fall.. Nice cities are Traverse City (good for younger people and about the only happening place north of lansing-GR areas), Petosky- Harbor Springs area is pricey though..but Ludington is nice though. Detroit area is depressing right now and doesnt get the snow, just lots of slush and mud all winter long.

If you are looking at settling down and starting a family at some point you might want to think about that too.. Iron Mountain gets a TON of snow and is breathetaking BUT... not much of a life up there or other single people to meet... Maybe if you tell us what kind of lifestyle you are looking for that might help...