[jimdc58]

I am looking at the possibility of moving to Michigan to start a used bookstore. I would definitely want a liberal area, however. Outside of Ann Arbor, are there other liberal (socially and politically) areas in Michigan. I understand Bay City and Saginaw might be in that category.

I definitely know enough to stay away from Grand Rapids.

[chiroptera]

I'm guessing you're talking about liberal-progressive rather than liberal-blue collar? I'm thinking maybe up around Traverse City, Cheboygan, Petoskey....that's just a guess.
If you go to Sperlings (google it) there is a breakdown of registered voters by party affiliation, that will give you an idea - you can perhaps extrapolate from there.
I kind of doubt Bay City/Saginaw is what you're looking for.

[jimdc58]

Thanks for the feedback. I based my thoughts on Bay City / Saginaw purely on the vote in the last two elections. Of course, that could easily be blue collar, not progressive.

I'll check out the site you mentioned, and the towns you mentioned.

[chiroptera]

Definitely blue-collar Democrat, not the sort of socially progressive/bookish/liberal demographic you are looking for!
Flint MI and Detroit both voted heavily Democrat - but neither city is known for being progressive or intellectual at all - very much the opposite, I'd say.
Most of MI is extremely provincial, with the possible exception of A2 and maybe a couple of enclaves here & there, maybe the up-north places I mentioned (not sure), Royal Oak perhaps - but that is a bit pricey.
Good luck in your search.

[mich2fla]

Check out Saugatuck MI...known for unique shops and alternative lifestyle. It's a nice little town that is busy from May to October.

[Parrott133]

I'd think twice about starting any small business in MI. Our economy is very bad right now and it seems to be getting worse. We live in Jackson -home of the Republican party -and another 400 jobs were lost last week.

[Angel Bear]

I like Royal Oak and Ferndale personally, although I live in Utica/Shelby Twp. area right now. Berkley is a nice town nearby those areas that is youthful and up and coming I believe

I went to college in Ann Arbor...To me, it's the best city to live in the entire state

[b.fenn]

Royal Oak - Ferndale area is as liberal as it gets here outside A-squared.

[b.fenn]

A-squared has the lowest unemployment rate in the state, look at the city data for a number of towns and you'll see that its not as bad everywhere as it may be in Jackson, or K-zoo, my old home town.

[b.fenn]

Royal Oak is pricey because the homes are so small or old everywhere there save for a few neighborhoods.
The whole state is not at all provincial, individual people are. There is a dirth of academic institutions here, and a historic capacity to rise into the middle class without a college degree is the cause.
Nonetheless, having lived all over this country and state, I can tell that there is a rather cosmopolitan atmosphere in several large cities and in Metro particularly. Provincialism may reign in the countryside, but that is the case in the grand majority of the country, save for western Mass., southwestern Connecticut, and other such places.