[Dr.Jim]

Americans migrate to D.C. and Alaska but avoid California, Florida - Sep. 25, 2009

Interesting info.
It's figures like these,....if accurate that reflect more and more that change is needed. Not to just to keep people, but to entice new people to move here.
Even with everything thats going on with the big 3, Mi has sooo many other great areas than 'just DT', I am surprised it landed last.

And on that note,...talk about a jobless, expense state to live? Alaska is one of the top 3 that had the most people moving there!

[michmoldman]

Our turn will come. Enjoy it while it lasts.

[Dr.Jim]

Enjoy it?
Enjoy what?

It's not exactly a good thing in case you haven't noticed.

[Toymeister]

The truth is people care about beauty of the state, low cost of living, the schools, roads and a zillion other things but the number one thing is JOBS.

High unemployment = few people. No jobs = people leave which equals a worse situation for those that stay. Your taxes go up, the roads get worse, the schools cut services and in turn more people leave.

To breaK the cycle you need a bail out! well not really but it sure sounds good.

[GraniteStater]

^
The business tax rate or corporate tax rate in MI needs to be looked at closely in order to spur new employment growth.

[Dr.Jim]

Many things probably need to be looked at.

Alaska though? AFAIK jobs are few, cost of living is epic, and the 'fairest' parts of AK are more brutal than the UP......yet it has the highest rate of people moving there. Just odd.

Agree regarding jobs. Everyone I know in Mi is at least 2 degrees of seperation from someone affected by unemployment. I guess I still have trouble following why large areas of MI that are unrelated to the auto industry seem to be suffering more than other states as well. I understand the auto related issues,....but the other industries as well?

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

The truth is people care about beauty of the state, low cost of living, the schools, roads and a zillion other things but the number one thing is JOBS.

High unemployment = few people. No jobs = people leave which equals a worse situation for those that stay. Your taxes go up, the roads get worse, the schools cut services and in turn more people leave.

To breaK the cycle you need a bail out! well not really but it sure sounds good.

By this logic, the least populated states would be the most run down and dismal places int eh country, but this is not so. You do not need incessant growth and huge mobs of people to have a nice state. Many underpopulated states are great places and maintained in nice condition.

[xlabel]

American is burning the candle on both ends.....they're high tailing it out of FL on one end and MI on the other, and they're headin for dem dare hills. Sit tight......once they realize the hills ain't all that and a cup of tea, they'll be back.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

By this logic, the least populated states would be the most run down and dismal places int eh country, but this is not so. You do not need incessant growth and huge mobs of people to have a nice state. Many underpopulated states are great places and maintained in nice condition.

Huh, how is that working out for you?

Bottom Line as Michigan loses jobs and does not replace them people will leave. This will take time. While this happens there will be a downward spiral. It will take a fairly longtime. Perhaps 20 years or more. The current economic woes of Michigan came to a head with the crash of the car industry. That has been 2 years. Ask yourself this how has Michigan fared compared to the remainder of the nation over the past 2 years?

In truth with a shrinkage of infrastructure and most inportantly people expectations, Michigan will do do quite fine. Sparsely populated states have fewer parks, less for special needs kids and so on. That is fine so long as you realize that there is a trade off and you have strong enough political leadership to pull it off.