[kaypurdue]

After browsing this forum for a while, I think I must be a nutcase for wanting to stay here in MI, even putting down roots!

I do work in the auto industry, but I'm fairly certain it is secure at least for now (I work on a dealer helpline that serves all of the U.S. and Canada) and I make enough to get the bills paid and live simply but happily. It's not my dream job (I have a bachelor's in English, had no desire to teach), but since I don't really know what my dream job is, it works pretty well for now! I don't need a huge house, fancy car or boat... could be just me though. *shrug*

I am buying my first house this summer in the city of Flint, which for the most part is a hellhole but is slowly improving. Took the city leaders a few tries to figure out that a magic bullet is not going to fix things overnight (i.e., the giant blunder that was AutoWorld). I'm ready to settle down at least semi-permanently but have been priced out of the suburbs, so I crunched the numbers and figured out can get a place in the city for around $50K, in good shape and in a safe neighborhood. Plus I can start getting involved in community/civic activities... something I really want to do. I would just volunteer all the time if I didn't need to make money, LOL.

Can someone please assure me I haven't lost my mind?

[Meg Lesher]

As a Michigan native, I've seen this state through some changes. If you have a secure job, and can pay your bills, and you like the state, then why worry what others think? I wouldn't live in Flint because I find it depressed, but that's just me. I don't really know the town, just its reputation, and a few first hand glimpses. Maybe you're fine and dandy, but I'd sure make sure if I were you that you follow good security measures at home and out and about.

[kaypurdue]

I'm also a Michigan native and I really do like it here. I have no burning desire to really be anywhere else, so I might as well stay.

I grew up just outside of Flint and know that it needs a lot of TLC... but they are slowly working on it. When I was attending classes at UM-Flint, I found myself downtown more than I ever had been before and was hooked by the history of the city, the old historic buildings and houses, and here and there little glimpses of character beyond the boarded-up buildings and crack houses. I'm willing to stay and give it a chance.

Many of the homes I have looked at are in relatively safe neighborhoods... and a good number I found had security systems already installed. Once or twice, the selling agents have forgotten to give my real estate agent the code to turn the system off... oops! Cops never showed up, though... could be a good or bad thing!!

[adler2u]

If you like it here and can afford to live here, stay here, some people like snow and cold, I do not so am leaving, this state will turn around, I just feel [and am not alone] that it will take 5 to 15 years depending on the auto industry.
I do not feel the auto industry will turn around anytime soon. with gas at 3$ a gal, people are not buying cars much less us cars.
Hummers have to go the way of the dodo.
I know many people who love this state and would not trade it for the world, I have lived in southern states and love it there much more, but my opinion is only good for me and those who share it.
If it is not your opinion it is like a A hole, we all have one and think ours does not stink.
The only bone I have to pick with many here is the ostrich sand mentality, Things in michigan are not at bottom, and will not IMO be there for a few years.
Real estate is a looser now, and the auto industry is a looser. and many business spins off of these two.
So unless you have an income that you do not have to work for you can enjoy the cheap cars you can buy and homes you can steal.

[Angel Bear]

I say to stay if your heart tells you to do so.

For me, I really need to have some new energy in my life so that's why we are researching the relocation bit.

Michigan will turn around. Plus, we can't have everyone leaving We need some to stay and be leaders to bring Michigan to its next stage of evolution. I hand it to and respect anyone who is going to do this.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by kaypurdue

After browsing this forum for a while, I think I must be a nutcase for wanting to stay here in MI, even putting down roots!

I do work in the auto industry, but I'm fairly certain it is secure at least for now (I work on a dealer helpline that serves all of the U.S. and Canada) and I make enough to get the bills paid and live simply but happily. It's not my dream job (I have a bachelor's in English, had no desire to teach), but since I don't really know what my dream job is, it works pretty well for now! I don't need a huge house, fancy car or boat... could be just me though. *shrug*

I am buying my first house this summer in the city of Flint, which for the most part is a hellhole but is slowly improving. Took the city leaders a few tries to figure out that a magic bullet is not going to fix things overnight (i.e., the giant blunder that was AutoWorld). I'm ready to settle down at least semi-permanently but have been priced out of the suburbs, so I crunched the numbers and figured out can get a place in the city for around $50K, in good shape and in a safe neighborhood. Plus I can start getting involved in community/civic activities... something I really want to do. I would just volunteer all the time if I didn't need to make money, LOL.

Can someone please assure me I haven't lost my mind?

You haven't lost your mind. Just like a previous poster said, if you love it here and have a job and can get a steal in the real estate market, hey! To each his own! Do yo thang! LOL Who cares what a bunch of doom-and-gloomers on a blog think?
I just moved to Michigan from southern California last July. I flew out here in June to interview with prospective employers. I flew back to Cali with 3 job offers. The rules of "everything sucks in Michigan" do not apply to everyone, everywhere. We live in Royal Oak and wouldn't move back to California if you paid us. Michigan is less crowded, has better schools, better healthcare, better air, is MUCH more family friendly...I could go on.
Screw the haters! I haven't heard much good about Flint, but if you found a deal in a good neighborhood, and you work there, then why not? I say best of luck to you!

[jeeg]

Fellow native Michigan lover here! We actually chose to move to the U.P. from the Grand Rapids region. Everyone told us we were crazy because the U.P. was even worse off then the rest of the state! Whatever. We're here and prospering more then we ever did downstate. It's all in what you choose to make of it!

[Michigan Aaron]

Exactly....I'm a healthcare professional and Michigan native who's moving to Petoskey next month after being in the south for over 20 years. I acquired a skill and am going to put everything I've learned back into Michigan by living, working and investing there. There is opportunity is Michigan, you just have to make the extra effort if you really love it there and want to stay.

[MainStreet]

Originally Posted by kaypurdue

After browsing this forum for a while, I think I must be a nutcase for wanting to stay here in MI, even putting down roots!

I do work in the auto industry, but I'm fairly certain it is secure at least for now (I work on a dealer helpline that serves all of the U.S. and Canada) and I make enough to get the bills paid and live simply but happily. It's not my dream job (I have a bachelor's in English, had no desire to teach), but since I don't really know what my dream job is, it works pretty well for now! I don't need a huge house, fancy car or boat... could be just me though. *shrug*

I am buying my first house this summer in the city of Flint, which for the most part is a hellhole but is slowly improving. Took the city leaders a few tries to figure out that a magic bullet is not going to fix things overnight (i.e., the giant blunder that was AutoWorld). I'm ready to settle down at least semi-permanently but have been priced out of the suburbs, so I crunched the numbers and figured out can get a place in the city for around $50K, in good shape and in a safe neighborhood. Plus I can start getting involved in community/civic activities... something I really want to do. I would just volunteer all the time if I didn't need to make money, LOL.

Can someone please assure me I haven't lost my mind?

I don't think you have lost your mind. I am a Michigan native and made a huge mistake of moving to Indiana in the late 80's. Although Zionsville is a wonderful town, excellent schools, Indianapolis and the rest of the state for that matter is very backwards and poorly managed. The amount of crime against children here is astounding!!! I plan on moving back to Michigan as soon as I can.

After seeing a lot of this country and living in Indianapolis, Michigan, despite the economy (which is bad everywhere) is the only place for live IMO.

[Great Lake Boy]

Michigan 4 Eva!

Don't get me wrong residing in FL between Nov. - Mar. sounds very appealing! However I am never leaving Michigan! My ashes will be dispersed into Lake Michigan as my final resting grounds!

I don't think your crazy! Stay and fight the fight! Bring back our state and it's many cities! Michigan will rise again!