[darstar]

Originally Posted by susieJD

Before moving to northern Minnesota my husband and I thought about moving to the UP when we wanted to get out of the Battle Creek, MI area. After checking out the land prices there, we found that there would be no way that we could afford what they were asking. The problem seemed to be all of the lower MI people moving there or just using it for a vacation place and that drove the land prices out of this world.

We took a little 2 week fishing trip up to Canada, Pacwash Lake. While driving through MN, we noticed a few properties for sale and though we'd check them out. We found a 4 bedroom, one bath house with 40 acres of land (15 acres cleared) for $27,000.00 in the Baudette MN area. We bought it. Needless to say, we didn't look for property in the UP anymore.

I had a 5 acres veggies garden, we had a ton of deer for hubby to hunt and a town that everyone welcomed us. We made some of the best friends we've ever had. It's quite, peaceful and beautiful. We don't have to fight with traffic, tourists or money hungry land grabbers. There aren't people that are more concerned about themselves here, everyone looks out for everyone else. The people of the area thought it would be a nice thing to have a movie theater here. So we all pitched in and now we have a 1 screen movie house.

I don't think that you'll find anything like that in the UP.

Susie in MN

You need to get out and away from the more populated areas like Marquette to find those cheap ( at a price ) , homesteads. The UP has lots of them , especially in the interior. What we do have is lots of snow..but , not the extreme sub zero stuff that MN. is so proud of.
Anytime you are near a large body of water , land prices escalate. I am sure that along the Lake Superior shore in the Arrowhead , prices are equal to here in the UP. Ether way , we are all part of the Northern Tier , a part of the US ( and Canada ) , that holds a great future , untold natural wealth , scenic beauty , and a quality of living that the lower Midwest only envy.

[cs9810]

Originally Posted by darstar

Moving to the UP can be a shocking experience for some folks. We are remote , separated from Lower Michigan by more than just miles however. The culture is quite different also. People are more independent , innovative , honest , and trustworthy as a whole. That alone can be a shock for a lot of people who live in areas that are laden with crime, drugs , and lots of road traffic.

All that said , living here can be quite rewarding , peacefully , and uplifting , everyday that we look out at our natural suroundings....As far as jobs , take a look at the more urban areas , like Marquette. We have just been select as one of the twelve " distinctive Cities destinations" by the Preservation Trust. So far voting for the number one slot is up to the People. Marquette is far out in the running and it looks like we will win hands down against the other eleven contender cities all over the Country. It is a wonderful place , you should be happy here...... From personal experience , I came up from the Kazoo area 3 years ago...and will never go back. Good luck in your quest ,...like I always say , ...its not for everyone , but for those who from time to time feel a little isolated or detached from the outside...just go down to Big Lake Superior, sit, look out at the waves , the horizon , and the shoreline...you will be renewed , will be gratefull for the choice you made.

Thanks for the info. The more we hear the more it sounds like it is for us. What would you say the hardest adjustment was? Isolation is a good thing in my opinion. We love to be out in nature. Do you have grocery stores thru the UP or does everyone have to drive to one main area to buy regular items?

[michigan83]

People are more independent , innovative , honest , and trustworthy as a whole. That alone can be a shock for a lot of people who live in areas that are laden with crime, drugs , and lots of road traffic.

Whoa there... the entire lower-peninsula is not a cesspool or a concrete jungle. Good grief. I take offense to the claim that people in the UP are more "honest and trustworthy" than in my home in the LP. It's not all Detroit, for Pete's sake.

[michmoldman]

We got lost in the woods about 25 miles east of Grand Marais last year on our way to Munising. The main dirt road we needed to take was under construction, so we had to make our way through a maze of one-lane trails.....it was AWESOME!!

[darstar]

Originally Posted by Michigan

Whoa there... the entire lower-peninsula is not a cesspool or a concrete jungle. Good grief. I take offense to the claim that people in the UP are more "honest and trustworthy" than in my home in the LP. It's not all Detroit, for Pete's sake.

Sorry to put it that way...and I can see why my statement offended you...local pride being what it is...everywhere. Fact is , if there was more civic pride , a lot of the less than desirable areas in Lower Michigan might improve , or at the lest , become a safer place to live.... I have friends in Detroit and they also might be offended if I called their city a cesspool , at lest the neighborhood they live in anyway.

It would be wrong to paint the whole LP as a bad place , same goes for any other place that has such diversity. That being said , personally , I DO feel safer here in the UP than I did in rural Van Buren County , or in outlying Washtnew County where I lived long ago. It may be all about perception as we compare places, experiences , and lifestyles , yet , when I packed it all up, hooked up the wagon and headed North , a feeling of Peace, freedom , and security came over me...as I crossed the big bridge , headed for Marquette , one last time...( I hope ). Could be our isolation ( perceived or not ) , has something to do with all this. Insulation is not only what we need here in the winter , its also what we proudly desire, while being part of the Northern Tier , and not of lower Michigan, there is a difference.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by cs9810

Thanks for the info. The more we hear the more it sounds like it is for us. What would you say the hardest adjustment was? Isolation is a good thing in my opinion. We love to be out in nature. Do you have grocery stores Thur the UP or does everyone have to drive to one main area to buy regular items?

The UP is a big place. 400 miles wide. Like any other State there are different pros and cons , depending on the local area. The biggest adjustment you will have ( coming from SW MI. ) most likely will come from the prospective of your children. Kids are that way , ...quick to form opioins... That said , they are also the ones that seem to adjust before parents do , so......who knows. What I am saying is mostly social. If you pick a larger City like Marquette , the adjustment is small , as its like any other Midwestern city , with all the basic stores , entertainment , though a bit more outdoors orientated. Hockey is big time here , all the kids are involved. Olympic sports in general are king. Marquette is the training ground for a lot of the sports..

As far as grocery stores , we are not big on chain stores . The total Population won't support it , yet , we have Econo Foods across the UP , several Walmarts , Lowe's, Home depot , and Menards...in the larger cities.
You must experience the place , all ends and the middle...its hard to paint a broad brush that fits every geographical region.

[Giesela]

I know, green tomatoes. Why have a garden if you can't grow tomatoes?
You get too far away from Marquette - better hope your kids don't have an accident. That's my second issue. Emergency health care, or just plain health care. I wish I had done it in my youth. Now that I'm over 50 the idea of living next to near the middle of nowhere sounds a little more daunting. Although if I was a mother of young kids I would worry too.
If I was looking for a place I think what I would do is track down all the EMT/health care nodes, put them on a map and draw a mileage rings around it. Then figure out how long it will take someone to (or you to drive to them) get to you.
I'm not trying to deter anyone, but I get the impression that the UP has seen far more people who came and went than came and stayed. And all of them were enthusiastic and all of them were sure its what they wanted.
The advice from locals of spending lots of time in various seasons (bug season, snow season) before making the jump is a good one.

[Perferator]

The UP is the only place I've seen what looks to be a common housefly that has a vicious flesh eating attitude. We wont mention the mosquitoes and blackflies.

[susieJD]

Originally Posted by darstar

You need to get out and away from the more populated areas like Marquette to find those cheap ( at a price ) , homesteads. The UP has lots of them , especially in the interior. What we do have is lots of snow..but , not the extreme sub zero stuff that MN. is so proud of.
Anytime you are near a large body of water , land prices escalate. I am sure that along the Lake Superior shore in the Arrowhead , prices are equal to here in the UP. Ether way , we are all part of the Northern Tier , a part of the US ( and Canada ) , that holds a great future , untold natural wealth , scenic beauty , and a quality of living that the lower Midwest only envy.

Envy? Sorry Charlie....there's a thing called "Quality of Life" and if you look at all the statistics you'll see that life is better in the Midwest. Our temperatures are only a little different then the UP. Our property taxes lot lower here. 40 acre homestead and we only pay $250.00 (two hundred and fifty dollars) for the entire year. The prices in Grand Maria are equal to what you would pay in the UP. But you get a lot more house and a lot more property.

Don't forget...as I said, I've been there and done that with the UP.

Susie

[darstar]

Originally Posted by susieJD

Envy? Sorry Charlie....there's a thing called "Quality of Life" and if you look at all the statistics you'll see that life is better in the Midwest. Our temperatures are only a little different then the UP. Our property taxes lot lower here. 40 acre homestead and we only pay $250.00 (two hundred and fifty dollars) for the entire year. The prices in Grand Maria are equal to what you would pay in the UP. But you get a lot more house and a lot more property.

Don't forget...as I said, I've been there and done that with the UP.

Susie

The UP IS part of the Midwest , what the LP is not , is part of the Northern tier as is N. MN. As far a quality of life , so much depends on your prospective, as relates to job , family , lack of crime , clean air and water...and just the life style you like or can except. Northern MN. has temp. spikes to 40 below or more , not uncommon. So does Wisconsin , your friendly neibor...yet , up here in the UP , our winters are warmer , by quite a bit. We are warmed by the big lakes. More snow ,yes , but it is a dry snow, humidity is low year round. You have hot summers in some parts...we seldom do. No AC is needed here , and that , falls into that quality of life thing...in my way of thinking.

Northern MN, in parts , shares a lot of other things with the UP. Its not a debate in my way of thinking , as when you get away from Lake Superior , in ether State , things do change. You just have more land area than we do that is away from the big water , which , can reflect on more of the extremes in weather ( You are closer to the Great Plains ). ... The coldest I have ever been was in N. MN. , I will never forget that experience , but , if land prices are your only measure , well then , maybe its worth it.