[darstar]

Originally Posted by 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.

Last spring we had very few bad bugs, not a problem, year before , different story , it varys year to year. A lot depends on how close you are to the Big Water...another reason , I chose Marquette.

[Lindseyup67]

Originally Posted by cs9810

Hi, My husband and I have 3 kids. We homeschool and live in the country. We raise animals and have gardens and love where we live. We are between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo now, but we would like to move up to the UP. My husband is currently in pest control. Any advise on a good fit? Any one know anything about pest control jobs up there? Thanks,

I do not think there is a big need for pest control up here. To my knowlege there is not a big problem (if any) with cockroaches or termites, and as far as mice and such, the locals take care of it themselves. Looking in the phone book, there are 4 pest control companies which seem to cover the Marquette area(if not the entire U.P.) so that should tell you something!

[cs9810]

Thanks everyone! You have shared alot of good info!!

[Java Jolt]

I have always admired Marquette, beautiful town with preserved historical landmarks.

The climate leaves a lot to be desired though, you're lucky to see the sun for much of the winter. The nicest time of year is summer, highs are usually in the 70s but I remember some summer days being very warm and sticky with highs in the 90s.

[Perferator]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

I have always admired Marquette, beautiful town with preserved historical landmarks.

The climate leaves a lot to be desired though, you're lucky to see the sun for much of the winter. The nicest time of year is summer, highs are usually in the 70s but I remember some summer days being very warm and sticky with highs in the 90s.

That was before global warming settled in

[darstar]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

I have always admired Marquette, beautiful town with preserved historical landmarks.

The climate leaves a lot to be desired though, you're lucky to see the sun for much of the winter. The nicest time of year is summer, highs are usually in the 70s but I remember some summer days being very warm and sticky with highs in the 90s.

For the most part , you do not need AC if your near Lake Superior. My new home does not have AC , I did not budget for it...a waste of energy.
The winter days are not sun less. Feb.-March are very sunny ( our most severe months for cold and snow ). The solar gain in the winter can make for a savings in heating cost, as long as you have a south east exposure.

The most noticeable thing about the weather in Marquette , is its a dry cold , and in summer a dry heat. Seldom do we ever have sticky days like you describe. fact is , Most people look forward to multiple warming days in the summer , as that warms the Lake enough to swim in. The cold months ( Jan-Feb.) seldom get below O F. Winter days are typical in the 20s , morning sun , afternoon snow showers.

[dori36]

Originally Posted by Giesela

I'd love it too and have thought about it. But I'm a big gardener, and it is hard on animals whether they be livestock (and harder on you to take care of them) or dogs (that need to be walked). I'm just saying. Gardening season being too short is a big player for me.

On the livestock note, if you're thinking of raising cattle (directed at the OP), note that the UP is the only remaining truly TB free area of Michigan. Although a cattle raiser has to submit to random TB testing from time to time, it is much freer and easier to raise cattle in the UP than in the rest of the messed up state. I raised cattle in Wyoming for many years (the state of) and can tell you that with proper care, they are hardier and better doing than cattle from hot, humid areas. Cold and snow isn't inherently unhealthy for livestock. I moved them all here to lower MI when I came back in 2003 and much preferred the WY climate and culture for livestock. I believe the UP would more closely reflect the WY culture for you. I don't think that the livestock issue should be a negative factor for you.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by darstar

For the most part , you do not need AC if your near Lake Superior. My new home does not have AC , I did not budget for it...a waste of energy.
The winter days are not sun less. Feb.-March are very sunny ( our most severe months for cold and snow ). The solar gain in the winter can make for a savings in heating cost, as long as you have a south east exposure.

The most noticeable thing about the weather in Marquette , is its a dry cold , and in summer a dry heat. Seldom do we ever have sticky days like you describe. fact is , Most people look forward to multiple warming days in the summer , as that warms the Lake enough to swim in. The cold months ( Jan-Feb.) seldom get below O F. Winter days are typical in the 20s , morning sun , afternoon snow showers.

I used to live near Marquette and always looked forward to the summer because it was usually so pleasant.

I do recall some very warm days at times, to me the air felt sticky the few times it got hot.

Maybe it's just me, I don't take to heat very well. I've been living in Arizona for about 14 years and always gasp everytime May comes around, knowing we have about 5 or 6 months of searing heat.

[darstar]

Where you live will always be tempered by where you are from, when it comes to weather. Coming from down stare Michigan to the UP has meant to me , cooler summers , dry cold winters , more snow winters , and more sunshine year round. The sun is much more intense up here , but the air almost always has a coolness to it. Overall , much more pleasent than the extremes found in other parts of the Midwest. Keep in mind , Marquette is on the shore of Lake Superior, it protects us from extreams in cold and heat...but it does give us a lot of snow. If you hate snow , look elsewhere, but remember the trade offs. I will take lots of snow over damp cold spikes any day. Also , we have few days of ice storms like the mid south gets , and that was unacceptable to me , with many days of power outages and downed power lines.
Amother thing we do not have is tornadoes , earthquakes , and hurricanes. I have lived in places with all of these weather disasters....believe me , this climate trumps them all as a safe place to live.

[Luzette]

The UP sounds like such a paradise with access to Lake Superior. I keep thinking about moving there, but I don't believe I could tolerate so much snow. I'm just not a winter person so even down here in the LP it's very hard for me. I like 80 degree days and really don't mind when the temps hit 90. Folks like me keep trying to decide where to live because I'm more suited to warmer parts of the country, but I know I'd miss our Great Lakes. I love these threads about the UP. I've learned a lot about them. The only other place I think I would like outside of Michigan would be Virginia or New Mexico.