[and the]

Which law school will you be attending?

[Meg Lesher]

I see you're leaning towards Rochester. It has a good reputation as a safe place. Troy is near there and was in one of the big rags as one of the safest towns in the country. Pontiac, also near there, not so safe and not so nice. It is true that the winter is a tad gentler in this part of the state, compared to around Grand Rapids and GVSU. M.S.U. has a reputation as a party school so if you want quiet, you probably want to avoid the E. Lansing area.

[khfar]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

HAHAHA!
I can't get enough of Texans actually buying into that myth that everything is better in Texas. What's really funny is if you're from S.A you know that real Mexicans laugh at TexMex. Rosario's anyone?
The best Mexican food (Interior) I had when I was in Texas was Los Barrios on Blanco in S.A and Javier's in Dallas, but neither is noticebly better than say, Mexican Village up here.
There are Mexicans in Michigan who cook it just like they do down there,
the fact that they're frying it up in Texas doesn't make it taste any better.

As for Cooley Law School. Congratulations! Cooley has been getting a lot
of National exposure the last few years and I've only heard great things about it.
Their campus in Grand Rapids is easy access and in a cool part of down.
I loooove Grand Rapids so that's of course where I would choose.

Javier's in Dallas is an amazing restaurant, but it's more Mexico City style of Mexican food. Don't get me wrong, I love that food, but yes, I also love Tex Mex. And New Mexico style Mexican, too. And...are you a Texan? I don't know many people here that "laugh" at Tex Mex. And I have a lot of Mexican friends. I am positive that there ARE Mexican places in Michigan, and you can bet that I will find them! But you have to admit that they are few and far between.

Like I said earlier, we are used to having Mex joints all over the city, in Texas. And I think we are picky as to what we think is actually "GOOD".

If you can turn me on to any good Mexican restaurants in the burbs, please do so! We've tried quite a few, but the hot sauce and the enchiladas were just not what we are used to.

[khfar]

I can't get enough of Texans actually buying into that myth that everything is better in Texas.

Well, when you are born and raised here, you kind of DO think that way. I'm sure it is that way in any state, actually. And quite frankly, from the way most people on this board talk about Michigan...Texas IS better. Better economy, nicer people (visit the TX boards, and you'll see what I mean...no one is "laughing" at others for their opinions,) better weather, etc.

I'm probably being a little grouchy here, but that comment really ticked me off.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by khfar

Well, when you are born and raised here, you kind of DO think that way. I'm sure it is that way in any state, actually. And quite frankly, from the way most people on this board talk about Michigan...Texas IS better. Better economy, nicer people (visit the TX boards, and you'll see what I mean...no one is "laughing" at others for their opinions,) better weather, etc.

I'm probably being a little grouchy here, but that comment really ticked me off.

I don't think you can make a broad general assessment of whether people are nicer in one area over another based on a single message board. Especially since this forum is geared toward relocation, and it is a hot button issue in Michigan right now. It's bound to draw the people who are looking at moving out of Michigan due to job loss or some other reason, which always brings out the best in people.

I hope I haven't rubbed you wrong in any way. If so, my apologies.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

One of the best kept secrets about Metro Detroit is the existence of older, walkable, main-street-type towns in Oakland County. They generally developed along Woodward Ave and the railroad that parallels it to this day. Before I visited Detroit, I expected either blight or bland, strip-mall suburbia based on its reputation. I was surprised to find these towns with most of their character intact. Rochester is further out, but it is an older town in the same vein that was connected to this area thanks to a street car route to Royal Oak via Rochester Rd.

Metro Detroit is also unusual in that many of the "power law firms" and opportunities in general will probably reside in the 'burbs due to the decline of the city proper. "Birmingham" on the address has as much clout if not more in the region than Detroit. Having "Ardmore" instead of Philadelphia, "Lake Forest" instead Chicago, or "Belvedere" instead of San Francisco just does not have the same gravitas to it for a major firm, regardless of how prestigious the town is.

I've never lived in Rochester, but I'm sure others can chime in about the nitty-gritty.

I love Cato's posts. Always well written and right on target.

This is right on. I would say go to Rochester and if you don't want to live there, check out the Woodward corridor in Oakland county.

Cato is right, most people are not aware that Detroit's suburbs are some of the best in the world, IMHO. We just moved here from So Cal last year and live in Royal Oak. We absolutely love it here!

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by jackrackham

I bet when you are done with law school you are out of michigan with the rest of the more intelligent population

That's interesting. Most of the adults I see leaving are high school grads in manufacturing who have lost their turn-screw jobs. These are the ones who usually post the vitriolic comments on here about the world collapsing in MI. On my block, the young couples who have moved in during the last two years from out of the region are all college-educated, mostly with advanced degrees - none with auto-related jobs. U of M people leave the state, but so do people who attend the University of Virginia, Cal, Illinois, Wisconsin, etc., etc., etc. That's the plight of having a top-notch state school. The OP will probably leave after law school, but she was never "here" to begin with. The school is drawing outsiders who at least have a chance at staying. At the least, she will see Michigan and will hopefully leave with a positive image in her mind. Despite all its problems, Philadelphia definitely left a positive overall impression on me that I carry to this day in MI.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by jackrackham

I bet when you are done with law school you are out of michigan with the rest of the more intelligent population

Jack, your posts are inflammatory in nature. You are allowed to voice a contrary opinion, but change your tone please.

[M TYPE X]

While Oakland County suburbs are nice, they really still don't make up for a viable downtown city center in the heart of the metroplex. The Big Beaver corridor isn't a real downtown.

University of Michigan graduates have a greater tendency and/or expectation to leave the state than University of Illinois grads, who of course already have Chicagoland. There are likely a number of Wisconsin grads here in Illinois. Penn State grads move in east coast circles.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by M TYPE X

While Oakland County suburbs are nice, they really still don't make up for a viable downtown city center in the heart of the metroplex. The Big Beaver corridor isn't a real downtown.

University of Michigan graduates have a greater tendency and/or expectation to leave the state than University of Illinois grads, who of course already have Chicagoland. There are likely a number of Wisconsin grads here in Illinois. Penn State grads move in east coast circles.

If I were to consider just one part of OC to be the "downtown", it wouldnt be Big Beaver. I would definately say Woodward.