[Hanne]

gsmith, southwestern Ohio.

[vassarkristi]

I would pick Frankfort. I use to work at Camp Crystalarie and it is located there. You might also check out Rose City.

[Hanne]

Thanks. I just looked up both Frankfort and Rose City. Both areas could be a fit. What can you tell me about the two places?
Thanks!

[Rohan]

Oscoda is out, my mother lives there, that place is too backward and redneckish. Nice area for visiting, not to live.

Petosky would easily be the best choice... Plenty of cheap land, FANTASTIC progressive/artsy city that is up and coming in a big way. Live outside Petosky, have plenty of room, but be close enough to the city to enjoy all it offers.

[Hanne]

Rohan, we must be quirky....maybe that's why we're heading north for retirement rather than joining the mass migration to Florida. By redneck, I think of intolerant, land-abusive, incurious people. It's more a mindset rather than an income level, to me. And that is something I want to avoid.....We're totally not into fashionable stuff, but rather nature, out-of-doors pursuits, and the arts. So goes the search for a good fit for us.....
Thanks!

[SLEVENTIS]

In case you are still looking for a place to relocate I would suggest the Barton City area between Alpine and Oscoda...the only reason I know of this location is because this is where my in laws reside and are trying to move when they retire next year...Moderator cut: advertising we have the only three grandchildren in the family...my husband and I own a building company in Tecumseh Mi and are going to build their home when they get this way...the area is very quite and serine...if you would like any other information about the area please let me know...Barton City is also close to beautiful lakes and other nature pleasing environments...it is small but quaint...simple.

[Ell]

I lived in Bad Axe and is In the thumb..... farming country, with big old houses, not too far to drive to Frankfort on a sunday drive. is within driving distance of Saginaw and Bay City.... if there is any crime it isn't much at all. I never knew of it when i lived there. Nice area.

[goblue332]

As one who grew up in Manistee and has been to Elberta, I can tell you that for the most part the weather is the same. During the winter there will be some differences in snowfall at times depending on where the snow bands cross the lake and develop but that's about it.

The Grayling area on the other hand and basically the region between Traverse City to the South and Mackinac City to the north gets heavier snows than places south, hence its "snow belt" designation.

The difference between being on the shore of Lake Michigan and inland is that usually the shore towns such as Manistee will get less precipitation (especially snow) as compared to inland towns such as Cadillac.

[Wabbit]

Inga,
I must say,
I feel like Dorthy in technicolor Oz over here in Grand Rapids.
Do yourself a favor. -Go West.
Unlike all of those down and outers (in S.E) who appear
to make it their lifes work discouraging people from coming
to Michigan. G.R. is positive and looking to the future.
Anywhere along Lake Michigan is beautiful and I agree with you,
Traverse City is king. (Anything but pretentious Mike J)
And by the way,
Hey buddy, we get it, your life blows.
Would someone please buy that guys
house in Ann Arbor so he can move
to any of the other gloooooorious
states that isn't Michigan.

[deeme]

jomaco1 ... born & raised in Muskegon? Me too! Cool! I haven't lived there for yrs tho. Went to Oakridge. You? My brother lives just north of there & works in Grand Haven. My Aunt lives just north of Muskegon in Hart & they luv it up there. We just moved from MI, Grand Rapids area. No work! But, we found work in another state ... lots of work here!